Summer Fun: Memories to Some, Noise to Others

Now that Memorial Day has past, the noise is expected to rise.

The roar of a lawnmower starting. The sharp, piercing cries of a dog’s bark. The buzzing of a leaf blower. The blaring beats of music emanating from a house party.

Eugene Miretskiy knows this all too well. The Cold Spring Harbor resident lives next to a firehouse, where he deals more with noise from parties than from typical firehouse noise.

"I have their number on speed dial," says Miretsky.

Miretskiy said he always deals with the fire house directly and they are always accommodating.

"They like to use lawnmowers at 7:30 a.m., or machinery, which is not cool. But I don't call 911. They're neighbors. They're fine" ... as long as they don't wake up my 28-month-old son, he said.

The summer months allow for weather to enjoy the outdoors but it also tends to elevate noise levels. A good time for some can end up being a nightmare for others.

For those with noise concerns, there are options available: Chapter 141 of the Town of Huntington code pertains exclusively to noise. Section 3 defines the types of noise deemed illegal by the code. Among the noise-makers defined under the section include animal noises (such as barking dogs), construction work, leaf blowers, horns, and drums. The code also covers peddlers and phonographs.

Part B of Section 2.1 of the code explicitly states that complaints from two residents are needed before the town will take action.

According to Janet Rinker, a town code enforcement officer, residents with complaints must sign an affidavit before a summons is issued against offenders who could face fines between $50 and $250.

"We handle anything from zoning violations, litter and debris [complaints]," said Rinker. "A lot of the noise complaints go beyond the code enforcement office."

Rinker said the town's public safety office will send out a letter to offenders on a first offense. She said about 75 percent of the time, the noise complaint is fixed by the letter, but not always.

"Some people will call back six months later saying that the letter worked at first, but now it's happening again," said Rinker. "That's when affidavits are filed."

Over a period of two months earlier this year, 41 initial noise complaints were received in Huntington — more than half of which were animal related. The remainder of the complaints dealt with construction noise, leaf blowers and music.

Also available, the Suffolk County Police Department has authority to issue summonses for first noise offenses. 

“Sometimes my neighbors will throw parties, but I won’t report them," said Richard Miller, a 20-year Huntington resident. "I wouldn’t want them to report me if I was throwing a party.”

Rinker said the idea of a mutual understanding doesn't surprise her, as many initial noise complaints aren't followed through with an affidavit.

"Once they sign the affidavit, they can no longer be anonymous," said Rinker. 

The code specifies that leaf blowers can only be used from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.on weekends and holidays. 

Code enforcement officers suggest that residents consider timing and neighbors' rights when noise situations arise.