WILLIAMSBURG, Mass. (WGGB/WSHM) - A bell that has rung every hour for more than 170 years is now at the center of a debate in the small Hampshire County town of Williamsburg.

The Haydenville Congregational Church has been around since 1851. While some believe it’s helpful and a tradition, others say the ringing has taken a toll when it comes to getting a good night’s sleep.

Last Tuesday, the Williamsburg Select Board received a complaint from Mike Ambs who has lived in Haydenville for about eight months.

He lives feet away from the church on High Street. Ambs says the chimes during the middle of the night have woken him and his four kids numerous times.

He said he doesn’t want the chimes to stop entirely, but would like silence between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. which he says is a rule under a Massachusetts noise ordinance.

“I don’t see why you need them to ring at midnight, 1 a.m., 2 a.m., 3 a.m., and so forth,” he said. “So hopefully, it can be muted.”

Not everyone feels that way. Bernie Bachand lives just a few houses away on Pine Street and has head those bells for nearly 90 years. He and town employees say a complaint like this comes along once every 10 to 15 years and for many residents the bell is more than a tradition.

“I think there are some people that work night shifts. They look forward to that bell ringing,” he said. “So we’re either getting ready to get up or getting ready to shave, go to work or what not. They look forward to that night ring of that bell.”

Ambs says he does not want to be seen as a bad guy. He assures everyone he just wants a compromise.

Williamsburg Select Board member Bill Sayre says the issue is under review and the board is researching the cost of a timed silencer retrofit.

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