Oxford Leaders Seek Input From Experts for Future Sound Ordinance Changes

By Alyssa Schnugg
News editor
alyssa.schnugg@hottytoddy.com

Before the city of Oxford can update its sound ordinance, they are asking professionals to determine exactly how loud is too loud.

On Tuesday, the Oxford Board of Aldermen approved a contract with audio and visual technology firm Roland, Woolworth & Associates to examine Oxford’s sound levels and make recommendations for future ordinance changes.

The purpose is to explore the acoustical conditions at various locations in Oxford and examine the proposed sound ordinance and to provide documentation and analysis leading to recommendations for revisions to the ordinance.

In the contract, it states that the firm will “gather background sound and operating sound levels of various entertainment and eating establishments, review proposed ordinance with respect to standard ordinance language and methods and iterate the recommendations based on coordination with city officials and related committee members, as well as city resources.”

The firm is charging $9,781 for its work.

Mayor Robyn Tannehill and Chief Operating Officer Bart Robinson pointed out that sound levels could be different for residential areas versus businesses district and during the day and night.

“We talked about this for at least two years … only realizing that we still don’t know how to compare actual sound,” Tannehill said. “We don’t want to put ordinances in place to set up people to fail because we’ve got some decibel requirement that’s not realistic. So we’re getting someone who can give us a measuring stick.”

The contract allows RWA three months to perform the tasks in the agreement.