MAPLEWOOD -- A New Jersey town is being commended for its effort to cut summertime noise pollution by banning commercial landscapers from using gas-powered leaf blowers.

Noise Free America, a coalition that aims to "promote quiet" in communities across the country, announced last week it granted the Maplewood town committee a "Quiet Hero" award for the ordinance it passed last month limiting the use of the noisy equipment each May through September.

"Maplewood's action is a step in the right direction," said Ted Rueter, the director of Noise Free America, a citizen activist group with chapters in 26 states.

"Hopefully, when Maplewood homeowners begin to understand why gas-powered leaf blowers are banned during summer months for commercial landscapers, they will see the significant benefits and stop using gas-powered leaf blowers themselves. If they do, Maplewood, New Jersey will be a much healthier and quieter place to live."

The coalition -- which since November 2001 has been releasing a "Noisy Dozen" recognition to call out communities, companies, and organizations that it deems major noise polluters -- said it just recently started doling out the Quiet Hero award as a way to give its supporters positive news, too.

"We are honored to receive the Quiet Hero Award for our action to keep Maplewood quieter this spring and summer," Mayor Vic DeLuca said in a statement to NJ Advance Media.

"I want to recognize Deputy Mayor Nancy Adams for her leadership on this issue and the entire Township Committee. We believe this is the right move for our community."

The new ban, which stops commercial landscapers from using gas-powered blowers from May 15 to Sept. 30 each year, has sparked passionate reactions from both supporters and opponents.

Landscapers say the rule, which does not apply to residents or non-commercial associations and also limits the hours landscapers can use the machines during the rest of the year, unfairly targets them.

The New Jersey Landscape Contractors Association trade group said it plans to file an injunction this week in an effort to stop the implementation of the ordinance.

Jessica Mazzola may be reached at jmazzola@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @JessMazzola. Find NJ.com on Facebook.