Rhinebeck proposes more revisions to noise rules

Revisions to the proposed noise ordinance amendments will get a March 26 public hearing after officials added exemptions for tree removals and several routine sound sources.

The session is scheduled for 6 p.m. in Town Hall at 80 East Market St.

“This is a revision of an existing law that’s been challenging,” Supervisor Elizabeth Spinzia said.

“We took (out) any noise made during emergencies, snow plowing, home generators, or trees needing to be cut down,” she said.

Added as exemptions to the noise law are professional property maintenance and tree removal businesses.

Complaints during a hearing last month included concerns from resident Jeff Hicks, who told Town Board members that wording in the existing law would prevent him from use of a tractor when traveling between two farms.

Hicks did not feel it was sufficient for the law to have an exemption that included “sounds from farm operations conducted in a manner consistent with… agricultural practices” as determined by the state Department of Agriculture and Markets.

Officials then added “tractors or other farm vehicles” to the exemptions.

Several people had complained about the proposed decibel levels, prompting officials to explain that the thresholds for out-of-compliance sound were drafted as increases.

The proposed law prohibits sounds above 50 dBA, or adjusted decibel level, within a multi-dwelling unit building from within the building between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. and above 45 dBA during other hours. The measure also prohibits sounds above 65 dBA at a residential property line between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. and

above 50 dBA during other hours for both residential and commercial properties.

It would also limit impulsive sounds that exceed 80 dBA to less than four times per hour. For occurrences of impulsive sound at 60 dBA, the frequency allowed would be four times per hour between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. and reduced to 50 dBA for four times per hour during other hours.

There would also be a new section on “unreasonably intrusive” noise, which would cover verbal or mechanical sounds that create problems based on volume, frequency and periodicity of the noise; whether the noise is unusual and incongruous with the surrounding environment; taking into account the use, nature and character of the zoning district; and time of the day or night and the duration.