Posted by Tom Bogdan on June 20, 2003 at 14:22:22:
In terms of aggravated and consistent noise pollution, the worst offender in Montauk is the Long Island Railroad. The sound levels their huge idling diesel engines create pierce the air and invade closed door dwellings up to miles from the station. As many as four to five trains are stored in Montauk with their engines idling for hours at a time. Some engines are allowed to idle all night long. The net result is a continuous twenty-four hour physical assault on the people of Montauk.
The L.I.R.R. claims the extended idling is an efficient and cost saving measure, in other words profit oriented, and must be allowed. Might not the same argument be used by any late nightclub or bar in terms of their profits being based on the right to create cacophony at any hour of the day or night? Efficiency and profitability were never eligible criteria to evade lawful noise control responsibility.
The fact is the Long Island Railroad is breaking Town noise abatement laws and violating the rights of a huge number of Montauk residents. They are taking advantage of their size, and political insulation at a great cost to our community. It is essential that Montauk residents who are affected by this illegal activity unite in an organized body to correct these abuses.