A Westport resident is both confused and disturbed by Westport’s new gas-powered leaf blower ban. It went into effect May 15.
Requesting anonymity (his wife does not want him to be “that guy”), he writes:
We and many of our neighbors forced our landscapers to make the investment in electric blowers if they wished to continue working with us.
However, it is apparent that many other homeowners have either ignored the new initiative or are willing to look the other way, causing a pretty serious negative externality for those of us who insist the workers follow the law but are still subjected to a sound that I find nearly unbearable.
Do you know if I am the only one annoyed by people ignoring the ruling?
“06880” has been inundated with photos of people still using gas-powered leaf blowers. Most photographers request anonymity, like this one. It shows a landscaper at the Westport Woman’s Club.
I am pretty sure I read that the police do not wish to become involved, which essentially turns the law into a suggestion. [EDITOR’S NOTE: The ordinance as written does not involve police. The only enforcement comes from a complaint to the Conservation Department.]
The decibels grow here inside my house, due to a landscaper on an adjacent block.
Do you happen to know if the powers that be have any suggestions? I have approached everyone on my small block (we have a group text), imploring them to do the right thing.
But in Westport, noise from adjoining blocks might as well be in one’s own backyard.
Sorry to belabor, just wondering if this topic has come up at all. If not, I’ll shut up and put on some headphones.
It sure has come up.
A lot.
“06880 wonders: How are you handling your landscapers? Are your neighbors doing the same? Have you tried to organize, cajole, plead, threaten — either them, a work crew, or both? What’s next? The Comments section is open to all. Please be as civil as possible.
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