Residents approach town hall over noise concerns at Infra Pipe

Residents complain that the noise from chain saws reaches 110 decibels

Huntsville General Committee agreed to seek consultation for a noise study for Centre Street north, in the October 29, 2025, meeting.

Residents, Jim Rowan and Victoria Snook, approached Committee on behalf of 23 Winona Drive and 55 units on 3 properties that are all impacted by the noise of chainsaws running nonstop from the Infra Pipe Solutions plant at 37 Centre Street after exhausting all efforts to speak with the plant, trying the Town’s noise complaint process, and previously reaching out to the Mayor, Deputy Mayor, CAO and By-law Officer without success.

They indicated that there has always been noise, however it’s become excessive over the past couple of years and wasn’t an issue when the business was owned by KWH Pipe and Uponor Infra.

They said they can’t enjoy a coffee on their deck or escape the noise even when they’re indoors with their windows closed.

According to their presentation report, “Ontario Law regarding property ownership rights provides for freedom from excessive noise and disruptions from surrounding areas, such as construction or unreasonable disturbances from neighbours and requires responsible parties to mitigate such disruptions to maintain a harmonious living environment.”

Rowan said that when they approached the business they were “brushed off because the business is complying with the By-law,” which permits chainsaw use from 7am to 7pm, Monday to Saturday. He added, “They’re not open to working with residents.”

Residents also indicated that the chainsaw use at the plant continues after the permitted times.

They added that at 110 decibels a chainsaw is considered “comparable to a rock concert,” nonstop.

They also indicate that they have learned that the plant is dealing with a 2-year backlog of pipe and do not seem open to a solution to “co-existing in harmony with their neighbours.”

They also expressed that tourism and recreation is the Town’s top industry and the municipality’s website “promises ‘a peaceful retreat in nature.’”

Other concerns involve the impact of gas chainsaws on the environment, which according to their report “emits pollution into the air and waste in the form of small plastic beads that could potentially end up in groundwater, the river and surrounding properties due to run off.”

In addition to a petition regarding the constant excessive noise, they suggested the Town amend the noise By-law to include guidelines specific to commercial and industrial chainsaw use, and that the business move the cutting inside the property or to an appropriate offsite location “that addresses the negative impact on the surrounding community and environment.”

Councillor, Bob Stone, indicated that “the request to move in or off site is not financially practical.”

Deputy Mayor, Dan Armour, said the plant has existed in the Town since the 1060’s “and continues to employ people in Huntsville and surrounding areas.”

However, Committee members expressed empathy about the noise and agreed to work on a solution.

Staff were directed to continue to work on a mutually agreeable solution with the plant and seek consultation to complete a noise study.