Fears of EEE and West Nile Viruses Convince Voters To Fund Mosquito Control Project [with video]

With the Commonwealth of Massachusetts ranked by the CDC as #2 in the country for mosquito borne Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) which according to Board of Health member Jason Weber is "bad news if you get it... exceedingly bad" and the West Nile Virus, while not quite as bad as EEE still can leave victims with neurological issues, Town Meeting voters overwhelmingly supported joining the Central Massachusetts Mosquito Control Project. The CMMCP was formed under state statue and provides a year round program of mosquito control in 40 cities and towns in Middlesex and Worcester Counties.

Weber told voters that CMMCP is a well-established program that does much more than mosquito spraying. There are several methods employed by the project, including larva control using naturally occurring bacteria which acts as a toxin to the larvae. Adult control is accomplished by truck-based spraying and residents can request the service, and areas can also be specifically excluded from spraying.

In addition, there is weekly trapping and testing of mosquitoes for signs of EEE or West Nile and a determination is made of infection rates in the local mosquito population. If there is a determination that any risk is present, this is communicated to residents.

Because EEE and West Nile are serious hazards to public health, there is also an education program for residents, school systems and senior populations, and education on risk reduction.

Cost for participation in the program is $73K per year and a three-year commitment is required for a total of $219,000. Payment is made through a reduction in the Cherry Sheet returns to the town.

CMMPC Executive Director Timothy Deschamps told voters that his organization tailors its work to each community. "We will learn the needs of Groton," noting that the larval control is also at the request of residents. He noted that trails can be accessed and there it likely to be spraying conducted on horse properties.

CMMPC is overseen by the State Reclamation & Mosquito Control Board, consisting of representatives from Dept. of Agricultural Resources, Dept. of Environmental Protection & Dept. of Conservation & Recreation - with close coordination with Dept. of Public Health.

A question was raised about risk to bees and Weber said that bees are usually in their hives at night when the spraying would occur. Beekeepers can register their location and opt out of spraying.

However it is a different story for fish. Weber said that the bacteria were not safe for fish and would not be used inside a 100-foot buffer in areas where there were fish present. He stressed that "Natural Heritage not imposed any restrictions" on the bacterial product.

There is a process for the exclusion of properties. Letters are sent to all City/Town Clerks in January with the information. Residents can register with Clerk, CMMCP or through their website to be excluded from the project.

Monthly schedules of spray notifications, are sent to all Boards of Health, City/Town Clerks & Police Departments two weeks prior to start of each month.

Street listings for spraying are available on CMMCP phone system after3:30 p.m. each day and on CMMCP website after 3:30 p.m. each day.

Asked if the CMMPC was required to go before the local Conservation Commission for approvals, Deschamps said that the project "is exempt from Con Com approvals," noting that they have conservation scientists on their staff. "It is in the best interest for us to have a good relationship with the town boards," and we would work with the Con Com on any concerns.