STONINGTON TO DISCUSS BAN ON NIGHTTIME SNOWBLOWER USE

Stonington — The Board of Selectmen today will discuss a request by a resident to amend the town’s nuisance ordinance and ban the use of snowblowers between about 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.

First Selectman Rob Simmons said the resident is upset with a neighbor using a snowblower at 2 a.m. and made the request to the board.

Simmons said the selectmen would review the request at their 7 p.m. meeting at the police station and possibly table it to a future meeting for more discussion or make a decision tonight.

The town’s nuisance ordinance prohibits unreasonably loud, disturbing or unnecessary noise that can be heard inside a home before 6 a.m. and after 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday and before 8 a.m. and after 10 p.m. on Sunday. There are exceptions for activities such as snow-removal equipment, generators being used during power outages, heating and cooling units and activities associated with commercial fishing and marinas, among others.

As he monitored Tuesday’s snowstorm and prepared to head back to the town’s emergency operations center, Simmons said some people use snowblowers at odd hours to ensure their own safety and the safety of others by clearing driveways and sidewalks.

“It’s not like they’re tuning a motor or playing loud music,” he said.

But Simmons said he cannot speak for his fellow selectmen, and they will discuss the request to remove the exemption for snow-removal equipment.