To the editor:

I read the article in the Barrington Times on the proposal to replace gas engine powered blowers and edgers with battery power; to eliminate annoying noise! At the FTM I understood that the issue was noise abatement; the approved $25,000 account was to be used as inducement to change from gas to battery.

Already owning a battery powered mower, blower, trimmer, and a 120V AC powered chain saw, and agreeing with the concept, on June 1st, went to Home Depot, selected and purchased a battery driven edger. I prepared a copy of my receipt, contacted the Town Clerk’s office, requested that I be placed on the list, and asked where I was to turn in my gas edger. When told that the rules would be forthcoming, I responded that I had moved forward because it was the start of the time when these tools would be used and that I was in no hurry for my rebate. I was told that I was Number 1 on the list. 

As I recall, the original program was to rebate up to $250.00 and turn in the gas edger. Then it dropped to $100.00 with winners to be randomly drawn. No entry prior to 7/1/23 would be valid. Concerns were expressed about the potential for cheating the system, yet the true confirmation of real change, that of turning in the gas-powered unit (recommended by the Resilience And Energy Committee) had already been dismissed as it could be difficult to manage.  

With a deadline of mid-September, residents will have had up to 3½ months to consider action with zero noise reduction; that I thought was the original goal of the program.

Though I was the first one to comply with the spirit of the program, how stupid of me to have relied upon local government common sense! 

Respectfully,

Allan Klepper, Certified Curmudgeon

Barrington