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Residents press board on leaf‑blower ban, tree canopy and local maintenance during public comment
Summary
Residents urged the board to reconsider or modify the recently adopted gasoline leaf‑blower phase‑out, raised battery‑safety and equity concerns, and pressed the township to expand its shade‑tree program and address park and station maintenance. Commissioners acknowledged the comments and said staff would follow up.
Several residents used the public‑comment period at the Jan. 21 meeting to urge the board to revisit or modify a November leaf‑blower ordinance and to press for increased park and street‑tree maintenance.
Kay Gately, speaking for 66 Renfield homeowners, said the phase‑out of gasoline‑powered leaf blowers would impose economic and operational burdens on seniors and small businesses and argued electric blowers ‘‘are far less efficient and cannot move dry and wet leaf debris effectively,’’ a problem she said would raise landscaping labor costs and municipal maintenance expenses. She asked for exemptions for large properties.
Terry O'Leary, a Gladwin resident, said he relies on a powerful gasoline walk‑behind mower and expressed concern that current battery technology lacks comparable runtime and power; he also warned of fire risks he associated with some battery chemistries, saying ‘‘the sodium ion batteries have fire risk.’’ He urged caution before enforcing a complete transition.
Craig Olney, speaking on shade trees, summarized a Bartlett Tree Canopy report he said showed a 2.2% decline in overall canopy over a 12‑year period and recommended either hiring a second arborist or reallocating certain arborist tasks to the Shade Tree Commission to allow more plantings and better program management.
Bryn Mawr resident Barbara Erskine catalogued maintenance issues — unremoved meter tops, overgrown Amtrak property near Rosemont Station, missing park trees and an invasive phragmites patch in Ashbridge Park — and asked whether the township has plans and whether contractors are being required to remove project debris. She also criticized the township website’s usability for residents seeking help.
John Yusevis, president of the Fraternal Order of Police for Lower Marion Township, thanked the board and staff for allowing donated leave that enabled one officer to spend extended time with an ill spouse; he said a benefit is being rescheduled.
Adrian Seltzer (virtual) urged attention to Class I historic properties in disrepair and noted the township’s reporting app had helped get results in her experience.
Commissioner Zella said staff recommended reviewing the leaf‑blower restrictions after two years and reiterated that a review by the board would be prudent. President Sinai said the board had debated the matter previously and recorded the ordinance vote in November; he encouraged residents to submit specifics so staff can follow up and said the board will have a priority‑setting meeting in March where some items could be addressed further.
No immediate changes or votes on the ordinance were made at the meeting; commissioners recorded the comments and directed staff follow‑up where appropriate.
