PROTECTING MUSIC, ARTS & CULTURE IN WOODSTOCK, NY
Many have come to know Woodstock as a town where music happens.. And while it does, the past several years have brought some to question the future of the musical community in the town.
With the new Woodstock Town administration showing an interest in supporting the Arts & Cultural community as well as the offerings that bring community and visitors together. Woodstock is a gathering place that is known globally for landing the inspiration for some of the most storied times in history, The Chamber will be returning to the conversation as we re-approach the topic of noise ordinances as we begin yet another season of, musical offerings, gatherings, new history and the strengthening of our cultural economy.
If you have been following along, participating or are just stepping into the conversation, you are welcome, catch up here!!
Our municipal committee will be returning to the scope of this issue as we move into the 2026 summer season. Join us!
WATCH A COMPREHENSIVE CATCHUP ON THIS ISSUE FROM OUR MUNICIPAL LIAISON, ANNA WOMACK…
**PLEASE NOTE THAT THE NEXT MEETING DATE IS JUNE 10TH, NOT THE DATE MENTIONED IN THE VIDEO!
REMINDER: The Public Hearing for the 2025 Noise Ordinance proposal has been rescheduled for:
JUNE 10th, 2025, at 7:00pm
OFFICIAL TOWN ANNOUNCEMENT & LOCATION TBA
Join the WCCA and collaborators and jump into civic engagement as we face noise ordinance amendments which seem to be detrimental to more than just the culture of Woodstock as an Arts Colony.
Some of our concerns regarding the most recent proposal are listed in the slideshow below: (please use the arrows (< >) to navigate the 20 slides):
We feel that the following slide may require its own discussion:
As a spiritually vibrant community, we ask the reason for directly limiting ceremonial ritual to institutions with a 10 minute restriction. Some residents have expressed concern for their right to religious freedom is being disregarded within the proposed ordinance.
We feel that a rushed decision to vote upon the current proposed ordinance would be outside of integrity. We ask that the Board & Supervisor allow time to make adaptations between a Public Hearing and a vote.
A Timeline and Comprehensive View of Community Concern
AS OF TUESDAY MAY 27TH:
DESPITE THE FOLLOWING, THE COMMUNITY WILL BE PRESENT
—THERE IS NO MENTION OF THE NOISE ORDINANCE TASK FORCE ON THE TOWN WEBSITE.
—THERE IS NO MENTION OF A PUBLIC HEARING (ALTHOUGH THE PUBLIC WAS INFORMED THAT THE PUBLIC HEARING ON THE PROPOSED NOISE ORDINANCE WAS RESCHEDULED FOR JUNE 10TH 2025.
Thank you to everyone who attended our May 7th, 2025 Community Soundboard meeting at Andy Lee Field!
If you’d like to engage with the materials discussed at the meeting, including the meeting agenda and historic Zoning Code, please find them here:
Outside of the prior Town Board meeting on April 22nd, 2025, the issue of an updated Noise Ordinance was last publicly discussed in April of 2024. An updated Noise Ordinance proposal for 2025 has been posted to the website for the Town of Woodstock. The 2025 proposal can be found here, and our current ordinance on the books (from 2018) can be found here.
Some (not all) of the community’s testimonials from 2024 are presented in the playlist lower down on this page. Please be patient while we locate archives of 2024 public hearings as they do not appear on the Town’s YouTube page.
Looking for resources on how to prepare for Tuesday, JUNE 10th’s public hearing, or for info on how to successfully hold conversation in community? – Head here!
Looking for information on the science of sound? Check here!
By the Apr. 11th, 2023 Town Board meeting, “Keep Music Alive Outside” had acquired approx. 900+ residential signatures for their petition, and approximately 2,000 visitors/non-residents. In Feb. 2023, the total signature count was 2,748. The expressed intent behind collecting these signatures was for the creation of a committee or taskforce to do appropriate and scientific research to come up with workable solutions for the community, including any necessary Zoning changes (see the recommended process for assessing sound/noise mitigation as advised by NYS here). At the end of the April 11th, 2023 Town Board meeting, “Keep Music Alive” received a unanimous vote on the creation of such a committee or taskforce – from the Woodstock Town Board – to assess Zoning and make appropriate adjustments / advisements.
