Westport ordinance committee meets to discuss restricting use of gas-powered leaf blowers
This proposed legislation could heavily impact local landscapers and its opponents say it could skyrocket prices for customers.
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Mar 26, 2021, 3:22 AM
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Updated 1,218 days ago
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6h agoThe Westport town's ordinance committee met Thursday to discuss restricting the use of gas-powered leaf blowers.
Supporters say it all about maintaining the town's quality of life, but opponents say it could hurt local businesses.
This proposed legislation could heavily impact local landscapers and its opponents say it could skyrocket prices for customers.
The legislation is proposing the following:
- No more than one leaf blower can be used at the same time on any site less than two acres.
- No gas-powered leaf blower can be used on any state or federal holiday.
- No leaf blower of any kind can be used before 9 a.m. or after 5 p.m.
A local landscaper says these rules may cost him employees because of limitations, and prices will increase because more labor will be needed. That's because battery powered leaf blowers only last for about 20 minutes and they're not as powerful.
"They're trying to pass an ordinance that's going to handcuff the landscape maintenance contractors," said Tony Palmer, owner of T. Palmer Landscaping Co. "Who's going to bear the cost is the customer. You're going to go from a $1,000 cleanup to $3,000 cleanup."
If the ordinance is passed, property owners will be responsible for paying the fines. After a warning, the first offense is $100, a second offense is $200 and a third or subsequent offense is $500.
