LORDSTOWN Officials to discuss noise-level study

The study to determine noise levels should begin next week.
By SHERRI L. SHAULIS
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
LORDSTOWN -- Anyone violating this village's noise ordinance is subject to fines and penalties. The problem is, nothing in the ordinance defines what excessive noise is.
"The ordinance now says excessive noise is defined as volume and frequency as determined by the board of zoning appeals," said village Zoning Inspector Ron Barnhart. "But there's no decibel level set in the ordinance."
To address the lack of specifics, the board of zoning appeals will meet at 5:30 p.m. Monday in council chambers to discuss a study that will measure noise levels.
Council agreed earlier this week to pay for CT Consultants to conduct the 30-day study, which is expected to start next week, Barnhart said.
Targeted area
The study will center on recording noise levels near Lafarge Corp. on Newton Falls-Bailey Road. Barnhart said that location was chosen because of numerous complaints from residents about noise from tractor-trailers.
The facility accepts slag at a dump site on the property, but plans to open a 26-acre construction demolition and debris landfill. Company officials have said most of the construction debris -- which could include wood, shingles, brick, pipes and more -- would come in to the location by trains.
"They are just looking for a starting point to use as a base," Barnhart said of the board's meeting. Once a baseline noise level is found, it could be used in legislation to determine what's excessive, he said.
No action is expected to be taken at Monday's meeting, which is open to the public. Barnhart said members plan to simply discuss the upcoming study.
Bruce Platt chairs the board, which also includes Mayor Arno Hill, Councilman D. James London, Don Minton and Maureen Tillian.
slshaulis@vindy.com