Maplewood Leaf Blower Ban Returns

MAPLEWOOD, NJ — If you live in Maplewood, the sound of silence is worth $500… for a first offense.

After testing out a pilot prohibition for the first time last year, the Maplewood Township Committee unanimously voted to continue its controversial leaf blower ban during its April 4 meeting.

This year, the ban will prohibit the use of commercial non-electric leaf blowers from May 15 to Sept. 30. First offenses are punishable with a $500 fine, which increases to $1,000 for a second offense and a $1,500 fine for a third offense.

While the ban doesn’t apply to Maplewood residents or non-commercial associations, it will weigh heavy on local landscaping businesses, who will only be allowed to use gas-powered leaf blowers when the ban isn’t in effect, and only then during restricted hours (Mondays to Fridays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.) On Sundays, only residents can use leaf blowers from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The ban cites “health hazards” and the “annoyance to area residents” as the reason for the regulations.

Don’t forget to visit the Patch Maplewood Facebook page here.

Watch a video of the second hearing and vote for the leaf blower ban ordinance below. Discussion of the ban begins around the 36:15 minute mark.

The New Jersey Landscape Contractors Association (NJLCA) trade group has opposed the ban and plans to file an injunction against the ordinance, a representative told NJ.com.

The NJLCA representative said that most landscapers in the town are respectful, and use the blowers at appropriate times. The ban would force workers to use battery-powered blowers, rakes or brooms, which she said would quadruple their labor hours and raise prices, NJ.com reported.

MRCTV pointed out that there are many technological devices in the daily lives of Maplewood residents that also increase noise and pollution, but which aren’t being demonized the same way leaf blowers are.

“State Route 124 runs directly through the town, and Interstates 280 and 78 are located nearby,” MRCTV stated. “Since federal highway safety mucky-mucks note in official releases that highway noise is generally 30 to 35 dB(A) louder than what most humans like, one wonders why the town council is not banning highway travel to reduce noise and air pollution.”

Maplewood isn’t the only Essex County municipality to ban or regulate the use of leaf blowers.

When the town’s Essex County neighbor, Montclair, enacted its recent leaf blower ban, several landscapers and leaf blower supporters expressed concern about the effects the law would have on local businesses and their employees.

• See related article: Montclair Remains Divided On Leaf Blower Law

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Photo: Wikimedia Commons