Swampscott passes ban on leaf blowers

SWAMPSCOTT – Town Meeting members demanded a recount after the leaf blower ban passed with a bare majority, with 124 in favor and 121 opposed.There was no recount given, though loud calls for one were heard throughout the packed auditorium at Swampscott High School Monday night.The ban will prohibit use of gas leaf blowers except between March 15 and May 15, and Sept. 15 and Dec. 15, making for silent Swampscott summers. The Board of Health recommended voters approve the ban because of the detrimental health effect of dust, noise and air pollution.?We feel this is a well thought-out compromise between landscapers and the community,” said Chairman Martha Dansdill. No one spoke up against the ban.In another vote, Town Meeting members voted down Selectman Barry Greenfield?s proposal for home rule petition, which would have allowed Swampscott to appeal to state legislation to “negotiate an alternative pension plan.”Though Greenfield argued that Swampscott could be a symbol to the state that the current pension system was too costly for municipalities, some felt there wasn?t enough detail in the proposal for Swampscott to make their own plan.?The Board of Selectmen needs to go back and get their ducks in a row,” said voter Paul Levinson. “They need to come back to this town meeting with specific recommendations that are understandable to every one of us ? We are not financial experts. It?s up to the Board of Selectmen to present us with data to make a decision.”Town Meeting member Gerry Perry was applauded after suggesting that the Finance Committee make a motion to form a committee to further study the effects of the pension reform. Finance Committee Chairman Don Pinkerton looked to the Board of Selectmen to make that motion, but when no one stood to make it, the motion was voted down.Voters did recognize the problem of the town?s unfunded liability due to pension costs later in the evening. With a majority vote, voters approved former Finance Committee chairman Michael McClung?s proposed committee to discuss ways the town could regionalize its services.Town Meeting will continue on to tonight at 7 p.m. to vote on articles 11 through 25.Kait Taylor can be reached at [email protected].