Noise Bylaw Update: Sometimes the First Step Is Just Picking Up the Phone

On Monday, August 24, Wilmot Council directed staff to prepare a report looking at how noise complaints are handled on evenings and weekends. This report is supposed to look at different options, such as using Township staff or contracting work out. The report should also report on how police respond to noise complaints.

On August 8-9, a large party was hosted in Mannheim. Most would say excessively loud music was played, since households in Mannheim, 3 km away, reported the noise to police. 

Friends I know in Mannheim texted me because they did not know what to do about the noise. Since it was an evening Wilmot By-law was not available but the Townships website told people to call Waterloo Regions Non-emergency line. They reported that they and several others had called but were told nothing could be done.

I think reviewing our bylaws and procedures is a good idea.

But before asking staff to spend time researching new service models and preparing a report for Council, I think there was a much simpler first step.

Pick up the phone and ask the Waterloo Region Police what happened.

Our mayor has direct contact with the Waterloo Regional Police. Simply ask them why Wilmot’s existing noise bylaw was not enforced.

Wilmot's Noise Bylaw already says that it can be enforced by both Municipal Law Enforcement Officers and Police Officers. 

So before we look at paying overtime for staff or paying a contractor to provide after-hours enforcement, shouldn't we first understand why the system we already have didn't work?

This would be a much simpler and faster resolution.

If I were Mayor, I would have called our contact at Waterloo Regional Police and asked what happened. I would want to understand the problem before asking staff to spend time developing solutions.

Then, if there is still an identified gap, yes, ask staff to help identify a solution.

This is a small example, but it reflects how I believe municipal government should work.

Use the connections we already have or build the connections we need to make things run smoother and, in the end, save the taxpayers money.

***** Update:

After posting this blog, I received a few messages that led me to go through my notes from conversations I have had with people at their doors.

I have had over a dozen conversations with people about their continued frustration with enforcement of our current noise bylaws during daytime hours. They have valid concerns that have been affecting them for months or even years.

I have offered to help these residents learn how to bring their concerns to council.

Either the wording of our noise bylaw needs to be updated or the enforcement needs to be reviewed.

If elected, I will ensure we listen closely to residents impacted by repeated noise concerns and actively work to update the bylaw to offer the support that is needed.

~ Stephanie Goertz

Candidate for the Mayor of Wilmot in the 2026 election.

Source: https://www.therecord.com/news/council/wilmot-to-review-noise-bylaw-response-to-complaints/article_63d2ea7f-0ed8-56cc-bbcd-d17dd2c22df9.html