Candia Select Board discusses past mosquito‑control petitions and costs; no new program approved

At its Sept. 9 meeting the Candia Select Board took up questions from a resident about whether the town will conduct mosquito spraying and reviewed the history of previous warrant‑article efforts.

A resident and several board members recalled that a previous petition appropriation for spraying had passed in earlier years (figures discussed included $37,000 referenced for prior authorizations) but that a 2022 petition for about $28,800 failed. Speakers emphasized that a townwide spray program can be expensive and of limited effectiveness without broad coverage: "Unless you spray every wetland in the town of Candia, all 3 square miles, you're wasting your money because mosquitoes fly," one resident said, arguing that targeted spraying is unlikely to eliminate nuisance levels.

Board members and staff also noted operational constraints and alternatives: the state will test mosquito samples if the town collects them, but trapping requires staff time; some members recommended public education and personal‑protection measures and posted links to Health and Human Services guidance on the town website. Cost estimates cited in the discussion ranged from about $10,000 to $30,000 depending on the scope; the board noted a past warrant authorized $37,000 that was not spent in full.

Why it matters: Mosquito control implicates town budgets, public health considerations, and environmental tradeoffs (impacts on pollinators and water quality). Residents asking for action were told they may pursue a warrant petition if they want a ballot decision; board members underlined that petitioners must identify funding requests and authorize expenditure amounts for a warrant article.

Next steps: The board directed staff to maintain informational links and suggested that petition proponents may submit a warrant article for a future town meeting if they secure the requisite petition signatures and cost estimates.