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CROTON-ON-HUDSON, N.Y. Croton residents, and contractors working within Croton, will no longer be able to operate leaf blowers, or other motor-driven lawn or garden equipment in the early morning or evening hours. A new local ordinance enacted by the board of trustees on Tuesday, effective immediately, hopes to reduce morning and evening noise generated by such machines.
At least one Croton resident, Rick Turner, an environmental attorney, is completely unsatisfied by what he believes to be cosmetic restrictions on leaf blowers. Turner called leaf blowers and other gasoline powered lawn tools a threat to public health. To reiterate his point he brought a letter, signed by nine medical professionals, six of whom are doctors.
The law restricts the use of mowers, rakers or leaf-blowers before 10 a.m. and after 6 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays, and between 8 p.m. and 8 a.m. Monday through Friday. Trustee Ann Gallelli readily said that the aim of the new ordinance was to reduce noise, not to address public health concerns.
The letter, from medical professionals to the Town Board of Eastchester, which was provided by Turner, addresses noise, airborne particulates and eye hazards as public health concerns. The letter states, children are more vulnerable to these hazards.
Mayor Leo Wiegman assured Turner that we recognize that these are important concerns. Turner, however, said that he believed that chances of the board revisiting the issue are extremely remote.
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