PdC manufacturing plant’s loud noise is disturbing neighbors

By Correne Martin

A constant, piercing sound coming from the Universal Forest Products manufacturing plant on Lessard Street in Prairie du Chien is disturbing neighbors. City administration is looking into the issue and UFP is meeting with the city regarding their efforts toward a resolution. 

City Administrator Chad Abram first briefed the common council on the issue Dec. 15. He said city hall and the police department had received multiple calls from residents in the area about the 24-hour sound that, in some cases, has made it difficult for neighbors to sleep.

“It’s almost like a siren,” Abram said in describing the sound. “It seems to be bouncing off the bluff and traveling up the bluff as well.”

He along with Mayor Dave Hemmer and aldermen Nate Bremmer and Jaaren Riebe sat with UFP officials Dec. 17 to learn more about the cause and the hopeful solution to masking the noise. 

“They were really good and understanding,” Abram said of UFP. “They’re an expanding, successful company and we’re happy to have them in our community. Although, I have a duty to my taxpayers to improve the situation for them too.”

Abram explained that the sound is coming from a new piece of equipment at the plant. It has been noticeable for bout a month or so. 

“My first complaint was Nov. 9,” he stated.

He said, since complaints were heard, UFP has built a wall around the noise area and installed a new bearing. Abram said UFP is also working with engineers to design a sound sleeve.

Abram added that he and city Utility Director Larry Gates took a decibel reading on the exterior of the UFP factory and the result fell within the city noise pollution code.

Yet, Abram admitted, “We’re not experts. We want an expert to perform decibel readings and interpret the sound.”

UFP Manager Chris Kane was reached Tuesday to discuss the noise. However, he did not comment on the issue.