The Portland Press Herald / The Maine Sunday Telegram

February 19

Downtown noise panel to give sound advice

Keeping neighbors happy while not tempering the Old Port experience is its challenge.

— Is the noise generated by raucous nightclub patrons too much to bear? What's that? People are making so much noise you couldn't hear the question?

That's been the reaction of some downtown residents and business owners to what they regard as too much ''pump up the volume'' and too little regard for the sensibilities of others in Portland's Old Port bars, restaurants and clubs in recent months.

So the city has cupped one hand to an ear and appointed a seven-member task force to explore options for producing a lower decibel count in the vicinity of the loudest offenders.

The group, which includes business owners, residents and musicians, has four months to hash over the issue and potential solutions. It is expected to report back to the City Council, which appointed it at its meeting Wednesday, by June. Which is when the weather will be nice enough that windows and doors will be open, and the problem will become more noticeable to those who now at least can be somewhat insulated from its worst effects.

Among the possible remedies to be examined by the panel are adjusting decibel limits for noise volumes; amending the noise complaint process; and installing noise abatement barriers such as a proposed ''glass shield'' above Wharf Street, a central location hosting many clubs and bars where the music and the conversation can often reach a ''10'' on the dial.

The council's Public Safety Committee has been receiving complaints and pondering solutions for months.

But members said they realized that without compromise and cooperation from both the offenders and the offended, there wasn't going to be any chance to keep all the parties at least reasonably committed to a solution .

That would likely take the form of a package of changes that might together alleviate the worst effects of party-hardy customers on those who have to hear their late-night celebrations.

However, the task force should also be aware that as long as other laws are obeyed, the Old Port night scene is both an economic boon to the city and gives it a liveliness and verve that is all too rare in other communities.

That's why a compromise and not a crackdown is what the city needs. If the task force can take the edge off the district's noise without squelching its spirit, it will have done its job well.