Leaf blowers: Westporters love ’em when they make our lawns look neat.
We hate ’em when they make our neighbors’ lawns look neat.
They’re an efficient way for lawn crews to work. But they are very environmentally unfriendly.
All those ideas have been debated before, nationally and locally.
Westport’s Representative Town Meeting had a first reading of a proposed leaf ordinance — not the first one ever proposed here — earlier. Another reading (now that revisions have been made) is set for the September 6 meeting.
Among the draft’s key proposals:
- Electric-powered leaf blowers would be permitted all year.
- Gas-powered leaf blowers would be permitted only from March 15 through April 30, and October 15 through December 31.
- No leaf blowers of any type could be used before 8 a.m., after 5 p.m. or on any state or federal holiday.
- Exceptions could be made for storm clean-up operations.
- The ordinance would also not apply to leaf blowers on town-owned property, or publicly or privately owned golf courses.
The Conservation Department would be in charge of enforcement. After warnings, they could assess fines of $100 for the first violation, and $249 for each subsequent violation.
Following Tuesday’s reading at the RTM meeting, it will go back to committee. A vote could be taken in October. If passed it would become effective on March 15, 2023.
(Other items on Tuesday’s RTM agenda include an appropriation of $237,000 for drainage on the Longshore golf course greens; an appropriation of $313,500.00 for a traffic study of the “Cross Highway School Zone” between North Avenue and Bayberry Lane, and the establishment of a Long Lots Elementary School renovation building committee.)
(Like fallen leaves, “06880” covers all of Westport. Please click here to help support your local blog)