08/11/2025 SELECT BOARD Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Select Board Minutes August 11,2025 Selectman Richardson-yes ZackarySeabury, Health Agent The Select Board welcomed Zackary Seabury, Health Agent, who presented two proposed warrant articles. He provided a summary of each article as follows: • Article 12 proposed an amendment to Chapter 120, §120-1 of the General Bylaws. The amendmentwas brought forward in response to a growing number of resident complaints about early morning construction activity and the use of leaf blowers in residential neighborhoods. The current bylaw primarily addresses noise generated by music, singing, and parties, and while it includes general references to "noise- making devices,"the language is too vague to support consistent enforcement against operational equipment such as construction or landscaping tools. The proposed changes aim to establish specific time limits for construction, demolition, and commercial landscaping activities to better address these concerns. During discussion of Article 12 Selectwoman Kelley-Wilson raised the issue of whether the proposed $50 fine would serve as an effective deterrent. Seabury responded that$50 is the going rate in most towns, and that while residents usually respond to a phone call or emailwarning,violations often repeat the following year. Selectman Richardson expressed doubt that a $50 fine would stop recurring issues. Town Manager Rodney Collins noted that the primary goal of the amendment is to provide clearer definitions of what constitutes "unreasonable noise"to improve enforcement. Assistant Town Manager Wayne Taylor asked whether the proposed times were consistent with current standards, and Seabury confirmed that personal-use noise typically concludes between 7:00 and 8:00 p.m., with the Health Board choosing 7:00 p.m. to align with commercial restrictions but is willing to change the time as the Select Board sees fit. Assistant Town Manager Wayne Taylor inquired whether the amendment would impact entertainment licenses, and Seabury clarified that it would not. The scope is Limited to construction, demolition, and commercial landscaping. Selectman Weeden asked if the outdated language regarding"the making of loud outcries" could be removed. Seabury acknowledged the section's outdated language and offered to further research its origin and relevance. Motion made by Selectman Weeden to make a recommendation to change the time from 7:00pm to 8:00 pm.