Leaf Blower Ban In Effect This Spring, Morristown Reminds Residents

MORRISTOWN, NJ — Warm spring and summer days will sound different this year in Morristown, as the town's partial leaf blower ban went into effect in January and lasts through September.

Morristown residents voted last November to prohibit the use of gas-powered leaf blowers for part of the year, with the referendum passing by about 225 votes. The town council was split on the issue, choosing to instead turn the choice over to the public.

The partial ban on gas blowers will be in effect for at least three years, from Jan. 1 through Sept. 30.

Council member Stefan Armington lead the effort to partially limit gas-powered blowers last year, after concerns from residents about noise and pollutants.

At council meetings before the referendum, 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.

Armington sought to add a section to the town's municipal code last year to better define gas blowers and set consequences for violating the ban, but council members have not done so yet.

According to Armington, the municipal code currently allows the town to levy fines of up to $1,000 for each infringement. "Whether that's the first offense or the third offense, it's not clear whether that applies to the contractor or to the residents," he said last year.

Officials ask residents to call the non-emergency police line at 973-538-2200 if they see someone using a gas-powered leaf blower in the town.