Council for the Municipality of Huron East wants to keep the Seaforth siren going, despite opposition from the Health Unit.
Huron Perth Public Health recommended stopping use of the siren after an inspection showed outdoor measurements exceeded the World Health Organization maximum noise level guidance for single noise events.
At last week's meeting, council voted to keep the status quo.
Councillor Larry McGrath said he was tired of discussing the matter, as council had already expressed its wish to keep the siren in place.
"Status quo, let the the thing blow; this is so stupid," he said. "It's a fire alarm that goes not every single day, not every two or three hours, and I understand... too loud, disrupts my life, I'm sorry. But it's an issue of safety for the firemen. The firemen, for the most part, want it. Let it go, just drop the subject."
Council members said that they'd already had this discussion around stopping the siren, finding a way to keep it operational after dispatch centres moved from Stratford to Owen Sound. Since the change of dispatchers, the siren had a timer installed so that it doesn't go off between 9 p.m. and 7 a.m.
Mayor Bernie MacLellan warned members that ignoring the recommendation could leave them open to legal recourse.
"If that's the direction of council that's fine, make the motion and we vote on it," he said. "I'm just going to be interested in the argument when you get to court and say 'Every other town that doesn't have a siren, how can you justify the fact that they're safe and you wouldn't be?'"
Historically, the fire sirens were traditionally used as the main notification system for volunteer firefighters. But with firefighters now able to receive more detailed, timely and accurate information right to their phones, most towns have phased them out.
In a statement, Huron Perth Public Health said it is reviewing Council’s decision and considering next steps.