N. Aurora construction hours to stay same

North Aurora trustees decided Monday it's OK for construction to start at 6 a.m.

They rejected a request to change the start time to 7 a.m.

Community development Director Scott Buening had suggested the change, saying some residents had complained about noise.

Trustees were unsure how many people had complained, Trustee Mark Gaffino said.

They were also concerned about the well-being of construction workers during hot summer days. An earlier start time means they can start the job in a cooler part of the day and end by 2 p.m., when temperatures are often at their peak, Gaffino said.

"I hadn't seen any abuses or heard complaints," Trustee Mike Herlihy said.

He, too, said the "real motive is to try to beat the heat." Herlihy, who works in the construction industry, said that on a 90-degree day, the heat index on a roofing job can reach 115 degrees - which can lead to heat illnesses.

Six in the morning seems kind of early, "but not if you are in the construction business," President Dale Berman said.

"I sometimes feel we can put up with a little inconvenience for the benefit of others," he said.

Construction is allowed from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday in the summer. It can start at 7 a.m. weekdays in the winter.

According to a report presented to the board, start times in 10 suburban towns vary. Elgin allows it at sunrise, Oswego and Montgomery at 6 a.m., Sugar Grove at 6:30, and the rest at 7 a.m. on weekdays. Montgomery, Naperville and Oswego delay it an hour or more on Saturdays and Sundays.

Naperville and Downers Grove prohibit construction on Sundays.