Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Loud music addressed

How loud is too loud?

Prescotts City Council, at its June meeting, discussed the problem of loud music throughout the city.

It was mentioned there have been times the music was so loud it disrupted church services.

Morris Irvin, assistant chief of the Prescott Police Department, said officers have been issuing tickets for loud music under the law for disorderly conduct. The first offense, he said, has been resulting in a probated sentence from the municipal court, while the second offense can result in a fine up to $300.

The court, he pointed out, is giving the warnings, not the PPD. Were working on the problem, Irvin said, and there have been fewer complaints in residential neighborhoods.

The summer brings it on every year, and there are indications this will be a rough year.

Prescott Mayor Howard Taylor said it seems as though the loud music started earlier this year than in the past.

The problem, Irvin said, is mostly local people, though some out-of-towners are involved as well. The biggest complaints are at convenience stores and car washes.

According to Irvin, Hopes noise ordinance has a $35 fine. He said $300 is stiff for a 16-year-old. He will compile a report of noise offenses for the Councils July meeting.

Taylor said he has attempted to get in touch with R.D. Plant, who has the contract to overlay the citys streets, but has not been successful.

Were looking forward to getting it started, he said. Theyre supposed to do dressing where the streets are too narrow.

Councilman Jerry Wilson said the city needs to hire someone to watch what the contractors crews are doing and tell them how to do the width of the streets.

According to Taylor, Plant is aware of the problem and has promised to redo those streets.

Howard Austin, also a councilman, said when there are two crews, the city is getting two different jobs done.

Taylor reminded the Council Plants bid was not to redo all the citys streets from scratch, but to do a two-inch overlay. There are, however, several streets that have required going back to base and being completely redone.

Taylor promised to stay on top of the contractors when crews return to work. There is a list of things to be taken care of, he said.

Floyd Clark, executive director of the Prescott-Nevada County Economic Development Office, said Joe Elrod, with Marlar Engineering, will survey the walking trail by the Nevada County Health Unit. From there ground work will be done to prepare the base and the paving contract will be let for bid. The paving contract will be for the track and parking lot.

He said grade work needs to be done at the garment plant to add gravel so the company currently there can add fencing. The north end of the facility needs to be improved for truck traffic.

In talking about the sidewalk project, he said there are three or four spots to be redone because they dont meet the Americans with Disability Act (ADA) specifications.

Taylor said the Arkansas Highway Department said the handicap ramps are off a few degrees and have to be completely redone.

Inspection of the rural water system is being done, along with some testing. The system, Taylor said, is working, but the inspection will primarily focus on the water storage tanks and pump stations, along with the dress up. Theres a lot still to be done, and we have a punch list.

Perry Nelson, water superintendent, was questioned about the fluoridation system, and whether it has been installed yet.

Nelson said the unit has not been installed because the department has been tied up with the rural water project. Additionally, a building for the unit is needed.