By John Schwing

WESTPORT — Efforts to enact restrictions on leaf blowers in Westport continue blowin’ in the wind.

The ordinance, designed to restrict use of gas-powered leaf blowers because of harmful noise and air-pollution impacts, has been discussed, reviewed and debated for more than a year. And, before last week’s meeting of the Representative Town Meeting’s Ordinance Committee, the latest version of the proposal was slated for a likely final vote Nov. 1 by the full legislative body.

That, however, will not happen. At least not this week as anticipated.

After extensive revisions made to the proposal Oct. 26 by the Ordinance Committee, the new, latest version will get only a “first reading” — and no vote — at this week’s RTM. A “first reading” — and possibly a new round of committee hearings — is being given to the proposal because the recent changes mean, essentially, it is considered a new piece of legislation despite months of review.

The full RTM will meet at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 1, in the auditorium of Town Hall, 110 Myrtle Ave.

Prior to last week’s revisions, the earlier version of the ordinance had won approval — with a few reservations — from most RTM committees, with one opposed.

The new version of the proposed ordinance — with the recent changes highlighted in red — is attached at the end of this article.

Highlights of those changes include:

• Phasing in, over the course of a year, the full force of restrictions on when gas-powered leaf blowers can be used, including the times of day and months of the year.

• Exemptions on gas-powered leaf blowers are granted for town- and state-owned properties, as well as properties larger than 20 acres, but not to “residential communities,” such as condominium or homeowner associations. Early in the process, both town public works and parks and recreation officials strongly objected to any plan that would restrict their staffs’ use of gas-powered leaf blowers, arguing the electric devices are not as effective.

• Enforcement of the ordinance has essentially been relegated to an educational initiative overseen by the Conservation Department, which would be called on to “provide written information and educational materials” about the rules to anyone reported to have violated the ordinance.

Gone from the latest version of the ordinance are extensive provisions detailing both the enforcement and penalties for violating the rules — including fines and referral of scofflaws to Superior Court — written in the proposal as recently as August. 

Both police and conservation officials balked at suggestions in earlier discussions that their staffs be responsible for carrying out the enforcement and penalty provisions, citing both unintended legal consequences and a lack of resources.

John Schwing, the Westport Journal consulting editor, has held senior editorial and writing posts at southwestern Connecticut media outlets for four decades. Learn more about us here.