By Michael S. Hoey
Correspondent
Mike Jonas, owner of Cattails Bar in the Town of Delavan, recently shared why he’s opposed to a noise ordinance the Town of Delavan is considering in response to complaints from neighbors of Cattails.
The Delavan Town Board tabled discussion about the proposed noise ordinance at its Feb. 16 meeting.
Supervisors Kim Jedlicka and Katherine Gaulke took issue with the low decibel level that would constitute a violation of the ordinance, saying that would make it impossible to snow blow a driveway or mow a lawn before 7 a.m. or after 7 p.m.
Other discussion included whether or not the ordinance would solve the issue the neighbors of Cattails complained about and if it was appropriate to inconvenience the entire town in the process.
Jonas said passage of the proposed ordinance would make it impossible for any bar in the town to host live music. He also agreed with Jedlicka and Gaulke that the ordinance – if it were to pass – would make it difficult for residents to mow or remove snow early morning or late evening without violating it.
Another issue Jonas had with the ordinance was that the current proposal exempts the town from following it. Jonas said events like Music in the Park would be exempt from the ordinance.
“The Town exempted itself from the ordinance but everyone else has to follow it,” Jonas said.
Olson confirmed fireworks and other community events would be exempt from the ordinance, but so would any private party that obtains a special event permit for events at the town’s Community Park. He also said private residents and businesses could apply for special event permits for things such as retirement parties.
Read the rest of the story, including steps Jonas said he’s taken – and other items he’s considering – in an effort to work with neighbors, pick up a copy of the March 11 Delavan Enterprise.
