SECORD TOWNSHIP SPECIAL HEARING
MOSQUITO CONTROL PROGRAM
May 2, 2009

Supervisor Vince Barry opened the Board meeting at 10 AM with the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. Clerk, Kathie Hart and Trustee Pat Dean were present. Treasurer, Jim Cooper and Trustee Colin Combs were excused. Barry closed the Board meeting at 10:05 and opened the Public Hearing.

Barry advised that the purpose of this Special Hearing was to provide Secord residents with an opportunity to obtain information regarding the proposed mosquito control program from Advanced Pest Management (APM), state their concerns to APM and the Board and express their position for or against the program prior to Board deliberation. Barry stated that APM had made a presentation at the April meeting and the residents in attendance and Board found the program favorable to improve quality of life for Secord residents therefore necessitating the scheduled public hearing to advise residents of the program and solicit their concerns/positions regarding the program.

Greg Seago, APM, presented the procedure and materials used to control mosquitoes throughout the spring in summer specifically stating that only 2 programs would be used by Secord this year – that being larviciding (treatment to kill mosquitoes in the larva stage) and adulticiding - spraying throughout the summer to kill adults. Mr. Seago stated that residents that do not wished to have treatments for either larva or adult spray must call the company at 1-877-276-4714. If APM is not contacted, the company would start treatment for all standing stagnant water that can been seen from the road immediately if the Board approved the proposed contract. Residents must call to report stagnant standing water that is hidden from the road as soon as possible.

The floor was opened for questions from the attendees about the APM proposed treatment program. Synopsis of questions asked and answered are as follows: State land cannot be treated for larva or adults unless an analysis indicates that the mosquitoes are a health hazard – i.e. carrying Nile virus, spraying will start at dusk into the early night hours due to the fact that that is when the mosquitoes are most active, spraying, which will be done from roads in the township, will in ideal weather conditions will carry 300 feet from the vehicle spraying, concerns regarding the effect on the environment were strongly expressed, specifically regarding plant life, bees, effect on residents with asthma and animals – APM stated that they have been spraying a bee farm (on the owners property) for years and since they spray at night when most residents, bees and animals are inside they have not been notified of any problems with the chemicals used to that are approved by the EPA.

The floor was opened for comments to the Board regarding the program
Comments against the proposal:
Concerns against the program were expressed by 2 citizens regarding the effect of the treatment on the balance of the environment (specifically honey bees and vegetation) and the validity of the program due to the amount of state land surrounding Secord Township.
Statements for the program were offered by 4 citizens ranging from supporting the program for 1 year to see it’s effectiveness and opinions regarding effectiveness experienced in other communities.

Dean then advised the attendees that the program could be fronted this year from current available Township funds; stated that a meeting would be held in the fall to solicit residents opinions regarding the effectiveness of the program over the summer and, if the program was to be continued, pending resident approval, the preliminary cost estimates per parcel would be $15 to $20 per year.
 Concerns were expressed by attendees regarding the cost per parcel specifically in regards to the same per parcel cost for smaller properties versus someone with 100 acres and potential increase in per parcel cost due to economics in future years.

Clerk, Hart recapped citizens letters received stating that 8 written responses had been received – 7 in favor of the program and 1 against.

The public hearing was then closed at 11:25 AM and a short break was taken.

The Board Meeting reopened at 11:40 AM. Board deliberations included Dean stating that he was in favor of trying the program for this year to see the results and he felt the Board should pursue a multi-year contract with APM if residents were in favor of adopting the program after the fall public hearing. Hart expressed concerns regarding the state land surrounding the township and the effectiveness of the program; stated that both Butman and Billings who currently have the program had been contacted and found it working very well and was in favor of trying the program this spring and summer to evaluate its’
effectiveness. Barry voted favorable for the program and solicited a vote from the remaining attendees at the meeting. The residents in attendance overwhelming supported the program.

Motion by Hart and Dean to enter into an agreement with Advanced Pest Management for the 2009 season with costs to be funded from the current Township General Fund. All Ayes. Motion Carried.

Motion by Barry and Hart to adjourn at 11:50 AM


Kathie Hart, Secord Township Clerk