Stamford Limits External Loudspeakers, Bans Motorized Recreational Vehicles

STAMFORD, CT — The Stamford Board of Representatives this week passed two ordinances aiming to provide relief to residents affected by loud music and motorized recreational vehicles on city streets.

Stamford had received complaints of "excessively loud noise from residents generated by the use of external speaker systems that are attached to motor vehicles, particularly in areas of city parks," according to the now-approved ordinance.

The ordinance, first brought forward by Stamford police sergeant and Rep. Sean Boeger (D-15) last summer, prohibits anyone from making "unreasonable noise from an external speaker or speakers attached to a motor vehicle in a manner reasonably likely to cause public inconvenience, annoyance or alarm."

During a Board of Reps. Legislative and Rules Committee meeting on Jan. 2., Park Police Coordinator Peter Gould said the ordinance was created "because of the frequency and intensity of complaints by people who are just absolutely knocked off their chair by the volume that comes out of these systems."

Gould said his department is "besieged by complaints" from members of the public, both park neighbors and others, "who are just bedeviled by these things." Gould noted that a state statute allows municipalities to pass their own ordinances.

The ordinance banning the use of motorized recreational vehicles was first introduced by Boeger and Board of Reps. President Jeff Curtis (D-14).

According to the ordinance, the use of motorized recreational vehicles is prohibited "on any street or sidewalk in the city of Stamford or on any public property, including but not limited to school property, playgrounds, and parks."

Motorized recreational vehicles include all-terrain vehicles, dirt bikes, mini cycles, motor-driven cycles and snowmobiles, the ordinance notes.

Additionally, electric personal assistive mobility devices, such as a one-wheel scooter, Segway, and quick scooter, are allowed to operate on any designated bike lane or sidewalk and/or crosswalk. However, they must operate "as close to the right side of the roadway as is safe," the ordinance says.

During the same Jan. 2 meeting, Jane Holt, a Stamford resident, said the motorized recreational vehicles pose "an imminent danger in Stamford because they're riding all over the place."

In both ordinances, there is a $1,000 fine for a first offense, $1,500 for a second offense and $2,000 for a third or subsequent violation.

Stamford Mayor Caroline Simmons must sign off on the ordinances before they can become effective. Lauren Meyer, a special assistant to the mayor, told Patch that usually happens within 10 days of approval.