Environmental Commission Calls For Pesticide Registration

The Environmental Commission convened Wednesday evening to discuss the use of pesticides in local trees and ponds. The agenda included the topic of a possible proposal to require local landscapers to register with the Township as a preventitive measure against pesticide use throughout residential areas and beyond.

In a suggestion from Michele Caron, liaison for the Board of Adjustment subcommittee, the commission discussed a possible proposal that would mirror an ordinance required within the Glen Ridge Township of Essex County, which requires all landscapers to register with the town hall and the health department and provide full disclosure of all products used in lawncare, treecare and the like. Caron pointed out that while Montville landscapers are required to register the legal status of the workers they employ, they are not required to release a list of the chemicals they use around the Township.

"I don't like the idea of unmarked cars pulling up to homes with guys who look like Ghostbusters with tanks on their backs," Caron said. "I have no idea what these people are spraying and it scares me."

Angelo Intile, liaison for the Open Space Committee, pointed out that Federal Government has already set firm regulations in place concering which chemicals lanscapers are allowed to use through the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act or FIFRA. Intile did acknowledge that some towns require landscapers to register for the sake of making them aware of the phosphate fertilizer ordinance to prevent its usage.

"It's more than just the insecticides," Caron said. "It's proper care and handling... to ensure the safety of the residents."

Health Department liaison Garry Annibal provided the Commission with the findings of his research regarding cyanide levels in Montville soil through its local pesticide dispersement. Annibal found that pesiticide use in the Township met the requirements laid out by state documents on historic pesticide contamination. Annibal said that the landscape plan is to be reviewed by Board of Education liaison Hugh Merritt, who was not in attendance at the meeting.

"On the landscape plan there were 17 plants called for," Annibal said. "Ten of them were non-native and considered nuisances, but Hugh is going to look into that a bit further."

The Township Committee liaison was not present at Wednesday night's Environmental Commission meeting, but the members of the Commission intend to bring their concerns, especially concerning landscaper registration, to the attention of the Township Committee.