BREANNA HANLEY/THE EXPRESS Supporters of the Clinton County Speedway are shown crowding the entrance at the Lamar Township Supervisors meeting this week.

ROTE — The Lamar Township Board of Supervisors have approved their 2025 budget with no tax increase to residents.

The budget was unanimously approved, with no further comments made. It is currently available for public view.

For the past few months, an interested party speaking on behalf of around 13 residents has approached the supervisors regarding the noise level coming from the Clinton County Speedway.

Scott Knisely, the interested party, wrote a letter to the supervisors and The Express, published on Aug. 20, 2024, urging the supervisors to reevaluate the rules for the racing times at the speedway.

In his letter, he wrote, “I believe there are many factory workers that would appreciate a little more sleep time if the racing ended at 10 p.m., versus the 11 p.m. end time, before their 11 p.m. or 12 a.m. shift starts. I am also told by neighbors that these weekly races affect many pets and farm animals by the various rates of loud acceleration for approximately five hours per night, much like fireworks do… I am sending this letter to the Lamar Township Supervisors to consider reevaluating the race track rules and consider changing the end time to 10 p.m. starting next year.”

Knisely also attended numerous meetings to talk about options, and what complaints he has received.

Knisely specifically noted during the Aug. 3 meeting there was a complaint two years ago claiming the speedway was violating “section 10 of the noise ordinance” that, according to the supervisors, doesn’t exist in the township.

Supervisor Larry Rhine said previously, “One of the reasons I was always told we don’t have a noise ordinance is because we’re in an agricultural region. Some of these farmers were plowing their fields at 10, 11, 12 o’clock at night to get done.”

Knisely later clarified his statement, saying the speedway was violating an ordinance under “Nuisances,” section 10.103, but did not explain further what the ordinance specifically stated.

Speedway Promoter Jason McCahan attended the meeting Tuesday night to address any concerns raised, but Knisely was not in attendance. If anyone was there to complain about the racetrack or represent Knisely, they did not make themselves known to the board.

“I want to make it clear I’m not looking to shut down the racetrack as many people are stating… We are wanting to quiet it down,” said Knisely in a packet he put together and distributed to the supervisors.

The packet also listed specific citizen complaints, including complaints of unreasonable noise, not stopping racing on time and more.

As stated previously, the speedway has a curfew of 11:30 p.m., according to McCahan this curfew has not been broken during his tenure. McCahan noted that towards the end of the night, quieter cars are scheduled to race with respect to residents who may be sleeping.

“We have not gone past curfew. I have actually, because of them, (started) cutting races before curfew. My tech officials have had guys push their cars onto trailers so that no engines are started,” said McCahan.

Supervisor Dan Chappell read out proposals given in this packet that were offered as a way to make the noise levels more manageable. These proposals included the Clinton County Fair Board:

— Planting evergreen trees around the track property.

— Installing 10 ft. x 18 ft. minimum billboards to deflect noise, designed by a certified acoustical engineer.

— Prohibiting racing if a vehicle’s noise level is not under 95 decibels.

“These are just proposals,” said Chappell. “That’s all there is. Not from us. They want you done at 10 p.m., they want the last car shut off at 10:30 p.m. There shall be no Sunday racing except during the Clinton County Fair race. Only one race per 7-day period except Clinton County Fair week.”

Chappell also read out portions of the proposed ordinance supposedly submitted by Knisely and his legal council with this packet. The ordinance specifically suggested a 50 decibel limit in the township past 10 p.m.

“I was going to go over it (fully) but it’s pretty ridiculous,” said Chappell. “The reason I ran for this office is for exactly things like this. This is not good for Lamar Township residents.”

“Excessive noise levels constitute safety hazards… Distracts from traveling public.. Prohibited acts — so this is what it would look like — the following acts caused therein declared to be noise disturbances: radios, television sets, musical instruments, similar devices, CD players, VCRs, DVD players, phonographs, high fidelity equipment, sound amplifiers… (The ordinance) wants all that down to a 65 DBA between 7 and 10 p.m., a 50 Dbs between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m.” read Chappell.

A member of the crowd pointed out if this ordinance were to be enacted, it would prevent any resident from driving a vehicle past curfew. The average decibel level of a car in 2024 ranges from 70 to 90 decibels, according to research conducted by The Express.

It was determined by the board and its solicitor, John Lhota, this was a civil matter.

“There’s not much to talk about… We have been informed by our solicitor that this is a civil matter. They essentially need to go to the fair board and discuss that. Basically the only reason it’s on the agenda is because it’s an old business… There’s going to be no motions,” said Chappell.

After an outcry on social media, residents showed up in droves to defend their beloved speedway — resulting in a standing-room only with dozens in attendance. Though no discussion was necessary from the public, the speedway was thankful many people came to support them.

“The one thing I want to point out is that this isn’t a ‘bash Mr. Knisely’ session,” said Chappell, cutting off any negative comments about the man. “He isn’t here to defend himself. I’m just relaying (information) to the public.”

Following the meeting, the Clinton County Speedway posted a message on their Facebook page thanking those who showed up for support.

In other news:

— The supervisors held an executive session prior to the regular meeting to discuss Whitetail Estates. A lengthy discussion followed during the regular meeting in which plans were made to complete the work that needed done. Solicitor John Lhota was in attendance to answer questions.

— The supervisors tabled a donation request from the Keystone Central Summer Parks Program to allow them to budget for a potential donation.

— The meeting schedule for 2025 has been approved.

— Secretary Tracy Roberts is actively applying for grants through the Clinton County Community Foundation regarding a dog park.