Last Wednesday, Quakertown council unanimously adopted an ordinance that will limit the amount of noise allowable at drinking establishments in the borough. The ordinance applies to PA Liquor Control Board licensees who use amplifiers, speakers or musical instruments outdoors.

            Under the ordinance, noise must be limited at the boundary of the property of any establishment serving alcohol. That limit will be either 40 or 75 decibels, depending on the licensee's exemption status with PA LCB.

            According to Borough Manager Scott McElree, who also serves as Chief of Police, a public hearing will be arranged by the PA LCB to review the ordinance before any enforcement will occur.

            Once the ordinance goes into effect, bars in the borough who violate the ordinance will be subject to a $1,000 fine.

            The ordinance was introduced earlier this year after the borough received complaints about borough bars playing outdoor music too loud.

            After a resident complaint during public comment, council also discussed issues with fireworks being discharged within the borough. McElree explained that a 2017 legislative change lifting a ban on fireworks for PA residents has created issues for municipalities statewide.

            While that the change has generated over $11 million in tax revenue, legislators are hearing from municipalities and residents about noise and safety concerns.

            "It has created a problem across the entire state," McElree said. "So some of the state reps and senators are becoming more proactive with this."

            McElree noted that, under the current law, fireworks cannot be discharged within 150 feet of an occupied structure.

"If you set off fireworks in Quakertown, you are in violation," McElree said. "It's just a matter of enforcing it."

            In other business, council unanimously passed a resolution to apply for a Pennsylvania WalkWorks grant.  The grant, funded through the Department of Health in partnership with the University of Pittsburgh, provides funding to study ways to improve pedestrian, bicycle and transit systems.

            McElree explained that the grant, which calls for a $10,000 match, would fund a connectivity study that would become part of the borough's comprehensive plan.