Noise Pollution

As daylight lengthens and temperatures grow warmer, my joyful anticipation of summer is tempered with  dreadful anticipation of noise, noise, noise.

The Patchogue River has become "Party Centrallllllllll

...and despite a noise ordinance enacted in 2009 noise pollution is rampant and the residents are afforded little relief.

As daylight lengthens and temperatures grow warmer my joyful anticipation of summer is tempered by dreadful anticipation of noise, noise, noise.

The Patchogue River has become "Party Central" and despite a noise ordinance enacted in 2009, noise pollution remains rampant and residents are afforded little relief

Every weekend , Friday, Saturday, Sunday,we are unable to enjoy peace and quiet either inside our homes, in our yards or on our decks.  Distressing as this is for all, it is especially so for those who work all week, often at stressful jobs, only to be assaulted on the weekend with noise created stress.

Noise is an environmental stressor.

There is, now, a considerable body of research regarding the negative impact on physical  and mental health  resulting from exposure to noise pollution.    Exposure to noise is associated with cardiovascular changes such as elevated blood pressure, increased heart rate and the release of stress hormones which have a damaging effect on all body systems.  These are only a few of the physical hazards associated with noise pollution.

Year after year  permits for amplified music are routinely issued by the Village.  Why? When a restaurant is situated  in a residential neighborhood, music that is not amplified is appropriate and not objectionable. When that restaurant resorts to amplified music, its' character is changed and it becomes a nightclub or a cabaret.  The level of supervision and enforcement by the Village should reflect that change.

So I ask again. What is the need for amplified music? Has it become necessary to accomodate the increasing occupancy of patrons which, in recent years has vastly increased? If so, this raises an additional and related issue. that is, violation of occupancy codes and its' related dangers. This is troubling. How are occupancy codes clarified and enforced. Must a tragic event occur in order for village officials to recognize and address this issue.

Development on the river has proceeded in an unplanned and haphazard manner.  In the shuffle, the  rights of the residents have been woefully overlooked in favor of the business owners, many of whom do not even live in this village.

Yes, it is true that we have a  noise ordinance, one which, I might add, is generous to the business owners in comparison to other municipalities. Its enforcement, however, has been inconsistent, ineffective and, perhaps somtimes even selective.  Attempts at redress often fail.

The time has come for the village board to take a close, hard look at what is happening on  the river. Is  this really progress? For whom?

The residents who live along the river need relief from the noise. We deserve the consideration and respect of the business owners and our elected officials as well.  It is long overdue.