MAMAKATING – Town of Mamakating residents made their voices heard last Tuesday night as they raised concerns about a proposed amendment to the town’s noise ordinance.

Deputy Supervisor Peter Goodman described the ordinance as “antiquated,” explaining the town’s goal of gathering public input and returning to the drawing board to draft a more practical, modernized version of the law. He noted the ordinance dates back to 1950 and wasn’t codified until 1990.

A recent complaint prompted the board to review the code, during which inconsistencies, such as unclear weekend rules, were discovered. The current law restricts activities like lawn mowing and other noisy tasks until 10 a.m., a provision that has generated widespread discussion online.

The first to speak was resident Randy Wilcox, who raised concerns about everyday scenarios not accounted for under the law. He referenced an overnight snowfall and the inability to start a snowblower before 10 a.m. on a Saturday, potentially leaving residents stuck and late for work.

“It’s Saturday morning, it’s January 5th, it snowed overnight. It’s 8 o’clock. I gotta get to work and I run the snowblower or I gotta … wait till 10,” Wilcox said.

He urged the board to consider “how we live here” before tightening restrictions. Goodman reiterated that the board intends to revisit the outdated law, acknowledging its mid-20th-century origins.

Resident Chris Leser said the current ordinance lacked clarity and that he hadn’t even known a noise code existed. He asked about the decibel limit, which Councilman Tyler Wood confirmed as “75, property line.”

Leser also questioned how residents could access equipment to measure decibels. Goodman explained that enforcement typically falls to the Sheriff’s Office.

“When we have noise issues in the town, the suggestion is to call the Sheriff’s Office,” Goodman said. “They respond to civil complaints.”

Leser noted the impracticality of relying on deputies for noise checks and suggested the town begin by restoring Saturday mowing provisions before addressing broader issues.

Resident Joseph Rembe shared past frustrations over a neighbor’s loud radio and said he had once been told “there is no noise ordinance in town.” He pointed to landscapers and homeowners with early Saturday schedules that would be restricted under the current law.

“There’s gonna be a lot of noise in this town that people aren’t going to want to hear,” Rembe said. “Drive through Bloomingburg at five in the afternoon, it’s something you have to tolerate… There’s problems we all have to think about.”

Rembe urged the board to craft rules that do not conflict with residents’ daily routines.

Resident Elizabeth Zambuto of Yankee Lake pointed to ongoing issues at the pickleball courts, where early-morning games have triggered complaints.

“I just changed all the signs for noise ordinance because apparently pickleball is very loud,” Zambuto said with a chuckle. She noted that players often arrive as early as 6 a.m., and asked the town to clarify what hours should appear on signage so she is not criticized for incorrect times.

Goodman closed by assuring residents that their feedback would guide a full review of the ordinance. When the board reached the agenda item for approval, he moved to table the amendment for future consideration.

Burn the coal for excitement

Goodman encouraged hobbyists to “throw their track switch” toward Mamakating next month as a train show arrives at Town Hall.

Featuring a display of vintage trains, including some operational pieces, the event will highlight Wurtsboro’s rail history and local train operations. It will be held on December 21.

“It’s designed to raise funds for both the Town Historian (Virdanna Lawrence) as well as our historical society,” Goodman said. “There’s going to be a lot of different displays and history that’s going to be discussed.”

The event is led by Assistant Historian Dave Lewis, whose experience conducting similar programs in other towns has been, as Goodman described, a “rousing success.”