Newton City Councilor Jim Cote tried to have a proposed leaf blower ban referred back to the councilor’s Programs and Services Committee. His colleagues didn’t like that but they did agree to postpone consideration until January.
Cote (who is on the record as being anti-bans) said he was concerned how a summer leaf blower ban might impact elderly or disabled individuals who would have trouble using rakes or brooms and could not afford to hire someone to maintain their yards. He also was concerned that landscapers would lay off their elderly or less-abled workers who might be less able to use rakes or brooms. He said he is seeking an opinion from the MCAD (Mass. Commission Against Discrimination).
Opponents of #newtonma leafblower restrictions holding signs saying rules will cost them $, “immigrant lives matter” pic.twitter.com/ADeywKzVTG
— Jonathan Dame (@DameReports) November 22, 2016
Another of tonight’s signs pic.twitter.com/gQaD8cK5E1
— Jonathan Dame (@DameReports) November 22, 2016
Vote already.
Elderly and/or disabled residents who have trouble using brooms or rakes and cannot afford to hire landscapers generally don’t use leaf blowers either, particularly in the summer. This seems a ridiculous reason to again postpone decision making.
A little brief on last evenings non-vote: First to clarify, like 15 other Councilors, I do not sit on the Programs & Services Committee and had to await their final vote taken 2 weeks ago. Very simply put my goal in last night’s Council meeting was to provide some time for the 2 major groups of this item to negotiate an agreement. The procedural actions that we followed last evening accomplished that goal. Over the next 2 months we expect to have:
1. Commission on Disability: weighed in already on the noise pollution and air pollution but not the effect of taking away a useful piece of equipment. I await this additional review.
2. Elderly Services: Again various senior groups weighed in on noise but not the effect on residents seeking to maintain their walks, driveways, and yards. Thinking that though I work out in a gym each morning, raking takes its toll on my shoulder and is something that I cannot do over a sustained period of time. I am both elderly by definition, and use a home electric leaf blower.
3. Mass Commission Against Discrimination: Because of #’s 1 and 2 above we may be regulating companies to release older and physically challenged workers. A MCAD official thanked us for seeking their opinion on an ordinance that we would pass that would encourage discrimination of employees. I await their comments.
4. Negotiations: Voting with a lack of information would have resulted in some group/residents losing what they feel is important to them. Surprise votes are extremely ineffective in municipal matters and I feel that a solution can be worked out to cover common ground important to the residents of the city. Two neighboring cities, Brookline, and Arlington, enacted bans that were then later rescinded once the majority of residents discovered the new ordinances. Council President Scott Lennon, and Councilor David Kalis will lead this effort.
Hopefully, the meeting in January will be a well thought out and effective conclusion to a long process.
One thing I haven’t heard is how leafblowers and expensive equipment keep Newton’s younger citizens (aka students) from making a few bucks by raking their elderly neighbors yard on the weekend.
These days, a crew will come in-and-out in ten minutes while noisily blowing all of the dusk around during the summer, when a student may take longer, but would be happy to earn a few bucks and get a good workout!
It took me a while to decide my position on this issue, but as someone who has worked as a landscaper before, it was tough to decide. Nonetheless, I a for the seasonal ban.
I agree that immigrants’ lives matter – and their health does, as well. I never see any of these immigrants wearing ear protection while using leafblowers, which always concerns me.
It is curious that Councilor Cote has cited Brookline as an example of a community that has rescinded its leaf blower restrictions. Brookline’s bylaw, which is even stricter than the one approved by the Programs & Services Committee, has been in effect since 2012. In 2014, competing proposals to amend the bylaw were defeated at Town Meeting. In 2015, a proposal to strengthen the current bylaw failed at Town Meeting, which referred the matter to a Moderator’s Committee. The Moderator’s Committee reviewed the existing bylaw, held public hearings, and recommended consolidation of various regulations into a single leafblower bylaw, appointment of a leaf blower control officer, and imposition of fines on property owners as well as landscaping companies for the second violation on. Last week, Brookline Town Meeting reaffirmed the seasonal ban and other leaf blower restrictions, adopted the recommendations of the Moderator’s Committee, and left the existing restrictions intact. So it appears the seasonal ban is working in Brookline.
