This chapter shall be known as the "Village of Caledonia Noise
Control Law," and is being enacted for the following described reasons.
The peace and tranquility of the Village has been continually and
unnecessarily disrupted by excessive, disturbing and offensive noises,
and the level and frequency of such disturbances continue to increase.
The level of these noises adversely affects the health, comfort, convenience,
safety and welfare of persons within the Village. All persons are
entitled to an environment free of disturbing, excessive or offensive
noises that are detrimental to life, health or personal peace and
tranquility. This chapter is to be construed liberally but is not
intended to be construed so as to discourage the enjoyment of normal,
reasonable and usual activities.
The Village of Caledonia police are directed to take any reasonably
necessary action to abate the noise created by an unattended mechanical
device such as an engine, alarm or the like when a person responsible
for the device or a person who can silence the device is not present
and cannot be contacted in a reasonably short time.
The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to the following
acts:
A. Any police vehicle, fire vehicle or ambulance sirens or any other
emission of sound for the purpose of alerting persons to the existence
of an emergency.
B. Noise from municipally sponsored celebrations or events.
C. Noise from individually sponsored events where a permit for the event
has been obtained from the Village Clerk. When authorized by the Village
Board, the Village Clerk is authorized to issue a permit for a wedding
reception or similar event to be held outdoors or in a tent, with
music provided by a band, orchestra or sound reproduction equipment,
provided that the sound levels are not annoying to a reasonable person
when heard at a distance of 500 feet from its source and provided
that the event does not continue beyond 10:00 p.m. and is limited
to a maximum duration of four hours. The intended hours of the event
shall be furnished to the Village Clerk at the time of application
for permit and shall be listed on the permit. Other reasonable conditions
which conform to the intent and purposes of this chapter may be imposed
upon the issuance of such permits which are not authorized more frequently
than once in any six-month period for the same property. The Village
Board reserves the right to limit the number and frequency of permits
granted in any geographic area of the Village of Caledonia. A copy
of each permit along with the conditions limiting such permit will
be provided to the Village Police Department.
D. The operation or use of any organ, radio, bell, chimes or the like
by any church, synagogue or school licensed or chartered by the State
of New York, provided that such operation or use does not occur between
the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m.
E. Noise generated by the installation and maintenance of utilities.
F. Music in connection with a military or civic parade, funeral procession
or religious service authorized by the Village.
G. Authorized sporting events.
Any person who violates any provision of this chapter shall
be guilty of a violation and shall be subject to a fine not to exceed
$250 for each offense. The Village may also seek injunctive relief
to prevent the continued violation of this chapter.