North Barrington board tables leaf-burning issue
A decision on whether to tighten the laws on leaf burning in North Barrington will have to wait at least another month.
North Barrington trustees Wednesday tabled a discussion over the proposed ordinance until next month.
With two trustees absent from Wednesday's meeting, Village President Bruce Sauer said he wanted to hold off on the discussion until they could be present.
The trustees are considering a new leaf-burning ordinance, which was developed by the village's environmental and health commission, which would shorten the amount of time residents have to burn leaves on their property.
The proposed ordinance would allow leaf burning between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Thursdays and Sundays between April 1 and May 31, and again between Oct. 1 and Nov. 30.
The ordinance also would mandate that residents notify their local fire department before burning the leaves.
Currently, leaves and other landscape waste may be burned only on Thursdays and Sundays, May through August. The rest of the year, burning is permitted every day.
The village has been debating the issue for several years, with proponents of a stricter burning ordinance citing health concerns.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, leaf burning generates carcinogens, which when breathed in can increase the chances of respiratory infection, reduce the volume of air inhaled and impair the lungs' ability to use that air.
However, those who support leaf burning believe a ban would infringe upon their rights as property owners.
In 2006, the village conducted a survey of the village's 1,130 households, asking whether the current rules should be altered to prohibit leaf burning throughout town.
The results showed a virtual 50-50 split among the 550 or so surveys that were returned. At the time, Sauer said the response was not overwhelming enough to change the ordinance.
The next North Barrington village board meeting is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Oct. 24.
To review the entire proposed ordinance, visit www.northbarrington.org.