I first proposed a seasonal ban in Newton almost ten years ago. The current proposal approved by Programs & Services is the product of over two and one-half years of committee meetings, opportunities for public comment, consultation with local officials in Newton and other towns, including Brookline, and a lot of thoughtful deliberation and hard work by folks on all sides of the issue. While I am doubtful that another delay will accomplish much, I am optimistic that we will finally have an opportunity to vote on this in January.
As the old adage goes, James Cote’s comment beggars belief.
With the proposed change, the elderly, the disabled, older workers, James Cote himself and Newton residents in general *all* can blow leaves in the fall, when there are leaves to blow… and for spring cleanup as well if they wish!
But along with landscaping crews, *none* of these constituents should be using leaf blowers inappropriately. Leaf blowers are not intended to make giant billowing clouds of dust and debris, or to blow grass clippings and rubbish. In the summer leaf blowers have no practical use.
Like Marti Bowen said, it’s just an excuse to delay the vote. Vote already.
Mr. Cote commented that he still works out, but finds using a rake difficult, because his shoulder hurts. Many, perhaps most, people simply do not know that the easiest, least stressful and most efficient way to use a fan rake is to keep your thumbs pointed up on the handle, your back straight, the rake near-vertical, and use a sweeping, not a dragging, motion. I’m 76 years old. Earlier this week, I raked the leaves off our lawn and hauled them in a tarp over my shoulder to the compost pile in the back in under an hour, while six landscape workers spent 40 minutes — the equivalent of four labor-hours — with leaf blowers blasting away on a yard the same size as ours across the street. So, just maybe, the landscapers oppose the restrictions, because they realize it may actually take more time with leaf blowers and less time with rakes, and they stand to loose money, because they’ll have fewer labor-hours to charge for profit, if the Council passes the summer leaf blower ban. I do hope I’m wrong about this. I’d feel better, if it actually does take longer with rakes and brooms, and there would, therefore, be more, not less, work and pay for their workers.
@Better – Try Raking from 7 am to 5 pm at night for 6 days a week and then maybe you will realize what the Immigrant Landscapers are concerned about this Leaf Blower Ban. I am sure if you want to try out your fan rake we could ask one of the 150 Newton Based Landscapers to have you help them for a few days and then you can come back and comment on how what you think works better the rake or the leaf blower.
Joanne,
Thank you for the invitation, but I already do realize how much effort is involved, because my Dad supported our family of four as a landscaper for many years, long, long before there were any leaf blowers. He first took me to work with him when I was four, and I worked with the crew in the summers, when I was old enough. It’s been a long time since I was in that business, but I vividly remember the effort during those 10 hour days. For some reason, though, nobody seemed to think twice about it back then, and raking was just part of a day’s work for a day’s pay. I remember Dad had a system to make the raking, and everything else, as efficient as possible. I imagine it’s the same system you folks used before the blowers and, frankly, it didn’t disturb the neighbors or blow a lot of c_p into the air for you, the crew and everybody else around to have to breathe. Believe me, Joanne, I do respect you and your efforts. I know it’s a tough business. But there’s got to be an acceptable way to bring the external costs to everybody else back into line, and I think the Program and Services Committee has come up with a solution worth trying.
@Joanne: Three points:
1. You’re right. “Better” has been using multiple pseudonyms here, a violation of our commenting rules. I’m sorry we missed it but good for you for figuring it out. @Better, please stick to one name.
2. You must have a pretty low view of our city council if you think they would put their own considered opinions over the influence of any one lawyer.
I personally don’t think that’s the case.
3. As I understand it, the golf courses are being considered for a limited summer exemption because of the delicate nature of their greens, which would be damaged by rakes. Yes, once upon a time, putting greens were likely raked but standards change and so do users’ expectations (which, is why for example, none of us consumers would be happy going back to dial-up modems and today’s golfers would not be happy about below current standard greens.)
