The Village of Thomaston is hosting a community forum on whether or not to amend part of the code regulating landscaping equipment on July 30, according to a public notice, which could potentially lead to the elimination of a two-decade old law.
The law, adopted in 1998, bars residents from using gasoline- or diesel-powered blower equipment within 300 feet of residential properties between May 1 and Sept. 30.
It falls under the “noise and disturbances prohibited” and “noise” portions of the village code, which includes restrictions on making or contributing to “loud or unreasonable noise.”
Mayor Steven Weinberg said the law had been passed with the interest of protecting the environment and giving a period of “peace and quiet” to the village. But there have been at least 10 or 15 comments from residents recently, he said.
“We’ve gotten repeated complaints about the regulation prohibiting gas-powered leaf blowers,” Weinberg said.
Among the comments were landscapers not using battery packs, fines being passed along to residents and battery-powered leaf blowers being inefficient.
Weinberg said that, over the years, he has heard “diverse opinions on both sides” of the law. The forum, however, is meant to get a definitive idea of whether or not the village should repeal the law.
“I thought it would be appropriate to have as much communication with the village as possible to let them know we’re considering this so they can be heard,” Weinberg said.
Thomaston has a public notice online and Weinberg said they are notifying residents about the forum through a 311 system. It will take place on Monday, July 30, at 7:30 p.m. at Village Hall – or 100 East Shore Rd.
Weinberg also said there would be “at least three opportunities” for the public to weigh in between the forum and public hearings.
Thomaston’s Board of Trustees had voted to approve the community forum at its July 9 meeting.
