City councilors are seeking both a resolution to years of neighborhood complaints about late-night events at St. Joan of Arc Church and a broader review of the city’s noise ordinance, saying the issue has exposed potential gaps in how excessive noise complaints are handled and enforced.
The discussion comes as both the city and church leaders say they are working to address the issue. Church officials say they have implemented stricter rules, including canceling all-night events, while the city’s Inspectional Services Department says it has received no actionable complaints since restrictions on the church’s function space were lifted July 10.
District Councilor Tony Economou requested that City Manager Eric Batista organize a meeting involving church leaders, event organizers, neighbors, police, Inspectional Services, the License Commission and the city manager’s office before additional functions are held at the church.
The order describes “chronic neighborhood noise and loud music” coming from the church’s function facility and parking lot.
Economou also filed companion orders requesting that the city’s Public Safety Committee review Worcester’s excessive noise ordinance, including whether the city should establish a special noise variance process for churches, festivals and organizations holding certain events. A separate order asks the administration to provide councilors with a report explaining how residents report excessive noise complaints and how those complaints are handled.
During Tuesday’s council meeting, Economou said residents are not necessarily opposed to the church holding events but have repeatedly complained about loud music continuing late into the night.
He said previous discussions with church representatives had not produced lasting improvements.
“I think enough’s enough,” Economou said.
Batista told councilors that Inspectional Services had previously taken enforcement action and posted a notice prohibiting use of the space for events. The restrictions remained in place for a period of time and the noise complaints subsided, he said.
The notice was removed around July 10 after representatives of the church told city officials they could manage the organization using the facility and keep sound levels under control, according to Batista.
Complaints resumed after the events restarted, prompting the commissioner of Inspectional Services to reengage with church leaders, Batista said.
Inspectional Services Commissioner Nick Antanavica said the church building was first posted June 30 for an unlawful use under the state building code after officials determined the space’s use had changed without the required permits.
Antanavica said the restriction was lifted July 10 after church officials agreed to post notices prohibiting amplified music without approval from the License Commission and reminding users of the city’s overnight noise restrictions.
Despite council concerns that complaints had continued, Antanavica said the city has received “no actionable complaints” through 911, 311 or the police non-emergency line since the notices were removed. As a result, he said, no citations, fines or shutdowns have occurred since July 10.
If future complaints are verified, Antanavica said the city could pursue additional citations, fines and enforcement, including revoking the building’s certificate of occupancy.
He also said documenting excessive noise can be challenging because nuisance complaints often require establishing ambient or background noise levels, which are not available throughout the city. For that reason, he said, Inspectional Services pursued enforcement through the building code and required License Commission approval for amplified sound.
Fr. Enoch Kyeremateng, parish administrator of St. Joan of Arc Church, told the Worcester Guardian he has accepted responsibility for the situation and has already implemented stricter rules governing events at the church.
“I take responsibility for that and have therefore implemented some strict measures,” Kyeremateng wrote.
He said all-night events “known to be noisy events” have been canceled for now.
Kyeremateng said he supports participating in another neighborhood meeting if his schedule permits.
“I have attended a couple of the neighborhood meetings,” he wrote. “I no longer receive any dates for meetings. But of course, if I get the dates and they do not coincide with any pastoral activities, I will joyfully attend.”
While acknowledging residents’ concerns, Kyeremateng said he believes some accounts have overstated the issue.
“Once again, I take responsibility for whatever has happened,” he wrote. “Though it has been exaggerated, I will, for now, go with the strict measures I have put in place.”
Batista said police have also responded to noise complaints and asked event organizers to lower the volume. In some instances, he said, the music was turned back up after officers left, creating a repeated cycle of complaints and police responses.
The city manager did not have a complete timeline of complaints, enforcement notices, fines or police responses available during the meeting.
Council Vice Chairman Khrystian King requested a written report detailing the complaints received, the city’s responses, any violations that were documented and whether events had been shut down or fines imposed.
King said the report should also explain how Worcester measures excessive noise, how residents are expected to report violations and whether enforcement is applied consistently throughout the city.
He said he had heard concerns from both neighbors and people associated with the church, including criticism that the city had not responded consistently or clearly explained the rules governing the events.
Councilor Satya Mitra said councilors have received repeated complaints about the property and called for stronger action to resolve the matter.
Mitra said he previously requested information about Worcester’s noise ordinance but did not believe councilors had received a response.
Councilor Kathleen Toomey said complaints involving the church have continued through changes in both church leadership and political representation.
“This has been a long-standing issue,” Toomey said, adding that the city needs to move forward with a resolution.
Councilor Robert Bilotta said residents on Waverly Street have also repeatedly complained about loud noise late in the evening. He said city rules should be enforced consistently for gatherings throughout Worcester.
Economou said residents have a right to the peaceful enjoyment of their homes, particularly when events continue past 11 p.m., midnight or 1 a.m.
He pointed to other church festivals that end music and usher attendees from the property at established times, arguing similar expectations should apply citywide.
“There can be harmony,” Economou said, “but both parties need to come to the table to have this discussion to make it work.”
Economou said he believes the city should examine whether Worcester’s ordinance provides enough clarity for residents and organizations alike. He pointed to other municipalities that provide more detailed guidance on how different types of noise complaints are handled and said Worcester should evaluate whether a special permitting process for certain events would make enforcement more consistent.
Under one of Economou’s orders, the Public Safety Committee will review the city’s excessive noise ordinance, including the feasibility of creating a special noise variance application for churches, festivals and organizations holding certain events.
A second order requests a report from the city manager detailing the process residents currently use to report excessive and unreasonable neighborhood noise.
The council sent Economou’s request for a neighborhood meeting to the city manager. It also referred the proposed review of the city’s noise ordinance to the Public Safety Committee and requested a report from the administration outlining how neighborhood noise complaints are received and investigated.
The date of the proposed neighborhood meeting was not immediately announced.
