Tuesday
October 3, 2023 
In order to remove time limitations relating to the use of snowblowers; exempt generators during power outages; and to exempt not-for-profit special events until 11 p.m., one time per year, Tinicum Township has amended its noise ordinance.
The action was taken at the Sept. 18 public board of supervisors meeting.
The ordinance is to continue to protect citizens from “unnecessary disturbance, annoyance, or injury from sound,” with enforcement to feature the use of sound level meters of designated quality, and the pursuit of search warrants where permission to investigate is refused.
The ordinance designates a separate Noise Sensitive Zone for more rigorous protection, which includes “any hospital, school, rehabilitation center, church, library, convalescent home, or home for the aged” at their boundary line. Disturbances are especially covered there, as well as across any real property line, between the hours of 10 p.m. and 10 a.m., whether deriving from electronic devices, musical instruments, or animals.
Tools and equipment for manufacturing, industrial, construction, drilling and demolition uses are covered between 6 p.m. and 7 a.m., and anytime on weekends, “unless a waiver is granted by the board of supervisors,” subject to limitations on their disgression. Domestic power tools are not included, except for outdoor use between 9 p.m. and 8 a.m., nor are vehicles “designed for transportation use on public highways.” Particular regulations for Specified Motor Vehicles, including dirt bikes, mini bikes, all-terrain vehicles, go carts and snowmobiles are detailed.
The new exemption for generators during power outages extends to their “exercising cycles, once per week, between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m., Monday through Saturday.” Snowblowers are now exempted “following snowfall.” The new special event exemption is obtained via obtaining a temporary event permit.
Other ordinance changes remain in the draft stage, with advertising of intent to adopt them expected within a few weeks. These include providing standards for adult daily living centers; prohibiting the use of temporary structures, such as tents, without permanent bathroom or sanitation facilities, as a transient residential use; and providing revised standards for home occupations and noise.
Also at the Sept. 18 meeting, officials announced the closing of River Road (Route 32), between Tinicum Creek Road and Headquarters Road, from Oct. 1 through late December, to allow for interim repairs of the Golden Pheasant Bridge, which carries the road over the Delaware Canal.
Motorists will be directed to follow a posted detour via Dark Hollow Road, Route 413 and Route 611. The road will remain open to local traffic up to the bridge. The repair work is part of a project to rehabilitate or replace the bridge, which opened in 1932.
