The issue of North Battleford's noise bylaw was back before council Monday night, as the city brought down its report on options for changing it to allow snow-clearing activities at night.
The noise bylaw is under the microscope in the wake of a request by local company B and B Ventures Ltd. to be able to operate snow clearing equipment during the nighttime hours. The issue is that operating the equipment contravenes a section of the noise bylaw preventing such equipment from operating between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m.
B and B Ventures applied for an exemption, but council had considered going further with changes to the wording of the bylaw.
Two options were presented by City Clerk Debbie Wohlberg. One option is to maintain the status quo, but to direct the special constables to use their discretion whenever possible in enforcing Section 9 of the bylaw.
The other possibility is to amend the bylaw to include a section whereby if the situation makes it impossible or impractical to comply within the timeframes of when excessive noise with snow removal can be made, the persons carrying on the work can obtain written approval from the City, either from the director of Public Works and Engineering or from the fire chief or those designated to operate on their behalf.
Right now the City is maintaining the status quo but urging special constables to use discretion.
Fire Chief Pat MacIsaac reiterated that bylaw enforcement would be encouraged to use their good judgment when enforcing the bylaw, particularly after heavy snowfalls when snow clearing needs to be done overnight.
The recommendation to maintain the status quo still didn't sit well with Councillor Grace Lang.
"I don't know if I'm really comfortable with the recommendation," she said.
Lang suggested "better, clear direction" be given to protect the people doing the snow clearing.
The issue will be back before council in January. Councillor Brad Pattinson suggested B and B Ventures should also re-submit their original application for an exemption under the current bylaw, so that their application could be approved should the noise bylaw provisions not be changed.
