Leaf blower laws are always contentious. The Dobbs Ferry Board of Trustees will discuss amending theirs tonight.
Under the current law:
GAS POWERED LEAF BLOWERS MAY BE USED:
FROM MARCH 15TH TO MAY 1ST AND SEPTEMBER 15TH TO DECEMBER 15TH FROM 8:00 A.M. UNTIL 6:00 P.M. ON MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY AND 10:00 A.M. UNTIL 5:00 P.M. ON SATURDAY, SUNDAY AND HOLIDAYS
GAS POWERED LEAF BLOWERS MAY NOT BE USED AT ANY TIME:
FROM MAY 2ND TO SEPTEMBER 14TH AND DECEMBER 16TH TO MARCH 14TH
ELECTRIC LEAF BLOWERS MAY BE USED ALL YEAR LONG DURING THE FOLLOWING HOURS:
FROM 8:00 A.M. UNTIL 6:00 P.M. ON MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY AND 10:00 A.M. UNTIL 5:00 P.M. ON SATURDAY, SUNDAY AND HOLIDAYS
FINES FOR VIOLATING THE LEAF BLOWER LAW:
ANY PERSON VIOLATING THE LEAF BLOWER LAW SHALL BE GUILTY OF AN OFFENSE PUNISHABLE BY A FINE OF:
$50.00 FOR THE FIRST OFFENSE AND $250.00 FOR EACH SUBSEQUENT OFFENSE IN THE SAME CALENDAR YEAR
FOR PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION, A “PERSON”, INCLUDES THE OWNER OF THE PROPERTY AND THE OPERATOR OF THE LEAF BLOWER.
However, according to Mayor Hartley Connett, the law has upset landscapers—in particular—who believe they should have the right to work more efficiently using the gas-powered leaf blowers year-round.
"We think the request is fairly legitimate," Connett said. "They've asked to used one gas-powered leaf blower per job during the banned seasons."
The board will just be discussing the amendment to village code; no action will take place.
"When we pass a law—even a good one—there's always something that's overlooked, and we're always amenable to looking into amending it if need be," the Mayor said.
"In this case, it seems to have major consequences for a significant population, which is why we're looking into tweaking it"
What do you think about the issue?
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See the board's full agenda here.
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