McComb’s noise ordinance needs to be stricter to discourage repeat violations, Mayor Zach Patterson said Tuesday.
Patterson said the ordinance, which was approved to prevent loud music from disturbing residents, is vague and needs to be more specific to determine who is responsible for the problem. It also needs stiffer, graduated fines to discourage people from repeatedly breaking the law.
The comments came as the mayor and selectmen discussed a noise complaint from Jo Paulk, who lives in Parklane Apartments, which are across the road from the McComb Event Center.
Paulk said she lives about 200 yards from the center, adding the music coming from the center on Friday and Saturday nights is so loud she can’t sleep. She said she is not the only one in the apartment complex disturbed by the noise.
“We have retired people living there, and people who work at the hospital and have to get up early in the morning,” she said. “They can’t get any sleep because of the pounding of the music.”
Paulk said she has called the police numerous times about the noise. She said officers respond and the area is quiet for a while, but the music starts again after they leave.
Besides the music in the center, she said, people are out in the parking lots playing their car stereos, which only adds to the noise.
One of the problems, she said police told her, was that when they arrive at the center, they are unable to find anyone who is in charge of the center and responsible.
Patterson, who said he has been called by residents at night about problems with noise complaints and the center and other businesses, said identifying who is responsible for maintaining the noise levels is one of the problems with the ordinance.
He added the fines were too small and were not enough make people think twice about violating the ordinance.
Patterson also said provisions needed to be put in the ordinance requiring businesses that would hold events with amplified music to include plans for soundproofing as part of the permit process.
He said his staff would prepare a stronger amendment to the noise ordinance and present it for consideration in the future.
Charles Ashley, who operates the McComb Event Center and is one of Patterson’s strongest supporters, was at Tuesday’s meeting but did not speak on the matter.
In other action, the board:
• Discussed a Web-based bid site for capital improvements projects or buying supplies with Frank Jackson of Bidbridge LLC. The matter was referred to a work session for further discussion.
• Tabled action on a service contract with Filter Service of Mississippi of Marion, which proposes to replace air conditioning filters in city buildings, pending further review.
• Authorized Patterson to sign an $8,544 maintenance agreement with ITC Deltacom of Atlanta for the city’s phone system.
• Approved the Summer Urban Youth Corp Program administered through the Mississippi Department of Transportation.
• Awarded a bid to First Bank of McComb for the city’s depository.
• Authorized the notice of a public hearing for March 17 for assistance from the U. S. Department of Agriculture Community Facilities Loan and Grant Program to purchase two police cars.
• Approved a $1.8 million contract with CBI Inc. of Alpharetta, Ga., for the construction of an elevated water tank in Douglas Park, and authorized Patterson to sign the necessary documents.
• Authorized a public hearing for 1 p.m. March 31 for a $600,000 Mississippi Development Authority Community Development Block Grant for a public facilities-type project.
• Approved a proclamation designating Feb. 25 to 27 Dixie Hild days, honoring the national president of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Ladies Auxiliary, who is in town.
• Recognized firefighter Philip L. Hewitt for 10 years service with the fire department.
• Recognized police Lt. Toby Jones for 20 years service with the police department.
