Several Newtown Township residents have asked the Board of Supervisors to consider an ordinance that would phase out gas-powered leaf blowers in favor of electric models.
The proposal was presented during the Wednesday supervisors’ meeting.
Residents of Friends Village, a retirement community with locations in Newtown Borough and Newtown Township, stated the the want to address concerns about noise pollution and environmental impact of gas-powered leaf blowers.
“We’re proposing that an ordinance be passed to make electric or battery-operated leaf blowers mandatory,” said Tom Cadwallader, a resident of Friends Village.
Cadwallader cited reduced exhaust emissions, improved safety for workers, and decreased noise pollution as primary benefits.
Kip Cherry, vice president of the Friends Village Residents Association, stated that the proposal “would be a good thing for our community to have an ordinance to guide people to transition from gasoline-operated leaf blowers to battery-operated leaf blowers.”
Friends Village residents asked the supervisors to propose an ordinance would include a two-year transition period to allow homeowners and landscaping companies to gradually replace their equipment.
Cherry suggested implementing a “gold star” system to recognize compliant firms.
“We are suggesting a two-year transition so that people who use gasoline-operated leaf blowers maybe get rid of the oldest one, the one isn’t working very well and transition that way,” Cherry explained. “It’s a slow process, but it’s not anything that has to happen overnight.”
Cherry noted: “We think that the landscape community also would be very favorable about this because it’s very good for their workers.”
The proposal also addresses environmental concerns.
“We all know about greenhouse gas as well and it would help to alleviate some of that issue,” Cherry added.
Terry Christensen, board chair emeritus of Friends Village, spoke in support of the ordinance as a public safety issue for visually impaired individuals.
“The combination of quiet cars and noisy leaf blowers is particularly dangerous for us,” Christensen said, explaining how the noise from leaf blowers can disorient those relying on sound for navigation.
The supervisors did not take immediate action on the proposal.
Supervisor Vice Chairperson Elen Snyder noted the township’s Environmental Advisory Committee (EAC) is already working on the issue.
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