Aldermen refer downtown wildlife-feeding and rodent concerns to Charter and Ordinance committee

A resident's report of widespread mice and rat activity downtown prompted the Rutland City Board of Aldermen on May 19 to send possible ordinance language addressing feeding of wildlife and downtown pest control to the Charter and Ordinance Committee.

Karen, who identified herself as a downtown resident, described visible mice and rats in her building and said she observed people scattering bread and seed in downtown areas; she told the board she had documentation from the city clerk's office about prior complaints. “A breeding female, a single breeding female can have 80 or more mice in a year's time,” she said, explaining why she wanted a local ordinance drafted quickly to prevent further infestations.

Alderman Talbot moved to refer the matter to the Charter and Ordinance Committee with direction to consider ordinances related to pests or wildlife in the downtown district; the motion was seconded and passed. During discussion Alderman Clifford and others noted similar complaints in other parts of the city and said the problem may include composting and trash management as well as intentional feeding.

Committee members asked staff to contact the resident when the committee schedules a meeting. Alderman Oliver McClure asked committee members to consider splitting the inquiry into two related tracks: one focused on feeding wildlife within the downtown district and another broader discussion about rats and infestations citywide. The board's referral language instructed the committee to consider both approaches.

No ordinance text was adopted at the meeting; the board's action was a referral to committee to draft and evaluate possible ordinances and implementation steps.