Under the proposal finalized by the 10-person committee last week, the bylaw would soon institute a partial ban on leaf blowers by establishing a program for ensuring the devices fall within a certain decibel range that can be easily tested by town officials. The proposal would also require that portable leaf blowers have an affixed label that indicates the model number and noise level of the machine. That level could not exceed 65 decibels when measured from a distance of 50 feet, which is considered the typical noise level for an urban environment during the day. According to the proposal, time and day restrictions would be placed on residents using the leaf blowers.

Police officers and public works officials would be trained to use portable sound level readers, and they would be able to require testing on leaf blowers that appear modified or damaged, regardless of whether the unit already has a sticker, said Lebow, an Advisory Committee member who started his career as a sound engineer.

In addition, town officials would offer testing services for a $35 nonrefundable fee for residents whose leaf blower does not have a sticker.

Town officials plan to purchase five or six of the sound level readers if the measure is accepted, Lebow said, with each unit costing about $1,500, including calibration services.

Violations can bring in fines ranging from $50 for a first offense to $200 for a third offense and for successive violations, plus court costs for any enforcement action.

The proposed bylaw would require all leaf blowers to comply with the new regulations by 2010.