The voters of Lexington, Mass., approve a ban

From Boston.com

The story by Susannah Sudborough in Boston.com lays out what happened:

“Residents of the town said the noise from the leaf blowers and their use of fossil fuels convinced them to ban the devices.

“WCVB reported that Lexington’s Select Board had already voted to ban leaf blowers, and the ban passed with 85% of the vote during a Town Meeting in November.

“Commercial landscapers opposed the ban, saying it would force them to buy new equipment, and hoped a public vote would overturn the decision.

“But on Monday, the bylaw was voted on during a town election, and 55% of voters chose to keep it.”


A friend in another part of the country puts the Lexington move into historical perspective:

“In the town where 77 Minutemen, summoned during the night and early morning hours by Revere and Dawson, gathered on the Green on April 19, 1775 to resist the advance of the British force under General Gage. 

“Though roughly pushed aside by the Redcoats who proceeded on to Concord where they were repulsed by a larger force of colonist militia, the Lexington men got in more than a few parting shots on the withdrawing British on their way back to Boston.  Total British casualties that day – 273; total “American” casualties – 95.  The war was on.

“Very fitting that Lexington has again stood up and said No.”


The whole story is worth reading. Congratulations to the people of Lexington.