March 13, 2006
TO: Board of Selectmen (Holden-Chair, Mattes, Taylor) RE: “Leaf Blowers” – environmental impact
Cc: Neil Feinberg (Lincoln Journal)
This is year three is bringing the subject of leaf blowers to your attention with the requestthat the subject of a ban or control be discussed by the town.
The negative effects are:
Air pollution from gasoline powered motorsAir pollution from toxic material (pesticides, herbicides, ice melting chemicals)
Noise pollution
a. for those in proximity of blowers.
b. for those using blowers who operate without ear mufflers
Expanded use of blowers for multiple purposes that include blowing accumulateddust (example in large parking lots), general debris, etc.
Numerous towns across the country have banned blowers for the reasons summarizedabove. Now that our President has declared that the nation is ‘addicted’ to oil would it notbe reasonable to take a first step in discussing the banning or control of the single-most polluting device currently in use in Lincoln.
With thanks,
NOTE: Given prior lack of response on this subject, I am copying this request to the Lincoln Journal.
* Anecdote: The noise started today on a Saturday (March 11, 2006) with three leafblowers in use for 45-60 minutes within 30-50 feet of my living room and office andanother 45-60 minutes further away but too noisy to talk comfortably. This made conversation outside impossible for that period.