Ridgefield Weighs Time Restrictions Instead Of Leaf Blower Ban

RIDGEFIELD, CT — The Board of Selectpersons on May 6 reviewed recommendations from a town task force studying leaf blower use, with officials signaling support for potential time and day restrictions rather than an outright ban on gas-powered equipment.

The discussion centered on a report prepared by the town’s leaf blower task force after roughly two years of meetings examining noise, environmental impacts, landscaping operations and battery-powered alternatives.

Task force member Carson Fincham said the group evaluated more than a dozen potential approaches and ultimately identified several options that received the most support among members.

“There was no overriding majority consensus over one particular option,” Fincham said.

The report outlined three preferred approaches, including maintaining current rules for now, imposing time or seasonal restrictions, or limiting heavier gas-powered blower use during certain periods of the year.

Task force members said they unanimously agreed on several broader principles, including the importance of phased transitions, exemptions for emergency or specialized uses, and continued evaluation as technology changes.

Noise restrictions gain traction

Selectperson Barbara Manners said the board may focus on limits involving hours, days and seasonal use rather than an immediate prohibition on gas-powered leaf blowers.

“I think that what we will be considering … are time and day restrictions, perhaps federal holidays or seasonal changes,” Manners said.

Selectperson Maureen Kozlark said she was surprised the current noise ordinance allows landscaping equipment use from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.

“I was thinking that perhaps a limiting of time to give neighbors or homeowners a relief or a timeframe that they knew that there wasn’t going to be landscaping services,” Kozlark said.

Task force member Vincent Giordano said one proposal would establish a “quiet summer approach,” allowing heavier gas-powered equipment during peak cleanup seasons while restricting use during warmer months when residents spend more time outdoors.

Landscapers cite costs and operational realities

Several task force members with landscaping industry experience said the market is already shifting toward battery-powered equipment, but warned that requiring both electric and gas fleets could impose significant costs on smaller companies.

Task force member Arnie Nielsen said many landscapers would naturally adopt battery-powered blowers once the technology becomes more affordable and practical.

“As that becomes better, they’re going to do it because they don’t want to deal with the gas, they don’t want to deal with the mess,” he said.

Nielsen added that commercial properties often require landscaping work early in the morning before businesses open, creating tension between commercial scheduling needs and nearby residential concerns.

Task force member William Cygan said autonomous electric mowers and other battery-powered tools are rapidly improving and becoming more common among homeowners and commercial operators.

“Autonomous mowers are really on the rise,” Cygan said.

The group also noted that Silver Spring Country Club recently invested roughly $500,000 in battery-powered landscaping equipment.

Battery safety concerns discussed

Task force members also raised concerns about lithium-ion battery safety as battery-powered equipment becomes more widespread.

Nielsen said Ridgefield should ensure the fire department has appropriate equipment and training to respond to potential battery fires.

“There is equipment available to do this. They just don’t have it because we haven’t had very much,” he said.

Newer battery chemistries, including lithium iron phosphate and future solid-state batteries, are expected to improve safety over time, according to the task force.

The group also emphasized that Ridgefield already has more than 1,000 registered electric vehicles, increasing the town’s overall exposure to battery technology regardless of leaf blower regulations.

Next steps

Manners said the Board of Selectpersons plans to review the task force report further before deciding whether to draft a proposal for public hearing.

No formal action was taken during the May 6 meeting.