Swampscott Proposes Bans On Fire Pits, Foie Gras, Rat Poison

SWAMPSCOTT, MA — Backyard and beach bonfires may become a thing of the past in Swampscott as town meeting members weigh a potential ban on all outdoor fires during next week's annual town meeting.

The fire ban is one of a handful of citizens' petition warrants, which also include bans on rat poison and foie gras at all town restaurants and food shops.

Proponents of the wood fire ban argue that prohibiting them would "eliminate a preventable, contributing hazard to the health of nearby residents, lower air pollution, lessen the chance of wildfires or brush fires," and "allow for a healthier environment for those who simultaneously use the beach."

"The beaches will be cleaner and more welcoming to others," the warrant article states.

Swampscott would join Belmont, Malden, and about 20 other Massachusetts cities and towns — mostly high-density ones such as Swampscott — that do not allow outdoor wood fires.

Under the proposal, the only outdoor fires allowed will be for "special celebrations or town-wide events" with a Fire Department permit and at least one week of public notification through the media, including Swampscott Patch.

Individual residence and beach fires would be prohibited outside of cooking using charcoal, natural gas and propane grills.

Cooking fires using wood, chimineas, wood fire pits, and "smokeless" wood fire pits would be banned.

The warrant article proposes that residents who witness an open fire, which is not extinguished upon request, could then take a picture of the fire in question and present it to the Board of Health for action.

The first offense of the open wood fire bylaw would be a $100 fine, with $200 for a second offense and $300 for a third offense.

A second petition would ban the sale of foie gras — a delicacy made of duck or goose liver — in all restaurants and shops.

The petition argues that the practice involves force-feeding the waterfowl and amounts to "extreme animal cruelty."

The ban on rodenticides aims to codify a town policy already in place against the practice in town-owned parks, buildings, grounds, open spaces, and rights of way.

The bylaw would enforce rules to use "less inhumane" ways of controlling the rodent population, such as traps, shock boxes, or so-called "rodent birth control" methods.

Rat poison critics have long contended that not only do they lead to a prolonged and painful death for the rodent, but that when other animals prey on the infected rodents — such as foxes, coyotes, hawks, owls and eagles — they suffer effects of mange and illness before often also dying painful deaths.

While many municipalities have moved away from rodenticides in recent years, some private companies still use them to rid rats from areas around dumpsters, food establishments and work sites.

The annual town meeting is set for Swampscott High School on Tuesday night.

The full town meeting warrant can be found here.