An ordinance of the Saratoga Municipal Code pertaining to disturbing the neighborhood needs further examination, Councilman Steve Wilcoxson told council members at the Saratoga Town Council meeting on Sept. 16.
Ordinance 9.20.050 states “No person shall between the hours of ten p.m. and seven a.m. maliciously or wilfully disturb the peace and quiet of any neighborhood or family within the town limits by loud or unusual noises or by tumultuous or offensive carriage, threatening, quarreling, challenging to fight or fighting.” Wilcoxson explained the ordinance poses a problem for industry in the town, specifically the Saratoga saw mill.
“According to the town ordinance right now, the saw mill couldn’t have another shift if they wanted to,” Wilcoxson said.
Wilcoxson said the ordinance was brought to his attention after a resident was given a citation for disturbing the peace while he was doing woodwork in his garage at home. He added the ordinance ought to provide an exemption for heavy and light industry in town. However, Saratoga Chief of Police said many of the complaints from the address Wilcoxson mentioned came from neighbors upset about loud music.
Town attorney Tom Thompson told the council if they decided to consider noise limitations if they an exception for industries. After deliberation, the council elected to look over the ordinance before the next meeting.
Pedestrian bridge
The town of Saratoga has rejected two bids for placing the pedestrian bridge.
After meeting with two contractors, Energy Transportation and Reiman Corperation, at the beginning of Septemeber. Energy Transportation placed a bid for $83,400 and Reiman Corperation bid $100,000. Both numbers were too high, according to town engineer Chuck Bartlett, and he requested the town council reject the offers.
The town of Saratoga will continue to bid out the project. Both companies are allowed to resubmit bids for the project if they wish.
Zeiger told the Saratoga Sun town engineer Chuck Bartlett had been in discussions with other companies interested in the project.
Even with the construction desired to begin in October, Zeiger said a delay for the pedestrian bridge project was unlikely.
School resource officer
The Saratoga Police Department continue to look for an officer to fill the school resource officer position.
Chief of Police Tom Knickerbocker stated they had interviewed two candidates for the temporary position. Knickerbocker had originally offered the position to both of the candidates, however, the first candidate declined the offer, and the second candidate did not pass a background screening.
The Saratoga Police Department received a grant to pay for six officers in the town of Saratoga
Currently, the Saratoga Police Department is receiving grant money to keep six officers, including one school resource officer, on duty. At a previous town council meeting, it was stated if the town of Saratoga did not keep a sixth member of the police force on duty, the town would potentially have to pay back the grant.
However, Knickerbocker said the police department is not at risk for paying back grant money because they have made attempts, in good faith, to advertise the open position.
The next Saratoga Town Council meeting will take place at 6 p.m. on Oct. 7 at Saratoga Town Hall.
Reader Comments(0)