ELIZABETHTOWN — Excessive noise throughout the county, but more specifically in the downtown Elizabethtown business district will now be subject to a beefed up noise ordinance after county commissioners voted Monday to approve the new ordinance.

Commissioners have been discussing and meeting with area elected officials and law enforcement on the issue for several weeks. Each of the towns have a copy of the county’s new noise ordinance, but elected officials there will have to make their own decision on whether to pass the ordinance.

“The new ordinance gets specific with decibel levels,” said County manager Greg Martin, “and will replace the old, 1997 ordinance.”

The issue was first brought up recently by Commissioner Cameron McGill, who was concerned with the level of noise in downtown Elizabethtown — most specifically with loud music and mufflers.

In other business Monday by the board …

— Heard about a Role Reversal Exercise taking place Aug. 18 in Bladen, Brunswick and Robeson counties. The activity is being paid for through a state grant.

— Scheduled a special meeting for Aug. 22 to hear issues related to American Rescue Plan Act monies, economic development and tax matters.

— Extended the county’s Flex Schedule Policy through June 31, 2023.

W. Curt Vincent can be reached at 910-862-4163 or cvincent@www.bladenjournal.com.