The New Shoreham Town Council on Oct. 20 approved two limited amendments to the town noise ordinance to clarify where decibel readings may be taken and to remove an exception for outdoor entertainment and special-event licenses.

The amendments allow responding officers to take measurements from the complainant’s property, the originating property’s line, or other legally recognized locations for enforcement. The council also struck language that had explicitly exempted licensed outdoor entertainment and special events from the noise-table limits.

Town Manager Amy (last name not specified in transcript) told the council the changes were “fair, pretty simple declarative adjustments” intended to codify how officers have been taking readings. “The first allows flexibility, in where measurement is taken so that it can be from the complainant's property. It can be from the property line of the originating source property, and just confirms that that is all those are all legal readings when we take them,” she said.

Christopher Willie, speaking as a business owner on behalf of Captain X Rock and Rollbar, urged the council not to eliminate protections the licenses had provided: “I’m opposed to the exemption. Taking the exemption out. Striking the exemption. And I’m telling you why. Because the way it's enforced isn't broken.” Willie said event licenses have been used to balance a temporary economic benefit to the town’s summer economy against short-term inconvenience to neighbors.

Resident George Davis said outdoor live music is “an integral part of this community” and urged the council to avoid a “slippery slope” that would chill seasonal events.

Cindy Lasser, who described measured readings inside her home, urged the council to continue work on low-frequency and real-property-boundary issues, and on defining ambient-noise baselines: “We have proven scientifically that the bass travels differently. It infiltrates homes, walls, goes through into our lives.”

Police and code-enforcement staff and the fire chief told the council the amendments would give officers practical latitude to collect sound readings where they will be most useful. The responding officer explained that, historically, readings were taken at the receiving property; the change permits readings from other legally recognized locations such as the sidewalk or the originating property line.

Chief (first name not specified in transcript) emphasized cooperation between businesses and officers as key to success. Council members said they expect continued discussion and close communication among police, license holders and neighbors.

The motion to adopt the ordinance amendments was made, seconded, and carried by voice vote. Councilors and staff said the changes were not intended to end licensed outdoor entertainment but to align wording with enforcement practice and to begin additional conversations about long-term options such as low-frequency standards and ambient-noise procedures.

Councilors said they will continue to consider additional changes recommended during earlier meetings but that those would be treated as separate future policy discussions.

Votes at a glance: the council adopted the amendments by voice vote; the record shows the motion was seconded and the chair declared, “The ayes have it.”