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NATCHEZ — The City of Natchez Mayor and Board of Aldermen will begin its December meeting with a public hearing on a proposed new noise ordinance.

The city canceled its two regularly scheduled meetings, which we set for Dec. 12 and Dec. 26, opting for one meeting on Dec. 19, beginning at 5 p.m., in the Council Chambers, 115 S. Pearl St., across from city hall.

The public hearing on the noise ordinance is set to begin at 6 p.m. Dec. 19.

The new ordinance will take the subjectivity out of the equation, said Natchez Mayor Dan Gibson. The new ordinance proposes the measurement of noise through the use of a meter that measures noise in decibels. The ordinance sets specific decibel limits on noise, which will, if approved, vary from residential and commercial areas of the city.

Police officers would have the meters available to them to measure noise levels when warranted.

The ordinance would allow for louder-than-normal music at some venues downtown and sets a 1 a.m. curfew for such.

Businesses that violate the new noise ordinance, if approved, could face a fine of up to $1,000 per offense and could be ordered by police to close for a day if they refuse to comply with an order to reduce the sound levels.

According to the ordinance, noise that is “plainly audible” in residential areas would be prohibited after 10 p.m.

Any interested resident will be allowed to speak their opinion on the proposed ordinance at the public hearing portion of the meeting.