OAKLAND — Repeat violators of a proposed “unnecessary noise” ordinance set for discussion during Wednesday’s Town Council meeting could face fines of up to $1,000, according to a draft released by town officials.

Town Manager Gary Bowman said the proposal comes after residents on McGrath Pond Road repeatedly complained that a logging operation in the area was waking them as early as 3 a.m.

The town previously has dealt with noise complaints individually. After multiple failed attempts to find a resolution, however, Bowman said a comprehensive ordinance might be needed to keep nuisance noises in check.

“We’ve been put in a position where we have to start looking at possible other means of enforcement,” he said.

Bowman said the council would only discuss his draft for a noise ordinance, not vote on it, during the meeting, which begins at 6 p.m. at the Town Office. The proposal is subject to change based on input from the Town Council, he said.

The ordinance would make the Oakland Police Department the enforcement agency. If convicted, violators would be guilty of a civil offense, punishable by a fine of $100 for a first offense, $250 for a second offense, $500 for a third offense and $1,000 for a fourth and all subsequent offenses.

The ordinance defines “unreasonable noise” as anything that exceeds 60 decibels between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. and anything that exceeds 50 decibels between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. It calls for police to measure the noise at the site of the complaint using an American National Standards Institute sound meter, which Bowman said would cost the town about $500 to buy.

Police would measure the noise from a complainant’s home, not where the noise is being generated.

Industrial Noise Control Inc., which manufacturers noise control products, compares 60 decibels to the sound of a conversation in a restaurant or office setting or an air conditioning unit at a distance of 100 feet. It compares 50 decibels to a quiet suburb, a conversation at home or a large electrical transformer at a distance of 100 feet.

A reading of 70 decibels, which would exceed the levels allowed in the ordinance, is about as loud as a passenger car traveling at 65 mph on a highway at a distance of 50 feet, according to INCI.

The ordinance would prohibit people from intentionally or recklessly causing “annoyance to others” in a public place by making “loud and unreasonable noises” after having been ordered by police to cease similar such noises within the past six months. It would make the same provision for noise coming from private places if the noise can be heard by another person in a public place or another private place.

The ordinance would allow several exemptions, including federal, state and governmental activities, private contractors of government agencies, utility agencies and garbage or recycling collection. Other exemptions would include public assemblies, parades, performances and athletic events, as well as bells or chimes associated with clocks, schools or churches.

Bowman said he and Police Chief Mike Tracy will be on hand to answer questions about the proposed ordinance. The ordinance draft is subject to change at the discretion of the Town Council, he said, and will not be up for consideration during the meeting.

Evan Belanger — 861-9239

ebelanger@centralmaine.com

Twitter: @ebelanger

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