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Commissioner Barbara Logan said she proposed the ordinance after being contacted by residents tired of hearing neighbors using lawn equipment early in the morning or late in the evening.

"People don't like to hear noisy lawn equipment, power tools and other noises at inconsiderate hours," Commissioner David Humphreys said. "We'd want to restrict the hours of outdoor lawn and construction equipment to something reasonable."

Commissioners at their Jan. 10 meeting will discuss an ordinance that would allow police to issue fines to persons making excessive noise. The proposed ordinance would establish acceptable noise levels based on decibel counts.

"It's a shame that an ordinance like this has to be proposed in the first place," Salem Drive resident Joe Polk said. "If some people had more common sense and would be respectful of their fellow human beings, this wouldn't be much of a concern."

Humphreys said the ordinance could apply to all outdoor lawn and snow tools, ice cream trucks and retail noises, such as loud outdoor music from stores or restaurants.

But Polk urges caution.

"Let's not get ridiculous and start fining the Good Humor truck that comes through the neighborhoods," he said. "I also think they need to come up with some realistic and reasonable times when people are allowed to do their lawn maintenance and other outdoor work."

Humphreys said that mowing lawns or using leaf blowers could be prohibited before 8 a.m. during the week and later on Sundays.

"Of course, we're in the preliminary discussion stages and nothing has been determined," Humphreys said.

Municipal officials have been researching similar legislation adopted in Upper St. Clair, Murrysville and Allentown and plan to offer recommendations to commissioners, municipal Manager Stephen Feller said.

In Upper St. Clair, where an ordinance has been in place since 1976, a first offense carries a $100 fine; a second offense is $300; and three or more offenses carry a fine of $600 to $1,000. If the violation is corrected and the fine paid within 48 hours, the fine is reduced to $25.

The township considers noise measured at greater than 90 decibels -- the same noise level as a motorcycle -- and within 25 feet from public right of way or private property, to be excessive. The township also restricts the use of heavy equipment Mondays through Saturdays to between 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Historically, we haven't had too many problems with the ordinance," assistant Upper St. Clair Manager Mark Mansfield said. "It's never gotten out of control. We receive more complaints about barking dogs, and that already falls under a nuisance ordinance."

Although Joe Dimperio, of Parkway Drive, doesn't believe there would be problems in his neighborhood, he still hopes the commissioners adopt an ordinance.

"I would support any type of reasonable noise ordinance," Dimperio said. "It just seems there should be some regulations for people to enjoy some quiet time with their families."

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