Churchville residents are invited to attend a public hearing Oct. 1, and comment on a proposed noise ordinance prohibiting anyone from creating disturbing, excessive or offensive noises within the village and imposing fines from $50 for a first offense, up to $250 for subsequent offenses.

According to proposed Local Law #3-2001, prohibited noises include cars or motorcycles with unnecessarily loud exhaust systems or driven in a way that causes excessive noise such as squealing tires. The use of power tools, leaf blowers and lawn mowers in residential areas would be prohibited between the hours of 9 p.m. and 7 a.m. on weekdays and between 9 p.m. and 8 a.m. on weekends.

Also included are prohibitions on noise from a radio that can be heard 40 feet from its source or over any property line, any alarm heard for more than 15 minutes, and any noise from a dog, or other animal, heard for more than 15 minutes.

Exceptions to the law include public emergency alert systems, noise from village sponsored or endorsed events, church bells, utility installation and repair, village owned or operated equipment, and noise from any commercial or industrial zoned property that existed prior to the adoption of the new law.

"This is a continuing problem in the village," said Mayor Donald R. Ehrmentraut. He said the village board wrote the new law at the urging of New York State Police and the Monroe County Sheriff’s office, so that officers responding to complaints such as loud car stereos would have a law to enforce.

Jason Wilder, a new resident on South Main Street in the village, was at the village board meeting September 17 to complain about noise and disturbances near his home. He said one night a car was driving through the village with passengers shouting out the window through a megaphone. He wanted to know what the village could do about it.

Ehrmentraut said he hoped the new noise ordinance would help, and encouraged Wilder, and all residents, to call 911 immediately to report any mischief or vandalism. "The Sheriff’s encourage us to call 911," he said.

Ehrmentraut said residents should try to get license plate number or descriptions for the police. He said he hopes troopers from the local NY State Police office and Monroe County Sheriff’s officers will be at the public meeting October 1 to offer input and suggestions to residents.

Village trustees also plan to work on drafting a new dog control ordinance at that meeting, including a fine for not cleaning up after pets on village streets. The Churchville Village Board meets the first and third Monday of every month, at 22 South Main St.