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Somerset introduces ordinance to extend pesticide restrictions to town parks and facilities
Summary
Council introduced an ordinance to apply Montgomery County's pesticide restrictions to town‑owned property and parks and added an amendment to include fenced tennis courts and pool areas in the prohibited‑use language.
Council members introduced an ordinance to prohibit use of certain registered pesticides on town‑owned property, including parks and pool facilities, by opting the town into Montgomery County’s pesticide restrictions for public property.
The town manager said the county law previously applied only to private property and that the draft would extend the county’s registration list and restrictions to town property. Councilors asked for clarification about permitted products and exceptions; staff said some pesticides listed by OMRI or with EPA registrations may still be allowed under specified standards and that staff would investigate categories of pesticide use such as mosquito control.
During introduction, councilors also amended related code language to add fenced tennis courts to the trespass/prohibition paragraph and clarified other drafting points. The motion to introduce the ordinance, as amended, passed by voice vote.
Why it matters: the change would limit the use of registered pesticides on town property and parks, shifting where and how pesticides can be applied on public land and clarifying enforcement authority.
What happens next: the ordinance was introduced and will be discussed in the work session and later readings where the council may further refine permitted exceptions and enforcement details.
