Aye Nay Abstain

Baratta X

Etler X

Tedeschi X

Trawinski X

Weinstein X

September 11, 2007

RESOLUTION NO. 279-2007


By Councilmember Baratta


Seconded by Deputy Mayor Tedeschi


WHEREAS, it is the desire of the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Fair Lawn to promote matters which benefit the health, welfare, comfort and safety of the citizens of the community; and

WHEREAS, scientific studies associate exposure to pesticides with asthma, cancer, developmental and learning disabilities, nerve and immune system damage, liver or kidney damage, reproductive impairment, birth defects and disruption of the endocrine system; and

WHEREAS, infants, children, pregnant women, the elderly and people with compromised immune systems and chemical sensitivities are especially vulnerable to pesticide effects and exposure; and

WHEREAS, lawn pesticides are harmful to pets, wildlife, soil microbiology, plants, and natural ecosystems and can run off into streams, lakes and drinking water sources; and

WHEREAS, Integrated Pest Management is the coordinated use of pest and environmental information and all available pest control methods (sanitation, mechanical, biological and "least toxic" chemical) to prevent unacceptable levels of pest damage by the most economical means with the least possible hazard to people, property and the environment; and

WHEREAS, Integrated Pest Management has been investigated and considered by the Environmental Commission and is recommended by the Environmental Commission as a desirable and appropriate policy in order to reduce or eliminate the use of pesticides; and

WHEREAS, the Borough of Fair Lawn does maintain public properties at which pest management issues are an ongoing concern; and

WHEREAS, the Mayor and Council have determined that it is in the best interest of the health, welfare, comfort and safety of the Borough's citizens to adopt Integrated Pest Management as the Borough's pest management policy;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Fair Lawn that the Borough does hereby adopt Integrated Pest Management, as the pest control policy and strategy to be employed in the maintenance of the Borough's public properties and facilities; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Fair Lawn encourage all citizens to make every effort to participate in this endeavor on their own property, and that the Borough will designate certain public properties such as community parks as "Pesticide Free Zones". These areas will be posted with a sign indicated that chemical pesticides have not been applied at the site.

The within Resolution was duly adopted

by the Borough Council at their meeting

on September 11, 2007.