Residents press Select Board on gasoline leaf blowers and celebrate Question 4 ballot win

At the opening public-comment period on June 9, two speakers highlighted local quality-of-life and civic-inclusion topics.

Bill Story (SEG 081), a Yarmouth Port resident and retired Air Force lieutenant colonel, described repeated noise from gasoline-powered two-stroke leaf blowers and proposed the town develop a multi-year transition plan to phase in battery/electric equipment. He referenced other municipalities (Arlington, Newton) and states that have restricted gas blowers and said a transition could reduce noise, emissions and neighborhood disturbance.

"...three landscapers lined up with gasoline-powered leaf blowers like it was a gunfight at the OK Corral," Story said, describing a typical day of repeated blower noise on his street.

Separately, Susan Gregory Davis (SEG 269), representing a group called Yarmouth for Everyone, thanked voters for approving Question 4 at the May town election, which affirmed equal protection of the laws for all residents regardless of immigration status. She said the result signals welcome and inclusion for immigrant neighbors.

Board members did not take immediate formal action on the leaf-blower suggestion but acknowledged the issue as one that could be placed on a future agenda and noted other regulatory and enforcement priorities (SEG 070–076; SEG 2469–2476). The Question 4 remarks were received as public gratitude and affirmation of the voters’ decision.

What’s next: staff advised the board could route equipment-regulation proposals to appropriate committees or place them on future agendas; residents advocating for regulatory change were encouraged to coordinate with staff and volunteer or stakeholder groups to draft transition proposals.

Provenance: Bill Story public comment (SEG 081–139); Susan Gregory Davis public comment (SEG 269–304).