Rules Committee Discusses Proposed Noise Ordinance Revision
Rules Committee discussed a proposed revision to Watertown's noise ordinance and identified multiple gaps in the draft.
City Council_ Committee on Rules and Ordinances · Meeting of March 12, 2026
WATERTOWN — Rules Committee discussed a proposed revision to Watertown's noise ordinance and identified multiple gaps in the draft. Councilor Nicole Gardner raised concerns that tonal noise provisions were missing from the updated Chapter 95, while Councilor Lisa J. Feltner objected to language suggesting the ordinance accepts fleeting noise as inherent in a dense community.
Councilor John G. Gannon highlighted vibrations from construction and demolition. The committee asked city staff to conduct research on vibrations, neighboring ordinances' tonal noise standards, and provide revised definitions for emergency work, construction and demolition, and plainly audible.
Manager George Proakis noted the Health Department's recognition of a gap regarding commercial lawn maintenance. The committee's review continues at a future meeting.
In the full story:
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Source: the City Council_ Committee on Rules and Ordinances meeting of March 12, 2026, compiled from the official minutes.
Checked against the official minutes.
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