Village to review leaf-blower ban after divided public comment

The Village of Mamaroneck Board of Trustees opened a work session and said it will review — not immediately repeal — the village's leaf-blower law after a lengthy public comment period in which residents and landscapers sharply disagreed.

The mayor told attendees the change in format is intended to allow more conversation and that the board may form a short-term ad-hoc task force to hear from homeowners, businesses and equipment manufacturers. "Effective May 15 we are not allowed to use gas," the mayor said, stressing the board's stated intention to study the issue further before any legislative action.

Why it matters: Residents said the ban has cut noise and pollution and that reversing it now could undercut homeowners and small businesses that invested in electric equipment. Landscapers and other speakers said current battery technology is impractical for large properties and that costs and safety (battery charging and disposal) remain unresolved. The board framed the session as fact-finding, not rulemaking, with a legislative meeting planned in two weeks.

Public voices and exchanges: Jordana Bridal, a village resident who said she returned to Mamaroneck in 2019, told trustees the ban improves quality of life and urged enforcement and education: "Banning gas fired leaf blowers is progress pure and simple," she said, and recommended warning tickets then fines to change behavior. David Freeman, a member of the committee for the environment and a former chair, said the committee conducted extensive study before the current law and warned that loosening the ordinance could undercut credibility with residents and landscapers who already upgraded equipment.

Landscapers urged compromises. Robert Palucci, a landscaper of more than 20 years, said crews that once serviced 20 houses a day are now doing half that work, calling the rule a direct hit to small businesses: "I'm not making the money I normally do," he said. Louis Presti, a fourth-generation local business owner, raised safety concerns about backpack batteries and suggested a seasonal compromise — allowing blowers during concentrated fall cleanup and relying on electric tools the rest of the year.

Committee chair Kate DeHayes, who leads the committee for the environment, defended the law on air-quality and noise grounds and said she has observed increased compliance and quieter streets. She also noted that battery recycling and a shift to renewable power can reduce some environmental trade-offs.

Enforcement and alternatives: Speakers and trustees noted enforcement is a practical challenge. Several residents urged police ticketing; trustees clarified that leaf-blower violations fall under code enforcement rather than routine police response, though officers may report violations encountered while on patrol. Some speakers suggested targeted exemptions for large tracts (schools, golf courses and municipal parks) or acreage-based rules similar to nearby municipalities such as White Plains and Larchmont.

What happens next: Trustees said they would continue gathering information and may form an ad-hoc task force to return recommendations. The board indicated the regular legislative session on the issue will follow in approximately two weeks.