MARBLEHEAD — With Memorial Day having passed, the town’s gas-powered leaf-blower ban has now gone into effect for the summer, and the Police Department has sent out a reminder, warning of the consequences of using one during the ban.
With the leaf-blower ban passing at Town Meeting last year, this will be the first full season that the ban will take effect. In July 2023, Attorney General Andrea Campbell’s office approved the ban from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
“Homeowners are responsible for compliance to the bylaw, but landscapers in violation of the bylaw will be required to stop,” the statement, posted to the department’s Facebook account, reads. “Any willful violation of a town bylaw violates state law.”
Electric leaf blowers are permitted, and gas-powered leaf blowers are allowed during the remainder of the year. In May, resident Sabrina Velandry presented an article at Town Meeting seeking a full year-round ban on gas-powered leaf blowers, but the article was indefinitely postponed.
“The Marblehead Police and Health departments have the authority to administer and enforce any violation of this bylaw,” the statement continued.
For the first violation of the bylaw, a written warning will be issued to the party at fault, followed by a $100 fine for a second violation. A third violation will result in a $200 fine. The department stated that any warnings or fines will be issued to the property owner.
“The town is asking for residents to follow the leaf blower restrictions, regardless of where you stand on the issue, because ultimately it was approved at Town Meeting, then the attorney general’s office and it is now enforceable” the department said in the statement. “Thanks for your cooperation.”
