Leaf Blower Ban Rejected By Morristown Council

MORRISTOWN, NJ — The Morristown Council has decided against implementing a ban on gas-powered leaf blowers, which would have explicitly prohibited their use during the summer months.

During a recent town council meeting, some residents expressed dissatisfaction with the council's decision to table the measure, claiming that leaf blowers are "excessive" and unnecessary during the summer.

The legislation was introduced in late June, but it was not heard for a second reading during the July 12 or August 16 meetings. According to Council President Stefan Armington, Morristown will not be proceeding with its proposed ban on gas-powered leaf blowers, at least for the time being.

The proposed legislation's first reading was not unanimously approved, as the council only approved the final hearing 4-3. On the initial ban's hearing, David Silva, Toshiba Foster, and Nathan Umbriac voted no.

According to Armington, in recent weeks, one of the council members who had previously voted in favor changed their vote, resulting in a 3-4 vote.

Judy Bayard and Stuart Warmink, a married couple from Morristown, testified before the council, saying that the constant noise degrades their quality of life at a time of year when there are few leaves to blow.

"Today we had to hear all that noise three times. From the golf course at about a quarter past seven, they came back to the area right near our house for like a half hour to blow an area with very few leaves," Bayard said.

Previously, council member Silva and community members raised concerns about general legislation and the fact that many Morristown residents and small landscapers simply cannot afford a new electric blower in today's economy.

Warmink questioned the council on these comments, claiming that the ban would not require anyone to buy a new electric machine.

"Nobody is forcing anyone to buy a leaf blower. There is no demand from the town that people have to have leaf blowers every month of the year, that is just not required. If you really want to get rid of some debris on your sidewalk, you can use a broom," Warmink said.

Councilman Umbriac previously claimed that landscaping companies would cease doing business in Morristown if they could not use gas leaf blowers.

Warmink questioned this claim once more, calling it a scare tactic by the council. "Well, last time I looked, there were many landscape companies all over town and I can't imagine they are all going to leave. I mean, just think about some of the other towns like Montclair that have done that. You're not going to tell me there are no landscaping companies in Montclair," Warmink said.

The proposed ban was similar to that of neighboring municipalities, which have already banned gas-powered blowers. Princeton recently passed legislation restricting the use of gas leaf blowers until October, when the restrictions will be lifted for two months during peak fall foliage.