Hempstead limits time for lawn mower use

The Hempstead Town Board approved new noise regulations that prohibit the use of lawn equipment during weekend early morning hours.

Town board members voted to change the time when residents and landscapers can use lawn mowers and leaf blowers from 7 a.m. until 8 a.m. on weekends. Yard work is still permitted to start at 7 a.m. on weekdays.

Councilman Bruce Blakeman said he would like to pursue some exceptions for snowblowers during town-declared snow emergencies.

The new ordinance carries fines ranging from $500 for the first offense to $1,500 for the third offense. Fines would be issued to residents or landscapers performing the yard work.

Town code enforcement officers are also increasing patrols and citations for yard clippings blown onto neighboring properties and into the street.