The Township of Whitewater Region received a drafted bylaw to control noise in the Whitewater Region.
“In the past, we’ve received complaints regarding noise, so hopefully this will help that.” Clerk Carmen Miller said.
She said that it was recommended to bring the by-lay to the July 7th meeting to give time for revision.
CAO Trembley added that they were getting an increased number of calls from new residents, and that there were several exemptions, such as calves, cows, or existing industrial mechanisms.
“You can exempt certain things. If you move there and there is a barn there, they’re exempt. Move on.” he said.
“We have a range on the other side of our road, will they be limited?” Councillor Mackay said. “If you live in the country, you should be able to shoot your rifle.”
Miller reminded Mackay that it was not applicable to the rural areas.
Councillor McLaughlin expressed concern at the by-law and tensions caused.
“These are things that bother me. “ He said. “I understand the noise by-laws, but I think we need to walk gently, because I can see it turning into a match amongst neighbours.
“I think this is something we need to really tread lightly on. If you put something in place, you really need to be ready to enforce it.” Reeve Cathy Regier said, and suggested the OPP would be the ones to enforce.
Councillor Charlene Jackson asked who will be monitoring it and what they would be using to test for decibels, and that doing so would be ‘next to impossible.”
The motion was carried.
