East Hampton Village is a lot quieter now that limits are in place for leaf blowers and other gas and diesel-powered landscape equipment. Most critically, hired landscapers must use only quieter, battery-operated leaf blowers from June 1 to a December cutoff date, except in an emergency. Fines begin at $250 and top out at $5,000 for repeat offenders.
The rules go like this: June to the second Friday in December gas and diesel-powered lawn equipment may be used only between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m., Monday through Friday, and from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday. Property owners and tenants are allowed to use gas-powered machines at home on Sundays between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., but commercial operators may not. Already, village police have been reminding landscapers of the law and issuing warnings. We say, well done!