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Residents tell Madison council to restrict gas-powered leaf blowers, cite health and noise concerns
Summary
Two residents urged the council to adopt an ordinance to curb gas-powered leaf blowers—one read a public-health letter supporting a two-year transition and the other urged focusing on 2-stroke engines in regulation.
Speakers during the open public-comment period urged the Borough of Madison to limit or phase out gas-powered leaf blowers. Bridget Daley (speaker 10) read a written comment from Josephine Salco, who “strongly support[ed] the proposed ordinance restricting gas-powered leaf blowers,” citing research that emissions can include carbon monoxide, benzene and particulate matter and recommending a transition period of no more than two years.
Brian Mortensen (speaker 11) urged council members to target two-stroke engines specifically, saying “traditional 2 stroke engines are dirty by design” and describing how some fuel can escape unburned during operation. Mortensen warned against poorly written rules that could repeat problems he says occurred with recent e-bike legislation and argued battery-powered options remove tailpipe emissions and reduce noise. Mayor (speaker 1) acknowledged the comments and cautioned the council to apply the same careful drafting used for other recent rules before proceeding.
