Iron Peak Noise, Late-Night Events Raise Concerns By Hillsborough Residents

HILLSBOROUGH, NJ — Residents living near Iron Peak Sports & Events continue to raise complaints to the Hillsborough Township Committee over noise and late-night events.

At the Tuesday Township Committee meeting, Mayor Catherine Payne read a letter from owner Gregg Wilke addressing the complaints.

Payne said she had also met with residents who live near the facility, along with Wilke and the township administrator.

She said noise was the primary concern and added that blowhorn use had also been raised privately.

Payne said signs are now posted at the property indicating "that blowhorns from participants will not be allowed."

In the letter Payne read into the record, Wilke thanked the committee for its support and said a three-day cultural event had led to neighborhood complaints.

He wrote, "A strong and healthy relationship is of utmost importance to Iron Peak, not only with our clients but also with the local residents and the entire Hillsborough community. I sincerely regret any inconvenience imposed on those local families who were affected."

Wilke’s letter to the community, which is posted on Iron Peak’s website and social media, outlined proposed steps on notice for large events, noise, operating hours and blowhorn use.

Wilke wrote that Iron Peak would include more information about larger outside events on its website.

He also wrote that the facility prohibits subwoofers in the dome and that one used during the Oct. 16 to 18 event was shut off and removed after it was identified.

The letter also states, "Iron Peak strongly recommends to the township that it identify and train the appropriate township employees in noise detection and enforcement."

Additionally, Wilke wrote that Iron Peak would use court space rather than the dome for some large-scale events when possible because that area offers additional soundproofing.

Deputy Mayor Shawn Lipani thanked Wilke for responding.

Lipani said at the meeting that he had also contacted him and told him, "You need to be a good neighbor and work with the community so that you both can be prosperous."

During public comment, residents said the problems go beyond one event.

Christine McAvoy of Mountain View Road said, "The current commercial noise ordinance completely fails our residential neighborhood," and urged the township to amend the rules and lower the decibel limit as it applies to Iron Peak.

Stephanie Golding of Arthur Road said families in nearby neighborhoods listened to vibrating noise "for an entire weekend for 12 hours a day" and said music continued until 12 a.m.

Golding had also invited Committee woman Samantha Hand to her home to listen to the noise.

Hand confirmed at the meeting that "They invited me in their home... It rattled."

"It was rattling. Okay, vibrating. We're not talking windows... It was the concrete vibrating," said Golding.

Glenn Watson of Arthur Road also described traffic, debris, and noise late at night, and asked the committee to find "some balance, a happy medium."

To view Iron Peak's letter, click here.

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