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Trustees discuss mosquito spraying ahead of downtown festival; opt‑out process and alternatives noted
Summary
Ahead of a downtown festival, trustees discussed planned mosquito fogging, resident concerns about health and environmental effects, and an existing opt-out process; staff said contractor Clark monitors traps and applies targeted spraying, and the board agreed to clarify opt-out instructions and explore alternatives such as bat boxes.
Hampshire — Trustees debated mosquito-spraying procedures ahead of a downtown festival and considered resident concerns about health and environmental impacts, while staff described an opt-out process and ongoing surveillance by the contractor.
Staff reported that the village works with a contractor (Clark) that monitors mosquito traps across the area and sprays based on captured species and disease risk. For properties that wish not to be sprayed, staff said an opt-out procedure is available: the contractor can turn off the fogger as it passes the property and then resume spraying after it has passed. Staff also said the village treats ponds and retention areas and performs multiple approaches in conjunction with fogging.
Residents raised concerns about pesticide exposure, children’s outdoor toys and long‑term environmental effects; trustees acknowledged those concerns and suggested alternatives including installing bat boxes, which eat mosquitoes, as a nonchemical mitigation. Trustees noted the village issues up to four sprays a year and that opt-out signups and chemical-ingredient information were updated on the village’s public posts and will also be clarified on the website and app.
No formal change to spraying policy was adopted at this meeting; trustees asked staff to improve public communication about the opt-out process and to consider nonchemical supplements.
