By John Schwing

WESTPORT — There was lots of noise leading up to the town’s adoption of limits on using gas-powered leaf blowers.

The equipment is mind-numbingly loud, some said.

But technology of the alternative — electric-powered leaf blowers — cannot handle the demands of the job, others countered.

Noise is the lesser evil emitted by gas-powered devices, others argued, underscoring the harm to health caused by blowers’ plumes of carbon monoxide and other pollutants.

Enforcing a ban would be difficult, if not impossible, since police should have higher priorities than ticketing violators, opponents contended.

But the environmental damage is significant, proponents said.

Yet a ban could undermine small businesses and endanger working-class jobs, foes countered.

Stripped-down ordinance enacted

The turbulent debate dragged on for months, and when an ordinance to restrict leaf blowers was finally adopted by the Representative Town Meeting in January 2023, virtually all the teeth had been extracted from the regulations originally proposed.

Crews from the town’s Parks and Recreation and the Public Works departments were exempted from any regulations. State crews, too. Public utility crews, as well.

The rules do not apply to properties larger than 20 acres, public or private.

Gas-powered leaf blowers also can be used any time of the year in the aftermath of “storm condition clean-up, emergency situations affecting the health or safety of residents, and snow removal operations.”

Police will not enforce any of the regulations. In fact, other than an “educational” letter sent to violators by town conservation officials, there is no penalty provision in the ordinance.

Seasonal restriction looms

The ordinance does, however, set limits on the times of year and hours of the day when gas-powered leaf blowers can — and can’t — be used.

The “summer” season restriction on gas-powered leaf blowers, which fully took effect last year, comes into play again next week.

Conservation officials, in a release this week, reminded residents the regulations are operational from May 15 through Oct. 15. (Full details of the ordinance can be read by clicking here.)

During that period, use of hand-held and backpack gas-powered leaf blowers is prohibited on private properties smaller than 20 acres.

Keeping track of complaints

“Last year, we received numerous written complaints, and our office issued notices to 168 different properties in town,” Colin Kelly, the conservation director, said in the statement. (An interactive map depicting when and where complaints were received last year about ordinance violations can be seen by clicking here.)

“We contacted those owners to inform them about the local ordinance and provided them with sources of information that highlighted alternative options, impacts of noise, and how to limit emissions,” Kelly added.

“This year, we are hoping to have a significant change in the number of property owners that are utilizing compliant equipment and hope they update their landscaping habits.”

Kelly said the Conservation Department wants to hear from anyone who has a complaint about illegal use of gas-powered leaf blowers.

“Let us know by email or letter if a property is using a prohibited blower,” he said. “We will follow up by reviewing each complaint and sending educational materials to those who are not adhering to the ordinance.” 

To contact Kelly, email ckelly@westportct.gov or mail the Conservation Department at 110 Myrtle Ave., Westport, CT 06880.

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