Implementing the Greenwich legislature's (RTM) unfunded leaf blower ordinance is coming with increased costs and fire risk to the Town. The Department of Public Works is requesting $211,000 and Parks and Recreation is asking for $265,000 to purchase electric leaf blowers, back up batteries, chargers and portable power stations. In total the $476,000 will allow them to convert only half of their blower fleets to electric. More costs will come to fund the other half.
At the Budget Committee meeting last week, members were concerned about the safety of the lithium-ion batteries needed to power the electric blowers, including incidents of batteries catching fire. They requested input from the fire department.
Seems like these costs and risks should have been considered by the RTM before the ordinance was passed last January 2024.
Between the Lines - Meanwhile, private residential landscapers were required to convert to electric last summer. Was anyone worried about the costs and fire risks imposed on these small business landscapers who put this stuff in their garages?