The proposed New Fairfield noise ordinance has once again been revised.  Town officials have been working on draft language since last summer.  While most complaints have been about large, late-night parties, there are also complaints about noise on the islands of Candlewood Lake. 

First Selectman Pat Del Monaco says police do respond to the complaints, but have said the town needs a noise ordinance.  The proposal uses the term plainly audible as the enforcement standard, which is something that surrounding towns have in their local laws on noise.  Other municipalities have found that a certain decibel standard has been difficult to enforce. 

The proposal specifies between motor vehicle, watercraft, and lawn care equipment. 

The most prevalent comments have been about the time frames being too tight.  They have been changed to 6:30am to sunset, or 7:30pm whichever is later.  Another change made clear about not making excessive noise for longer than 15 minutes.  It now specifies that it's within a 24 hour period, not taking a pause and continuing for another 15 minutes.  Noise on land would be plainly audible from 100 feet from the edge of the property rather than from the source. 

A provision was added that variances should not be unreasonably denied, and that denial can be appealed to the Board of Selectmen.  Another provision was added to allow the playing of music at commercial establishments, within certain time frames.