Guv Urged to Sign Airplane Noise Bill

Local politicians are calling on Governor Andrew Cuomo to sign a bill into law that would require the Port Authority of New York/New Jersey (PA) to conduct a noise and land use compatibility study to better address the rise in aircraft noise over Long Island.

Sponsored by Assemblyman Ed Ra and State Senators Kemp Hannon and Jack Martins, the bill passed both houses earlier this year.

In a letter written to the governor, Hempstead Town supervisor Kate Murray said the legislation is important because it provides "a meaningful step in developing strategies to deal with this issue.”

“Aircraft noise is more than a nuisance, it is an issue that severely impacts the quality of life that our neighbors deserve,” she said.

The Town of Hempstead established the Town-Village Aircraft Safety and Noise Abatement Committee (TVASNAC) years ago to maintain dialogue between residents, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Port Authority. In 2010, the village of Garden City became the eleventh community to join TVASNAC.

The noise and land use compatibility study will help determine the best use of certain runways and flight paths of planes coming in and out of LaGuardia, John F. Kennedy and Newark Liberty airports, according to Assemblyman Ra.

“With the FAA’s recent changes, the time to act has never been more critical to protect our residents from ear-splitting aircraft noise,” he said.

Garden City village trustee Robert Bolebruch, chair of the village's Environmental Advisory Board (EAB), said he was pleased to see elected officials working together in an effort to address the issue.

"This is a very important issue that effects many of our communities on Long Island," he said. "I believe that this is another important step in attempting to alleviate this problem for our residents."

On Oct. 29, Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages will hold a public hearing on the Port Authority's proposed reconstruction of Runway 22L/4R at JFK. The hearing will be held at the Elmont Public Library Theatre (700 Hempstead Tpke. in Elmont) at 7 p.m.

The EAB will meet Oct. 30 at 8 p.m. in the village hall boardroom.