DELAWARE — There was some pushback regarding a proposal to alter the beginning of quiet hours for Callicoon’s B1 zoning district from 9 pm to 10 pm. Residents packed town hall at the Delaware Town Board meeting on July 13 to object to the extension.

The proposition to alter the noise ordinance one hour later originated during the June 8 Town Board meeting from a request from Building Inspector James McElroy and Seminary Hill Orchard & Cidery Director of Orchards and Facilities Bill Hess.

Seminary Hill Cidery requested pushing back the quiet hours start time to create a larger time frame for hosting weddings at their venue on the weekends, which reportedly at times can cause noise levels to be above the legal limit and disturb the peace of neighbors.

Because of this, a number of residents offered up their experiences in dealing with what the current noise ordinance allows for the cidery, and their desires to keep the time at 9 p.m.

Reports of windows and front doors shaking from reverberation, increased traffic late at night on Wagner Road, and other noise related issues were brought up from meeting attendees.

Some residents said the volume is “out of this world,” another called the noise distressing, and that the town should not “change the rules for one person” or business.

They claimed that if the time gets pushed back even just one hour, the problems they reported to the Board would be extended even later into the night.

Founder and CEO of Seminary Hill Cidery, Doug Doetsch, spoke before the Board and was accompanied by other employees of the cidery.

Doetsch addressed some of the neighbor’s concerns regarding the late-night traffic being caused by employees finishing up their work and heading home, and the cidery’s willingness to ‘pull the plug’ on music and other loud noises at or around 10 p.m.

Doetsch also noted that the cidery falls within the same zoning district as those on Main Street, some of which regularly have outdoor music.

“We are asking for a set of rules that could be applied consistently to all parties,” Doetsch said.

Doetsch also stated that tourism is the “lifeblood of Sullivan County,” and that Seminary Hill Cidery competes with wedding venues outside of the county. According to Doetsch, going until at least 10 p.m. is a standard for wedding venues.

Code Enforcement Officer James McElroy stated that he had only received phone calls from one person regarding noise complaints directed towards the cidery prior to the meeting.

After public comment had concluded, the Town Board voted in favor of seeking the professional opinion of Town Planner, Tom Shepstone, at the request of Town Attorney Ken Klein to assist in any further decisions.

Town Supervisor Scott DuBois noted before the crowd that the noise ordinance is integrated within the town’s zoning law, and that there are many wedding venues and other places within the town that need to be looked at and taken into consideration as well. DuBois said he wants to make it a ‘uniform space.’

The Town Board then voted in favor of requesting that Town Attorney Ken Klein begin drafting the language for the local law that would alter the quiet hours, should Shepstone’s advice indicate that the Town Board should go forward with the process. Councilman Alfred Steppich voted in opposition to this motion.

Currently, the quiet hours start time remains at 9 pm.

Town urges caution when using River Road

The Town Board urged residents and visitors to use caution while biking, jogging, and driving along River Road at their meeting on Wednesday night as the summer season continues to increase outdoor activities along the Delaware River.

According to Town Clerk Tess McBeath, a number of people have complained to the town about various issues caused by overpacking of River Road.

The town spoke on the idea of placing up new signs that remind bikers and joggers to remain safe and use the correct side of the road for their outdoor activities.