Feb 28, 2005 By Patty Yauger 3 min read

CONNELLSVILLE TWP. – Quiet, please. Township residents playing radios too loud, permitting their pet dogs to bark continuously or causing any loud noises any time of the day may find they will have to pay a premium price if found guilty of violating a recently imposed ordinance.

A new noise ordinance adopted recently by supervisors was prompted after a number of homeowners complained of excessive noise being made by dogs and trucks, said Supervisor Fred Robbins.

“This is something that we have had a problem with for quite some time,” he said. “Hopefully, this will curb some of the problems.”

According to the ordinance, prepared by township solicitor John Cupp, radios, televisions, or musical instruments must not cause a disturbance to neighboring homes. Yelling and shouting or engaging in loud or raucous hooting, whistling or singing is also prohibited at any time of the day or night.

The use of loud construction tools or equipment is prohibited from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. Monday through Saturday and throughout the day on Sunday. The same limitations are also extended to power saws, drills, lawn or garden tools, snow blowers or similar devices, except in the case of an emergency, according to the ordinance.

The owners of animals or birds which howl, bark, meow, squawk or make other sounds continuously for a period of 10 minutes or intermittently for 30 minutes are subject to fines.

Those operating loud motor vehicles, committing unnecessary horn blowing and trucks found to be exceeding established decibel levels could be fined through the ordinance.

Church bells or chimes, construction or emergency work vehicles or interstate railway locomotives are exempt from the ordinance.

Also, amplified announcements such as those taking place at athletic, political or civic events; blasting; or concerts, may take place provided that all necessary permits have been secured from the township.

Robbins, meanwhile, said that the new regulation allows for supervisors along with police to issue citations to offenders, but he cautions that residents should use discretion when seeking intervention by officials.

“The ordinance gives us the ability to do something about continuous problems, but I hope we don’t get a telephone call from someone whose upset that a dog barks every once in a while,” he said. “Hopefully everyone will use good judgment.”

Anyone convicted can be fined up to $300 for each offense and can be jailed up to 90 days if restitution is not paid, according to the ordinance.