Noise ordinance debated at Clarion Council meeting

At the Clarion Borough Council meeting Nov. 8, the sound of music was the subject of a dispute between the council and a downtown business owner.

John Pacsai, representing the Infusion Nightclub located at 518 Main Street, challenged the borough’s noise ordinance.

Pacsai said the current ordinance was vague and needed to include a decibel reading.

He said that the nightclub had made changes in an effort to comply with the ordinance. He said the nightclub had a Tiki bar outside but shut it down when there were noise complaints.

Pacsai said the owners had made changes to the building in an attempt to comply, including removing some of the sound equipment and the installation of a sound barrier.

The ordinance prohibiting excessive sound is in effect from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.

“We would like you to understand our problems,” he said.

Pacsai added that the ordinance was “old and vague.”

Dr. Brenda Dede, the head of the Public Safety Committee, said the borough was not going to change the ordinance.

Pacsai said Infusion had already won one court case and he would win a pending court case.

In other business, the council;

– Accepted a bid of $6,970 from the Industrial Appraisal Company for on on-site inspection and appraisal of the borough’s buildings and structures, site improvements, fixed equipment, machinery and moveable equipment.

– Council president Carol LaPinto announced that the Wreaths Across America event will be held on Dec. 16 from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. at the Clarion Cemetery.

– Announced the borough’s snow removal ordinance goes into effect on Dec. 1 and will remain in effect until April 1.

The next council meeting, if needed, will be held on Nov. 21 at the Clarion Free Library.