The move is set for adoption at Wednesday's council meeting.
JERSEY CITY -- A revamped measure targeting noise is up for final approval at next week's City Council meeting, one that would give a certified noise-control officer the authority to issue fines of up to $1,000 for violations.
The ordinance (Ord. 16.070) has been revised since it was first introduced in February by Councilman Rich Boggiano. The measure up for adoption tomorrow would retain 7 a.m. as the permitted construction start time on weekdays. The previous version proposed a start time of 8 a.m.
The ordinance would also eliminate the initial version's outright ban on weekend construction work unless the contractor submits a noise mitigation plan to the city. The final measure would allow construction work on weekends starting at 9 a.m.
Other items remain, such as a ban on the use of power tools on a residential property before 8 a.m., a requirement that snow blowers have mufflers or sound reduction devices and a ban on animals "howling, yelping, barking, squawking, etc." for more than five minutes without interruption.
Boggiano said there is enormous community support for the move.
"People are disgusted with what's going on," he told The Jersey Journal. "I've gotten more calls for people in favor of it and everyone wants it to pass and they want it to be enforced."
The proposal largely mirrors the state's recommendation for municipal noise ordinances. If adopted, it would replace the city's current noise law, which is so old it includes a ban on boom boxes in public places. The city calls that law "unenforceable."
Boggiano said the noise-control officer, who would receive three days of training, will work out of the city's building department. The city would also be able to contract the duties out to a third party.
"I'm going to keep on top of them," he said. "I'm going to make sure they have people trained."
The council meets on Wednesday at 6 p.m. at City Hall, 280 Grove St.
Terrence T. McDonald may be reached at tmcdonald@jjournal.com. Follow him on Twitter @terrencemcd. Find The Jersey Journal on Facebook.
