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Warner commission raises rodenticide concerns as two state bills move through committee
Summary
Commissioners described community rodenticide bait boxes, removal from town buildings, and discussed two state bills—HB 1018 (inexpedient to legislate) and HB 1676 (would limit consumer access to high‑risk rodenticides)—noting progress on restricting certain products.
Nancy Martin reported that a rodenticide bait box had been observed near the north entrance of a local Market Basket store; after she spoke with the store manager the box was removed and pesticide inspectors visited the following day. Nancy said the Select Board had already removed bait stations from town facilities.
A commission member (speaker 4) summarized two pieces of state legislation: House Bill 1018, which would have broadly prohibited second‑generation anticoagulants, was deemed "inexpedient to legislate" in committee; and House Bill 1676, which would limit consumer access to certain high‑risk rodenticides by restricting sales to licensed applicators and removing these products from store shelves, had recently passed committee.
Members discussed education and noted that changes to state law may be gradual; they also shared personal anecdotes about health and wildlife incidents motivating the concern. The commission welcomed legislative movement that would limit public access to the most hazardous products and noted continued local outreach and education as part of their work.
