Noise ordinance?

[davis-denizen.livejournal.com]

While out for a walk on the bike path Saturday afternoon, I heard a god-awful racket coming from that park near the donut factory.  I could even hear it when I got back home (Banks Street).  Does anyone know what was going on, and isn't there a noice ordinance in Somerville that prevents people  from screaming into 10 Megawatt amplified speakers in a public park?

Comments

[badseed1980.livejournal.com]

Ah, I live RIGHT ACROSS the bike path from that park. I believe it was some sort of a youth basketball league thing going on. Got no problem with that in and of itself, but it really was hideously loud.

It was a basketball tournament

[rollzroix.livejournal.com]

Here's what the city's noise ordinance says about P.A. systems:

(12) Loudspeakers and public address system. Unless otherwise permitted by a duly authorized agent of the city, using or operating for any purpose any loudspeaker, public address system, or similar device (1) such that the sound therefrom creates a noise disturbance; or (2) between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.

My guess is that they had a permit.

Re: It was a basketball tournament

[rollzroix.livejournal.com]

Sorry - I should have included that the above paragraph was originally prefaced by this one:

Noise disturbances prohibited. The following acts are declared to be loud, disturbing and unnecessary noises in violation of this section, but said enumeration shall not be deemed to be exclusive.

Re: It was a basketball tournament

[davis-denizen.livejournal.com]

"Unless otherwise permitted by a duly authorized agent of the city"

Anyone who gets a permit can make as much noise as they want? I love this city! Almost as good as being able to throw out as much garbage and furniture as I want every week.

Re: It was a basketball tournament

[rollzroix.livejournal.com]

I'm not sure what the permit (if they had one) may or may not allow them to do.

I doubt it said anything like "make as much noise as you want". Although it would be quite humorous if the city was actually handing out permits that said that.

I love this city too! And I'm not being sarcastic! (I can't tell if you are)

Re: It was a basketball tournament

[rollzroix.livejournal.com]

I guess I should clarify that my interpretation of the ordinance is that you can't use a loudspeaker in a public space UNLESS you have a permit - that's why I assumed they got one (the yahoo group referred to below mentions that there was a noise complaint and that they subsequently turned the sound down)

[plumtreeblossom.livejournal.com]

I used to live right smack next to that damn park. From dawn to midnight I had to wear ear plugs at home if I wanted to sleep or get anything done. Between that and the constant stank of donut grease, I almost went insane.

[billharnois.livejournal.com]

I can't imagine having to always live with the stink of Donut grease. I feel bad for the people who live in the direction of the fan output from that building.

Has anyone experienced the guy on the first floor of 80 Morrison Ave? He blasts music really loud if there are any dogs around, whether on leash or not. It's really alarming to anyone on the path.

[plumtreeblossom.livejournal.com]

Gah, the donut grease went from being mildly pleasant on my first few days there to being stomach-churning torture after a few months. It really showed me how a smell that's supposedly good can become brutally nauseating when you're subjected to it constantly. Once while I lived there a skunk sprayed in the driveway and I was actually grateful for the relief from donut stink.

[billharnois.livejournal.com]

I can understand. That's my entrance to the bike path. When I first moved here I thought the scent was pleasant, but now I hold my breath when I'm in that area.

I would bet that the building's days are numbered though. It seems like it could be one of those soon to be razed and turned into condos places. Do donuts really need to be made right on the bike path? It must be expensive to make donuts there.

[davis-denizen.livejournal.com]

I'm sure the donut place is slated to be torn down when they build the nascar track.

[closetalker11.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry -- NASCAR Track???

[davis-denizen.livejournal.com]

From the Lexington Park mailing list.

Jeff Gordon may be coming to your neighborhood! Bjorn Hehr, president
of My Somerville Should Be Saved Before Your Somerville
(MySSBeSaveBYS), announced today that his organization is in negotiations with the
National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) to hold a race at
Lexington Park in April 2007.
...
The plan will require some minor construction, according to Mr. Hehr.
"We will need to reconfigure the park and several hundred adjoining
houses, to accommodate a track that meets NASCAR standards.

[simonbillenness.livejournal.com]

That sounds like Tom Lynch, my old landlord. He is deeply opposed to people walking their dogs without leashes on the bike path.

I used to live at 86 Morrison, which is far enough away from the noise in the park and the smell of donuts.

[ceo]

Save Our Somerville (a youth organization that, among other things, is trying to get a real basketball court built at the park) held a basketball tournament.

[lissie930.livejournal.com]

If anyone is interested in the on-going "debate" about the park usage, there is a Lexington Park Yahoo group at:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/lexingtonpark/

It was SO loud.

[shana-lyons.livejournal.com]

My house backs up to the opposite side of the bike path from that park. We're about 4-5 houses down Morrison from it and I could hear every word. For a while, I even got into the game. :)In all seriousness, it was way too loud. Is the park frequently used for events like this?