City Council hears uproar about noise laws

The Watertown City Council is continuing its crusade against excessively loud car stereos, despite its lack of ability to enforce such a law and the likelihood that any enforcement would require costly equipment and training for officers.

Their efforts are being pushed by residents like Steven Smith, 217 Keyes Ave., who lobbied the council Tuesday night for the ordinance.

“The loud music, this has been going on for a long time, the vehicles shake your house at 11:30 at night,” he said. “You hear them at all times during the night.”

Mr. Smith’s complaints, along with those of other residents appear to have resonated with council members. Councilman Joseph M. Butler Jr. and Teresa R. Macaluso have said they have received calls and e-mails from a significant amount of concerned citizens about loud music.

The council did not provide a whole lot of direction for Attorney Robert J. Slye concerning the proposed ordinance other than to say that the attorney should continue researching other local laws in New York that address the issue.

The debate will continue.