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Sharon finance committee defers rodenticide petition, asks DPW for cost and usage data
Summary
The Finance Committee deferred votes on citizen petitions to ban second‑generation rodenticides on Town property and broader use, requesting DPW provide detailed cost, usage and school‑practice information before making a recommendation.
The Town of Sharon Finance Committee on March 23 deferred action on citizen petitions (Articles 22 and 23) seeking a ban on second‑generation rodenticides on Town property and a related Home Rule petition affecting broader use. Committee members expressed support for the environmental goals of the petitions but said they lacked the financial and operational data needed to recommend a change.
Kevin Weber, Deputy Superintendent of the Department of Public Works, told the Committee the Town currently contracts with F&W Pest Control to manage pests across Town buildings, including Town Hall, the library, public safety buildings, DPW facilities and recreational structures, and said first‑generation rodenticides and other non‑chemical approaches are available but “generally less effective,” which could require more frequent applications and visits. He said he would follow up with confirmation of school department practices and cost information.
Committee members asked DPW to provide specific cost details, including cost per service visit, the number of annual visits and total annual pest‑control expenditures, noting current pest control costs are embedded in facilities budgets and not tracked separately. Several members said expected cost impacts were likely modest but should be quantified before the Committee makes a recommendation.
Resident Ms. Crosby raised environmental concerns about second‑generation rodenticides, citing risks to birds of prey and domestic animals. Animal Control Officer Rachel Oles described preventive and educational strategies the town could use to reduce reliance on rodenticides. A representative of the Board of Health told the Committee there were no major public‑health concerns with eliminating second‑generation rodenticides from Town property but noted that rodent control on private commercial properties could be more challenging.
By consensus the Committee deferred action on Articles 22 and 23 and requested DPW supply the requested cost and usage data prior to the next meeting.
