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Planning board recommends ban on nonresidential synthetic pesticides to select board
Summary
The board voted to recommend a proposed ordinance that would prohibit nonresidential use of synthetic pesticides on Westport Island, with a definition that lists chemicals such as glyphosate and neonicotinoids and an exemption for EPA minimum-risk products and declared public-health emergencies. The measure will go to the select board for placement on the warrant.
The Westport Island Planning Board voted May 6 to recommend that the select board place a proposed ordinance on the town warrant that would prohibit nonresidential use of synthetic pesticides within the town limits, with limited exceptions.
Susan (speaker 4), who drafted the proposal, said the ordinance is intended to protect water quality and reduce potentially harmful chemicals entering soils and groundwater. She urged the board to keep the ban focused on synthetics and to add an explanatory definition. "Synthetic pesticides or herbicides, it should be it should just be word synthetic pesticides and remove all herbicides because, herbicides are pesticides," Susan said during discussion.
Jeff (speaker 2) read the ordinance language the board decided to recommend: "Nonresidential use of any synthetic pesticide is prohibited within the limits of Westport Island except when used by state or federal authorities during a formally declared public health emergency with prior written approval of the Westport Island Select Board." The board also agreed to include a definition listing active ingredients to be excluded (EPA minimum-risk products, organic-approved biopesticides and microbial pesticides) and to add example product names for clarity at town meeting.
Members discussed scope and enforcement: the draft limits the ban to nonresidential properties so that homeowners and routine residential landscaping would not be affected, and the board discussed outreach and education to help residents understand the change. Several members suggested adding the pesticide definition to the ordinance's definitions section and preparing plain-language materials for the town meeting presentation.
The motion to recommend the amended ordinance to the select board was moved by Jeff (speaker 2), seconded by Miss Gallagher (speaker 8), and the board recorded the vote as in favor. The board asked staff to prepare explanatory materials for the select board and town meeting and to confirm whether the ordinance language will require further edits for consistency with existing definitions.