As I’ve said before, whether or not golf clubs should be exempt from property taxes is a worthy issue, but has nothing to do with leaf blowers. They need this exemption for a legitimate business reason.
The proposal as it stands is not a full ban on leaf blowers. It’s a compromise that prohibits leaf blower use only in the summer, with some exceptions for properties greater than 30 acres. It also makes it easier to enforce the current 65 dBA noise limitation. Leaf blower use is allowed the rest of the year when there are actually leaves to blow. @Jim, “Surprise votes” and “voting with a lack of information”?? The Programs & Services Committee has been brokering this deal for almost 2 years with all stakeholders. Last March, we had a listening session with the full City Council to get their comments. There have been plenty of opportunities to weigh in.
The Commission on Disability passed a resolution earlier this year in favor of a ban on leaf blowers.
Whether it’s with rakes or brooms or a 25 pound jet engine on your back, landscaping work is physically demanding. Not sure how this is an MCAD issue.
FYI; Brookline just added some teeth to their leaf blowers regulations which includes extending the seasonal ban to October 1.
This is an Open Invitation to anyone including the Newton City Councilors to come to work for a day or 2 with one of the 150 Newton Landscapers – then you will have a better understanding of why the Immigrant Landscapers need the leaf blowers to do their Job.
Councilor Leary – If the City of Newton cannot adhere to the rules to clean city property how is the rest of the city supposed to do that?
Brookline -does not require its town workers to comply with the ban because they know they could not clean the city with those restrictions.
And the exceptions that the Newton Councilors are giving is to the TAX EXEMPT – Country Clubs – which the last time I checked they were NOT non profit and to the Colleges. Why are they being given preferential treatment? Maybe because they hired Attorney Buchbinder to broker a deal for them??
Joanne, the proposed regulation is for a summer ban – very different work than what landscapers are doing right now, so your invitation isn’t a fair comparison. And after you challenged “Better” to spend time as a landscaper and he responded that he grew up in the business, you ignored it. I haven’t made up my mind on this (I generally favor a seasonal ban, but not a full one) but the all-or-nothing zealots on both sides are doing nothing for those of us in the middle. (Other than making me grateful to live in a neighborhood where most folks do their own yard work.)
Actually Tricia my Grandfather immigrated to Newton from Italy and started Landscaping in the 30’s in Newton and many of the Newton Based Landscapers that live, work and VOTE in Newton – he had a hand in sponsoring them to the US, helping them settle in Newton and teaching them the trade. So I clearly Understand how this business was run with rakes and Tarps and how it is done today. As I have seen many generations of my family do this work – when it was with rakes and tarps and how it is done today.
(I did not respond to Better as I suspect he is writing under what would now be a 3rd name I leave that to the moderators to determine)
However I challenge “Better” or anyone else who would like to spend a day raking and then another day with a leaf blower to contact one of the 150 Newton based landscapers to see if what the Newton Councilors are promoting will really work. Because the types of db they are promoting for the spring and fall are not practical. And actually the contractor that Newton uses to clean up the schools and city property does NOT follow the rules to use 65 db leaf blowers because he clearly knows that the job cannot be done correctly with those blowers.
I understand that it is ONLY a summer ban-so then why are the Newton City Councilors exempting FOR PROFIT and Tax Exempt Country Clubs.?? If the Homeowners are not to use a blower in the summer than neither should the City, the Country Clubs, and the Colleges. Then it it would be fair. But the problem is that the Newton Councilors are catering to the special interest groups who have an attorney who has lobbied them to allow his clients( the Colleges and the Country Clubs) for a exemption. And that is WHY the exemption was put into the bill because the Newton City Councilors are SO concerned about the Hardship on the Newton Country Clubs ! They charge huge fees to belong to their club, dont pay taxes to the city and they are going to allow them to use leaf blowers because their attorney successfully lobbied the Newton Councilors. There are no leaves in the summer so why do the Country Clubs need a leaf blower?
If the Newton City Councilors want to be fair – NO LEAF BLOWERS FOR ANYONE IN THE SUMMER – NO EXEMPTIONS OR WAIVERS ALLOWED – Not to the City, Not to the Country Clubs and Not to the Colleges.
