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CRT 2017 #17 · Communication to the City Council · Apr 3 2017
Letter from Donna P. Lopez, City Clerk transmitting a report from Councillor Jan Devereux, Chair of the Health and Environment Committee for a public hearing held on March 22, 2017 to receive an update from City Staff on recent changes regarding leaf blowers made since a hearing held in June 2016, including enforcement, the purchase and pilot of green landscaping equipment, plans for a pilot program in spring 2017 to use green equipment in two parks, and any other updates on efforts the City is taking in regards to leaf blowers, and any other changes to the existing leaf blower ordinance that the City Council may wish to consider
Leaf Blowers in Cambridge
Goals:
.
Achieve compliance with the existing Leaf Blower Ordinance.
.
Initiate pilot programs by City Departments to further reduce impacts.
.
Examine options to expand successful City pilots to other users.
Current Initiatives:
TRAINING
September 2016 : License Commission and DPW held a Training for all city landscaping contractors
along with City staff from all departments who participate in landscaping activities.
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What is controlled by ordinance:
Time Restrictions spring & autumn.
Time Restrictions – Time of Day.
Noise Restrictions.
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Best Practices
Personal Protection requirements
Be aware of where you are (abutters – schools etc.)
Avoid large dust plumes
Use longest nozzle
Stop using leaf blowers while playgrounds are in use
Do not use for construction debris
Wet where possible
EQUIPMENT
Last Fall The City purchased a full set of battery powered leaf blowers. This equipment was used by
City staff in the fall of 2016 and its performance has been gauged in comparison with gas powered
equipment. This equipment has noise levels at or below 65 decibels.
The equipment is currently being used by staff at the:
Water Department
Fresh Pond Reservation
Human Services Department
Golf Course
Danehy Park
Traffic Department
Parking lots
Department of Public Works
Parks
Cemetery
Street Cleaning
MODIFICATIONS TO CITY OPERATIONS.
TIME RESTRICTIONS:
As part of this pilot the Department of Public Works further proposes to regulate its back pack leaf
blower equipment use to the following time periods:
1.
March 15th to May 31st
2.
September 15th to Dec 31st. (If possible we will restrict Public Works crews to October 1st)
USE RESTRICTIONS:
The Department will restrict the use of leaf blowers on flower beds and ground cover areas to the
extent possible in an effort to reduce the loss of soil and reduce dust volumes from these areas
Green Zone Pilot
BATTERY OPERATED EQUIPMENT
The Department of Public Works will seek to use green (battery and electric powered
equipment) in two parks as part of a spring 2017 pilot. The water Department will also seek
to use some of this equipment as part of their grounds keeping operation this year. The City
will measure the effectiveness of such equipment through the spring and fall of 2017. This
equipment will be operated by city crews.
* The golf course has been purchasing electric powered machines since 2012 and will continue to do so.
ENFORCEMENT
COMMONWEALTH CONNECT:
The City has established a Leaf Blower complaint category within Commonwealth Connect
and began using it to better monitor an enforce compliance last Fall.
LICENSE COMMISSION’S GENERAL PROACTIVE APPROACH:
1.
Non-permitted commercial leaf blowers which are operating in Cambridge are sent
“warning” cease and desist letters with a copy of the application and ordinance. This has been very
effective in educating companies as well as getting them permitted.
2.
Any violation at a property where there is no information as to who is performing the work, a
“warning” cease and desist letter is sent. The letter includes the ordinance and application for a permit
for the resident to provide to the company, if any. When necessary residents are brought in for a
meeting with the Chief Licensing Investigator and the Chair for the License Commission. The ordinance
and its limitations are explained to the resident.
3. Permitted and non-permitted commercial leaf blowers who violate the Ordinance have been brought
before the Board of License Commissioners and fines of $300.00 per violation have been issued. This has
been effective in having the companies take accountability for their employees and spend time educating
their employees.
FURTHER STEPS TAKEN BY THE LICENSE
COMMISSION
1.
Together with Owen O’Riordan, the Chair created and published Rules and
Regulations which include limitations more stringent than the Ordinance. These
Rules and Regulations have been published in English and Spanish to all permitted
companies. They are also available on the License Commission’s website.
2.
Periodically publish in the Cambridge Chronicle and an advisory with information
as to the ordinance and the commercial leaf blowers currently permitted in the
City of Cambridge. This information is available on the License Commission’s
website.
3.
Send reminders to all permitted companies as to time, day and season
restrictions, and the Rules and Regulations.
4.
Publish the advisory on the limitations of the ordinance on City Manager’s
newsletter which is sent to all residents.
5.
Send renewal applications to previously permitted companies.
6.
Will hire a part-time investigator to assist in the patrolling of the City to ensure
compliance with the ordinance.
2017 and Beyond:
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Report on the effectiveness of the battery operated leaf blowers.
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Require City Contractors to utilize battery operated leaf blowers exclusively.
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Report on the effectiveness of the battery operated green zone equipment.
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Examine the potential to expand the use of green zone equipment in the City.
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Publicize the success associated with battery operated leaf blowers.
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Publicize the success associated with green zone equipment.
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Explore the potential to further restrict gas powered equipment across the city.