Trustees renew one-year exemption for Cerebral Palsy of Westchester property from leaf-blower ban

The Rye Brook Board of Trustees on March 25 approved a one-year exemption to the village's seasonal ban on gas-powered leaf blowers for the property owned by Cerebral Palsy of Westchester (CPW).

The exemption maintains the same conditions imposed the prior year: battery-powered blowers must be used within residential buffer zones and gas-powered blowers may be used on larger, commercial portions of the property. The board approved the renewal by roll call after hearing from CPW representatives about equipment limits and nonprofit budget constraints.

Why it matters: The measure allows CPW to continue grounds maintenance on a large campus while attempting to limit noise near residences. Trustees acknowledged the nonprofit's limited resources and the current performance gap between battery and gas equipment.

A CPW representative said last year's restriction had been observed: the organization used electric blowers for residential areas and gas blowers for commercial zones because battery units lacked the runtime and power for larger areas. The representative noted staff avoid blowing dry lawns in summer and that they mulch grass with mowers to reduce leaf-blowing needs.

Trustees expressed support while noting the village expects applicants to return annually for renewal as equipment and budgets change. Mayor Klein and the trustees recorded affirmative roll-call votes to approve the one-year exemption.

During discussion trustees and staff expressed hope that electric equipment will continue to improve; CPW and the trustees said they will revisit the exemption if battery technology becomes a feasible full replacement.

The motion passed with recorded affirmative votes from Trustee Epstein, Trustee Eiser, Trustee Merlino and Mayor Klein.