Watertown residents ask city to address vehicle noise near Hilltop Towers

Residents of Watertown’s Hilltop Towers asked the City Council to address loud vehicle exhausts, revving engines and music from vehicles on Main Street. Police Chief Cristin Lyon said the department would do its best to increase enforcement of noise and improper-exhaust violations.

James Davis, a Hilltop Towers tenant, spoke to the council under privilege of the floor and submitted a petition signed by about 12 residents, according to council minutes from Oct. 5. Davis said the noise, including late at night, disrupts residents’ sleep and affects people with disabilities and those with early bedtimes.

Davis asked the city to consider targeted traffic enforcement, stricter penalties for noise and traffic violations, and whether noise-monitoring cameras could be placed near the building. Council Member Osborne called the concerns a nuisance and asked whether the city was tracking the issue. City Manager Eric Wagenaar said it was being monitored and could be discussed with the new police chief. Council Member Garrabrant said he had seen similar concerns in his neighborhood.

Lyon said Watertown police typically enforce New York Vehicle and Traffic Law Section 375, which requires adequate exhaust systems and prohibits modifications that make vehicles louder than their original exhaust. She said moving violations and other traffic violations that pose a danger to people generally receive priority, but the department would work to step up enforcement of noise and exhaust violations.

Watertown’s noise code also prohibits unreasonably loud or disturbing noise and amplified sound from vehicles that annoys people on a street or in a dwelling. The city’s complaint guidance directs residents with noise complaints to the Watertown Police Department. The issue may be discussed with the new police chief, according to Wagenaar.

Residents can review the Watertown City Council minutes, the city’s noise code and complaint-filing guidance.