Neighbors --

The Council voted at its June 7, 2021 meeting to Introduce Legislative Resolution 21-O-04 to repeal and reenact §7-104 “Noise” of the Town's Code of Ordinances to prohibit use of gas-powered leaf blowers by January 1, 2023. Notice of the Introduction has been published in the July-August 2021 University Park Newsletter (which has not yet been received in the mail).  The proposed Ordinance is on the Agenda of the July 6 Council meeting for possible adoption. In our Tuesday evening meeting, however, I will ask the Council instead to Continue the matter for at least two months.
 
My purpose in asking for this continuation is to permit Town residents to better understand what the Ordinance does and its possible effects on them, and for the Council to receive public and other comment on the proposed ordinance and to significantly improve the legislation.
 
While I dislike gas-powered leaf blowers for many of the same noise and environmental reasons given for the proposal to ban them, the proposed Ordinance to ban them outright is troubling to me for several reasons which are also deeply held. I note also that Town residents appear to be deeply divided on the proposal to ban them and am concerned that proceeding with this Ordinance as proposed will turn neighbor against neighbor. There is no need to rush, while rushing forward and trying to jam it quickly through the Council is not conducive to good legislation nor in the best interest of Town residents. There has not been sufficient Council discussion of the Ordinance. I believe further Council discussion in public light will enable the legislation to be significantly improved through compromise and amendment.

With best regards,