photo Hendrix at Woodstock
June 16,2018
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, if you are thinking about “rocken out” at you next BBQ ,better make sure they band is done by 11pm . The Village Council on Wednesday night approved an amendment that adds one more thing to an ordinance banning nighttime noise , “band or music”.
Live bands have been added to the list of nuisances that are restricted after 11 p.m. Ridgewood has long had an ordinance banning nighttime noise, but it specified things like whistles, horns, stereos and ringing bells.
Some have interpreted the action as an attempt to shut down live music , while other see it as another way to control parties but the council seemed to be attempting to say neighbors should just mind their won business and butt out before 11 p.m.
Mayor Susan Knudsen , told North Jersey Media ,”This is to allow someone to hire a band without fear of having it shut down, up to a reasonable hour,”
In the past a phone call from an angry neighbor could have had the police shut down a party at any hour. Now, those guitar solos and pounding rhythms are allowed until 11 p.m.. After 11pm the music can’t be loud enough “to disturb the sleep of persons in the immediate vicinity.”
The 10pm-11pm time frame definitely seems to be where the dispute lies for outdoor music.
That’s a good outdoor party hour in the late spring/summer for most adults. No doubt about that.
OTOH, 10pm on a weekend night is also an excellent time for parents to round up any remaining crumb crunchers and march them off to bed, while reasonably expecting to hear nothing further from them for the rest of the evening!
This must be why we need administrators with the wisdom of Solomon.
doesn’t Ridgewood already have a 10 pm cutoff for noise.. so why not keep it the same??
No one’s gonna tell me what time I I can have my barbecue till . As long as It’s not loud.
Burgers may be munched quietly until dawn, if desired. Watch out for crunchy chips, though.
Most people don’t care(or will tolerate) if their neighbors have a loud party until 2am (or later)
…as long as it doesn’t happen ALL THE TIME.
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