WESTFIELD, NJ — Westfield officials are launching a pilot program this summer to test battery-powered leaf blowers on town properties and school grounds as the municipality explores alternatives to gas-powered landscaping equipment.
The Westfield Town Council approved the initiative during its May 5 meeting, awarding an approximately $52,900 contract to P&P Lawnmowers for electric landscaping equipment. Town officials said the program will be funded entirely through money generated from last year’s community solar initiative, meaning no municipal tax dollars will be used for the purchase.
Before moving forward, the town and Board of Education tested several electric models to evaluate performance, battery life and usability in real-world conditions. Mayor Jeremy Berman said the selected equipment will now be used in a formal summer pilot program across municipal and school properties.
“Based on that testing, we have selected the equipment to be part of a formal pilot program this summer across town properties and school grounds,” Berman said. “The goal here is to assess whether battery powered equipment can meet the standards we require for professional landscape maintenance.”
Officials said the pilot could help determine whether Westfield eventually pursues restrictions on gas-powered landscaping equipment. Berman said any future legislation would aim to balance environmental concerns with the operational needs of landscaping companies.
“If the pilot demonstrates that electric equipment can do the job without compromising our standards, that will open the door to legislation, which would likely include a seasonal restriction on gas powered equipment,” Berman said. “Our aim is to enact sensible legislation that balances the needs of local landscaping businesses with environmental and quality of life impacts.”
Berman also acknowledged potential challenges if the town eventually considers a broader ordinance. Fewer than 10 municipalities in New Jersey currently maintain restrictions on gas-powered landscaping equipment.
“It's important to mention up front that there are real implementation questions to work through, including costs, communication with the landscaping community and enforcement, which has proven to be a challenging piece for other municipalities,” Berman said.
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