The fact is that leaf blowers are both useful tools as well as an annoyance. So this should be a very easy issue to find a compromise solution…
Personally, I would have taken an incremental approach, much different than the Council just considered. The first step should be a seasonal ban on gasoline powered blowers, which would still give homeowners a little more flexibility, and incentivize landscapers [who insist they need these tools year round] to upgrade to electric. That approach would also allow institutions, golf courses, and city departments to use electric blowers on a schedule consistent with homeowners and landscapers. Because I do agree with Joanne that any law should be applied equally…
Decibel restrictions included in any local law are always problematic. The measuring equipment requires calibration to be accurate, and the enforcers hate using them. This should be about transitioning people to newer blowers that are quieter than old gasoline powered blowers…
Lastly, this stalemate is what you get when a City Council is ban-crazy. These folks have banned plastic bags, smoking cessation devices, and some prescription medications. So naturally people are more resistant to any more bans.
I agree with Joanne about the country clubs. There should be no exemptions at all from the summer ban. I think it’s outrageous that tax-exempt country clubs, which cater to the wealthy and permit no access by taxpayers who are, essentially, subsidizing them, should be exempt. In addition to growing up in the landscape business, in my teens i worked as a caddy.. That was in the 1950’s. The country clubs’ claim they will have to shut down if they can’t use leaf blowers in the summer is total B.S. They did just fine in the ’50s and, long, long before — way, way before there were any leaf blowers. But, it seems that enough of the Councilors to defeat the motion have struck a deal with the country clubs that they will vote against the ban, if the country clubs are not made exempt. Exempting the country clubs is a devil’s bargain. And, yes, Joanne, I changed my blog name to ‘Better’, because my brain is now working better on this issue, I have more positive things to say, and, also, I don’t want to be kicked off the blog. (Though I admit I am getting tired of all this, so it would be a mixed blessing.) Joanne, I’m 76 years old and don’t want to be a landscape worker and report to a crew boss ever again, even for a few days. The last time I did was when I worked for Davy Tree, when we climbed with ropes and used hand-saws. I swore I’d never do it again. And, I NEVER, EVER, want to use a leaf blower for any reason whatsoever. So, thank you, but no thank you. (Also, it’d be breaking the law, to use anything louder than a 65dB blower.) Oh, and my neighbor, who does not employ a landscaper, was out there after dark this evening, blasting away with his four-stroke push-blower during dinner! Anyway, it seems we do have at least some areas of agreement, but I really would rather not comment on this blog anymore. I do wish you a Very Happy and Peaceful Thanksgiving.
I’d should point out that private golf courses do in fact pay property taxes, unlike tax-exempt institutions. I think there’s a bit of confusion surrounding a property tax reduction available to golf courses that pledge to refrain from residential development. But golf courses are in fact tax payers, so we shouldn’t put them in the same category as freeloading institutions that pay $0 in property taxes. Not to drag this thread too far afield, but that particular free ride has got to end. Getting institutions like BC to pay their fair share is a much larger issue than leaf blowers.
I think that a task force should have been formed like Arlington did and this would have been resolved a long time ago.In fact that proposal was suggested by the Landscapers after a meeting of Pand G a year and a half ago where the Selectman from Arlington spoke of how the Arlington Plan came about.And it was shot down by Pand G.We need correct use of certain machines year round as Councilor Gentile tried to do with his ammendments and give it a chance to work. And seriously I have observed on film a city vendor not in compliance at all .He was using everything that was listed that was more than 65 db.And you ask why ?Because He like the Brookline Dpw (which exempts it self from using 65 db machines)knowsTHAT THE JOB CANNNOT BE DONE WITHOUT THE PROPER EQUIPMENT! So whats good for the goose should be good for the Gander! STOP DISCRIMINATING AGAINST THE LANDSCAPER AND THEIR CLIENTS!
