2021-05-05-NAC-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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that cleanups can cost 20-30% more. He does 170 lawns a week with four people. • Chris Stratford noted that George Carette's business is designed to serve properties suitable to his electric equipment, but that Chris' own business would have to drop 50% to 75% of his customers and increase costs to the remainder. He mows 30 to 40 properties on a Monday. • Many landscaper comments focused on how delays due to rain and late or early snow or freezing weather makes them unable to complete their work within a rigid timeframe. o Several landscapers cited that snow can delay cleanups by as much as two weeks, and freezing weather can freeze the leaves together. o Landscaper Mike Keegan indicated that in the past he and other landscapers would aim to finish their Fall cleanups by Thanksgiving, but that recent weather patterns have forced them to work one to two weeks into December. o Chris Stratford stated that the Town's compost facility adjusts their closing dates to accommodate weather delays. • Dan asked for specific responses to the question of time/day/seasonal limits, particularly for the dates when the most powerful equipment is necessary. (see attached chart of regulations in five towns) o Matt Keegan: Lincoln seems to be the most reasonable, and gives the most flexibility with October through December 30. Spring rain or snow might make it impossible to finish cleanups by May 15th or 20th. Bad weather can create delays of four days or even two weeks. If there hasn't been snow landscapers feel an urgency to start in early March and it's wrong to make them wait until March 15. Hard and fast rules don't account for weather. This year they were done before March 15. o Several landscapers agreed that using quieter equipment during the summer to clean up grass clippings is acceptable. o Chris Crugnale: Likes the Newton model of allowing GLBs from September 6 to May 30 because the unpredictability of the weather may require cleanups in December and January. Generally, blowers would never be needed in January or February so restrictions aren't necessary. The starting date for fall leaf clean-up depends on tree stress, whether there's been rain, and variations by the types of trees, so leaf removal can sometimes start in September. People require cleanups outside of the usual fall and spring periods for reasons such as having bought a new property. There are a lot of house sales in the Spring, so cleanups are needed in May and June. Landscapers want to finish their cleanups as early as possible. Later cleanups would only be done under unusual circumstances. If late dates are available, it would give landscapers the opportunity, by most won't use it. o Paulette Lamacchia: Likes the Newton model. Her company prefers to do leaf cleanups in a series starting as soon as the leaves fall. She cited special circumstances where late dates are needed, such as customers calling late, and people who have had special projects on their property, o George Carette stated that it feels arbitrary to stop people from working in the winter, and being able to do a good job in the fall makes it easier to do a faster job in the spring. Leaving the winter open for using GLBs would be a good exception. Mother Nature ends the season. No one is out there trying to blow snow.