Report Excerpt:
The Select Board values the intentions of this article, which is both to promote integrated pest management and address rodent infestations before major site work begins on demolitions and other significant projects. Unfortunately, State law prevents the Town from enacting a bylaw proscribing the manner of pest management employed by licensed professionals. Fortunately, the Town Health and Human Services Department already performs much of the work sought by the proposed bylaw, including requiring rodent inspection and abatement prior to building demolitions through its interpretation of the State Sanitary Code and other general laws empowering public health officials to address public health nuisances and conditions such as rodent infestations. Thus, the Board believes that the best avenue for realizing the proponents’ goals is to work with the Board of Health and Health Department to see if their existing operations can and should be extended in a manner consistent with this article. | | | |