Neighbors should practice etiquette when hosting parties

I live in a subdivision of single family and townhouse units. The lots for single family units are .25 acres or less, with the townhome lots even smaller. Charles County ordinances are quite clear regarding noise levels in a neighborhood, but some neighbors do not understand nor care about the etiquette of hosting large parties in a residential neighborhood.

When planning large parties, the right thing to do is to use a commercial or a public park venue. The noise levels of an outdoor party may interfere with your neighbors’ right to enjoy peace and quiet at home.

This past weekend, I requested for a neighbor to lower the noise level, after being unable to take a nap in my own home. Certain people either ignore the request or simply raise the volume after a short while, even after authorities have been called to register noise complaints. Civility matters here folks. If you are going to have a large party and know you will be playing loud music which might bother someone else in a subdivision, you ought to do the right thing and rent a pavilion in a public park or hotel. To subject your neighbors to your noisy party is rude and not neighborly. Not only that, but it is against county code, and against the bylaws of most home owners associations to have such large loud parties. I am all for parties and having a good time in the summertime, but please respect your fellow neighbors by having your large party in a more appropriate venue, not your small home with noise that would disturb others. Thank you for reading.

Tom Baker, Waldorf