By ADAM SWIFT
PEABODY — The sounds of hammers and construction vehicles shouldn’t be waking residents up at the crack of dawn anymore.
At its most recent meeting, the City Council approved a new construction noise ordinance that limits work hours. The measure passed by an 8-3 vote, with several of the dissenting councilors stating they were concerned that the ordinance would be too restrictive for homeowners looking to do small projects in the evenings or Sundays.
“We’ve discussed in the past about how construction hours are not discussed in our zoning,” said Ward 1 Councilor Jon Turco, who has made the biggest push for the hours. Under the ordinance, construction hours are now limited to Mondays through Fridays from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sundays at the discretion of the city’s building inspector.
Councilor-at-Large Tom Walsh, who voted against the measure, said his concern throughout the process is that it would restrict the ability of homeowners to get work done.
“I think the work on this is commendable, but I still have concerns about the private residences and that we’re restricting that individual from doing any work on their home after 6 p.m. on weekdays,” said Walsh. “A lot of people work all day, and if they are doing the rehab of a kitchen or a bathroom, you are restricting them from coming home and working on the house in the evening.”
Turco countered that the ordinance is aimed at keeping a lid on larger construction projects and that homeowners do have the opportunity to work on Sundays as long as they notify the building inspector.
“This is such a liberal document as far as leaving it open to the discretion of the building commissioner,” said Turco. If there was a situation where a resident needed to work earlier or later, he said they could get the approval from the building department, which could then notify the appropriate ward councilor.
In addition to Walsh, Ward 3 Councilor James Moutsoulas and Councilor-at-Large Anne Manning-Martin voted against the construction ordinance.
Several days before the council meeting, the Planning Board recommended against approval of the hours.
“I disagree, but it was their thought that the Saturday hours were too restrictive and they wanted contractors to be able to work at 7 a.m.,” Turco said.