Update: Montclair Leaf Blower Cutoff Date Abruptly Restored

This article was updated on Dec. 6

MONTCLAIR, NJ — Montclair abruptly rescinded a grace period for its leaf blower ban on Monday, leaving the cutoff date at Dec. 15 once again.

On Friday, municipal officials announced that the Montclair Office of Emergency Management was extending the period of time that internal combustion leaf blowers will be allowed to operate in the town to Friday, Dec. 31.

Under Montclair’s recently revamped town code, the devices are only allowed to be used on certain days and times of the year. The winter cutoff date was previously scheduled to be Dec. 15.

But the mild autumn weather has changed things, Montclair emergency management coordinator Rob Bianco said.

He wrote: “Due to the mild fall we have experienced, there are still many trees with leaves on them in the township. This has delayed the fall cleanup for many homes. Therefore, per township code §217-6, I am extending the use of internal combustion leaf blowers until Friday, Dec. 31, 2021 with the exception that no internal combustion leaf blowers will be allowed to be used on Saturday, Dec. 25.”

However, Montclair officials pulled an abrupt about-face on Monday, announcing that the extension has been rescinded. No reason for the change of heart was given in a news release.

• See related article: Montclair Changes Its Leaf Blower Law – Again
• See related article: Montclair's New Leaf Blower Law Takes Effect

Send local news tips and correction requests to eric.kiefer@patch.com

Sign up for Patch email newsletters. Learn more about posting announcements or events to your local Patch site. Don’t forget to visit the Patch Montclair Facebook page.