East Dundee wrestles with leaf burning

Some people love the smell of leaves burning in the fall.

Others loathe the smoke infiltrating their homes.

Then there are those for whom the fall rite makes it almost impossible to breathe.

To satisfy both residents who say burning yard waste is their only removal option and those with chronic respiratory ailments, East Dundee trustees Monday will consider further restrictions.

The proposed changes stop short of banning the practice, though some trustees say a statewide ban is inevitable.

"It is clear that people want to burn leaves," Village President Dan O'Leary said. "There is no cost-effective way to remove leaves. But the board also realizes it is a health issue."

O'Leary proposed limiting leaf burning to between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. on the second and fourth Saturday and Sunday during April, October and November.

Residents now are permitted to burn leaves and other yard waste from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on any day in October and November.

A previous ordinance allowed leaf burning year-round.

More than a dozen residents attended a committee of the whole meeting in September, two months before the burning season started.

Trustee Jeff Lynam said the proposed changes should appease those who support or oppose leaf burning.

"We have a unique situation where a good portion of town is rather constricted because of the lot size and proximity to adjacent homes," Lynam said. "Then there are larger lots that have lots and lots of trees. They need an option for leaf removal available to them. This is as good a compromise as one could hope. "

Others say the compromise will suffice until the state imposes a ban.

"It does pose health hazards, and 90 percent of the state has banned it. There's something to be said about," Trustee Michael Ruffulo said. "I think (a statewide ban) is inevitable. If we are banning smoking in public, then ban this, too. I think it is down the road."