Four hearings, noise limits and budget on agenda
The Beacon City Council has a busy night starting at 7 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 9, when it is scheduled to hold a regular meeting, a workshop and four public hearings because its Dec. 2 meeting was snowed out.
The council will hear feedback from the public on a request for a special-use permit to open a bar and arcade at 296 Main St.; proposals to regulate exterior lighting citywide and balconies in the waterfront, linkage and Main Street districts; and various proposals for traffic signs.
The council is also expected to vote on the city’s 2020 budget, a five-year capital spending plan …
Top Projects
2020
Road reconstruction: Fishkill Avenue from city line to Main: $4.7m*
Wastewater treatment plant upgrades: $2.9m
Re-facing Mount Beacon dam: $2.5m
Road reconstruction: Teller Avenue from Main to Wolcott: $2.2m*
Improvements to West Main sewer pump station: $2.1m* The city received $6.6m in state grants for the two road reconstruction projects.
2021
Fowler Street water main replacement: $476K
John Street water main replacement: $411K
Fulton Street water main replacement: $402K
Wastewater treatment plant – removal of underground tank and installation of natural gas generator: $350K
Riverfront Park restoration (basketball courts, parking lot, walkway, fencing): $315K2022
Wastewater treatment plant upgrades: $1m
Highway – 6-wheel truck with plow: $600K
Memorial Park shed: $300K2023
Fire Department pumper truck: $600K
City Hall roof: $250K
Highway — trackless mower: $175K2024
Highway — excavator: $225K
Highway — front-end loader: $175K
and a revision of the law that regulates noise levels.
Facing the Music
A proposed law in Beacon would limit noise levels in decibels to:
For comparison, a whisper is 30db, light traffic is 50db, a shower is 70db, a motorcycle is 100db and a firecracker is 145 db.
Among the uses that the law would prohibit:
■ Outdoor loudspeakers and public-address systems during nighttime hours, unless needed for public safety
■ Portable music devices in public spaces that are “plainly audible” 25 feet away, including cars playing music
■ Animal noises such as barking that disturb or interfere with the peace and comfort of any resident
■ Cars without mufflers
■ Nighttime constructionThe law would exempt:
Non-motorized landscaping and power tools from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Religious services
Snowblowers
Burglar alarms
Emergency warning systems
Garbage trucks
AirplanesBars, restaurants and music venues in most cases would have to apply for a permit for outdoor music. The sounds coming from these establishments, including from patrons, could not exceed 55 decibels measured during the day at the property line of an affected person. During nighttime hours, an establishment would be in violation if the noise is plainly audible within the dwelling of an affected person with all windows and doors closed.
