Arlington passes seasonal leaf blower ban

ARLINGTON, Mass. (WHDH) -- The sound of leaf blowers have been silenced in one Massachusetts town -- at least for five months out of the year.

The town of Arlington passed a season ban that outlaws gas-powered leaf blowers from May 15 to Oct. 15.

“They’re pushing their beliefs on everyone else and I don’t think it’s a fair decision to make because it really does affect all of us who use them,” said Craig Gallagher, of Craig’s Landscaping.

Gallagher, owner of Craig’s Landscaping, in Arlington can’t believe he won’t be able to use a leaf blower during his busiest season of the year.

“There’s going to be a lot of unhappy customers because it’s going to be impossible to get an area cleaned up,” said Gallagher.

During Arlington’s town meeting Monday night an ordinance to ban leaf blowing on private property from May 15 to Oct. 15 passed by just 10 votes.

Arlington did what other towns, like Marblehead and Wellesley, couldn’t do. Once the ordinance is finalized, if anyone turns a blower on, they could face a $200 fine.

“I don’t like it,” said Richard Anastasio, a resident. “It’s a lot easier for me to go out and use a leaf blower than to go out and push a broom.”

Some are happy with the ban.

“They’re loud. They’re not very environmentally friendly,” said Kimberly Burnett.

“What happened in the old days when there was peace and quiet in the neighborhood,” said one man.

The vote was a compromised amendment. Many town meeting members were calling for a year-round ban, but several members noted how much easier it is to blow leaves away in November as compared to using a rake.

The law won’t take effect until after the attorney general signs off on it, which could take several months.