Hey Greenwich! Did You Know ... Leaf Blower Ban Up to the RTM?

Today is Tuesday, May 29, 2012 and it's National Coq au Vin day.

This day in history:

John Fitzgerald Kennedy was born in Brookline, MA in 1917. He was the first American president to be born in the 20th century.

Some 35 U.S. states declare it to be Bob Hope Day in 2003, when the iconic comedic actor and entertainer turned 100 years old.

In 2005, 23-year-old Danica Patrick became the first female driver to take the lead in the Indianapolis 500.

Today's birthdays:

• Basketball ace Carmelo Anthony is 28.
• Actress Annette Bening is 54.
• Grammy Award-winning singer Melissa Etheridge is 51.
• Actor Anthony Geary (Luke of 'General Hospital') is 65.
• Race car driver Al Unser is 73.

Things you should know

The town's proposed ban on gas-powered leaf blowers for the month of August passed the final hurdle with the Board of Selectmen last week.

Now it's on to the Representative Town Meeting which is scheduled to vote on the trial ban on June 11. The proposal is the culmination of more than a year of wrangling between proponents who claim the blowers create noise and air pollution, and are unnecessary, especially on small lots.

They sought an outright summertime ban of the gas-powered leaf blowers (from April through October) which was rejected by the of one-month ban during August.

There was little discussion by the selectmen at their May 24 meeting. The local ordinance restructures the fine schedule—a warning for the first offense; $100 for the second offense; $249 for subsequent offenses. The ordinance would be enforced by the .

The selectmen, lead by Drew Marzullo, said that come fall, the town will evaluate the effectiveness of the ban. And unless the selectmen and RTM vote to extend the ban to subsequent years, it will be a one-time only limitation.

Traffic alert:

Connecticut Light & Power continues its power line and equipment upgrades around town. Drivers should expect some delays on:

• Fairfield Road, between North Street and Stanwich Road
• Stanwich Road, between Fairfield Road and East Putnam Avenue
• East Putnam Avenue, between Stanwich Road and Strickland Road
• Strickland Road
• Sound Shore Drive
• Station Road
• Loughlin Avenue

All work is taking place between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., weather permitting.

Meetings today at Greenwich Town Hall:

6:30 PM  Board of Health

Greenwich Community Television

If you prefer the clicker instead of being there or want to catch up on a Greenwich meeting you missed, there's Greenwich Community Television (GCTV) on either Fios Channel 24 or Cablevision's Channel 79.

Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting, May 15, 2012

And if you prefer the movies:

Sources: history.com; famousbirthdays.com

*Editor's note: this story has been updated to correct the date of the June RTM meeting.