The Arlington Landscapers and Business Owners Association received $12,725 in contributions to fight a Town Meeting bylaw limiting the use of leaf blowers, according to two reports filed with the town clerk.
Of that, the group spent $11,407.81, including $3,016.75 to advertise in The Advocate and at WickedLocal, the weekly’s website.
All of the contributions were from area people and businesses, except for $300 from the Professional Landscapers Network (PLANET) of Herndon, Va.
Read the July 11 report here and the one filed Aug. 15 here.
The landscapers have a balance of $717.19.
Those favoring the bylaw did not form a ballot-question committee.
The bylaw limiting use to Oct. 15 to May 15 has not taken effect. It awaits a decision by the state attorney general’s office, expected by early October.
The 2-to-1 vote July 19 favoring rejection of limits on leaf blowers has drawn two key responses: The group representing Arlington’s landscapers is seeking a legal opinion to see whether the vote shows the bylaw could be overturned, and selectmen seek another compromise about rules to control leaf blowers.
The Boston Globe reported July 29 that the landscapers seekg an opinion about whether the town’s interpretation of the 20-percent rule is correct.
At the same time, Selectmen Chairman, Kevin Greeley said he will ask the board to form a committee consisting of landscapers, proponents of the ban, and elected officials to develop a proposal for restricting the use of leaf blowers instead of an outright ban. That is expected at the board’s next meeting, Aug. 27.
An estimated $30,000 was spent for a special election on the issue. A Special Town Meeting would cost another $5,000. The issue is expected to be reconsidered at next spring’s annual Town Meeting.
Town’s unofficial results of July 19 special election by precinct (.PDF)
This story was reported Wednesday, Aug. 15, 2012.
