On Second Thought: Leaf Blower Restriction Falls

Town Meeting reversed itself Tuesday on restricting leaf blowers, defeating the by-law members had approved 24 hours earlier.

On Monday, meeting members narrowly approved the article, 124-121, prohibiting gas-powered blower use at residences from May 16 to Sept. 14.

But Tuesday, after the item, Article 7, was approved for reconsideration — and after discussion — a clear majority of meeting members voted down the measure. 

Unlike Monday, several speakers opposed the prohibition on Tuesday.

Tom Driscoll said the by-law would create problems, taking police and Department of Public Works away from their regular duties.

He said the by-law was unenforceable, and questioned the logic of a prohibition on gas-powered leaf blowers while residents were free to use gas-powered lawn mowers and snowblowers.

Lawrence Block, a cardiologist, said Swampscott has been a health-conscious town — at the forefront in prohibiting smoking.

He urged the town to continue that trend given that leaf blowers are unhealthy, and documented as such in studies documented in medical literature including the New England Journal of Medicine.

He said he has seen incidents of asthma, heart disease in children and autism rise and they do not just magically occur, there are reasons for the increases.

Debbie Boggs said Town Meeting had an obligation to protect the peace and quiet of residents who are being disturbed.

The owner of a landscaping company, Leahy Landscaping, that does work in Swampscott for residents and the town, said clients will not pay for labor-intensive sweeping or shoveling.

In the end many will hire contractors with irresponsible practices that will result in materials being left behind to clog drains and eventually pollute the sea.

After discussion, the moderator called for a show of hands.

The proposal was clearly defeated and did not need to go to a counted vote.