Croton’s Conservation Advisory Council hopes to advise village trustees by year-end on whether to tighten the rules for gas-powered leaf blowers. Chair Eva Thaddeus gave that timetable at the close of a Nov. 10 public webinar. The panel ended without a vote or formal recommendation. “We’re hoping to have a recommendation by the end of the year,” Thaddeus said. Read 83:38▶ She said the council still had more research to do. Watch the Nov. 10 webinar.
Conservation Advisory Council Chair Eva Thaddeus discusses the council’s timetable during the Nov. 10 webinar.
Conservation Advisory Council Chair Eva Thaddeus discusses the council’s timetable during the Nov. 10 webinar. Watch this moment
The trustees asked the council to gather information and recommend whether and how the village should regulate the equipment further. Croton generally permits gas-powered blowers in April, May and September through December. “During the other six months, its use is generally not permitted,” Thaddeus said. Read 0:47▶ Village leaf-blower rules. Thaddeus said owners of properties larger than 40,000 square feet can apply for a temporary exemption. The village fee schedule lists those permits. Village schedule of fees, page 15. Panelists described what changes when a community restricts the machines. Irvington’s sustainability director said the village set up a separate reporting channel to help track repeat complaints. A Larchmont police lieutenant said officers in his village had often asked operators to stop and then left. When the village called for stronger enforcement, police had to set procedures for issuing summonses and coordinate with the courts. The two operators described different ways to clear leaves. Hudson National Golf Club’s director of agronomy said the club mulches where possible, uses electric blowers for some jobs and still uses quieter gas backpack blowers. A representative of Plan it Wild described running an all-electric landscaping operation and moving leaves into garden beds for reuse. A pediatric pulmonologist drew a distinction between engine exhaust and what the machines stir up. In response to a question about mold in leaf piles and children with asthma, she pointed to raking and collecting leaves without blowing them as ways to reduce airborne exposure. Thaddeus encouraged Croton residents to send their views to the trustees. “If you are a Croton resident and you would like to express an opinion to the Board of Trustees but have not yet, then please send an email,” Thaddeus said. Read 85:10▶ Contact the Board of Trustees.