PRINCESS ANNE, MD—Some people in Princess Anne are concerned that a Somerset County motorcycle club, which wants to convert the old train on Beechwood Street to a clubhouse, will generate too much noise.
The group known as Rated X has around 12 members, most of whom are over 50. Co-Vice President Hank Handy said he thinks some people have a misconception about motorcycle clubs.
"If you talk about motorcycles, the first thing that people think about is gangs," Handy said. "We're not a gang; we're an organization and we're a nonprofit."
Rated X is renting the property from the Princess Anne town commissioners. They plan to renovate the unoccupied building and revitalize the grounds.
"During the summer, we'd like to have small events out here ... auto shows and stuff like that," Handy said.
Handy's Co-Vice President William Gardner told WBOC that all the proceeds generated from Rated X's events are donated to local charitable organizations or dedicated to a scholarship fund.
They hope having a designated home base in Princess Anne will attract younger members who can continue hosting events to give back to the community.
"Kind of help to carry on because a lot of the older members want to sit down, but we can't sit down yet," Gardner said.
During Wednesday night's town commissioner meeting, a group of citizens voiced concerns over the clubhouse and potential noise ordinance violations.
"I really feel that they didn't hear us," John B. Jacob, one of the concerned citizens who attended the meeting, said. "I don't think that it's been well thought out, and I also think anything that has the potential to be so impactful to this, this town of Princess Anne, should have a public hearing."
Jacob works in Princess Anne and attends church services a few blocks from the train station.
"I do believe that they are very nice men from my experience, my exchanges with them last night," Jacob said. "I hope that they will keep their word and make sure that the events that happen there are not going to really disrupt the quiet enjoyment of people's homes, worship areas [and] learning in schools."
Princess Anne's noise ordinance prohibits the sounding of any horn or signaling device on a motorcycle but does not mention loud engines.
"Most motorcycles are loud," Handy said. "Mine isn't ... I could pull up on mine right now and you wouldn't even know I was here."
Rated X leaders tell WBOC News they hope residents' concerns will dissipate once they move into the building, noting that the engine noise will not be as loud as the train horns that regularly pass by.