No matter how anyone looks at it, no one is going to be satisfied.

Regardless of what may be imposed regarding the use of gas-powered leaf blowers in Greenwich, not everyone will be happy. And in the hot seat of the noise issue regarding the use of gas-powered leaf blowers and whether a ban should be imposed (and to what extent) is the lone Democrat on the Board of Selectmen, Drew Marzullo.

For several weeks, Marzullo has lead a committee comprised of citizens, businessmen and town officials who were tasked by the Board of Selectmen to draft enforceable regulations on the use of gas-powered leaf blowers to abate citizens' noise and environmental concerns while recognizing landscapers' needs to efficiently complete their work.

"I am making recommendations I think are appropriate and the public will be able to speak at the March 1 meeting," Marzullo said. The Board of Selectmen is expected to vote on Marzullo's proposal at the March 15 in order to make the call for the March Representative Town Meeting. The issue is before the selectmen because the Greenwich Board of Health has steadfastly refused to make changes because it deemed the issue to be one of quality of life rather than one affecting health.

And make recommendations, he did. On Tuesday, Marzullo released his proposal that incorporates both public education and enforcement of a ban that increases fines imposed against leaf blower users, bans gas-powered blowers on Sundays and seeks to fine homeowners whose landscapers violate the ordinance. (To view the complete Marzullo proposal, please see document at right.)

Marzullo wants to see landscapers and the public educated on regulations, in an attempt to make it easier for police to take enforcement actions against offenders. He also proposes increasing fines levied against offenders, up to a maximum of $249.

Within hours, proponents of the ban blasted Marzullo saying he fell short of the  goal sought by residents including Citizens AGainst Leaf Blower Mania (CALM). "A Sunday ban would do nothing to enhance tranquility for Greenwich residents the other 6 days a week or to reduce the environmental harm and health impairment caused by gas powered leaf blowers," wrote real estate developer Peter Malkin, who has been advocating leaf blower bans for nearly 2 decades.

Malkin added, it "is a thoughtful start but, unfortunately, an inadequate proposed solution to the noisome nuisance created by gas powered leaf blowers for the residents of the Town of Greenwich."

Last June, CALM called on the Board of Selectmen to impose an outright ban of leaf blowers from April 15 to Oct. 15. The group, founded by resident and environmental lawyer Gretchen Biggs, maintain there is little, if any, need for the leaf blowers during the grass-cutting season.

Biggs, who also serves on Marzullo's committee, wrote in response to Marzullo's letter to his fellow selectmen, (Marzullo) "made a few helpful suggestions, concerning registration, education and enforcement, but he has not in any way addressed the real issue: significantly reducing the essentially needless use of leaf blowers in the summer months."

The selectmen's March 1 meeting will be held at 10 a.m. in the Town Hall Meeting Room.