Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Health Vector Control topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Montague to participate in gypsy-moth survey; West Nile detected and county spraying scheduled
Summary
Township officials said the New Jersey Department of Agriculture found defoliation that qualifies Montague for an LDD egg mass survey and the Sussex County Office of Mosquito Control reported adult mosquitoes testing positive for West Nile virus; spraying was scheduled for July 9–10 and the township will include the state reimbursement in its budget.
Montague Township officials on July 9 said they will participate in the New Jersey Department of Agriculture’s LDD egg mass survey after state inspectors identified large areas of defoliation. The survey will assess gypsy moth population risk for spring 2025 and help determine whether aerial suppression is recommended.
Mayor Zitone and Clerk Dana Klinger also told the Committee that the Sussex County Office of Mosquito Control had detected adult mosquitoes testing positive for West Nile virus in the Township. County spraying was scheduled for July 9 and July 10 between 8:00 p.m. and midnight in affected areas; the County will continue to monitor mosquito populations.
To cover gypsy-moth suppression costs, Resolution 2024-071 was introduced to include $25,898.40 in State reimbursement in the Township budget; the Township will allocate matching funds of $25,898.40 from American Rescue Plan monies. The resolution was approved by unanimous roll call vote.
Why it matters: Detection of West Nile virus in local mosquito populations can raise public-health concerns for residents outdoors during evening hours; planned spraying and continued monitoring are intended to reduce risk. The gypsy-moth survey and potential aerial suppression address defoliation that could affect trees and local ecology.
What’s next: The Township will participate in the egg mass survey to inform 2025 suppression strategies, the County will continue mosquito monitoring after scheduled spraying, and the budget will include the State reimbursement and local ARP match approved at the meeting.
