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Residents and council discuss spurge infestation; town outlines limited remediation options
Summary
Residents raised concerns about a rampant spurge (punctate) infestation on private lots and town-adjacent trails; council said municipal spraying covered some municipal property last year, abatement on private lots is the owners’ responsibility, and the town may hire contractors and charge homeowners when abatement is needed.
At the June 3 meeting residents pressed the council about an invasive spurge (described in the meeting as "spurge") spreading across private lots and town-adjacent trails.
A resident said the infestation had worsened and asked whether the town would act. Council members said they had discussed the issue at prior meetings; the town arranged municipal spraying of some public properties and organized volunteer groups to pull spurge on specific sites last year. The council said private-lot abatement remains the responsibility of lot owners.
Staff said that when homeowners do not address spurge after outreach the town has in past years contracted a company (Gridiron) to spray municipal or unmaintained lots and that the town can charge homeowners for abatement when required. Council members noted erosion concerns tied to mechanical removal and that broad action requires more funding than currently available at the county or town level.
Council members invited residents to volunteer to coordinate abatement and to notify town staff when properties are not being maintained; the council said it would consider formal notices and potential charge-back arrangements for contractors if homeowners do not address hazards on their lots.
