Summit Leaf-Blower Law Passes, But There's A Twist

SUMMIT, NJ — The Summit Common Council voted 6-1 on Tuesday night to approve a pilot program to ban gas-powered leaf blowers this summer. READ MORE: Summit Leaf-Blower Ordinance Causes Controversy

However, since some residents said the law could be a financial hardship to various businesses that use the machines for landscaping or construction, the council will vote — at its April 20 meeting — on a newly-amended noise ordinance creating a way for residents and business owners to apply for a "hardship exemption."

The ordinance said the blowers displace pesticides, pollen, and mold into the air, are noisy, and emit "carbon and non-carbon" emissions. " The pilot would run from June 1 through Aug. 31.

The ordinance is an amendment to the municipal noise ordinance.

The full ordinance is available on the city website here.

A city spokesman said that during the meeting, 22 people spoke about the ordinance: 11 in favor, 10 against, and one who was neutral.

Why the debate?

In Summit and in other towns, some business owners have been concerned about laws to cut the number of days people can use leaf-blowers. Landscaping businesses have complained that they'll lose money and have to raise prices. READ MORE: Summit Leaf-Blower Ordinance Causes Controversy

In 2017, landscapers sued the town of Maplewood for its new ban. NJ Landscapers Sue Maplewood Over Leaf Blower Ban

The vote in Summit on Tuesday was 6 to 1 in favor of the ordinance, with council member Lisa Allen casting the only dissenting vote.

Summit resident Anna Fredette, whose father had fought a ban in Montclair, has said that landscaping, construction, and other small businesses need to use the blowers.

She said this week, about the vote on Tuesday, "My father and I spoke as did many others. The hardship exemption definitely eased my mind a little bit, but I will need to tune into the next meeting for more details on it. How does one qualify? What proof do they need of hardship?"

She added, "Will this create a stigma, if you see a company with a leaf blower do you assume they’re being insubordinate or do you judge them for having a hard time? I’m still struggling with the fact basically the whole meeting was about landscapers. When I spoke, I brought up that many other industries use leaf blowers and that wasn’t really addressed."

Fredette started a Facebook group designed for small businesses in Summit to discuss this and other matters, Summit Area Small Business Alliance group.

Tuesday's meeting can be watched here.

Meetings are often broadcast live through HTTV on Comcast Channel 36 and Verizon Channel 30, and at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQM0aiqWmAIMUTU35kswMdQ.

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