Rodenticides in Integrated Pest Management Plans for Municipally Owned Property
1-1. Authorization: This policy is promulgated in accordance with the Massachusetts authority granted by Chapter 55 of the Acts and Resolves of 1956 as amended through January 3, 2024, and any other applicable provisions of State and Federal Law.
1-2. Purpose: The purpose of this policy is to reduce the unnecessary wildlife, pet and farm poisonings and potential harm to children. This policy aims to specifically codify the application and use of Second Generation Anticoagulant Rodenticides (SGARs) at properties under the care and control of the Town of Williamstown.
Section A: Applicability – This policy applies to all Town-owned property including buildings, grounds, parks, open spaces, and the public right of way, and shall be adhered to by all employees of the Town of Williamstown, as well as third party vendors and contractor providing services at Town-owned property.
Section B: Definitions – As used in this policy, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
1. RODENTICIDES – A subclass of pesticides, defined under the Massachusetts Pesticide Control Act G.L.c.132B as substances or mixtures of substances intended to prevent, destroy, repel, or mitigate rodents that are declared to be pests by the Massachusetts pesticide board.
2. SECOND-GENERATION ANTICOAGULANT RODENTICIDES (SGARs) – Rodenticides developed to control rodents that are resistant to First-Generation Anticoagulant Rodenticides and contain compounds that interfere with blood clotting and cause death from excessive bleeding while also remaining in animal tissues for an extended period-of-time. These products currently include, but are not limited to, those containing brodifacoum, bromadiolone, difenacoum, or difethialone.
Section C: Use of Second-Generation Anticoagulant Rodenticides – The use of SGARs on municipally-owned properties is hereby prohibited as of the effective date of this policy.
Section D: Emergency Waivers – Emergency waivers for the use of SGARs on municipally-owned property may be obtained from the Town Manager. Emergency waivers shall be restricted in time and location and shall only be granted after a well-documented request detailing a significant rodent infestation of public health consequence that has already exhausted all workable less-toxic integrated pest and rodent management practices.
Section E: Effective Date – The effective date of this policy is December 1, 2025.