Greg – Are you serious?? -“3. As I understand it, the golf courses are being considered for a limited summer exemption because of the delicate nature of their greens, which would be damaged by rakes. Yes, once upon a time, putting greens were likely raked but standards change and so do users’ expectations (which, is why for example, none of us consumers would be happy going back to dial-up modems and today’s golfers would not be happy about below current standard greens.)”
The Newton Councilors are more concerned with the Golfers Standards?? I am sorry your comment is Priceless! SO – The Newton Councilors dont care about the Immigrant Landscapers ( over 150 who live, work and vote in Newton) trying to maintain their businesses , make a living and support their family’s – They are only worried about the Golfers Standards of their Putting Greens.
And as for my opinion of the Newton Councilors – I leave it to the public to ponder – WHY after the Newton Councilors were Lobbied by the Attorney Buchbinder hired by the Golf Courses and the Colleges -did Newton Councilors put in the exemption?
One could only conclude that the Newton Councilors opinion is that they are more concerned about the GOLFERS Standards than the Homeowners!
And why do the Colleges need an exemption? Do they have Putting Greens too that need to be maintained in the summer?
It seems from several comments that there is a misunderstanding concerning the legislation proposed. Many viewpoints expressed seem to conflate the necessity and work required to clear yards with leaf blowers for 9 months a year with their lesser need during the summer.
The challenge to rake from 7-5, 6 days a week, is misguided because there’s just not that much to rake during the summer.
If in fact immigrants do most of the landscaping work, it still doesn’t follow that the restrictions would cause layoffs since it would be during the summer months when I’m sure there is less need for leaf blowers and more for mowers.
The uproar over restrictions being lowered for educational and recreational properties over 30 acres is unfounded since the allowance is only for 65db leaf blower use on Sundays and Holidays from 9:30am – 12pm when the same allowance is given to homeowners from 9:30am – 5pm during the 9 months leaf blower use is allowed.
As for the 65db leaf blowers not being powerful enough to do the job, it has been explained before that decibels and power, efficient use, are not connected.
It is a real shame that Councilor Cote is being allowed to follow his crusade on the backs of the elderly and disabled using less than truthful statements based on their supposed need to use them during the 3 summer months.
These are the proposed restrictions on the use of leaf blowers.
From Memorial Day to Labor Day, 3 summer months, leaf blowers cannot be used.
From Labor Day to Memorial Day, 9 months, 65db leaf blowers manufactured after 2005 can be used weekdays 7am – 5pm and Saturdays 8am – 5pm,
1. except before 7am M-F by the City of Newton in Village Centers.
2. except on Sundays and Holidays
a. when used by homeowners on their property from 9:30am – 5pm.
b. when used on institutional or recreational property over 30 acres from 9:30am – 12:00pm.
Marti
Golf Course and Colleges are being allowed a waiver/exemption during the summer – they will NOT just be using them on Sunday Mornings and Holidays as you have posted. They can use them everyday of the week during the summer ban. As Greg said – The Golfers have Standards of how their putting green need to be maintained! And the Newton Councilors wanted to make sure they kept their Attorney happy but agreeing to this exemption.
Where are you getting that information as it is not in the draft ordinance as I have read it. In the ordinance golf courses and colleges may use 65db leaf blowers manufactured after 2005 on Sundays and holidays from 9:30-12 during the nine months between Labor Day and Memorial Day when homeowners can use theirs 9:30-5.
“No person, including any City employee or contractor, shall use or operate a leaf blower within the City of Newton from Memorial Day through Labor Day in each year.” No exceptions are listed.
Marti blowers are used in the summer instead of brooms to sweep walks ,stairs ,patios, driveways etc. And grass clippings, bush trimmings ,after mulch jobs ,planting jobs ,lawn repair and building of paver patios etc. They are efficient epa certified machines.They have replaced the tedious task of sweeping.And Marti have you ever tried to sweep up wet clippings with a broom or the wet helicopters stuck to the driveways?And as far as the difference in power of the 65db to the 77 db if you dont believe which is more appropriate in the fall dont take my word for it ask Mr. Vanaria why he keeps using them as a city vendor? Or maybe you would like to come and work with one of 150 Landscapers for a day .I will bet that by the end of the day that you will change your idea of thinking.We still have 47 houses to clear of leaves!
