SOUTHAMPTON – The Southampton Bylaw Advisory Committee conducted a public meeting on Sep. 21 to collect input from the community about three new draft bylaws that the town hopes to implement in the future.

The goal of the meeting was to collect the input and incorporate feedback into the bylaws’ next iteration before they go in front of a Special or Annual Town Meeting for a public vote. The laws would then go to the Attorney General for final approval. Residents had until this public meeting to email their comments and feedback, as well.

The first draft bylaw in question consists of regulations involving soliciting and canvassing. In its current form, the article states that no one can engage in soliciting and canvassing without registering and obtaining a special permit from the chief of police or designee not less than 10 business days before commencing such solicitation or canvassing in accordance with the bylaw.

There were few disputes about specific language within the bylaw, but there were a couple of requests to clarify certain aspects involving delivery of free publications that are not specifically requested by a resident or sent through the U.S. Postal Service. There was a question about how certain unsolicited advertising or delivery would be enforced.

“Our responsibility is to notify people that these are rules of the town, and if you plan to solicit or canvas, then you need to follow the guidance in this bylaw which starts by going to the Police Department,” said Francine Tishman, a member of the By-Law Review Advisory Committee.

As the bylaw states, a fee and a background check would be necessary when obtaining a special permit. There are exceptions where people do not have to obtain a permit, particularly in the case of religious or political groups and organizations, as well as youth organizations and groups like Girl Scouts. According to the bylaw’s current state, soliciting would only be allowed between 12 and 5 p.m.

The second draft bylaw seeks to preserve and promote the health, safety, welfare, peace and quiet of the citizens of Southampton through reduction, control, and prevention of loud and excessive noise, or any other noise that disturbs the comfort of Southampton residents.

One resident during the public meeting noted the deterioration of the Route 10 road and how traffic on that road has caused constant noise. The resident also specified the problems with “jake breaks” usually found on diesel trucks to cut off fuel flow, as they have caused constant noise throughout the nighttime hours.

Cindy Palmer, a member of the Southampton Planning Board, suggested that signage disallowing jake breaks could be included in certain areas like the state highway and enforced with a fine if not complied. She described her area as “quite toxic” when it came to the traffic noise from these trucks. She also spoke of the louder-than-usual motorcycle noise found near her property possibly caused by tampered mufflers and music that may cause problems because of high volume.

“Anybody wants to come and sit on my deck on a beautiful summer evening and listen to the motorcycles coming down well before 10 p.m., you’ll hear how loud they can be,” said Palmer.

Currently, excessive noise is prohibited in Southampton between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. A couple of residents felt that this should be extended in some way.

Maureen Groden, the chair of the Select Board, spoke during this portion of the meeting and said that she normally does not support bylaws that establish social norms for the community. “I’m not a big fan of target practice and dirt bikes, but they aren’t illegal,” said Groden. “I think we just have to be careful that we’re not being culturally insensitive or classist in some of the decisions we make as a town.” Groden instead insisted that the loudest noises she hears are from barns, which was not a problem originally addressed in the noise by-law’s current format. Other comments from people included barns as a noise hinderance, as well as military jets.

Police Chief Ian Illingsworth stated on the issue of decibels that a specific instrument would need to be used for that type of measurement, which Southampton does not have. Therefore, they cannot measure decibels at this time.

The third and final draft bylaw discussed during the public meeting involves updating regulations for building numbering in public and private sectors. The bylaw currently states that every building, included but not limited to single and multiple family dwellings, apartment buildings, condominiums, municipal buildings, and all types of business establishments should have a number addressing the address of the building.

According to Fire Chief John Workman, house numbering can always pose a challenge because there are so many different variations when the fire department must go out. “As an emergency responder, it can be really difficult if there’s not any house numbering identified, especially at night,” said Workman. “There’s things you can do to get house numbering without it costing anything. Our only concern is to find your house.”

The committee will incorporate the feedback where appropriate and send it to the Select Board for approval. It will then go to town council to ensure that the town is following all state laws and regulations. The three bylaws will then be up for a vote at subsequent town meetings before final approval by the state’s Attorney General.