BRUNSWICK

The Brunswick Town Council tonight will again discuss setting a hearing on amending the town’s land care ordinance to encourage the use of organic pesticides before resorting to chemical treatments.

The ordinance, adopted in 2007, limits the use of pesticides on town property managed by the recreation department. Last week, the council 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.

Councilors also discussed the need to clarify amendments that pertain to invasive species, such as brown tail moth. There are exceptions, and a waiver must be issued by the code enforcement office for more harmful chemical treatments to be applied.

The public hearing, if approved, will be set for Aug. 21.

According to the ordinance, any pesticide used on town-owned land would have to be allowable on Maine organic farms.

As written, town-owned land is defined as land owned or leased by the town and managed by the Parks and Recreation Department, according to a memo from Town Manager John Eldridge 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, such as the school, said Eldridge.

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.

Parks and Recreation Department Manager Tom Farrell said the difference in clarifying the language would also mean permission would need to be acquired before resorting to synthetic pesticides. He said it also allows organic options to be considered first, and the ordinance’s purpose is to limit the use of non-organic applications.

Zoning rewrite

The council will also hear public comment on the town’s comprehensive rewrite of the municipal zoning ordinance. According to the meeting agenda, oral testimony will be limited to five minutes or less per person depending on the number of speakers.

Residents may supplement their testimony with additional materials and may submit those in advance of the meeting, but the council cannot accommodate electronic presentations, according to the agenda. Written testimony of any length is welcome in advance of the meeting or can be delivered during the meeting.

Town staff will provide a brief presentation on the rewrite prior to public comments and members of the Zoning Ordinance Rewrite Committee will be at the meeting to answer questions.

jlaaka@timesrecord.com