To the members of our community:
As you know, the Massachusetts Attorney General has approved the Marblehead Leaf Blower ban from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Many will ask “can I report violators now to the Marblehead Police and Health Departments”. The answer is “Yes”. The Bylaw, and enforcement mechanism are both in place, and will allow for violators to be addressed. Note: Response time may be affected by priority emergency calls.
Homeowners are responsible for the fines- BUT landscapers in violation of the Bylaw will be required to stop. Willful Violation of a Town Bylaw is a violation of G.L. c. 272 §59.
Summer Gas Leaf Blower Ban, 75-1, Highlighted: https://ecode360.com/41399191#41399191
Prohibition: A. Use of gas power leaf blowers “GPLB” shall be prohibited in the Town of Marblehead from Memorial Day to Labor Day each year. Such leaf blowers shall be permitted during the remainder of the year, subject to such other general rules of the Town are in effect from time to time. B. A representative chosen by the Select Board may implement the use of GPLB’s gas powered leaf blowers in a Town emergency situation at any time.
Enforcement: A. The Marblehead Police Department and the Marblehead Health Department and their respective designees (“Enforcing Authority”) shall have the authority to administer and enforce any violation of this bylaw. B. The property owner upon whose property the violation shall have occurred shall be responsible for compliance with this bylaw. All warnings and fines shall be issued to the property owner. C. In the event the Enforcing Authority witnesses a violation hereof, the Enforcing Authority shall require the person in violation to immediately cease using the gas power leaf blower. C. The following penalties shall apply: For the first violation, a written warning shall be issued. For the second violation a fine of $100 shall be issued. For the third and any violation thereafter a fine of $200 shall be issued. Each violation shall constitute a separate violation.
The Town is asking for residents to follow the leaf blower restrictions, the same as all Bylaws passed at Town Meeting and approved by the AG, regardless of where you stand on the issue.