PLATTSBURGH -- Law enforcement has a new tool to combat excess noise in the Town of Plattsburgh.

The Plattsburgh Town Council recently passed a noise ordinance.

Town Supervisor Bernie Bassett said the town has received numerous complaints about excessive noise and has been gathering information to develop a local law to give police the means to do something about it.

"Law-enforcement officials tell us they need an ordinance."

Without one, they can't go in just because someone's noisy.

Speaking at a public hearing on the proposed local law, Bev Costin of the Wallace Hill section of town said it seems like the police are always in that area responding to noise complaints. One recent evening, they were there at about 1:30 a.m., she said.

"The music was so loud (at a neighboring residence), it was like it was in our house."

Councilor Tom Wood said he has received many complaints from people in the Wallace Hill area and other parts of the town.

The intention was to eliminate excessive noise, not normal activities, he said.

"It's important to get this on the books so there is a vehicle for law enforcement to use."

Bassett said the town went to great lengths to make the law something people can't use to simply retaliate against a neighbor.

Councilor Martin Mannix said it's unfortunate the town has to create a law to deal with the issue.

"You would think neighbors would respect each other."

People responsible for noise violations include the owner or person operating equipment that results in a violation and the owner or lessee of a premises from which noise originates, as long as that person is present.

Violations will be based on factors such as volume, intensity and duration of noise, time of day (especially if it's between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m.), background noise in the area, neighboring properties that are more likely to be adversely affected, prior complaints and response to complaints.