Among the articles Town Meeting will be asked to consider is a citizen petition that the petitioner hopes will send a signal to legislators that Belmont, like many other communities, does not condone the use of rodenticides as a means for rodent control.
The petition, filed by Jeffrey North, requests the Select Board to file a Home Rule petition with the Massachusetts Legislature that would authorize Belmont to make its own rules and regulations around the use of second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides (SGARs).
“These chemicals are known to have harmful effects to non-target wildlife species…through secondary poisoning,” said North.
In other words, rodents that succumb to the effects of the chemicals are then ingested by other prey and predators, including pets.
At present, neither the schools’ Facilities Department nor the Department of Public Works use rodenticides, according to town officials.
Late last year, The Belmont Voice reported on the use of rodenticides and their impact around the region.
“At this point, we’re not going to discuss what the new rules and regulations around rodenticide would be…because we don’t have to figure that out now,” North told the Select Board. “We’re saying, ‘Can we please create our own rules?’”
In his petition, North included examples of warrant articles in other towns advocating against the use of rodenticides. Arlington, for example, banned the use of rodenticides in town buildings and called for a Home Rule petition to ban their use on private property as well.
Alternatives to rodenticides include snap traps, North said.
“We’re willing to be partners in this, and we appreciate the fact you’ve been a good partner as well,” said Select Board Chair Elizabeth Dionne.
The article will be voted on at the annual Town Meeting, which begins May 5.
