Arlington landscapers turned in a petition about 1:50 p.m. Thursday, May 24, seeking a special election targeting Town Meeting’s seasonal ban on gas-powered leaf blowers.
The number of signatures was estimated at more than 1,200 by employees of the clerk’s and selectmen’s office, but the exact number could not be learned. The required number for an election is 864.
The signatures are not expected to be certified until Wednesday, May 30. Town offices are open a half day Friday and are closed for Memorial Day.
Beal comments on Truepersons’ analysis
The town has five business days after a petition is received to call for a special election, which could be scheduled for June.
In such an election, Arlington residents would vote to accept or repeal the leaf-blower bylaw amendment, which Town Meeting passed, 95-85.
Those seeking repeal would need to win a majority of the vote and would need at least 20 percent of the town’s registered voters to cast ballot for the repeal.
Marie Krepelka, the selectmen’s administrator, said May 24 that the cost of a special election could range from $25,000 to $30,000. She said the estimate could be on the low end because the polls for such an election are open fewer hours and police pay is less.
She estimated that Special Town Meeting called for the fall to address thr issue could cost $5,000 to $6,000.
Last Monday, the Board Selectmen voted down, 1-4, a move to add a nonbinding ballot question on the issue to next spring’s town election. Chairman Kevin Greeley was the lone supporter.
George Laite, representing those who use leaf blowers as part of their jobs, said May 21 those seeking a special election have more than the required 854 signatures of registered voters.
“We’re deeply concerned with the outcome of the meeting and the ramifications it’s going to have on people’s everyday lives as well as business owners in town,” Joseph Cusce Jr., owner of Black Diamond Landscapes, based in Arlington, said May 21.
This story was first published Thursday, May 24.
