New Canaan panel delays vote on leaf blower ordinance
Town Council · Meeting of January 29, 2026
New Canaan committee stalls on gas leaf blower ban, eyes February vote. The Town Council's Bylaws and Ordinances Committee, chaired by Hillary Ormand, spent over two hours reviewing a draft ordinance that would prohibit gas-powered leaf blowers from Memorial Day to Labor Day, with exceptions for emergencies, storm cleanup and single residential use on hard surfaces. Member Eric Tunham called the measure a "three-month total ban" and said he would oppose it before the full council, citing what he called support from "less than 1%" of residents.
Members Kim Norton and Maria Nton backed the draft as a workable compromise short of the outright, year-round bans some other towns have adopted. Absent member Jennifer Zonus submitted written comments supporting the draft. No vote was taken on the ordinance; the panel aims to finalize language before the town's spring budget season and bring a version to the full 12-member council in February, with a proposed May 25, 2026 effective date.
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Source: the Town Council meeting of January 29, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.
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