Bay View residents complain about noise coming from Milwaukee Forge, City issued violation in February

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- People living in Milwaukee's Bay View neighborhood are asking the city to inspect Milwaukee Forge more frequently, claiming the company is abusing its noise variance nearly every night. 

Paul Jonas told CBS 58 he grew up in Bay View. So, he's very familiar with the noises that come from a metal making factory. 

"There's always been the noise overnight, pounding and stuff like that," Jonas said.

Jonas said the noise and vibrations from machines have become increasingly intolerable over the past few years and repeatedly a violation of the city's noise ordinance and the company's noise variance. 

"I guess you learn to ignore the sound and the noises and the thudding you know over the years until it shakes the picture off your wall or something like that," Jonas said.

His neighbor, Kevin Guthmiller, has lived in his house, next to Milwaukee Forge, for more than 50 years. 

"The night shift is probably the noisiest shift they have," Guthmiller said.

Guthmiller told CBS 58 he's watched the factory grow but said their noise abatement hasn't adjusted at the same rate.

"Through the years and numerous expansions and stuff like that, they haven't taken into consideration that there is a residential neighborhood right next to their property," Guthmiller said.

Jonas and Guthmiller said they've also met with representatives of Milwaukee Forge about their complaints but haven't seen any measurable change from their conversations. 

"Milwaukee Forge is aware of recent complaints regarding noise from our Bay View facility," a statement from Milwaukee Forge read. "Milwaukee Forge looks forward to its upcoming discussion with the city officials to discuss future mitigation plans."

The statement said the company invested $200,000 in 2022 on changes after discussing ways to reduce or contain noise from operations with its neighbors. 

It adds the plan to spend an additional $250,000 in 2023 in continued efforts to reduce noise.

Guthmiller told CBS 58 he'd like to see the factory invest in sound barriers.

About 50 people living near Milwaukee Forge recently signed a petition and sent it to Ald. Marina Dimitrijevic with demands relating to issues they said are coming from the factory. 

Dimitrijevic responded to the petition with a letter that included a "recent timeline of DNS enforcement efforts" dating back to June 2021.

The timeline states in August 2021, "DNS has not issued citations, as the company is working to comply with city orders," after several complaints triggered a series of inspections and sound readings. 

In January of 2023, the timeline states Dimitrijevic asked DNS to inspect "terrible noise" between the hours of 11 p.m. and 5 a.m.

Later that month, DNS confirmed it would enforce the city's ordinances and cite the company for each violation going forward. 

A representative for Milwaukee Forge confirmed to CBS 58 it received a noise violation on Feb. 7 and is working with the city to discuss improvements. 

"In my role I am often called upon to be a voice for constituents that feel they are not being heard through the usual channels. This is the case here," Dimitrijevic said in an email to CBS 58. "Our main goal is to ensure that residents are able to maintain the balanced and friendly relationship that nearby residents and the Forge have always had."

Both Jonas and Guthmiller said they are not trying to stop Milwaukee Forge from conducting business. They just want the noise variance to be respected.

"We're not trying to close the Forge or to stop them from doing business, we just want them to do what they've agreed to do," Jonas said.

CBS 58 reached out to DNS for more information but did not immediately get a response.