Game on

The Board of Selectmen will meet Monday to set the date for a special town-wide vote on the new leaf-blower bylaw, Arlington Patch reports today.

According to Patch, sufficient signatures submitted by lawn-care companies last week have been certified by the Town.

The petition triggers a "special election," a town-wide vote on whether to repeal the bylaw adopted at Town Meeting earlier this month.

To be legally binding, a repeal vote needs (1) a majority (2) that is at least equal to 20% of the Town's registered voters (about 5,700 votes).

Town Meeting adopted the measure by a vote of 95-85 on May 16 following two nights of debate and one compromise amendment. The new bylaw bans the use of gas-powered leaf blowers from May 15 through October 15, except on public property.

Debate touched on such topics as noise, individual rights, and adverse health effects related to pollen, spores, and pesticides and other hazardous materials that are spread by leaf blowers.

The special election will cost the Town more than $20,000, according to Town Manager Adam Chapdelaine.