Lower Towamensing Township hopes the eventual purchase of a meter will help squelch a myriad of noise complaints.

The township's board of supervisors unanimously agreed on Tuesday to spend up to $300 to buy a meter in an effort to alleviate a noise dispute.Supervisors Chairman Ron Walbert told supervisors he contacted two engineering firms in an effort to resolve the dispute."I think it might be in the township's best interests to purchase a meter," Walbert said. "We do have a plethora of noise complaints."Walbert said both the zoning officer, as well as township supervisors, will have a workable knowledge of how to use the meter.In August, supervisors decided a third party would be needed to resolve a noise issue brought forward by residents Dwight Moyer and Jeff Mizgerd about the level of noise generated by Great American Pellets, located at 2115 Little Gap Road.Moyer said at that time the amount of noise varies depending on the day and time, and added he believes there was one specific piece of equipment that is at the root of the problem.Walbert told Moyer at that time the alternative energy firm has added insulation to the building, and suggested that he and Mizgerd present a log of their recordings to the pellet plant.Moyer said at that time that he and Mizgerd don't have a problem with the business itself; but, rather, the level of noise generated by the operation.In June, Stephen Ross, representing Great American Pellets, shared the results of an unofficial sound study he had performed to measure decibel levels claimed to come from the business.That came after Moyer and Mizgerd told supervisors the noise levels that arise from the business have become unbearable.Ross said at that time he did the study as a courtesy to the township, and made no guarantee on the results as he is not certified, trained, nor proficient in the field. The instrument used for the study was a Universal Enterprises, Inc., Digital Sound Meter, he said.As per the township zoning ordinance, Ross said that from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., a maximum of 85 decibels is allowed, and that from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m., a maximum of 75 decibels is allowed.Based on his study, Ross said 77 was the highest decibel reading he was able to come up with.But, Moyer and Mizgerd questioned those results, and said those readings couldn't possibly be accurate.Also on Tuesday, Walbert announced that several projects the township has in the works at its recreation area may potentially be completed by the end of this year.Walbert said he met with township engineer Ron Tirpak of Carbon Engineering on Tuesday to discuss some changes at the Stoney Ridge

P.A.R.C. along Fireline Road."We will rebid, and will do as much as we can with the grant money that we have," Walbert said. "I fully hope that by the end of the year, the recreation area will be finished and be something we can be proud of and utilize."In July, supervisors announced that the township received $85,000 to install basketball courts at the facility.The grant came from the Department of Conservation and Economic Development, and was secured through the office of state Rep. Doyle Heffley (R-Carbon) and former state Rep./Speaker of the House Keith McCall.The courts are expected to be installed by the spring/summer of 2012, he said.In June, 2009, the township held a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the park. The township purchased the land from the Knights of Columbus in 2000.In other business, supervisors:• Agreed to purchase 12 signs to be installed along Dairy Road and Golf Road at a cost of $641.• Agreed to give a 30-percent LST distribution to the Aquashicola Fire Company.• Appointed Todd Solt as chairman, and Angela Farrell as vice chairperson, of the township's recreation committee. In a related matter, supervisors reappointed Dave Hawk to the committee.• Reappointed Jay Mullikin as delegate for the Carbon County Tax Collection Committee.