Bartlett arborist seeks guidance on trunk pesticide near the lake; commission urges notification and order-of-conditions controls

Nick Valles, representing Bartlett Tree Experts, asked the commission how the town bylaws treat pesticide use within 200 feet of wetlands and lake shorelines and described a low-volume topical trunk application for controlling scale insects. "The product is, dinutefuran. The trade name is TransTech," Valles said, adding the application is topical to the bark and not a foliar spray.

Commission members replied that their "rule of thumb is no pesticides, herbicides, or any of those things within 200 feet of the lake," and that prohibitions are typically included as conditions in an order of conditions for permitted work. Commissioners and attendees discussed application techniques; several recommended injection or trunk application over foliar spraying to reduce off-site drift and neighbor concerns.

Valles said a treatment at 38 Lake Drive had already been performed and asked whether the commission wanted notification in such cases. Commissioners asked Bartlett to notify the commission before any future treatment within 200 feet and suggested a simple form or notification process. They also suggested favoring injection or trunk-only techniques where practical and urged licensed applicators to follow label instructions.

The commission did not adopt a new rule during the meeting but advised applicants to include pesticide limitations in orders of conditions where applicable and to notify the commission and neighbors in advance of applications near the lake.