The Village of Sea Cliff is poised to pass a bill BANNING use of leaf blowers in the Village. The Bill, drafted with little public input, is set for a vote on November 8th.This arbitrary law will increase the maintenance costs for Village residents by necessitating more workers for home maintenance, force people to rake leaves or sweep properties in sweltering summer heat, and impose fines on violators.

The bill’s draft language was NOT made available to the public, as required under NYS Law. It was not posted to the Village website. It is likely the Trustee’s kept the details of this bill quiet to avoid arousing public anger.

The bill fails to consider the need for using blowers to cleanup after summer storms and hurricanes. It may also subject mosquito treatment companies to fines for using blowers to apply anti-mosquito treatments. The bill may also be a first step towards banning lawn mowers, weed trimmers, chainsaws, and other powered equipment necessary for the maintenance of one’s home.

The Bill also does not address whether Sea Cliff DPW will continue to use blowers for village property and park maintenance hypocritically while residents cannot maintain their own property.

Contact Mayor Villafane immediately and demand this bill be stopped and re-opened for public comment so Village residents can have a honest and informed discussion on this issue.