| Author |
Message |
    
Claudia Meyers
Citizen
Username: Cabameyers
Post Number: 1
Registered: 5-2006
| | Posted on Monday, May 29, 2006 - 8:32 pm: | 
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We've been living in Maplewood for about a year. It's been really great until about three months ago, when someone in our block decided to change the muffler on his car to the kind that makes noise like a harley-davidson motorcycle...it's really, really loud.
It's been horrible, since you can hear the car at all times. It's so loud you can hear it for miles (ok, it just feels that way). Anyway, quality of life has gone down...we're really unhappy.
Are there any rules/regulations in Maplewood regarding this kind of noise pollution? |
Tom Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 14520
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Monday, May 29, 2006 - 11:03 pm: |
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There are state laws about that, for sure, but I think the only real enforcement is at bi-annual inspection time. There may be a township ordinance. I suggest you ask by calling at 973-762-8120.
I did a quick check check on the township website and didn't find any, but I am not very familiar with the site: http://www.twp.maplewood.nj.us
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davidbuckley
Citizen
Username: Davidbuckley
Post Number: 635
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, May 29, 2006 - 11:18 pm: |
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I would suggest identifying owner and having polite chat w/ said re your family and need for calm maybe due to kids or un-traditional working hours, good reasons to stress your need for quiet.
Don't assume this "muffler changing" was necessarily purposeful--may just need a good mechanic!
Good luck and definitely speak to town hall re rights/obligations and please report back here if you have time.
Be well, all.
David |
us2inFL
Citizen
Username: Us2innj
Post Number: 1444
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 30, 2006 - 6:14 am: |
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When we were living on Maplewood Avenue, we would constantly hear the distant thud-thud-thud of an approaching rolling boom box. Even though they were repeat offenders, since I recognized a couple of the cars, the one that was really annoying was the delivery guy from "Papa John's."
I contacted the manager of the store over on Springfield and told him of the situation, and suggested he have a chat with the driver. That seemed to solve the problem. I guess the driver wasn't too sharp since he was rolling around town blasting his car radio with the phone number of his company plastered to the roof of the vehicle. |
Tom Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 14523
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 30, 2006 - 7:24 am: |
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He wasn't too sharp, not because he figured he wouldn't get caught but because he didn't know it was offensive to drive around like that.
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Larry Seltzer
Citizen
Username: Elvis
Post Number: 9
Registered: 4-2006
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 30, 2006 - 9:10 am: |
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The Maplewood Noise Ordinance (yes, you can get to this from the town web site):
ARTICLE I Loud and Unnecessary Noise [Adopted 12-3-1974 by Ord. No. 1438 as Section 3-3 of the 1974 Revised General Ordinances]
§ 181-1. Noise restricted.
It shall be unlawful for a person to make, continue or cause to be made or continued any loud, unnecessary or unusual noise or any noise which does or is likely to annoy, disturb, injure or endanger the comfort, repose, health, peace or safety of others
§ 181-2. Unlawful acts. A. Without intending to limit the generality of § 181-1, the following acts are hereby declared to be examples of loud, disturbing and unnecessary noise in violation of this article: (1) Radios; televisions; phonographs. The playing, use or operation of any radio-receiving set, television, musical instrument, phonograph or other machine or device for the producing or reproducing of sound in such manner as to disturb the peace, quiet and comfort of neighboring inhabitants or with louder volume than is necessary for convenient hearing for persons who are in the room, vehicle or chamber in which the machine or device is operated and who are voluntary listeners. The operation of such a set, instrument, phonograph, machine or device between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. so that it is clearly audible at a distance of 100 feet from the building, structure or vehicle in which it is located shall be prima facie evidence of a violation of this article.
(2) Yelling; shouting. Yelling, shouting, hooting, whistling or singing on the public streets, particularly between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., or at any time or place, which annoys or disturbs the quiet, comfort or repose of persons in any office, dwelling, hotel, motel or other type of residence or of any persons in the vicinity.
(3) Animals; birds. The keeping of animals or birds which, by causing frequent or long-continued noise, disturbs the comfort or repose of any person in the vicinity.
(4) Horns. The sounding of a horn or warning device on an automobile, motorcycle, bus or other vehicle, except when required by law or when necessary to give timely warning of the approach of the vehicle or as a warning of impending danger to persons driving other vehicles or to persons on the street. No person shall sound a horn or warning device on an automobile, motorcycle, bus or other vehicle which emits an unreasonably loud or harsh sound or for an unnecessary or unreasonable period of time.
(5) Exhaust. The discharge into the open air of the exhaust of a steam engine, stationary internal-combustion engine or motor vehicle, except through a muffler or other device which will effectively prevent loud or explosive noises.
(6) Defect in vehicle or load. The use of an automobile, motorcycle or vehicle so out of repair or so loaded that it creates loud and unnecessary grating, grinding, rattling or other noise.
