Council sends proposed gas‑leaf‑blower restriction to public‑health committee after public comment

The Salem City Council referred a proposed ordinance that would restrict gas‑powered leaf blowers to the Committee on Public Health, Safety and Environment co‑posted with the Committee of the Whole on March 13 for detailed review.

Public testimony opened the evening’s comments on the issue. Resident Jeff Bellin described noise and safety concerns along local bike paths and said gas blowers create “a huge pile of leaves on the bike path” that forces riders into the street. Another resident, Grant Hanna, said he supports a ban because “they’re very noisy and they do cause a lot of air pollution.”

Councilors engaged in an extended discussion about the language and scope of the proposed ordinance, including a repeated concern raised by public commenters that the draft would exempt city departments and contractors. Councilor Davis, a sponsor of the measure, said the drafters reviewed roughly 10 other municipalities’ restrictions and that some communities phased in restrictions for municipal departments over longer timelines; Davis noted storage and battery‑technology limitations as practical implementation constraints.

Councilors pressing for equity said the city should lead by example rather than exempt its own departments. Councilor Rossello said he “would have a hard time voting for this with the exemption of the city,” and Councilor Varela said the city should transition its equipment before requiring residents to change. Councilor Merkel and others said committee review will allow the council to question department heads about operational impacts and phased compliance timelines.

The council voted to refer the ordinance to committee for more information and public hearings; no ban or compliance timeline was adopted at this meeting.