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Residents urge exceptions, raise safety and cost concerns over leaf blower phase-out
Summary
At the Jan. 21 Lower Merion Board meeting, multiple residents urged the board to modify or carve exceptions from its recent ordinance phasing out gasoline-powered leaf blowers, citing cost burdens for seniors and landscapers and safety questions about batteries; the board said it may review the rules in two years.
Several residents told the Lower Merion Board of Commissioners on Jan. 21 that the township's recently adopted phase-out of gasoline-powered leaf blowers places unfair costs and safety risks on homeowners and local landscapers.
Kaye Gaitley, speaking for 66 homeowners in the Renfield community, told the board the ordinance's upfront equipment costs and higher labor expenses will burden seniors and small businesses and urged the board to create exceptions for very large properties. "The financial impact on seniors and local businesses ... is a great concern," Gaitley said, asking the board to "modify and have exceptions for large property needs."
Terry O'Leary, who said he has done his family's property maintenance for decades, told commissioners that electric blowers lack the power of his 7.5-horsepower gasoline unit and raised worries about battery technology and fire risk. He said new chemistries are emerging but cautioned that current lithium- and sodium-ion batteries may pose hazards and could require repeated equipment upgrades.
Board leaders responded that the ordinance was adopted after extended debate and that the body can revisit the matter. President Sinai said the board previously debated the measure at length and "voted 10 to 4 to adopt" the restrictions; he added that the board has the authority to designate review as a future priority. A commissioner noted staff's prior recommendation that the board review the restrictions after two years and said that remains prudent.
No formal action was taken at the meeting to change the ordinance; commissioners and staff invited residents to submit written details and to participate in any future review. The board indicated the two-year review period could be used to assess electric blower performance, costs, and safety data before altering policy.
