By JEFF MORRIS //
Town regulations regarding the use of gasoline-powered leaf blowers are being revised once again, two years after the town board voted to adopt a compromise amendment to the noise ordinance to limit the use of such equipment. The law that was passed in April 2022 permitted the operation of internal combustion leaf blowers during cleanup seasons, defined for 2024 and thereafter as April 15 to April 30 and Nov. 7 to Nov. 21.
At the June 4 town board meeting, Supervisor Ellen Calves stated that the proposal in draft form was to change the cleanup dates to allow a longer period in the fall, from Oct. 21 to Dec. 15. She said the proposed change was the result of information from the parks department. The department relayed that workers are mulch-mowing town properties and using as much electric equipment as possible, but still have found it necessary to use some gas-powered blowers during fall cleanup. “However, we have learned that if cleanup is done in the fall, when the leaves have fallen, there really does not need to be a window in the spring,” said Calves.
Calves explained that when town officials passed the original law, they were very optimistic, thinking that by 2024 two weeks would be enough because of the anticipated advances in electric equipment. The technology has not progressed as much as was hoped, she said, and officials still expect to be able to move entirely to electric power in the future. Even with the proposed change, the regulation would ban gasoline-powered leaf blowers 10 monthsout of the year, which is “better than almost anywhere else,” the supervisor commented.
A public hearing on the proposal resulted in multiple speakers. Many had been instrumental in promoting the original regulations and criticized the changes as a step backwards. Some speakers expressed frustration with restricting usage on larger properties and with the environmental impact of the fall dates.
Town board members had a variety of opinions. Andrés Castillo said he would be willing to compromise on larger properties; Stephanie McCaine was happy the spring period was being eliminated, but wished there was a fewer number of weeks when use of the equipment was allowed; Tom Catoliato was in agreement with making adjustments in accord with the latest information available; and Bobbi Bittker did not think the proposal was moving the town backward, since she and many others had changed their personal habits as a result of increased education, and expressed support for continued educational efforts. Castillo wished for a futurecommitment to reduce the allowable time for use, and suggested incentives to encourageeducational courses for violators in lieu of fines.
Town attorney Eric Gordon said he would have to research whether the town court could mandate taking a course to reduce fines, but suspected the town justices could suggest such solutions. Parks Superintendent Chris Soi opined that this fall’s season would provide an opportunity for further study and will be used to assess whether the allowable use period could be further reduced. Board members reached consensus that they would like the overall cleanup period in the revised ordinance when internal combustion leaf blowers are allowed to be reduced to six weeks instead of seven.
At the June 25 town board meeting, Calves announced that the hearing will be reopened July 16 “for a proposed amendment that would authorize use of gas-powered leaf blowers between Oct. 26 and Dec. 7.” On the town attorney’s advice, the board kept open the public hearing until July 16, at whichtime the board will present a new draft of the revised ordinance.