In response to the April 16 letter to the Argus from Mr. Piotr Brzezinski:
The last time I checked, which was mid November 2000, the preamble to chapter 13, section 20 of the Middletown Code of Ordinances read as follows: “…the people of the City of Middletown have a right to and should be ensured an environment free from excessive sound that may jeopardize their health or safety or welfare or degrade the quality of life.”
During daytime (from 7 a.m. to sundown), the maximum allowable noise level for residential districts is 55 decibels; the nighttime maximum is 45 decibels [13.20.H4]. If complaints are received, decibel measurements are to be taken by the police from the boundary of property in question [13.20.K1]. Exemptions are made for such items as emergency vehicles, snow ploughs, lawn care equipment (between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m.) [13.20.B]. There appear to be no exemptions for house parties, rock bands, or for certain classes of people, such as students at Wesleyan University.
When a person or persons purchase a house, they purchase a house. They do not purchase a neighborhood. Some people who live in the neighborhoods around Wesleyan have lived there a long time. They began living there long before Wesleyan started purchasing the frame houses and putting students in them. Others have purchased houses only recently.
All people, regardless of whether they rent or own the property in which they live, possess the same right to enjoyment of their property and a decent quality of life, free of excessive noise.
Sincerely,
Vijay Pinch
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