The R.M.of Prince Albert’s updated noise bylaw applies to the hours of 11p.m. to 7a.m. Monday thru Sunday and gets extended to 8a.m. on holidays.(Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Bylaws

Noise curfew now in effect for R.M. of Prince Albert

Aug 15, 2019 | 1:59 PM

The Rural Municipality (R.M.) of Prince Albert has finalized changes to its noise bylaw.

The third reading was passed at the R.M’s monthly meeting Thursday, but not before a couple of councillors raised questions about how it would apply to residents. Councillor Wayne Acorn pointed out that any equipment involved in agriculture activities should be exempt. He also questioned what should happen if someone needs to start up the snow blower at 5 a.m. after a big snowfall.

“It’s gonna happen and then you are going to get a complaint, and how are you going to deal with it,” he said.

Councillor Tyler Hazelwood had a similar concern.

“You don’t need to mow your lawn in order to get out of your driveway to go to work but there are lots of people who will have to fire up a snow blower or tractor to get out of the yard or get the school bus in and they are not going to wait til 7 a.m. to do that,” he said.

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After some discussion, council decided that any complaints regarding the bylaw will ultimately be at the discretion of a designated officer. An amendment was also made to the draft of the new bylaw which makes it clear any equipment engaged in agriculture related activities are exempt from the bylaw.

Administrator Roxanne Roy explained the changes were needed, following a recent noise complaint. A landowner had complained about the construction going on at a church and that the crews had been working all day and all night.

Other bylaws finalized

Third reading on two other bylaws was also held at Thursday’s meeting. At the R.M’s next election, residents will have an opportunity to mail in their ballots. Also, changes to the property standards bylaw were finalized. Junk vehicles on properties being used for future scrap metal, as long as they are being neatly stored in a safe manner, are exempt.

At a previous meeting council had discussed the possibility of a bigger fine, but Roy said Thursday they don’t have the authority to change it, because the fine is written in the municipalities act.

nigel.maxwell@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell