Baldwin considers noise mediation instead of ordinance

Baldwin Township doesn't have a noise ordinance. Like many rural townships, it hasn't needed to consider one until recent residential development placed neighbors close enough to be bothered by each other.

Now with residents complaining, the township is gathering information about neighboring area ordinances, such as the one in Livonia Township, and held a July 13 workshop to discuss the issue.

Beth and Wade Ficek have been vocal about wanting a noise ordinance, saying they have lost months of sleep listening to their neighbor's semi truck idling. The Princeton Union Eagle recently wrote a little more about their situation.

But they are not the only ones. The desired outcome of establishing a noise ordinance brought in 19 votes at last months' community visioning session when residents were asked what they would like to see improved in Baldwin Township.

Noise is clearly on the minds of many of Baldwin's residents, yet reaction to recent head wall hearings sent a clear message to township officials: the majority of Baldwin residents do not want a bunch of rules governing the way they live their everyday lives.

How can a township manage the freedom that is a hallmark of its character while helping residents manage noise and other issues?

The answer will continue to be carved out by the way Baldwin proceeds with issues like noise ordinances.

After looking at the issue July 13, Town Board Chair Jeff Holm thinks instituting a policy like Livonia's would ultimately be costly for the township -- after all, it takes resources to go after noise violations. While fees imposed for these violations would help off-set cost, he was inspired to consider a different option.

He'd read about mediation services being offered to resolve neighborhood disputes in the Twin Cities, through organizations like the Dispute Resolution Center, and thought maybe instead of adding rules and charging fines, Baldwin could help neighbors find workable solutions.

Baldwin would not need their own mediator, but a group of townships could share a mediator through a group such as the Minnesota Association of Townships.

While the July 13 meeting did not bring any final solutions, the township is continuing to look at the possibility of creating a noise ordinance, while imagining other possibilities.

Can noise issues be mediated into satisfying solutions, or are fines the only way to go?

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