After months of debate and public input, the North Tonawanda Common Council has adopted revisions to the city’s longstanding noise ordinance, lowering allowable sound levels in residential areas and updating enforcement standards.
The measure passed by a 3–2 vote, establishing maximum dBC levels in residential zones at 60 between 7am and 10pm and 50 between 10pm and 7am. Aldermen Gabrielle Richards and Will Schulmeister opposed the changes, arguing that the city should have retained higher limits of 65 and 55 dBC as previously recommended by an outside acoustics consultant.
Public feedback played a central role in the council’s decision. Several residents urged officials to impose even stricter limits, though some described the adopted changes as at least a step forward. One Fairmont Avenue resident said the constant noise has made life at home difficult and characterized the new ordinance as something residents felt compelled to accept given current conditions…