(7) Construction or repair. The carrying on of excavation, demolition, construction, repair or alteration work other than between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.; and the carrying on of construction, repair or alteration work by a homeowner on his own dwelling or property, other than between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. In case of urgent necessity or in the interest of public health or safety, the Director of Public Works may grant a permit for excavation, demolition, construction, repair of streets, sidewalks and bridges or alteration work for a period necessary to complete said work, which may be carried on between 7:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m. [Amended 8-5-1986 by Ord. No. 1702]
(8) Schools; courts; churches; hospitals. The creation of excessive noise on a street adjacent to a school, institution of learning, church or court while in use or adjacent to a hospital, which unreasonably interferes with the working of the institution or which disturbs or unduly annoys patients in the hospital, provided that conspicuous signs are displayed in such a street indicating that it is a school, hospital or court street.
(9) Equipment having constantly running engines. [Added 8-6-1991 by Ord. No. 1867] (a) No enterprise or business, whether for the purpose of home maintenance, lawn care, vehicle maintenance or any similar service, which uses equipment that has a constant running engine producing excessive noise may begin work prior to 7:30 a.m. weekdays and 8:00 a.m. on Saturdays. All work must be completed on those days by 8:00 p.m. No work shall take place before 11:00 a.m. and must cease by 6:00 p.m. on Sundays.
(b) Any work performed by the Township of Maplewood, the County of Essex or the State of New Jersey and any emergency utility work is exempted from this requirement.
B. The above enumeration is intended to give typical illustrations of prohibited noise and shall not be construed as exclusive.
§ 181-3. Exceptions.
Nothing herein contained shall be construed to apply to: A. The use of bells, chimes or sound amplifiers by churches engaged in church activities.
B. Activities of municipal departments in the performance of their duties, drills or public demonstrations.
C. Activities in public parks, playgrounds or public buildings under permission or authority of municipal officials.
D. The playing by a band or orchestra in a hall or building or in the open air, where duly authorized.
§ 181-4. Sound trucks.
Sound trucks may be operated in accordance with the following regulations upon the issuance of a permit by the Township Committee for each occasion and each location. A. Sound trucks shall not be operated in residential zones in the township before 9:00 a.m. nor after 7:00 p.m.
B. Sound trucks shall not be operated in commercial zones in the township before 9:00 a.m. nor after 9:00 p.m.
C. Moving sound trucks shall keep to the extreme right-hand side of the road and shall proceed at a speed of not less than 10 miles per hour.
D. Stationary sound trucks are prohibited in all residential zones in the township but may be operated in commercial zones during the hours referred to above.
E. For the purpose of this section, "residential zones" shall mean the zone so designated in the Zoning Ordinance of the township, Editor's Note: See Ch. 271, Zoning and Land Development. and "commercial zones" shall mean and include all parts of the township other than residential zones. Editor's Note: Former Art. II, General Regulations, adopted 2-21-1995 by Ord. No. 1962, which immediately followed this section, was repealed 11-8-1995 by Ord. No. 1980.
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Claudia
Citizen
Username: Cabameyers
Post Number: 2
Registered: 5-2006
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 30, 2006 - 12:09 pm: |
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thank you all so much for your help.
we'll approach our neighbors to see if they will voluntarily comply with the town law. if they do not or will not, i have ammunition (thanks to the message board, yeah!) and the law behind me and we'll contact the town and police dept.
have a great day and i will keep you posted.
be well. |
HOMMELL
Citizen
Username: Hommell
Post Number: 207
Registered: 11-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 30, 2006 - 12:34 pm: |
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There is also mediation:
http://www.twp.maplewood.nj.us/index.asp?Type=B_BASIC&SEC={109E45FB-34CB-43C0-8AB7-3DA7F59926B2}&DE={8B8C5286-78D3-491A-94D7-7ECB515BAC54}
I have never used it. |
Case
Citizen
Username: Case
Post Number: 1697
Registered: 2-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 30, 2006 - 2:18 pm: |
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No hooting, and no operation of a steam engine? What is this, Russia? |
HOMMELL
Citizen
Username: Hommell
Post Number: 211
Registered: 11-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 30, 2006 - 3:07 pm: |
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No, they allow the operation of a steam engine in Russia.
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Smarty Jones
Citizen
Username: Birdstone
Post Number: 685
Registered: 10-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 30, 2006 - 3:16 pm: |
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What is your interpretation of this ruling on outdoor High School Pool Party's, and Live Garage Bands? (we are frequently "entertained" by both) My sense is, that anything goes until 11 PM, then lights out?
It's odd that there is no distinguishing between weeknights or weekends. Thoughts? |
Peter
Supporter
Username: Peter
Post Number: 249
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 30, 2006 - 10:42 pm: |
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Most people don't know that Harleys' loud pipes are part of the safety system. They don't have brakes -- you're supposed to hear them and get out of the way. |
Tom Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 14526
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 30, 2006 - 11:57 pm: |
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Peter, where are you? My wife and I miss you.
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