Residents Ask For Mosquito Relief

by Kathy Savolt

The ink was not even dry on the Tentative Budget before a group of Village residents had an issue with the lack of funding for mosquito control in Guion and Otter Creeks.  A forty-year program to responsibly address mosquitoes was removed from the budget this year and was not added back in next year’s budget.

The History and Non-toxic Solution

Apparently dating back to 1987 (see 1989 New York Times article HERE),  Village staff placed granular, bacteria-based, non-toxic larvicide in both creeks beginning each Spring and continuing during mosquito season.  This low cost method afforded some relief, primarily to the residents of the Shore Acres neighborhood, a peninsula between the two creeks.  For years, the cost was only $2,000 as the application was done by Village employees who were licensed to apply the material.

Under the previous administration and with the retirement of the employee who performed the task, an outside company was engaged and the cost increased dramatically.  This led to the cutting of the program from the current year’s budget.

Current Issues

After some Shore Acres residents initially raised the issue as the Tentative Budget was under development, Village Attorney Steve Pambianchi looked into it and presented his findings at the March 23^rd meeting of the Board of Trustees (BOT).  Pambianchi cited several sections of New York State Law, as well as the New York State Constitution and concluded that the Village could not legally apply the material since the Village was not allowed to apply pesticides and it involved private property.  He also questioned using taxpayer funds to benefit one neighborhood.

Several residents of Shore Acres addressed the matter during the Public Comment period.  Beverley Sherrid pointed out that the material was not expensive, and she understood that James Barney, Superintendent of Public Works, is licensed to apply it.  Sherrid also pointed out that the benefit goes beyond one neighborhood as mosquitos that breed in saltwater marshes can fly up to 3 miles.  She told the BOT that the mosquito problem was very bad last year and she was concerned that individuals will resort to private companies spraying toxic chemicals that harm all insects, birds and humans.   Sherrid also mentioned the Village employees who work in the neighborhood and would be at risk as well.

Resident Allison Stabile reported that the Village Committee for the Environment passed a resolution in support of the environmentally friendly larvicide program.  She described the program in more detail.  The material used is called BTI and is not a pesticide; it is a bacteria based substance that kills mosquito larvae.  Also, it does not involve private property as the applications are into the public waterways at low tide.  Stabile mentioned a potential cost of $2,000/month for an outside company to apply the larvicide.  She also stated her concern about the potential proliferation of toxic spraying by property owners to combat the problem.  Other speakers also supported the program.

Facts Matter

It appears that the Village Attorney did not have all the facts about the program when he did his legal research.  The larvicide, a bacteria named Bacillus thurengiensis Israelensis, is a selective, naturally occurring soil bacterium and is generally considered to be non-toxic.  Furthermore, the application would not occur on private property. 

It is now up to the BOT as to whether they reinstate the program and add funding for the larvicide application to the upcoming budget that is currently being prepared.

Disclaimer: the author is a resident of Shore Acres.