The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board is holding a public hearing in Jim Thorpe on Tuesday to get comment on the borough's request to handle noise complaints involving establishments within its boundaries that hold a liquor license.

According to a recent legal notice, the hearing will start at 11 a.m. at Jim Thorpe's Memorial Hall, along East 10th Street in the borough.The borough, on Jan. 8, passed its own noise ordinance by a 5-0 vote.It prohibits noise disturbances from 11 p.m. to 5:59 a.m. for residents and 24 hours per day for Jim Thorpe's 26 establishments with a liquor license.The main reason for the ordinance, borough officials said, is to help several borough businesses that, under the current system, are paying hefty fines each time someone calls to complain about noise coming from the property.Borough establishments with liquor licenses can be fined by the PLCB without warning if a noise complaint is lodged against it.Multiple fines also put the establishment in danger of losing its license.Jim Thorpe's ordinance allows for a warning after the first complaint and any fines would go to the borough instead of the state.The Mauch Chunk Opera House racked up over $2,000 in fines since November 2013 after complaints by neighbors.JTAMS Inc., operators of the opera house, voluntarily turned in its liquor license last year for "safekeeping" with the PLCB.It has not been able to sell alcohol at its shows since that time.Many borough residents, including some living in close proximity to the venue, spoke at recent council meetings in support of the local noise ordinance and keeping the opera house in business.The PLCB is required by law to hold Tuesday's hearing before rendering a decision.Borough Solicitor James Nanovic said he hoped that within 30 days of the hearing, a decision would be rendered.“If the PLCB rejects the borough’s petition, council could either keep its ordinance or repeal it,” Nanovic added.Summit Hill Borough went through a similar process and the PLCB on April 30, 2014, approved its request for exemption from the liquor code statue regarding amplified sound by a 3-0 vote.Under Jim Thorpe's ordinance, noise from licensed establishments can't extend beyond the property boundary during any time of the day or night.Residents or businesses can apply for a one-day special permit, excluding themselves from the noise restrictions.Permits will cost $30.Police, or any other official the borough deems appropriate, can enforce the ordinance.On first complaint, police can issue a warning and give the offender "reasonable time" to comply with the ordinance.After the warning, a first offense will result in a $150 fine, followed by a $250, $375 and $500 fine for subsequent violations.The maximum fine is $1,000 for any 365-day period.If the borough is granted its exemption, Liquor Control Enforcement, an arm of the PLCB, would still handle issues such as establishments serving minors and could still be called to deal with noise complaints if the police deem it necessary.