Public Minutes

September 1, 2006

 

 

Windham School Board

At the Planning Department

(Joint meeting with the Windham Board of Selectmen)

 

MEMBERS PRESENT: Galen Stearns, Beverly Donovan, Barbara Coish, Dr. Bruce
Anderson arrived at 4:10. Roxanne Wilson, Assistant Superintendent

Barbara Coish opened the meeting at 4:00 PM and joined the Selectman’s meeting that was already called to order.

WINDHAM BOARD OF SELECTMEN present: Galen Stearns, Roger Hohenberger, Margaret Crisler, and Dennis Senibaldi were present. Mr. Sullivan was excused. Mrs. Call and Mr. Turner were also present.

MOSQUITO CONTROL PROGRAM: Mr. Turner reported on a meeting he attended on August 31 held by the NH Department of Health & Human Services. The meeting was to alert local Health Officers of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE)-positive mosquito pools found in NH and to recommend that certain towns within Rockingham County consider spraying for adult mosquitoes. Mr. Turner noted that this is the first time the state has ever recommended mosquito spraying. Discussion with the Board ensued regarding the State’s resources and the potential twenty-five percent reimbursement for spraying.

Mr. Turner introduced Mike Morrison from Municipal Pest Management Services, Inc., the Town’s consultant running the mosquito control program. Discussion ensued regarding the general results of the current larvaciding program in Windham, as well as test results in surrounding towns. Mr. Morrison discussed the types of “adulticiding” and recommends that Windham utilize residual spraying around the perimeter of parks, schools and athletic fields. Several Board members asked questions regarding the spraying. Mr. Morrison explained that they spray a multi-insecticide called “Crosscheck Plus”, which kills and repels adult mosquitoes and lasts approximately 2-3 weeks. It is applied using a hydraulic sprayer similar to a garden hose and is sprayed on perimeter brush areas, not directly onto the fields themselves (this would only be recommended if a EEE-positive pool was found in Windham). The insecticide is mixed with water and, once dried, is not harmful to humans, animals, bees, etc., but would be harmful to flowering plants, which would be avoided in the application.

Maribeth Arling of Windham Soccer Association inquired as to how long kids would need to stay off the fields once the spraying takes place. Mr. Morrison indicated that it sticks to the surface on which it is applied and dries within minutes, thus there is no waiting period to stay off the fields and it is not affected by rains. It would, however, be applied at night, to ensure that no one is using the fields at the time of application. Ms. Arling indicated that the Soccer Association would likely cancel practices anyway, so as to avoid disrupting any spraying that may take place. Mr. Turner read the list of fields that would be included in the spraying as follows: Nashua Road soccer field, Griffin Park, Searles soccer field, Rogers field including Wonderland Playground, Center School field, Windham Middle School field and Golden Brook School field. Mr. Morrison indicated that spraying would take place over the course of 1-2 nights.

Mr. Hohenberger asked about the cost to spray and if we could change our existing larvaciding program to include the proposed adulticiding as part of our existing funding. Mr. Morrison estimated the cost to spray would be approximately $300-400 per site. Spraying at the school fields would include spraying the perimeter of the buildings. Discussion ensued regarding the Rail-Trail bike path and it was determined that the Town would simply post signs at the entrances, as it would not be feasible to spray this area. Mr. Senibaldi inquired about our existing mosquito traps throughout town and Mr. Morrison indicated that Mr. Turner receives periodic results of the trapping.

Mr. Carpenter arrived at 4:35 pm.

Barbara Coish, Windham School Board member, indicated that the School Board would be willing to contribute towards the cost of spraying the school fields to ensure that everything is included. Consensus of the Board was that as long as Mr. Morrison could adjust the larvaciding to include the adulticiding within the current mosquito program budget, the Town would not look to the school for reimbursement at this time.

Mr. Stearns asked Mr. Morrison if the town/school would need to alter practice times for sports programs through the end of the season (i.e. to end before dusk) and Mr. Morrison indicated that if the Town elects to do the spraying as recommended, this would not be necessary, unless a positive EEE pool is ultimately detected in Windham.

Ms. Wilson asked about the effect of the spraying on the water table. Mr. Morrison indicated that because the insecticide sticks to the surface on which it is applied, and it is applied in diluted amounts, it does not move into the soils, thus there is no risk to ground water or wells.

Mr. Stearns inquired about any necessary permits for spraying and Mr. Morrison confirmed that nothing more is needed, as emergency spraying was included in our current permit application filed with the State.

Mr. Hohenberger motioned to adjust our existing mosquito control program to include adulticiding (spraying as outlined) in the areas previously designated by Mr. Turner, attempting to keep the costs within the program budget of $35,000. Mrs. Crisler seconded. Mr. Carpenter asked that notification of spraying times and locations be coordinated with Cheryl Haas, Recreation Coordinator. Passed unanimously.

As part of a joint School Board meeting, Mrs. Coish motioned to authorize Municipal Pest Management Services, Inc. to spray on school property as previously designated. Mrs. Donovan seconded. Passed unanimously.

Mrs. Crisler then requested that Town staff continue the public outreach to warn residents of EEE and the precautions that should be taken, even with the spraying. Mrs. Call noted that flyers have been posted at all town and school recreational areas outlining the precautions residents should take.

Mrs. Crisler form the Board of Selectman motioned and Mr. Senibaldi seconded to adjourn. Passed unanimously.

Mrs. Coish from the School Board motioned to adjourn, seconded by Beverly Donovan. Passed unanimously.

The meeting was adjourned at 4:55 P.M.

Respectfully submitted,

Dana Call, Finance Director/Assistant Town Administrator

Note: These minutes are in draft form and have not been submitted to the Board for approval.