Monday, 10 a.m., the machines start. The hedge is being trimmed. Two hours later, the gas-powered leaf blowers are blowing the hedge trimmings, first left then right, then forward then back. The noise ceases at 3 p.m.
Tuesday, 11 a.m., the lawn is being cut. First, the giant lawnmower, then the weed wacker, then the leaf blower to blow away every stray piece of grass, left, right — the bit of grass is blown backward and forward. The noise ends at 2 p.m.
Wednesday, 11 a.m., the hedges are being cut again and perfected. The leaf blowers come out, because there are some stray bits of privet lying around. The noise ends at 2 p.m.
Thursday, 11 a.m., the noisemakers arrive, and it is time to blow leaves around, although, as we all know, most leaves have not fallen. The errant leaf is chased around backward and forward, left and right. By 2 p.m., the leaf has been caught and some stray bits of grass are found, which entail another hour of leaf blowing, ending at 3 p.m.
Friday, 3 p.m., they are back! Leaf blower going full blast. The wind has knocked down a few more leaves, and they must be gotten rid of. I feel like walking over and offering to pick up the three leaves myself so the noise will stop.
Monday, 10 a.m., one week later, they are at it again, leaf blowers and all.
I can’t hear myself think. Will it never end?
So, what should a reasonable person do in the midst of all this nonsense? First, one goes to the pharmacy to request extra allergy medication because of all the pollen and dust stirred up. Next, one considers, should I just move? But I love it here, other than this unreasonable behavior. A personal appeal to one’s neighbor? Well, that hasn’t worked.
What about an appeal to the town? How about passing some laws that make sense for everyone involved? Limit hours that a given homeowner can use gas-powered and noise-making equipment. How about saying six hours per week is reasonable? It should be enough.
How about saying that even numbered houses can use said equipment on a certain day of the week for 6 hours and odd numbered houses on another day?
Everything else in our lives seems to be controlled by laws. Why not this health-harming, lifestyle-eroding, environmentally damaging and costly activity practiced by so many?
Time for this to be fixed for the benefit and safety of all people and for our environment. It’s really not so difficult.
Anna Brinsmade
East Quogue
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