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Council adopts ordinance phasing out certain bait boxes on city property, prompting DPW transition plan
Summary
Council approved an ordinance to prohibit SSCARS-style bait boxes on city-owned property and directed a transition to alternative devices starting July 1; council and DPW staff said vendor coordination is underway to replace bait boxes with metal multicatch devices.
The City Council voted unanimously May 5 to adopt an ordinance prohibiting the use of SSCARS-style bait boxes (glue/bait devices) on city-owned properties and requested a written transition plan from the Board of Health and DPW.
Councilor McGrath Smith summarized committee findings and reported DPW director input indicating the city's contractor uses metal multicatch devices with glue boards ("tin cats") and one-way ramps that will serve as a replacement. "They understand this change is coming, and it needs to take place starting July 1," the committee reported.
Council discussion noted public-health and wildlife considerations; a local editorial board had endorsed the council's move. The council advanced the item through first and second readings during the same meeting and then adopted the ordinance by roll call; the clerk recorded a unanimous vote.
Implementation: Committee asked the Board of Health and DPW to present a written plan for transitioning away from bait boxes and to coordinate with the third-party vendor to install alternate devices citywide.
