Apr 8, 2002 By Melissa Glisan 3 min read

CUMBERLAND TWP. – Apparently, what’s music to some is a menace to another. Residents Lisa Keller, Brenda McGill and Nannette Evosevich asked the township supervisors last week for guidelines to help ease tensions between their musical teens and a neighbor by either enacting a noise ordinance or outlining acceptable times for the band to play.

The heavy metal band is composed of their teen-age sons and other neighborhood youths.

While the mothers say they are proud of their sons’ accomplishments, finding a drug and alcohol free way of having fun while making money, they are concerned that their children are being discriminated against because of the type of music they play.

“When the marching band goes practicing up and down the streets, you don’t see people calling the cops on them. Why on our kids?” Evosevich asked.

Some in attendance at last week’s meeting agreed that the school band can be loud, but it generally is accepted because it’s a school-related function.

Keller said she understands that her neighbor sleeps during the day because he works a night shift, but has been inflexible when the band has tried to work out practice days and times with him.

“He keeps telling us the same thing: ‘I don’t want them practicing, period,'” she said.

What angered the group was the frequency in which township police are being sent to the house.

“If it keeps up, this is harassment,” Evosevich said.

Police Chief Bill Lewis assured the women that is not necessarily the case. He explained that the officers will approach the house and if the band is too loud, they will ask the boys to lower the volume. However, if the officers notice no real problem after responding a number of times, the complainant will be told and the officers’ visits will cease.

The supervisors noted that even if they would enact a noise ordinance, they have no equipment to test decibel levels to determine fault. Chairman Leroy Baker said that only township officers could enforce the ordinance, and if the state police were called, the matter would fall under state laws on nuisances. He urged the group to try to ease the situation somewhat by soundproofing the practice area.

The supervisors also conducted the following business last week:

– Announced that the township is considering working with the county on a comprehensive plan. The board said an independent plan could cost $25,000 to $50,000. Though details haven’t been worked out and no commitments have been made, the board said the joint plan could include Waynesburg Borough and Franklin Township.

– Agreed to assist Bob McAlanis of the Crucible Volunteer Fire Department with installing a dry hydrant on Ferry Road once all the permits have been obtained.

– Received thanks from resident Donald Baker for testing the later meeting time. He asked the board to consider moving meetings to the 7 p.m. time permanently.

– Responded to questions about an investigation into guns missing from the police department. Solicitor Dennis Makel said that, following the direction of the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, he turned the investigation over to the state police, who are pursuing an investigation. Makel noted that filing a civil suit against the people who registered the guns in question could negate the criminal investigation.

– Announced that the meeting would be continued until 3 p.m. Monday to award contracts for road maintenance materials.