TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE APPROVES SUMMER BAN ON COMMERCIAL LEAF BLOWERS

The Township Committee voted unanimously Tuesday to ban commercial leaf blowers this summer after a lengthy discussion with residents praising the idea and many landscapers objecting to it, saying it hurts their business.

The discussion went on for some 90 minutes as speakers, including leaders of the New Jersey Landscaper Contractors Association, lined up to have their say before the final vote.

In the end, the TC voted, 5-0, on a resolution that will ban the use of leaf blowers by commercial firms from June 1, 2016 to August 31, 2016. But only for this year. 

See the supportive and opposing views below:



 
TC members said the ban should be put in for at least one summer on a pilot basis. 

"There are uses for them, but I don't think those uses apply in June, July and August," said TC member Nancy Adams, who proposed the idea weeks ago. "I encourage my fellow Township Committee members to support this pilot resolution."

Mayor Vic Deluca agreed.

"I think this pilot is the way to go," he said, later adding, "it is not unfair. This is a regulation that makes sense in the interest of our community."

Deluca also said Township workers and companies hired by the Township will also have to follow the ruling.

"This is not a perfect solution," said TC Member Greg Lembrich. "But if we wait for a perfect solution to this we're going to be waiting forever and do nothing."