October is National Audiology Awareness Month and coincidentally, the Slatington Borough Council adopted a revision to its noise ordinance. The revision establishes decibel limits to specific land use zones.

In the areas zoned suburban residential, town residential and rural residential, the maximum level is 57 decibels during the day between 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. During the night, beginning at 10 p.m. until 7 a.m., the level is reduced to 52 decibels.

Business areas zoned commercial and town center have a maximum level of 67 decibels during the day, and 62 decibels overnight.

The decibel level is 77 for areas zoned industrial at both day and night.

“The police will need decibel meters,” said Borough Manager Dan Stevens, in order to enforce the ordinance.

According to the American Academy of Audiology, the sound of moderate rainfall is 50 decibels. Normal conversation comes in at about 60 decibels. Traffic and vacuum cleaners are in the 70 decibel range and alarm clocks are in the 80 decibel range. Sound over 85 decibels for an extended period of time can cause permanent hearing loss.

The ordinance also requires that the muffler of a motor vehicle be in good working condition. Cutout or bypass devices that raise the decibel level above the ordinary sound level of a muffler are prohibited, Stevens said.

In addition to noise, the council also adopted revisions relating to general provisions and increasing the fines associated with a failure to maintain a property.

Violations of the property maintenance code or ordinance can be enforced with a criminal fine of between $300 and $1,000 with the possibility of imprisonment.

Owners who fail to maintain their properties can also face penalties under civil law. Penalties can range between $300 and $600 per violation, plus court costs and legal fees.

In other business, the council approved the purchase of security cameras for Victory Park. One of the focus areas will be the amphitheater. Stevens said the new amphitheater already has some graffiti on it.

“We have to get up and sand it off,” he said.

The work will be done by Nicholson Security LLC in Slatington. The total cost for the work and equipment is $3,625.84. It will be paid for with money from the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds.