OAKLAND, Maine — Oakland residents now have to keep the noise down or it could cost them.
Last week, the Oakland Town Council passed a new noise ordinance. Residents are subject to fines if they make too much “loud and unreasonable noise.”
Fines can be given out by police if officers ask people to keep quiet, but the noise continues.
The ordinance covers sounds from electronics, commercial vehicles, cars and more. Some noises are banned entirely while other restrictions are in place between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m.
“I like my stuff the way it is and it’s loud so I’m not going to change it because they don’t like the noise,” said Alex Davis, who lives in Oakland.
But another of the town’s residents agrees with the measure.
“I’m in favor of it,” local resident Wayne Goodrich said. “I mean, nobody wants to be listening to obnoxious noises. If things go on and people want it quiet, I mean, they ought to have a right to have it quiet.”
A first offense can cost offenders $100 dollars. The amount for a fourth offense fine is up to $1,000. The ordinance went into effect immediately.