Thanks to Garth Shaneyfelt and the 100 people who signed the petition and City Councilor Marianne Bullock for backing a gas leaf-blower noise ordinance for Greenfield. This is long overdue. The problem with leaf blowers (and gas powered lawn mowers, too) is that noise travels beyond your private property and interferes with everyone else’s quality of life. No need for me to give examples because I suspect most people in this city know exactly what I am talking about.
Why should a homeowner have to deal with a neighbor who is making noise from a gas-powered machine that damages their hearing and robs them of their quiet? There are now good alternatives available in electric-powered machines that don’t pollute and are much quieter. Or if you don’t want to go electric, how about getting a rake or a broom to sweep your driveway or sidewalk. It’s really not that much work, and you and your neighbors might enjoy some time to chat while you are at it.
In writing this ordinance I would recommend that noise be set at a certain decibel level so that gas-powered lawn mowers and especially leaf blowers would be phased out, hopefully soon.
Terry Plotkin
Greenfield