Ellen Lautenberg is a Representative Town Meeting member from District 7, and chair of the RTM’s Environment Committee.
She has watched with interest the debate over implementation of Westport’s Gas Leaf Blower Ordinance. She writes:
After reading the comments on “06880” about how one unfortunate result of the gas leaf blower ban that took effect May 15 was that people are yelling at landscapers, I want to correct some possible misconceptions.
First, it was created by its sponsors to reduce the health and environmental hazards of gas-powered blowers — namely air pollution and carcinogens — and secondarily, the level of noise.
Screenshot
It allows for electric leaf blowers to be used instead. It is not a noise ordinance. That is a separate issue that would need to be addressed by a new ordinance. In addition, remember that electric blowers make noise too — just not quite as much as gas blowers.
Second, it is being implemented from May 15 to October 15 purposely, because there is minimal need for leaf or grass blowing then, compared to the fall.
This allows landscapers to get used to the process of purchasing and using electric blowers on a smaller scale, as a transition to hopefully using them more year round.
In part, this is due to the electric equipment still not being as inexpensive and efficient as the gas-powered version, but that is changing gradually. The timing was in response to landscapers’ concerns.
A noisy gas-powered leaf blower …
Third, it is not the landscapers’ responsibility, but that of the homeowner to make sure their landscapers know about the ordinance.
Nor is it designed to punish homeowners or landscapers. It would be impossible for the town to know every landscape company that works in Westport, and to enforce the operation of literally dozens of companies.
The Conservation Department is doing their best to respond to calls, but their ability to truly enforce something of this magnitude is limited. This will hopefully make homeowners and landscapers more aware and encourage them to utilize electric options.
Fourth, the ordinance also limited the hours that electric leaf blowers may be used during the summer months to between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m., to at least provide some relief before and after those times.
In essence, it was intended as a step in the right direction to protect the health and well-being of residents and landscapers as well as the environment, not as a totally comprehensive long-term plan.
As most people know, big transitions take time, and no perfect plan will satisfy everyone. We hope that as more landscaping equipment becomes easier to get in electric form, this will lead to fewer gas-powered items being used.
… and an electric leaf blower.
Here is the relevant portion of the ordinance:
42-103. Regulation of leaf blower activity.
Electric-powered leaf blowers may be used during the approved hours on all properties within the town.
Beginning on May 15, 2023, gas-powered leaf blowers may not be used on any state or federal holiday.
Beginning on May 15, 2024, gas-powered leaf blowers may not be used during summer.
The use of gas-powered leaf blowers and electric-powered leaf blowers shall be permitted for storm condition clean-up, emergency situations affecting the health or safety of residents, and snow removal operations.
The provisions of this article shall not apply to the use of leaf blowers on state- or town-owned property, or on any property in excess of 20 acres except residential communities, or the use of leaf blowers by public utilities.
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