Jim Thorpe Borough's noise ordinance is one year old and the municipality is seeking an extension in its jurisdiction over establishments with a liquor license.

Last week, borough council unanimously passed a resolution allowing its police department to continue enforcing the noise ordinance, which was put in place mainly to help The Mauch Chunk Opera House and other venues avoid fines from the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board after a complaint is filed.The PLCB held a hearing in Jim Thorpe last February and on March 11 granted the borough a one-year exemption, giving the municipality's noise ordinance precedence over the state.With the expiration date on the exemption fast approaching, Jim Thorpe solicitor Jim Nanovic said the borough has to petition the PLCB for a one-year extension."They would come into Jim Thorpe, hold another hearing and decide whether or not to extend the local enforcement," Nanovic said.Before the change last year, residents could lodge a noise complaint against an establishment with a liquor license and the PLCB would issue a fine that would escalate with each violation.The opera house amassed fines of over $2,000 in a nearly two-year period after complaints from neighbors.Jim Thorpe's ordinance prohibits noise disturbances from 11 p.m. to 5:59 a.m. for residents and 24 hours per day for the borough's establishments with a liquor license.It allows for a warning after the first complaint, and any fines would go to the borough instead of the state.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.Jim Thorpe Police Chief Joe Schatz said there have been no fines issued since the ordinance took effect."Everyone has really adhered to the ordinance," Schatz said. "It's worked well in my opinion."A date has yet to be set for the hearing. The LCB has 60 days from the date of the hearing to make a decision on the extension.