In a letter dated June 26 signed by Upton Conservation Commission Chair, Christine Scott, the Conservation Commission is recommending the Upton Board of Health implement mosquito control measures and educate the public on personal protection.
The Town of Upton voted down joining the Central Massachusetts Mosquito Control Program (CMMCP) at the Upton Annual Town Meeting. Although the Conservation Commission did not support Upton joining the CMMCP, Scott writes they “believe it is important that the town take measures to reduce the risk of mosquito borne illness.”
The Conservation Commission was against joining the CMMCP because the program included nuisance spraying and also because the state laws allows these types of programs to circumvent the Wetlands Protection Act. There was also concerns about the impact on bees, butterflies, other insects, and aquatic life.
“We do see the value of other measures offered by mosquito control programs, including surveillance, public education, application or larvicides to catch basins, and tire removal programs.” Scott writes.
The Conservation Commission made 7 recommendations regarding mosquito measures:
- increasing public information about personal protection
- explore opportunities for surveillance programs through the state
- institute a removal program, map locations of catch basins/storm water detention basins
- explore developing a catch basin larvicide application program with Mendon
- contact other BOH regarding their programs
- encourage the state senator and state reps to support reform of Chapter 252 of MGL to require all state mosquito programs to be more flexible
UPTON DAILY 
Treatment of catch basins, and more flexibility in the state program! Thank you, Christine Scott, for offering our Board of Health some constructive ideas.
Cheers to common sense effective Mosquito control that doesn’t involve dousing Upton with excessive spraying~