Larchmont Gazette, June 21, 2007
by Harriet Kline
At its work session and public meeting on Wednesday, June 20, the Mamaroneck Town Board agreed to initiate a program to promote adherence to its current leaf blower law. The board also scheduled a number of public hearings to discuss flood mitigation and proposed parking restrictions. In addition, Trustee Nancy Seligson clarified the Town's recent resolution to join an international environmental effort to combat global warming.
Leaf Blower Law
Current Town law forbids the use of leaf blowers between June 1 and September 30. Unfortunately, usage continues and Town officials often hear complaints. The board decided to take steps to better educate gardeners, contractors and home owners about the law, possible fines, and health risks (for gardeners as well as residents) associated with leaf blowers.
One resident, Paul Schwenderer of Edgewood Avenue, presented the board with a number of alarming statistics. Here are just two example of his research:
1 gasoline-powered leaf blowers, operating for 30 minutes, put out more emissions than an automobile traveling 2000 miles (according to data from Westchester County Executive Andy Spano).
2 Westchester County, along with the rest of the metropolitan area, ranks fourth worst in the nation for dangerous levels of particle pollution and seventh worst for ozone (according to a report released in September by the United States Public Interest Research Group and described in the New York Times on October 10, 2004).
Supervisor Valerie O’Keeffe asked Mr. Schwenderer for a copy of his research. She said she hopes to integrate some of the data into an educational flyer for gardeners and residents. The Town will also step up its enforcement of its leaf blower law.