After months of debate and six total amendments, the Grantwood Village Board of Trustees passed its first noise ordinance Sept. 21.

The ordinance, first introduced in late July, limits noise from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. to 55 decibels and overnight noise to 50 decibels. Noises are measured at the property line and the daytime hours are extended to 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. The limit on impulsive sounds (car horn, dog barking, etc.) is 80 decibels.

The bill was amended three times Sept. 21 to reflect the final reading above and trustees discussed the changes for around 40 minutes. The bill passed with one no vote from Village Clerk Phil Miceli, who expressed disapproval for it in the past. Miceli pushed for the impulsive noise limit to go from 55 to 80.

“I think we’re getting really nitpicky on it at 55 (decibels),” Miceli said. 

For context, 55 decibels is the approximate reading for an average conversation.

Grantwood citizens attending the meeting said the bill still leaves a lot to the imagination.

“What you just talked about for the last 15 minutes was very confusing and I hope it’s enforceable,” Jim Albenesius said. “A lot of the words you got in there nobody is going to understand.”

Every fall, the village hosts a fall festival for its residents and with a noise ordinance in place, the festival could technically be in violation.

“I’m hoping this noise ordinance is for habitual people who are persistently causing trouble,” Christine Mago said. “I just want to be sure this isn’t willy-nilly, anyone can complain and anyone can be cited. Even the fall festival is going to exceed your decibels.”

Chairman Kevin Kelso assured Mago the ordinance is strictly for “habitual abusers” of loud noises.