Mifflinburg residents want borough to address noise pollution

Jun. 20—MIFFLINBURG — Borough residents concerned about noise pollution in Mifflinburg were unsuccessful this week in their quest to convince borough officials to take further action.

At Tuesday night's borough council meeting, Councilmen Matt Wagner and Bradley Sauers made and seconded the motion to pass a resolution regarding the enforcement of the noise ordinance. It failed 2-3 with council members Beverly Hackenberg, Kylie Aikey and Colbey Russell voting against it.

"There were 130 individuals who signed a petition expressing concern over the vehicle noise in the streets of Mifflinburg," Wagner said by phone on Thursday. "There was no response to the petition and nothing was approved. With the help of a few other people, I put together this resolution to direct the police department to enforce the laws regarding noise, particularly vehicle noise."

Wagner said Police Chief Jeff Hackenburg indicated the difficulty in enforcing the borough ordinances due to not having a specific device that measures decibels. The chief also doubted that citing someone for disturbing the peace would hold up in court since there was no way of measuring it, Wagner said.

"I think the streets can still be patrolled better," Wagner said. "People with obvious noise can be pulled over and told it's a disturbance. There are Pennsylvania laws regarding modified mufflers. That's an obvious thing to see when someone is pulled over."

Council President Beverly Hackenberg said she was following the recommendation of the chief. She also pointed out that the police officers are patrolling and doing their jobs.

Approximately 25 borough residents attended the meeting, including Betsy Robertson. During the public meeting in October, the concerned residents presented a petition from 130 borough residents to council.

"It is possible that most residents don't know there even is an ordinance against excessive noise," Robertson, who provided her prepared statement to the Daily Item, said. "They just hear the noise and are startled, disrupted and angered by it. Therefore, in addition to enforcement, we suggest that there be a real effort to inform the community that these laws exist."

Drivers of all ages "should think twice about revving their engines and speeding down borough streets when these laws exist," Robertson said. "You would be doing them a favor by making them aware of the laws and the importance of being respectful to residents of the town. It might become easier to enforce too."

Robertson described Mifflinburg as "a safe, beautiful community whose citizens want to enjoy being in their homes, porches and backyards without being assaulted by vehicle noise.

"We will continue to pursue this issue until the matter is positively resolved," Robertson said.

Four other people shared statements as well, Robertson said.

Robertson said she did not feel like council members heard her and other residents on Tuesday night.