SUMMER LEAF BLOWER BAN DRAWS SUPPORT, OPPOSITION IN TC HEARING

The summer leaf blower ban, which barred commercial firms from using leaf blowers between June and August of this year, drew mixed reactions Tuesday night at the Township Committee meeting where residents and landscapers were asked to weigh in on its effects during the trial basis.

And they had plenty to say.

During about an hour of testimony, residents praised and criticized the plan, which was proposed by TC member Nancy Adams as a way to see if the noise of such machines could be reduced. While some welcomed the quiet, others said it limited their ability to keep their land clear of debris, with one saying it made the town look "shabby."

See some of the comments below:




The TC said it would take the comments into account going forward as it decides whether a similar ban should be placed on the Township next summer, and some kind of limit placed in the fall. Other ideas that were heard included tightening the hours that such blowers can be used and enforcing the noise ordinances already in place. 

"We really appreciate everyone coming out tonight," Mayor Vic Deluca said at the end of the hearing. "We have a lot more to digest about this, a lot more to research, a lot more to talk about."