Kevin Bidgood has lived in Westport with his family since 2014, and before that in Weston. He is a member of the choir at Christ & Holy Trinity Church, and plays golf at Longshore. He and his wife walk their dogs at Longshore, Winslow Park and the beach. He works from home, and values peace and tranquility in our town.
Kevin writes:
I had hoped for a quieter summer after the town enacted a ban on gas-powered leaf blowers between May 15 and October 15.
After the ban went into effect, I spoke with several landscaping crews in my neighborhood. I asked them to stop using their gas blowers, citing the new regulation.
One crew returned a week later with commercial-grade electric blowers that were really very quiet. Another simply stopped blowing.
This is going well, I thought.
However, as the summer continued, no other crews in my area used electric blowers; they seemed to do just what they did before the ban.
Electric leaf blower.
I engaged in a civilized debate with one landscape company that had purchased electric blowers, but would not use them unless the homeowners agreed to pay an upcharge for their use.
He said that the homeowners require that the clippings be blown, but will not pay more for that service.
I have written to the Conservation Department director with my observations. I know that letters have been sent to homeowners, reminding them of the ban.
I wonder how many complaints have been raised, and whether there is a way to know of complaints? Perhaps the town could host a web page where complaints could be submitted, with date, time, street, name of landscaping company if available, and duration. At least we’d get some visibility to the issue.
No doubt emissions technology is improving. But we care about this as a community, because emissions from gas-powered leaf blowers have high levels of pollutants.
Equally, the ban was passed to reduce the noise pollution from these machines which affect our enjoyment of this peaceful town.
In my opinion there is simply no need to blow clippings on the lawn as they will biodegrade in a few days, and a few minutes with an electric blower will clear clippings from driveways and paths.
It comes down to this: Do we want a ban or not?
If we do, then the town needs mechanisms to enforce the ban. I don’t believe that education and awareness will have the desired effect.
From my limited research, cities that have implemented gas-powered leaf blower bans primarily target homeowners for fines. Landscaping companies may also be subject to fines.
For example, a year-round ban in Boulder, Colorado is enforced by the police. Other bans are enforced through public works departments.
I’d be interested to hear if this strikes a chord with other Westporters and what you think should be done, if anything. Please click “Comments” below.
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