Town Voters Consider Motorcycle Noise Ordinance

OFF THE WIRE
Some Question Whether Ordinance Could Be Enforced
POSTED: 5:47 pm EDT May 11, 2010


NORTH HAMPTON, N.H. --

Voters in North Hampton are deciding whether new limits should be established on how much noise motorcycles can make.

Some in the town said they are being drowned out by the sound of motorcycles.

"It disturbs the beach, and people come down here for peace and quiet, and you're hearing all those noisy motorcycles," said Chris, a resident who supports the proposed ordinance.

Legislators tried proposing a noise regulation at the state level this year, but it failed. Voters have petitioned for a chance to regulate it at the town level.

The ordinance would require permanent stickers on post-1982 motorcycle exhausts indicating they meet federal environmental standards.

"Especially late at night, going up and down the strip, you can hear them," said Ellen, who favors the ordinance. "I live only a mile from here. It scares the kids, scares the dogs."

But some said the ordinance is too restrictive or unfair.

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"I think we should give them their freedom and let them be who they are, because it's a biker community," said ordinance opponent John Stenson.

"We have young kids on the beach who have souped-up cars that make a lot more noise than a motorcycle, so now you're going to have to restrict everyone if you do that," said opponent Beth Woods.

Some residents who are against the proposed ordinance admit that the motorcycles get loud.

"It's going to be such a load on a police department that's already got a big load on its back, and now you're going to ask them to do something else that's a part-time nuisance," said opponent Tom Woods.

Town officials said that if the ordinance passes, the police department will have to determine whether it can be enforced.

"If it passes tonight, the chief of police will probably go to the county attorney's office to ask for a written opinion whether or not the town can enforce it," said Town Administrator Steve Fournier. "And if it's not enforceable, then the police would not be enforcing the ordinance."

First-time offenders could be fined up to $500, and subsequent violations would bring fines of $500 to $1,000.
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