PUBLIC MEETING HEARING
MOSQUITO CONTROL PROGRAM
September 5, 2009 - 10:00am
Supervisor Vince Barry opening with the Pledge
of Allegiance to the Flag called the meeting to order at 10 AM.
Clerk, Kathie Hart, Treasurer, Jim Cooper and Trustees Pat Dean and
Colin Combs were present.
Barry addressed the attendees stating that the purpose of the
hearing was to discuss the future of the mosquito control program
for the next five (5) years in Secord Township; advised that the
Special District Assessment referred to in the citizens’ letter had
been changed to a millage instead and read the protocol for the
meeting.
G. Seago, Advanced Pest Management (APM), answered questions from
the audience regarding the program. Questions included the process,
coverage of state land, treating of stagnant water, traps to monitor
the mosquito population in certain areas and the density of
mosquitoes. Mr. Seago explained the process, advised that treating
of state land was against the law unless it could be proven that
state land mosquitoes carried a disease, stagnant water was treated
for all areas that citizens called in for treatment and any areas
that the company spotted on their review of the township, mosquito
traps were an excellent idea to identify more populated areas of
concentration and discussed the mosquito population encountered this
year and the treatment program frequency provided to rid the
township of the mosquitoes this summer.
Thirteen (13) citizens spoke against the program stating the
following concerns – not seeing any changes in the mosquito
population from last year, procedure does not saturate the area
being treated to rid the area of the mosquitoes, additional taxes
were a burden at this time to citizens, not being able to spray
state land defeats the elimination of the mosquitoes for those
owners who border state land, some areas are landlocked and the
company is not able to access the land for treatment, the chemicals
used for spraying are harmful to the environment and some spray runs
into ditches and then into the river and those with acreage state
they needed to spray because the treatment does not penetrate far
enough into the acreage.
Two (2) citizens spoke for the program stating that they had seen a
difference in the mosquito population this year.
Hart asked APM if the presented contract eliminated the proposed
aerial spraying of 400 acres and wanted the traps to be used how
would the yearly cost change and would the Township be able to
change the contract depending on additional need that might be
identified. Seago answered that eliminating aerial spray and adding
traps would lower the cost about $3,000.00 and the Township
definitely be able to renegotiate the contract based on need.
Thirteen letters were read – eleven (11) against the program and
three (3) for. The reasons in the letters against and for were the
same as those statements stated by citizens that spoke at the
meeting.
The Board fielded questions from the audience.
The public hearing portion of the meeting was closed at 11:25 AM.
The Board reconvened at 11:40 AM to discuss how they felt the
Township should proceed. The discussion included the fact that many
citizens did not come to the meeting but had talked to Board members
stating that they were happy with the program and they felt the
Board would do what was best for the Township, the protests received
were only 1% of the population in the Township, that if a millage
was proposed it would not be placed on a separate election ballot
due to the fact that the Township would incur excessive expense but
wait until another issue creates a need for an election and the
importance of allowing the entire Township citizens to have a voice
in deciding if the program should be continued.
Motion by Barry and Combs to allow the citizens to vote on the
mosquito control program by placing a millage proposal for five (5)
years on the next available election ballot. Roll call was taken.
All ayes. Motion carried.
Motion by Combs and Hart to adjourn at 11:55 PM. MC
Kathie Hart
Clerk, Secord Township
|
