SOUTHPORT — The Southport board of aldermen voted to amend its noise ordinance on Wednesday to alleviate those working outside in the heat.
In an emergency called meeting, the board decided to permit the city manager to modify the start and ending times for outside private contractors to work during adverse weather or emergency events.
Builders, contractors and anyone working outside will be able to begin at sunrise and end in the evening hours. City staff encouraged those professions to utilize the extra time, stay hydrated and be mindful of any pre-existing conditions.
Alderman Lowe Davis stated there have been numerous accounts of landscapers, roofers, painters, heavy equipment operators and road crews fainting or needing medical attention while working outside in Southport.
“This is a humane response to the suffering we can see all around us in this extreme heat,” Davis said during the meeting. “I hate for anyone to be disturbed by noise any earlier than expected, but I feel we should do what we can to protect the health of people whose jobs require them to be working outside in these difficult days.”
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