“Keep Music Alive” was asked by the Town Board at the end of this meeting to provide at least 4 persons – to supplement 4 persons already in mind by the Town Board – to assist on this taskforce. However, the public largely has not been made aware of taskforce membership, the selection process, or changes in membership over the course of the last several years.
This is indicative of a pattern that has given us pause. Throughout this process, the community has been working, with due diligence, towards increased transparency and consideration of larger public opinion. Although some smaller suggestions were utilized for the town’s updated 2025 ordinance, the primary content remains much the same as 2024. While there are disagreements in the community regarding the extent of “past practice” in regards to allowed outdoor music, it is undeniable that any ordinances have largely been unenforced in this capacity over the last several decades. The need for legal protection of outdoor music – both ambient and amplified – in this capacity is understood; but we believe that we can do better. Going forward, we ask for a process that keeps the public better informed, and provides adequate time and space to have productive conversation as a community – in addition to any suggestions and requests mentioned above.
Additional Information & Data:
The Science on How Sound Travels (it’s complicated!):
Find more resources on the science of sound below:
- “Understanding Sound” by David Abbott (specifically, Chap. 45) – click here for the whole book, or here for Chapter 45, “Intensity and Distance”
- How is Sound Measured?
- OSHA’s guidance on Occupational Noise
See our initial 2024 recommendations here:
As well as the “side by side” comparison provided by request (note that the direct comparison reveals the wide scope that was taken by the community to address this issue in a comprehensive manner.):
Community Testimonials
Want to provide your own testimonial or share your experiences on past practice? Email us at music.woodstockchamber@gmail.com! Photos, video, and written statements are all welcome.
Community Resources for Communication & The Public Hearing
What are best communication practices?
- Promoting Healthy Community Dialogue: Civic Discourse 101 – National League of Cities
- How to Have a Community Conversation – Michael Ratner
- Communications Strategies for Social Justice – American Public Health Association in tandem with Resonance
- We Have to Talk: A Step-by-Step Checklist for Difficult Conversations – Judy Ringer
How does a Public Hearing work? What are my rights, and what can I expect?
- Your Right to Know: New York State Open Government Laws – NYS Committee on Open Government
- Conducting Public Meetings and Public Hearings – NYS Department of State, Local Government
- Your Open Meetings Law Rights – New York Coalition for Open Government
How do I craft a statement, or figure out what I want to say?
- How to Testify at a Public Hearing – Death With Dignity (they also have excellent additional resources on this page!)
- Crafting Arguments – Speak Out, Call In: Public Speaking as Advocacy – University of Florida
- 7 Tips for How to Become A Good Public Speaker – Babson College
- 8 Ways You Can Improve Your Communication Skills – Harvard Division of Continuing Education
REMINDER:
Public Hearing for the 2025 Noise Ordinance proposal has been scheduled for:
MAY 13th, 2025, at 7:00pm
Mescal hornbeck Community Center.
Please find previous work on this issue from 2024 below:
An invitation went out, to craft “Public Be Heard” statements—in a 2 minute video or audio file in order to provide the town board with the public concernedfor the baseline of our culture.
#2minutes4music #publicspeaking
JOIN US!
MONDAY, APRIL 29TH 5:00-8:00 PM
Woodstock Community Center 56 Rock City Road Woodstock, NY
Stay Tuned for more information and keep your eyes peeled for #2minutes4music media Pop-Ups!!
READ THE PROPOSED SOUND ORDINANCE AMENDMENTS HERE
Watch two videos of the first attempt at a public hearing—Let’s be more prepared:
