Ban On Leaf Blowers Looks Likely In Morristown: Unofficial Results

MORRISTOWN, NJ — The 2023 unofficial general election votes show that Morristown's referendum, looking to allow a partial ban of gas-powered leaf blowers, is likely to pass, according to unofficial results.

Morristown voters were asked to decide on the prohibition on the use of gas-powered leaf blowers during the period of Jan. 1 through Sept. 30 of each year, commencing on Jan. 1, 2024.

The results of the election do not become official until they are certified by the Morris County Clerk's office no later than Nov. 22.

Here are the unofficial tallies, according to the Morris County Clerk:

• Yes: 1,345
• No: 1,120

According to the Morris County Clerk's Office website, voter turnout in Morris County appears to be around 28 percent, with approximately 107,000 of the 384,270 registered voters casting ballots.

This summer, council member Stefan Armington spearheaded a petition calling on Morristown to take a stand and take action on a contributor to local pollutants and resident headaches: gas-powered leaf blowers.

• Read more: Gas-Powered Leaf Blower Ban Proposed In Morristown

After the petition began circulating, a total of 502 signatures from Morristown voters were certified by the clerk’s office, meeting the requirement to get a potential referendum on this year's ballot.

"The Committee sees the referendum as a public vote on whether the town should enforce its noise ordinance during the day, granting citizens the right to live without excessive noise, which was adopted by unanimous consent of the Council in 2021. It’s clear to us that the Administration has not been enforcing the ordinance. At least not on the use of landscaping equipment," Armington said previously.

The town council was split on the issue, choosing to instead turn the choice over to the public during this election cycle.

An ordinance pushing for the partial ban was put to a vote by the Morristown Council on Aug. 8; however, after a contentious discussion between the mayor and Armington, the ordinance was defeated 4-3.

Opponents on the council contended that passing a restriction would drive away landscapers while also burdening residents who couldn't afford electric blowers.

Morristown Administrator Jillian Barrick has estimated that, excluding costs for replacing batteries, purchasing new lawn mowing equipment for the Public Works department would run the town $27,000 to $28,000.

Councilman Robert Iannaccone remarked that while he signed the petition in support of the ban, he considered that this matter should be left to the citizens of Morristown, prompting him to vote no on passing the legislation.

"Over the years, some people have complained about the noise to the town, but the administration has argued that it is almost impossible to enforce the noise ordinance, and lately they have confirmed that they do not enforce the noise ordinance on gas-powered blowers because they do not want to pit neighbors against neighbors," Armington said.

At council meetings, residents were split on the topic, with supporters expressing their frustrations with the consistent noise and adversaries expressing concern about rising costs for lawn care.

According to the results of the referendum, the partial ban on leaf blowers will be in effect for at least three years.