Marti leafblowers are used for sweeping after cutting the grass ,trimming bushes,fixing lawns,applying ,building paverpatios etc. They are used for sweeping of walks, driveways etc. They are safe epa approved machines.If you dought the validity of 65db over77db ask Mr. Vanaria the city vendor why hw still uses them.Or you could go with one of the 150 landscapers and help clear leaves and see for your self which machine works better.
JC, I think there’s plenty of time to finish the 47 yards of leaves before Memorial Day unless you realistically think they will take more than 6 months to complete.
I started raking our families 1 1/2 acre lot, along with my brother and my dad, when I was a teen. My family raked our acre lots in subsequent homes. I have never hired a landscaper. There were times after raking, when we used a riding mower with a mulcher to go over the leaves that were left. We sweep our driveway and sidewalks.
Okay, I’m up at work anyway, but my wife has had a coughing fit cold all night and here it is the Friday after Thanksgiving and finally gets back to sleep. The Friday after Thanksgiving and at 6:59, the absentee owner of the condos next door has unleashed his landscaping contractor with three, count’ em, THREE leaf blowers going at once. Never mind the decibels of one, I’ve never seen only one in use in this city. How about the noise level of three?
Here are questions for the anti-ban folks I can never get answered:
– When I sit on my porch with one one-year-old Granddaughter enjoying the summer breeze and warm sun and a hard-fought-for,all the way here from North Carolina quiet moment, and, in four minutes, a landscaping truck pulls up and two guys blow debris in our faces not ten feet from us, DO WE NOT HAVE RIGHTS TOO?
– If one of these devices was strapped to the top of an ice cream truck and driven around a neighborhood at 7 AM, HOW IS THAT THEN NOT OKAY? Hell, if an ice cream truck drove around the neighborhood playing its music at 7 AM, how come that’s not okay but this lazy machine noise is okay?
– If I, as a teenager, raked a neighbor’s one acre yard every Summer into Fall every other week for a four month period for two years, and have the blisters to prove it, and still made some extra money while being highly unorganized, what makes their tasks all the more greater? (This doesn’t include raking my own yard constantly under my Father’s decree for 6 years. That was a lot of work too, but was unpaid labor. He insisted on it).
– As someone who DESPISES governmental overreach, I don’t understand: how is this supposedly a federal cradle-to-grave issue?
It isn’t. There was no reason for this invention. It’s a lousy, lazy invention and is a neighbor-to-neighbor problem and quality of life issue. Any “ban” is NOT a federal case having to do with freedom or stomping on the down-trodden. Coaching this as some sort of restriction on commerce and life and liberty is a canard.
– PS: 30 minutes later and counting and we’re still being serenaded by THREE leaf blowers at once. The discussion always seems to be about one. How about the 2 – 5 always going at once?
– The so-called “ban” in Brookline works. And it’s not a ban. It’s an attempt to gain back lost freedom from noise, unhealthy practices and the uncaring indifference by greed that resulted in a friend of mine being knocked to the ground when he simply pleaded with one of them to not do it right under his window every single week.
Morning Mark, up at work here too. All of this ridiculous fighting is over made up or inconsequential matters since the “ban” is only for the summer months. Unfortunately with the Friday after Thanksgiving not being an official holiday, I’m not sure if the times of use wouldn’t continue to be 7am today. A definition of holiday should probably be included. Are they federal holidays or do they include other specific days?
Hi Marti and Mark read what I said earlier about how blowers are used in the summer and the 47 houses that I have left to do have to be done in the next week so I can do the entire list 147 a third time ;without the proper equipment it cant be done.Mark talk to your neighbor about the crew he hired to straighten them out or if you desire get their name and phone number and I will talk to them for you
To be clear the City does not exempt the golf clubs from paying taxes. Chapter 61B of the state tax code, allows any nonprofit organization to receive a 75 percent reduction in taxes as long as the land is open to the public for “recreational purposes” or owned by a nonprofit organization. While private country clubs are generally not open to the public, the Newton clubs are nonprofit organizations. The IRS allows the exemption under a provision for “social groups” like country clubs, trade unions, and chambers of commerce. To qualify, groups must meet exclusively, have a dues-paying membership, and have no written racial discrimination policy.
