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The Oakville Beaver, Wednesday February 8, 2006 - 11 Armed and ready to enforce noise by-law was enacted in 1963 and The Town's previous though updated four times was found its prem noise by-law "found Shhh, if you're making a disturbing ise in an era when the sci its premise in an era public noise, Oakville' s noise police are ence of measuring and when the science of armed with new rules, new equipment controlling sound was measuring and and new training to take you on and levy a unreliable --considered controlling sound was penalty of up to $5,000. in strictly qualitative unreliable." However, despite the big ruckus when terms. first proposed, the Town of Oakville's new Police, the Town and noise by-law passed very quietly at Town noise consultants were Phil Bouillon Council Monday. involved in the by-law Assistant Clerk The update of the by-law that had been review and by-laws from in use since 1963, aims to maintain a various municipalities and historical noise mission, no quiet, peaceful existence in Oakville for complaints in town were reviewed as part imposed. residents. of the process. It comes into step with Public meetings were modern definitions, "The Town's also held and the new by enforcement measures and previous noise law was drawn from a sound measuring. Model Municipal Noise By by-law was However, Council also enacted in 1963 law template from the stepped into modern Ministry of the and updated four times by adjusting restric Environment and in use tions, which, when first times." throughout the GTA and proposed created a hue Ontario. and cry among the public. Phil Bouillon New sound measure The new rules now Assistant Clerk ment technology now allows allow people to mow their the Town to evaluate quantitative aspects lawn until 9 p.m. instead of restricting of noise. it to 7 p.m. The introduction of a quantitative sec Also eliminated is the designated quiet tion into the by-law, will allow enforce areas --originally proposed for the area ment personnel to use a portable noise around the hospital (bounded by Trafalgar measuring device (sound level meter) to Road, Spruce Street, Douglas Avenue and determine if an air conditioner, for exam Palmer Avenue) -- where people were ple, is exceeding an acceptable sound deci never to be allowed to yell, shout, hoot, bel threshold. whistle or sing. Qualitative restrictions operate by Homeowners in-the area were also to establishing time periods during which it be prohibited from making noise with is not permitted to create a noise of a cer lawn mowers, leaf-blowers, chain saws or tain type. "any tool for domestic purposes other The new by-law also links to provincial than snow removal," after 5 p.m., or on legislation and regulations on noise, like Sundays or holidays. the Environmental Protection Act. Such proposed restrictions, though in To enforce the by-law, staff have been keeping with other municipal by-laws, trained and armed with the proper equip drew harsh criticism from the public and ment. garnered a fair bit of outside media atten Bouillon reported staff were ready to tion. begin enforcement as soon as the by-law After further study, Oakville passed its was passed. new by-law Monday, and Oakville still The Oakville Chamber of Commerce won't allow any fireworks, toys that use had been concerned that the new by-law combustion engines or persistently bark could impact existing commercial and ing dogs. industrial establishments. It's also hoped the updated by-law will So, in cases where there may be opera curtail noise complaints about construc tions that are in breach of the new regulation and warehouse operations, which have been problematic for some resi (·OIIICTIBUCOIPOX! dents. However, some believe that no matter how detailed the by-law, municipalities just don't have the clout in the form of tools from the province to deal with some persistent noise problems. The revamped by-law should, however, allow the Town to act as an irritant to determined noisy landowners. The new by-law lays out new rules on the "loading, unloading, delivering, pack ing, unpacking or otherwise handling" of PRESENTED BY materials daily, and particularly on The Oakville Beaver Sundays and statutory holidays. NAME OF YOUR SCHOOL Across town, lawn-mowing and other GROUP OR ORGANIZATION: domestic tool use will be allowed until 9 p.m. and the by-law establishes maximum sound levels for air conditioning units, COLLECTOR:_______________________ construction equipment, sound reproduc tion devices, domestic outdoor power Send or drop off your collected coupons to: THE OAKVILLE BEAVER, 467 SPEERS RD. tools and motorized vehicles. OAKVILLE ON L6K3S4 According to Assistant Clerk Phil No copies or reproductions accepted Bouillon, the Town' s previous noise by-law OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF By Angela Blackburn tions, a section of the by-law allows a company the option of respond ing within 45 days of a notice of viola tion by submitting a noise study d e m o n s tra tin g how it intends to conform to the by law. If Council approves the sub penalty would be The Town can't, however, regu late noisy car stereos, motorcycle mufflers, airplanes or railways -- those areas are controlled by either the Highway Traffic Act or Transport Canada. The biggest cost to the new by law will be for enforcement-- and potentially legal costs if the by-law is challenged in court. There are different areas defined in the by-law, including a Controlled Noise Area such as commercial/residential areas, and Residential Areas. The by-law includes general pro hibitions, others by time and place and others based on sound levels. The new rule leaves room for exemptions like emergency vehi cles and snow clearing, and for council to grant temporary exemptions applied for -- for a $50 permit fee -- for a limited amount of time. Anyone who contravenes the by-law faces a fine of up to $5,000. The new fyy-law is available for review on the town' s Web site at www.oakville.ca. DELM ANO R G le n A b b e y Dedicated. Distinctive. 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