Cowed by activist group Quiet Yards, the Greenwich Representative Town Meeting (RTM) led by Democrats approved an ordinance banning summer time use of gas powered leaf blowers. Now the real bill is coming due and it is a whopper.
Last week, the Greenwich Board of Estimate & Taxation (BET) has turned down the Department of Public Works (DPW) request for an extra $476,000 to convert about half its fleet of gas bowered blowers to electric. We are told by DPW that the full price of converting the whole Town will be "shellshocking."
The Connecticut Centinal has a fascinating list of "TOLD YOU SO's" here:
The cost of batteries is a high $1,500 each but additional costs include special storage sheds and fire resistant cabinets
Batteries drain faster in hot weather and must be replaced every few hours
Batteries are extra heavy for workers causing back strain
Recycled batteries are an environmental hazard releasing toxic forever chemicals into the environment. The Town dump won't take them.
Electric panels need to be upgraded at a time when CT electric prices are now highest in the nation
Insurance costs are likely to rise due to battery fire risk in sheds and on Town trucks
Chasing down complaints is an added cost to the police force.
The Town was granted a one year variance, but requests for a variance by small residential landscapers were rejected. Heartless.
Between the lines: This is a well-intended ordinance with costly unintended consequences. Let's go back to the drawing board and use some common sense on this.