Under the state’s 61B exemption, golf clubs agree to keep their open space undeveloped or repay all tax breaks if their land is ever sold to a developer. I would think most Newton residents would want to keep this provision in place.
As Greg has already mentioned the golf courses have argued that they have no practical alternative to using leaf blowers in the summer as rakes damage the greens. The standards for greens are apparently much higher now than years ago before leaf blowers became commonly used. However, they will be required to use legal equipment that meets the 65 dBA noise ordinance and work within the specified hours of use.
Speaking for myself, I am not overly concerned about “the golfer’s standards”. What I am concerned about is the quality of life for all Newton residents. By far the most complaints that I receive from constituents come from landscapers working in residential areas. By the very nature of their size (all Newton golf clubs are over 100 acres) there is less disturbance to abutters (but there is some). When I do get a complaint, I go right to the General Manager of the Club and figure out a way to mitigate the issue.
@Mike- Finding a compromise has been far from easy. I can assure you the “Stalemate “is not because the City Council is “ban crazy”. It sounds like you did not get a chance to attend any of the public hearings or listened to the hours of testimony over the past 18 months or you would see how this subject elicits strong passions on both sides. I have learned that there are 2 things people really have an opinion about; leaf blowers and off leash dog parks. The last tax override was accomplished with less trouble. Your suggestion about limiting the ban to only gasoline powered leaf blowers would seem reasonable. However, neither side was happy with that proposal. The landscapers, contractors and golf courses all insisted that battery powered leaf blowers are not powerful enough to do the job and the advocates for a leaf blower ban were still unhappy with the particulates blown into the air and were quick to remind me the machines still made a lot of noise (though they universally quieter compared to gasoline machines). However, the technology seems to get better every year and there are some very competitive battery operated leaf blowers. It may be an option in the near future.
Allison so I guess that golf courses and schools do get a tax break after all!And they matter more than 70 % of the city that we take care of who vote and pay their fair share of taxes too during the summer.Can you spell discrimination? Also the reason as I have stated before that Brookline prices havent gone up is because the landscapers do get to use blowers year round and in the spring and fall we use both 65 and 77 when we can so no added time equals no price increase ,there is your data, or I call the truth! If inferior machines are used or if no machines are allowed that equals more time which equals more money.And just to clarify once again if 65db blowers are so great why is the Brookline Dpw exempted from using them? Because they know that they cant do the job.Check your own venders they know that too and are not in compliance either,no brag its a fact.
Councilor Leary – if you are NOT concerned about Golfers Standards then why are you giving the Golf Courses an exemption on the use of Leaf Blowers in the Summer? And since when was a Golf Course non profit?
If you are really concerned about the dangers of Leaf Blowers then have a TOTAL summer ban with NO EXEMPTIONS to ANYONE- NOT GOLF COURSES, NOT COLLEGES, AND NOT THE CITY of NEWTON. But as you well know the Newton City Councilors could not do that – it would upset the Attorney who met with and lobbied the Councilors to exempt his Clients ( Golf Courses and Colleges) who do not even contribute to Newton Taxes. Oh right the For Profit Golf Courses pay a measly 25% of taxes and the Colleges pay 0% in taxes. And then when the City cannot afford to clean city property’s without Leaf Blowers you might start to understand why Brookline exempted their Town Workers from their Leaf Blower Bill.
The way this bill is written it is clear that Program and Services Newton City Councilors and the Newton City Councilors who support this ban have not taken in consideration the Immigrant Landscapers ( over 150 who live, work and vote in Newton) trying to maintain their businesses, make a living and support their family’s – They are only worried about the Golfers Standards of their Putting Greens!
