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Landscapers urge practical approach to electric blower rules; board says code changes are coming
Summary
Local landscapers told the Town Board the current electric blower alternatives are not yet reliable for heavy commercial use and urged delayed enforcement or phased deadlines; the board said it is working on code amendments after meeting with industry representatives.
Local landscaping business owners and contractors urged the Town Board to adopt practical, phased rules for transitioning leaf‑blower equipment away from gas models, saying battery blowers still face performance and cost shortcomings for commercial use.
Robert Cancro, who identified himself as a longtime owner of RVC Landscaping, told the board that commercial electric blowers currently “last about 20 minutes on full power” and have “about half the power of a gas powered blower.” Cancro said he purchased battery units after the town’s Saturday ban and found them inadequate for heavy‑duty fall cleanup; he said commercial backpack blowers and stands are still being used in town parks during the week.
Daniel Zagorski, another landscaping contractor, said manufacturers are improving battery blowers but raised safety and logistics concerns about requiring dozens of batteries to be charged each night: “The amount of batteries we're gonna need to power these things up and charging 50, 75, a 100 batteries a night at shops which most of us aren't fortunate enough to have… it's not happening.” Zagorski estimated high‑end battery blowers cost “$5 to $6,700” and said battery warranties and charging rules make commercial adoption complex.
Supervisor Smith told the public that board staff met with representatives of the landscaping community after the last meeting and that the town is “working on coming up with a resolution that's gonna likely amend the town code regarding leaf blowers.” The town said it is gathering feedback and aiming to craft rules “we all can live with.”
Speakers asked the board to consider phased timelines (one commenter suggested 2030 as a possible later target for full commercial transition), clearer enforcement of noise ordinances, and exemptions or practical tools for commercial operators who maintain large properties or perform heavy seasonal work.
The board did not adopt an immediate ban or new enforcement regime at the meeting. Instead, officials said they are continuing discussions with landscaping trade groups and town counsel to draft code amendments that reflect safety, practicality and noise concerns.
The transcript records continued outreach by town staff to the landscaping community; several speakers expressed willingness to reconvene with the board and trade groups while urging caution about strict or imminent mandates that could disrupt small businesses.
