Noise ordinance for Niles to be reworked

By Jordan Cohen

The city received a windfall in income tax receipts.

NILES — It’s back to the drawing board for the revised noise ordinance after Police Chief Bruce Simeone voiced disagreement Wednesday with several proposed revisions, calling them “unenforceable.”

Simeone objected to one section that defines a loud noise as a sound that “can be clearly heard at a distance of 100 feet.”

“I don’t believe [that distance] can be enforced,” the chief said. He also objected to the proposal to limit exemptions for “community activities.”

“I don’t see how we can restrict commercial activities, but allow community activities,” the chief said. “With both, we can treat everyone fairly.”

At least one resident in the audience was unhappy with Simeone’s viewpoint.

“This is a total whitewash,” shouted Dave Anderson, who previously accused the police department of refusing to enforce the existing noise ordinance. Anderson and several other residents have voiced ongoing complaints about loud music at McMenamy’s on U.S. Route 422.

“There were some good changes and you’ve inked them all out,” Anderson said.

Council still has to resolve the times when the ordinance takes effect. The current proposal is 11 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays and after either 12:30 a.m. or 1 a.m. on weekends.

On another matter, Treasurer Robert Swauger reported an “unexpected windfall” in income tax receipts of $105,000. Swauger said the money was generated through payroll bonuses of a Niles company, which he did not identify.

The treasurer said that even with the unanticipated revenue, income tax collections are $475,000 less than last year due to plant closings and layoffs.