BRUNSWICK

The Brunswick Town Council may amend an ordinance that encourages the use of organic pesticides rather than chemical treatments.

The ordinance, adopted in 2007 by a public referendum, limits the use of pesticides on town property managed by the recreation department. The council last week tabled the item following discussion the ordinance language should clarify what town-owned means, as well as make the law applicable to all departments, including the school department.

As written, town-owned land is defined as land owned or leased by the town and managed by the Parks and Recreation Department, Town Manager John Eldridge stated in a memo to the council. The section that says the land is managed by the parks and recreation department has been interpreted to mean the ordinance does not apply to property managed by other departments.

The proposed amendment would change the definition of town-owned land to all land owned or leased by the town and managed by the town and any of its departments.

Councilors had discussed clarifying amendments that pertain to invasive species, such as brown tail moths. In such a case, a waiver would need to be issued by the code enforcement office before harmful chemical treatments could be applied.

Parks and Recreation Department Manager Tom Farrell said the clarifying the language would also mean permission would need to be acquired before resorting to synthetic pesticides.

The item was tabled to allow time for definitions to be clarified, and to ensure a provision on the use of pesticides on invasive species was added.

The council will look at the issue of setting a public hearing to discuss the changes at its next meeting, slated for Aug. 7.

jlaaka@timesrecord.com