To the Editor:

Goffstown Voters: I am asking for your support and a YES vote on Article 14. Help us all Protect the Peace and Quiet in our Homes.

My intent with this Article 14 is to update and strengthen the language of the Noise Ordinance which was last updated in 1997. The Noise Ordinance states that the Town of Goffstown must act to prevent and control noise that is loud, unreasonable in its time place and manner and promote the peace, quiet and comfort of the town and its residents. It's about respect for our neighbors. There are many who own and ride these vehicles responsibly, and only a few who do not have respect for their neighbor's peace, quiet and comfort. 

There is a strong need for the addition to specify ATVs, dirt bikes etc as they have become very popular. I received signatures from owners of the different vehicles listed on the petition. There was strong sentiment from those I spoke to that there are areas for ATVs and dirt bikes to be used. But a compact residential area is not the place. A person has a right to use their land, but a neighbor has a right to be protected from excessive/nuisance noise. 

Lawnmowers, leaf blowers etc are used all the time. These are not considered a nuisance if they are used at a reasonable time and manner. The Goffstown PD can consider them a nuisance if they are purposely used to annoy a neighbor or are used at an unreasonable time and manner. A neighbor and his friend riding and playing on an ATV at 6:30 am and 9:30 pm in a residential area is part of the reason why I wrote Article 14. 

I am only one person trying to help the GPD address a problem by updating the Noise Ordinance. I am not part of any group so the signatures on the petition were a random sampling of registered Goffstown voters, most of whom just happened to shop at Sully's one day. Thank you to those who took the time to stop, sign my petition and give me support, despite the cold. 

The amended version of this article which will be on Official Ballot passed unanimously and was not opposed by the Board of Selectmen at that Deliberative Session. 

If you would like to read the current Noise Ordinance you can view it at www.goffstown-noise-ordinance.info

Wayne Perreault
Goffstown