Politics & Government

Marblehead Gas Leaf Blower Ban In Effect With Police, Health Department Enforcement

Property owners can be fined under Marblehead's summer gas leaf blower ban, while violators must stop using them.

MARBLEHEAD, MA — Marblehead residents are being reminded that the town's seasonal ban on gas-powered leaf blowers began this past weekend and runs through Labor Day.

The bylaw and enforcement mechanism are now in place.

Under the bylaw, the Marblehead Police Department and the Marblehead Health Department have the authority to administer and enforce violations.

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Property owners are responsible for compliance. When a violation from themselves, or a landscaper that they employ, occurs on their property, the property owners are responsible for the fines.

The penalty structure starts with a written warning for a first violation. A second violation carries a $100 fine, and a third and each subsequent violation carries a $200 fine.

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The bylaw states that each violation constitutes a separate violation.

In a message to residents, the town asked the community to follow the leaf blower restrictions in the same way it expects compliance with other bylaws passed at town meeting and approved by the Attorney General, regardless of where residents stand on the issue.

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