New Canaan residents and landscapers press town council on limits for gas leaf blowers

Dozens of residents and several local landscapers pressed the Town of Buchanan Town Council on June 18 to consider limits on gas-powered leaf blowers, saying the machines are loud, emit pollutants and harm quality of life.

Supporters focused on health and noise. "I'm in favor of a seasonal ban on gas leaf blowers," said Katie Owsley, a New Canaan resident, who summarized studies comparing noise and emissions from gas versus electric machines. The council also heard technical details and neighborhood complaints during a 90-minute public-comment and presentation period.

The petitioners and researchers who spoke said gas-powered leaf blowers typically run louder and emit toxic chemicals. Citing public research, speakers gave similar ranges for sound and emissions: gas units were described as ranging around 90–100 decibels at source while electric and battery-powered models were described as lower, in the 60–90 decibel range. Several presenters referenced studies and agency guidance linking prolonged exposure above about 85 decibels to hearing risk and cited work describing unburned hydrocarbons and fine particulate emissions from two-stroke small engines.

Speakers connected those technical points to local experience. K. Carl Mason described daylong crews operating multiple blowers at once and said the low-frequency sound “penetrates walls, disturbing not just your backyard peace but your indoor calm,” while Jill Lagatuta and others pointed to state and regional actions — including multiple Westchester and Fairfield County towns — restricting gas blowers.

Local landscaping business owners told the council that commercial operations face operational and cost hurdles switching to battery systems. Justin, owner of JMD Landscaping, told the council that electric backpack blowers “are quieter, lower maintenance [and have] shorter run time” and that switching would require multiple batteries, chargers and new procedures. Luis Castaneda, owner of First Step Landscaping, said the currently available commercial battery backpacks are priced from roughly $1,600–$3,000 with replacement batteries adding $500–$1,000 each and that run time often ranges from 18–60 minutes per battery under commercial use.

Several presenters offered solutions beyond an immediate ban. John Kriz, a long-time resident, suggested homeowners adjust expectations and mow or mulch leaves in place to reduce demand for blowers. Others urged phased or seasonal restrictions, stricter time-of-day limits, stronger enforcement of existing noise regulations or town-led incentive programs for equipment replacement.

Council members did not vote on any ordinance at the meeting. Instead, members discussed next steps: whether to commission more data, seek input from town departments (public works, health and police), survey the wider community, or assign the issue to standing committees or a temporary task force. Multiple councilors said they needed more information about enforcement, impacts on town and school grounds operations, and the economic effect on local landscaping companies before drafting an ordinance.

The council directed staff and members to continue fact-finding and to put the issue on a future agenda for deeper study. No formal restrictions or deadlines were adopted at the June 18 meeting.

The debate was marked by frequent direct address to tradeoffs: residents emphasized noise and health impacts while landscapers emphasized equipment costs, runtime and operational practicality. Council leaders said they would organize additional discussion and return to the topic at a later meeting.

A follow-up: councilors discussed options including (a) a summer-season restriction on gas blowers, (b) narrower time-of-day limits, (c) a town pilot or incentive program to test battery equipment on town properties, and (d) additional public outreach and a possible citizen survey to gauge broader public sentiment before any final ordinance language is drafted.