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Committee debates separating fertilizer and pesticide rules, cites Smithfield model
Summary
Members reviewed a Smithfield ordinance and debated drafting stronger local language to separate fertilizer restrictions (to reduce phosphorus) from pesticide limits (to limit toxins), with a plan to refine wording before bringing recommendations to the planning board.
Committee members discussed whether to model Belgrade's rules on a Smithfield shoreline ordinance and to separate fertilizer and pesticide controls.
One member summarized what Eric Rasmussen (a neighboring-town health representative, as relayed in the meeting) told the committee: that the Smithfield regulation "significantly reduces phosphorus runoff to the lake" from fertilizer. Members questioned a broad statement that the ordinance reduced phosphorus "by close to a 100%," noting that phosphorus sources include fertilizer, septic systems and road runoff, and that pesticides are a different kind of water-quality concern.
The group debated focusing a no-fertilizer zone in the first 100 feet from the shore and adding distinct pesticide restrictions. Speaker 7 argued for additional language limiting powered pesticide applications near the water, saying the next step "would be to ban the spraying of pesticides by power coating within 10 feet of the water's edge," which drew discussion about enforceability and exceptions for manual spot control. The committee agreed to refine the draft, share the Smithfield text and Rasmussen interview notes, and prepare a clearer proposed ordinance to present to the planning board for review.
No formal vote was taken at this meeting to adopt local ordinance language; members asked volunteers to draft suggested amendments and to forward relevant materials for further review.
