OGUNQUIT, Maine — The Select Board heard several proposals for ordinance changes at a meeting held Tuesday, March 19.
Michael Horn, chair for the Conservation Commission, approached the board asking to amend an ordinance that forbids the use of pesticides and herbicides on town lands to be extended to encompass private property as well.
Horn said not only is it safer for the waterways and healthier for the town’s ecology, but there were more than 145,000 calls to poison centers and 65,000 incidents nationwide last year involving children relating to pesticide issues.
If voters approve the ordinance change at the election scheduled for June 11, Ogunquit would be the first municipality in the nation to forbid pesticides townwide.
Resident Don Simpson approached the podium to voice his support.
“I absolutely support it. It benefits pets as well,” Simpson said. “There’s no reason not to support the ordinance change.”
Selectman Chris Jarochym agreed with the ordinance, saying that being environmentally conscious for his own family and children as well as the town is important to him.
