'Quality of life issue' in Woodbridge the focus of Tuesday vote
WOODBRIDGE – Summertime parties with late-night music that can be heard blocks away are about to become a thing of past here as the township aims to crack down on noise violations.
The Township Council is scheduled to hold a public hearing and vote Tuesday on an amendment to the noise ordinance which makes it unlawful to make or cause any unnecessary noises which are harsh, prolonged, unnatural or unusual in their use, time or place and cause physical discomfort or which are injurious to the lives, health, peace and comfort of people living and working in Woodbridge.
If approved the ordinance would become effective around the second week of August.
Mayor John E. McCormac said residents have long complained about loud noise at night.
The ordinance includes noise from radios, TVs, musical instruments, phonographs, cassette and disk players and other machines and devices whether from a home, business, vehicle or outdoor area, including structures with open doors and windows.
Violations relate to noises from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. Sundays through Thursdays and 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays. When a federal or state holiday falls on a Monday, the Sunday hours will be 11 p.m. to 7 a.m.
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Penalties are determined based on the type of violation and the number of occurrences.
Noise from pyrotechnics, fireworks and other explosive devices from any residential property will be prohibited between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. This section of the ordinances does not apply to any fireworks displays sponsored by the township.
McCormac said fireworks that are now legal in New Jersey still must abide by the ordinance.
"This is a quality-of-life issue and people should not be disturbed late at night with the constant sound of outside music which prevents them from sleeping," said McCormac, adding the issue is mostly a problem during the nice weather months.
McCormac said township police will determine if the noise is a nuisance, and the township health department is equipped with decibel meters to reinforce police decisions.
"It's important because people deserve a proper quality of life," the mayor said.
Among the abusers have been some bars with outside music, as well as some residents throughout the township, not just in one specific section, McCormac said.
"We've seen a marked decrease in the number of complaints as we have already been out there talking to businesses and talking to residents, and we've been issuing summonses (under the current ordinance)," the mayor said, adding the township has an existing noise ordinance, and the proposed amendments just make it stricter.
Email: srussell@gannettnj.com
Suzanne Russell is a breaking news reporter for MyCentralJersey.com covering crime, courts and other mayhem. To get unlimited access, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.
This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: Woodbridge NJ 'quality of life issue' the focus of Tuesday vote