My name is Atara Schimmel. I am a survivor of a devastating chronic nerve pain condition called Pudendal Neuralgia. My severe nerve pain centralized and today I suffer from Complex Regional Pain Syndrome as well. I was been bed-ridden for two years wishing to die because the pain was excruciating, relentless and mind-altering. I stayed alive for my parent’s sake. I lived through months and months of stabbings and electrocutions that left my sense of identity completely shattered. I managed to come out of the pain after years of treatment at the Brigham and Women’s Pain clinic and hours upon hours of deep breathing on the floor of my room, the same room that I inhabited as a child. I have been fighting for my life and for my right to survive in Newton for years now. I have nowhere else to go. The leaf blowers rage all around my house. I have spoken to my neighbors but three of my neighbors have no compassion for my struggle. They are fully aware of the fact that the leaf blowers are threatening my ability to survive. They do not care about my suffering at all. When I try to explain my situation they respond in anger and disregard. I was deeply saddened and hit despair when I heard that the leaf blower vote was postponed. At the time I was alone in a cheap hotel room in Provincetown. I had gone there to seek refuge from the noise and the vibrations that were once again destroying my fragile nervous system and sending me back to 24/7 pain. I had to spend about $800 from the tiny amount of disability money that I receive in order to pay to stay in a cheap hotel room far from my family that needs me. I was devastated to find out that the pain had centralized again. Removing myself from the noxious environment was no longer enough. The progress that I had made was once again stolen from me because of the leaf blowers. I felt like a victim, like there was no place for me in this world anymore. I felt that I couldn’t fight anymore, that this world is too callous and cruel to have me in it. My voice continues to be ignored and unheard by so many of our city counselors. I will never understand the lack of compassion that my neighbors have shown me. I will never understand the apathy that two of the men at Inspectional Services have shown me. I will never understand how compassion and mercy falls to the floor and recedes back into the ocean taking all of my dreams and my hopes with it. What I do understand is that my life matters to me and that I deserve to live it. What I do understand is that leaves are gifts from the trees and that the trees replenish the earth naturally with the leaves that they shed. I do understand what it feels like to go unseen because I am the on the floor begging. For your mercy. For my life. Atara Schimmel
I worry about the young men that are using the leaf blowers. They inhale highly noxious fumes and dangerous particulate matter from the morning until the evening. They are bombarded by noise levels that cause hearing loss and tinnitus. Some of them will develop hyperacusis which is even more debilitating than hearing loss.Their lives matter to me and it saddens me that I am not sure how to reach them. Over time some of them will develop cancer and lung disease. Once their health deteriorates they will need to seek medical attention and they will likely have a hard time paying for it. Many of them don’t speak English which will make advocating for themselves nearly impossible. They are trapped in a trade that demands of them to sacrifice and compromise their health on a daily basis. For their sake as well as for mine and countless other Newtonians I wish that this lethal machine would be outlawed completely. I wish so much that I could reach these young men so as to protect them from the suffering that they will inevitably experience due to their deteriorating health. Here is a short version of an article that I wrote that explains a few of the health hazards. http://www.milforddailynews.com/article/20150722/opinion/150729189
Hyperacusis can lead to severe disability and suffering. Ben and Joyce Cohen have shared their story in order to educate others. This is a powerful testimony. I wish that this would reach the boys that use the leaf blowers. I wish that they knew to protect themselves from such tragedy. The least that we can do is ensure that the 65 decibel noise ordinance be respected and enforced. Ed from Inspectional Services measured the decibel levels around the vicinity of my home. They were at 80 decibels. This is so dangerous for all of us.
http://abcnews.go.com/Health/quest-silence-living-wth-hyperacusis/story?id=22284805
The mayor has listed that he is concerned with enforcement, potential consequences for small property owners and financial impact on residents. I am wondering if it would not be in the mayor’s best interest to write a new statement clarifying that he is also concerned about how the leaf blowers and the lack of enforcement of the noise ordinance are negatively effecting the disabled of Newton. The disability commission has made it very clear that they support a ban on leaf blowers due to the detrimental affects on the disabled.
http://southborough.wickedlocal.com/article/20150720/NEWS/150729589