Parklets: The Village Board will vote on 3/24/22 on whether to allow these back for summer 2022. Comments at the 3/17 Work Session included: People are still hesitant to be indoors, as evidenced by those in masks at the meeting, the Parklets help offset winter losses to be able to stay open, residents and visitors both enjoy walking and seeing people rather than parked cars, crashes were actually down by half with them, the RR parking lot has not ever reached capacity even with Parklets on summer peak weekends. Those opposed felt it important to park next to their destination, they worried parking spilled onto residential streets and felt there were not enough gaps for a stretcher to get through in an emergency. The B.I.D. has suggested renting the road space and one complaint was the proposed rent should be higher.
Noise: On 2/17/21 the BID President said he would present the results of his noise study soon. It was suggested by Trustee Philips to treat the commercial noise problem separately in the code. It was also suggested in Spain ’21 to pass regulations requiring an amplified noise permit ASAP–allowing time to get into specifics later.
Leaf Blowers: Other municipalities are banning single-stroke gas-powered leaf blowers during warm weather. Is it time for Greenport?
The public hearing 2/25 for a proposed Noise Code was an online phenomenon. The number of articulate passionate worried musicians was inspiring and residents made a convincing argument for reigning in selfish-blast-people-awake-noise. It’s back to the drawing board for a code change. The BID wants to spend money on out-of-town consultants, at the same time they are asking to increase their revenue for a budget shortfall. They did talk about working collaboratively with residents but foot-dragging may be the ultimate goal. What will the Village Board do at their 3/18th work session
http://villageofgreenport.org/notices/Noise-Code-Redline-Version.pdf
http://villageofgreenport.org/notices/Notice-of-Public-Hearing-regarding-Noise-Code.pdf.
Historic 5th Street utility building: Should it be maintained? Should the power company be responsible for burying their cables?
Ice on Sidewalks: Word on the street: People had a treacherous time walking on icy sidewalks during the storm and especially through Mitchell Park. The Board and/or BID should consider putting “Closed Ice Treacherous” warning tape at the entry on 3rd Street onto that Boardwalk and other park entryways if ice cannot be removed. The sidewalks by storefronts simply cannot have ice in the downtown.
Old news:
Noise: The Village Board had received many emails and public comments complaining about the proposed Noise Code changes. At the 8/28/20 meeting Mary Bess Philips made a motion to table the pending vote and was joined by Julia Robbins and Peter Clarke. This means another month to make it better–for instance lowering the proposed 85 decibel limit 9PM-Midnight Friday & Saturday, adding a decibel limit for midnight to 1 AM and maintaining language unnecessarily being deleted. Good features include instituting a music permit and increasing fines. Patricia Hammes from the Planning Board raised issues about how the Planning Board would be expected to review and approve noise permits, as the new code proposed that the Planning Board would be responsible.