BOARDMAN Township regulates loud noise

The penalty for a first-time offender under the new resolution is $50.
BOARDMAN -- Night-time drivers with booming stereos will soon have to turn down the volume on their systems after township trustees adopted a resolution banning loud noise.
The home-rule resolution, adopted Tuesday, prohibits noise that "annoys, disturbs, injures or endangers the comfort, health, peace or safety of reasonable persons of ordinary sensibilities."
Trustee Thomas P. Costello said the township has been receiving several complaints about loud parties going late into the night, as well as cars with loud stereo systems.
He said the ordinance would limit the noise from not only residential areas, but from businesses as well.
The resolution prohibits "plainly audible" noise from radios, stereos, televisions and other electronic devices between the hours of 10 p.m. and 7 a.m.
Other noises
It also prohibits other noises:
UConstruction-type noises between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m. week days.
UDelivery noise to commercial properties adjacent to residential properties between midnight and 7 a.m.
ULawn-care machinery noise between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m.
UYelling, shouting, whistling or singing between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m.
"Plainly audible" is deemed as any sound that can be clearly heard from 100 feet or farther from the source of the sound.
Violations would be determined by police officers.
Exemptions are made for crises, emergency warnings, religious activity, athletics, special events and trains and aircraft.
Penalties are $50 for a first offense, $100 for a second offense, $150 for a third offense and $250 for fourth and subsequent offenses.
30 days
The noise resolution, which goes into effect in 30 days, is the fifth the board has passed since it adopted a limited home-rule government in October 1999, Costello said.
Other resolutions passed include one governing lawn maintenance and another governing exotic pets.
Trustees also voted to purchase a $10 million police liability insurance policy through the Ohio Township Association Risk Management Authority. Cost is $13,881 for the insurance.
The township has not had liability insurance specific to police officers until now.