Mantoloking panel previews July tweaks to gas leaf-blower ordinance after landscaper open house

The Mantoloking Environmental Commission/Green Team (MEC/GT) on May 27 discussed planned changes to the borough’s gas leaf-blower ordinance following an April open house for landscapers and residents.

MEC member Barbara Hood Benz told the meeting that “there are now approximately 27 parties on the Landscaper Registry,” and said representatives from the borough — including the Mayor and the Police Chief — attended the April open house to address concerns. The commission said modifications will be made to the ordinance and are expected to take effect in July 2025.

According to the discussion, the planned changes would set the permitted season for the ordinance from June 15 through the Tuesday after Labor Day and would allow two gas-powered blowers (rather than the prior allowance of one) during the off-season. The minutes do not record a formal vote on the ordinance change at the May 27 meeting; members presented the changes as forthcoming modifications rather than as an adopted amendment.

Commission members also discussed outreach to landscapers and residents about the new rules. The minutes note the commission plans to use the newsletter, social media and other community outreach more regularly to inform residents and landscapers about the ordinance and related enforcement or registration procedures.

The minutes do not include detailed enforcement language, fines, or the final ordinance text; they say modifications will be made and reference an effective date window and an off-season blower allowance but do not show final adoption at this meeting. The commission expects the ordinance updates to take effect in July 2025 and to be promulgated by the borough as part of the formal ordinance process.