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Darien sustainability committee explores buyback, outreach and survey for gas-powered leaf blowers
Summary
Committee members heard about a Ridgefield-supported buyback/retirement model for gas-powered leaf blowers, agreed to draft and seek approval for a resident survey, and assigned Abby and Cliff van Voorhees to lead local work on the issue.
At the Feb. 11 meeting of the Town of Darien Advisory Committee on Sustainability, members discussed possible town action on gas-powered leaf blowers, including public education for residents and landscapers and a buyback/retirement program used by neighboring towns.
Abby, meeting participant, said a contact in Ridgefield who has supported similar programs in Greenwich and other towns can support Darien’s effort; that contact’s programs include outreach to the public and landscaping companies and an established buyback/retirement program for gas-powered equipment. Cliff van Voorhees, committee member, was assigned to work on the leaf-blower item alongside Abby.
Lauren Rossi, committee member, reported she had drafted a survey on gas-powered leaf blowers. Mohan Hanumantha, committee member, and Rossi will reach out to JZ to request approval for the survey to go out to residents.
Why it matters: Gas-powered leaf blowers are a common local concern because of noise, emissions and impacts on contractors and residents. Several Connecticut towns have pursued outreach, restrictions or buyback programs; Darien’s committee is beginning outreach and fact-finding rather than proposing a specific ordinance.
Next steps: Abby and van Voorhees will develop the local approach with support from the Ridgefield contact; Rossi and Hanumantha will seek approval from JZ to distribute the draft survey.
