Town staff allowed leeway on gas leaf-blowers
Everyone gets one-year grace period
GREENWICH — New summertime restrictions on the use of gas-powered leaf blowers kick in this month, but town departments will likely have legal cover to continue using gas blowers this summer.
The leeway — called a variance — however, will coincide with a one-year grace period when no fines will be levied for anybody using gas blowers on residential properties. Starting in 2025, people who violate the blower rules will receive a warning first and a $100 fine for a second violation.
Even though there is a grace period without fines this summer, town officials still felt a one-year variance was necessary so department employees are technically in compliance with the law as they transition from gas to electric blowers even if the grace period is more symbolic than an actual advantage over other users.
The board of selectmen indicated that it would approve a one-year variance during its regular meeting on Thursday, but it has not been officially approved yet.
“The private landscapers have a year of transition, so I think it’s only fair that the town also have a year of transition,” Selectperson Janet Stone McGuigan said.
The Town Attorney needs to draft an opinion on the variance within 10 business days and then the board needs to vote on the opinion. This timeline means that the board will take a vote on the variance opinion at its next meeting on May 23.
Gas-powered blowers will not be allowed on residential properties in Greenwich from May 24 through Sept. 30, according to rules adopted in January.
The town — particularly the
Public Works and Parks and Recreation departments — had originally sought a three-year variance on the blower restrictions, but landscapers and homeowners said that would be unfair since they would have to comply sooner.
Departments heads said they use gas blowers year round to clean up parks and roadways and that their experiments with electric blowers have not been sufficient for town needs.
First Selectman Fred Camillo said a one-year variance is a good compromise, especially considering the concerns of private business owners.
“After speaking with the departments, going back and forth… I’m satisfied with lowering it to (a) one-year variance and matching what the private guys have to go through,” he said. “I’ve spoken with a few of the private guys and they seem to be a little bit relieved about that.”
The board of selectmen was given authority over the town’s noise rules in January, so this was the first time it considered a variance.
The town has received additional requests for variances from private landscapers, which will be considered at the next meeting on May 23, officials said.