Leafblower Ban Proposal Goes to Health Board [VIDEO]

The discussion of whether Greenwich should impose a ban on gas-powered leaf blowers began with Democratic Selectman Drew Marzullo quoting the inimitable late speaker of the US House of Representatives Tip O'Neill — "All politics is local."

And with that the debate on the merits of a ban, its impact on local landscapers, whose rights should prevail—a homeowner who relishes unpolluted peace and quiet or a homeowner desiring a pristine lawn—and which municipal agency should decide the issue, has become local politics.

After more than 90 minutes of public comments, First Selectman Peter Tesei took the unusual step to make the motion to push the issue back to the seven-member —the agency which has steadfastly refused to address it. The board has said noise and air pollution generated from the powerful blowers is a "quality of life" issue not a health issue. (Please see video at right.)

"We formally request the Board of Health to take up not only for consideration but to vote on these issues ... we just don’t think they should be allowed to duck their responsibility ... they have jurisdiction on these provisivions and they should do so in a formal, recorded vote so there is accountability," Tesei said. Tesei also said that the board's inaction could be factored into whether members should be reappointed to their posts—reappointments that will be before the Representative Town Meeting on March 26.

Marzullo headed a committee comprised of local residents, landscapers and town environmental issues—health officials refused to participate—to review options and develop a possible compromise. Marzullo proposed a gas-powered leaf blower ban on Sundays while quieter electric blowers would be allowed. He also is pushing for better education of landscapers of a ban and imposition of fines on offenders ranging from $100 to $249. (Please see entire proposed ban at right.)

However, residents including Gretchen Biggs, a Maher Avenue , said that proposal did not go far enough. Biggs, who served on Marzullo's committee, continued the push for approval of her original proposal to ban gas-powered machines between April 15 and Oct. 15.

Real estate developer Peter Malkin, who has been pushing for a ban for two decades, said enforcement of a total ban is easier for police rather than a partial one, or a ban tied to lot size. However, Police Chief James Heavey said that officers must witness a violation in order to ticket the offender.

More than a dozen landscape contractors attended the hearing.

Bill Ferraro, owner of Cos Cob Landscaping, said many offenders are out-of-town contractors who don't educate their laborers on use of the equipment. (Please see video at right.) Bill Dunster, who owns a Greenwich-based landscaping business with his name, said by allowing only electric-powered blowers would mean "having to power up a generator on the back of a truck for a half-hour" to power the blowers. He said that would negate the intent of the ban.

The Board of Selectmen unanimously voted to give the health board one week to decide whether to vote on the proposal. The health board has the authority to change the ordinance—changes that would not need RTM approval. If the board refuses, then any changes will have to be voted upon by the selectmen and the RTM, a process that could take months and not be concluded until after the leaf-blowing season is over.