REEDSVILLE – Noise was the topic of the most recent Reedsville Council meeting.
Residents of Brandon Acres and representatives from ATI Industries, LLC met to discuss an alleged noise nuisance.
Monday’s meeting was the second where residents asked council if anything could be done about noise made by ATI. The first was in October, and the complaints remain the same.
“Clearly there is an impasse. People can file a nuisance injunction and that can lead to businesses being closed down. Zoning will not resolve the problem because you can’t zone out a business that is already there,” Reedsville attorney Mark E. Gaydos said.
The town ordinance calls for no loud noise from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Gaydos said the town could consider purchasing equipment that measures the decibels of the noise. He said if the noise exceeds what is considered safe the town could fine the business. “They could pay the fine or take it to circuit court,” he said.
“The noise is 12 to 14 hours a day seven days a week. We don’t get a break from it,” Elaine Ziemba said. “I have to keep the TV and radio on and my windows and doors shut for every season.”
She said the shrill sound of the beeper vibrates through her house and the sound of the loader makes her ears hurt. “It started in October when I was on my deck. The beeping was so shrill and loud it made me wince,” she said. “I assume ATI workers wear ear protection. I am going to have my ears checked to see if I have ear damage.”
Abby Barlow said the gate to the business is about 100 steps from her residence. “I just want to move away,” she said. “I would love to sell my home, but who would buy it? The noise is 16 hours a day, seven days a week. It’s ridiculous.”
Barlow said she works nights and tries to sleep during the day. “I don’t like to complain but I feel bullied in my own home. On top of that, there is a loud speaker. I was asleep and it scared me. Now they are using a grinder that sounds like an airplane.”
John Damm said he lives on the hill above the business “We got some reprieve but it didn’t last,” he said. “My daughter sleeps on that side of the house and I used to buy her ear plugs so she could sleep. Now she is taking sleeping meds.”
Nate Mayor, owner of ATI, said he has read and listened to the complaints. “We have a business to run,” he said. “You did buy a home next to commercial property. So everyone has a deed and knows they were buying property behind two lots of commercial property.”
“I can count on one hand how many times we worked past 9 o’clock,” Mayor said. Our business is 24/7, 365. I will do my very best not to be too noisy from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. That is well within the 10 to 6 ordinance.” He said he can’t change the backup signal on the loader because it is mandated by OSHA.
He said ATI has only worked past 10 p.m. three times to complete a job. “We have a huge interest in this community. We employ 65 people and need 20 to 30 more.”
Councilwoman Renee Stone asked how many of the employees live in Reedsville. “Maybe a third,” said Anthony Murphy, who runs day-to-day operations for the company.
“We can’t continue to negotiate. There is nothing the council can do. I request you leave the town out of it,” Councilwoman Britney Titus said.
“If the noise is at unreasonable hours let us know,” Mayor Jason Titus said.
“We can’t stop a business from operating. If you believe it is a nuisance there are attorneys who can give you advice about what can be done,” Gaydos said.
“I wish someone would have knocked on our door and told us about their concerns,” Michelle Mayor said. She said if someone is having guests over for a social function they should let ATI know.
“We will do what we can to try to keep the noise down,” Mayor said.
In other business council approved two building permits for ATI’s location, one for Appalachian Machine Services LLC and one for MBS services. No dollar amount was listed for the projects.
A building permit for a Country Roads billboard to be located between Dollar General and the car wash was tabled until further information could be acquired. The cost of the project would be $30,000.
