Newtown Conservation Commission Approves Rodenticide Ban For Town Properties

NEWTOWN, CT — The Newtown Conservation Commission voted to restrict the use of anticoagulant rodenticides on town-owned properties and advanced several land stewardship and environmental initiatives during its Jan. 27 meeting at the Municipal Center.

Chair Holly Kocet called the meeting to order at 7 p.m. Commissioners first approved the minutes of the Dec. 9, 2025, meeting, with discussion on redistributing a plant policy reminder to town departments. Kocet said she will draft the reminder and forward it for circulation through town staff.

The commission unanimously approved a policy prohibiting the use of first- and second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides on town-owned properties. Kocet said recent state legislation restricting second-generation rodenticides was limited in scope, as it applies primarily to homeowner purchases. The local policy is intended to further protect wildlife, particularly birds of prey, from secondary poisoning. Commissioner Lisa Shirk said second-generation rodenticides are a leading cause of raptor deaths. The policy will next be forwarded to the Board of Selectmen and Legislative Council for consideration.

Commissioners also received an update on the open space parcel at 6 Commerce Road, where Kocet said the state has signed the deed. She said the commission has submitted a letter to the Board of Selectmen seeking clarity on care, custody and management of the property and expressed interest in having the commission play an ongoing stewardship role.

In other business, the commission announced plans to participate in National Invasive Species Awareness Week from Feb. 23 to 27 in partnership with the Newtown Knotweed Initiative. Educational tables with literature and live invasive plant samples will be set up at the Community Center and Municipal Center throughout the week.

The commission discussed ongoing invasive species management on town property off Sanford Road, where Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection crews recently cut back invasive growth. Commissioners said follow-up treatment may be needed in the spring, potentially requiring additional town approvals depending on cost. A discussion on repairs to the Pole Bridge Road driveway was tabled due to winter conditions.

The commission elected officers for the coming term, unanimously approving Holly Kocet as chairperson and Lisa Shirk as vice chairperson. The meeting adjourned at 7:37 p.m.