The Town Council finds and declares that:
A. Excessive noise is a serious hazard to the public
health and welfare and quality of life in the town.
B. Each person has a right to an environment reasonably
free from noise, which jeopardizes health or welfare or unnecessarily
degrades the quality of life.
C. The purpose of this chapter is to establish standards
for the control of noise pollution in the town to protect the public
health, safety and general welfare.
D. This chapter may be cited as the "Noise Control Ordinance
of the Town of "Charlestown."
The following words, terms and phrases, when
used in this chapter, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in
this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different
meaning:
CONSTRUCTION
Any and all outside activity necessary or incidental to the
erection, assembling, altering, installing, repair or equipping of
buildings, roadways, infrastructure, or utilities including drilling,
blasting, mining, land clearing, grading, excavating and filling.
DEMOLITION
Any dismantling, intentional destruction or removal of structures,
infrastructure, utilities, public or private right-of-way surfaces,
or similar property.
NOISE DISTURBANCE
Any use, process, operation, operative or activity, which
causes or creates noise which exceeds reasonable persons' standard
for loudness, duration or repetitiveness.
PROPERTY MAINTENANCE EQUIPMENT
Engine- or motor-powered tools and equipment used occasionally
in the repair and upkeep of exterior property and including, but not
limited to, lawn mowers, riding tractors, power saws and leaf blower,
which are used and maintained in accordance with the manufacturer's
specifications.
PROPERTY MAINTENANCE
Lawn care and grounds maintenance using the appropriate property
maintenance equipment.
The provisions of this chapter shall not apply
to:
A. The operation of snow removal equipment at any time
provided that such equipment shall be maintained in good repair so
as to minimize noise. Noise discharged from exhausts shall be adequately
muffled so as to prevent loud and/or explosive sounds.
B. All agricultural activities.
C. Public emergency activities required to ensure the
health, safety and welfare of the citizenry.
D. The emission of sound from municipally sponsored,
approved or licensed celebrations, events, or activities.
Any person who shall violate any provision of
this chapter may be subject to a fine of not more than one hundred
dollars ($100.00) for a first offense and a fine of not more than
two hundred doddars ($200.00) for the second and each subsequent offense.