BORDENTOWN TOWNSHIP: Committee pauses for ecosystem

Township pondering pros and cons of mosquito spraying

By David Kilby, Special Writer
   BORDENTOWN TOWNSHIP — The pellet form of a chemical spread by helicopter to kill mosquito colonies in the municipality has raised environmental issues, since the pellets are believed to interrupt the ecosystem and affect pollinizing insects including bees.
   Committeewoman Jill Popko, liaison to the Bordentown Township Environmental Commission, said the committee should look into this issue before it plans to spray the pellets again. A resolution to authorize the spraying this year came before the committee at its Feb. 11 meeting.
   ”It (the pellet spraying) does affect our bee colonies,” Ms. Popko said. “There are a number of studies that say these pellets do have something to do with the colony collapse in farmlands. So I have an issue with that. It also is affecting the waterways. In the waterways there are small shrimp and all different kinds of natural fresh water life.
   ”Unfortunately it’s creating a cycle. We have to keep using these chemicals rather than having what’s naturally there to kill (the mosquitoes),” she said.
   Ms. Popko said even though the township has been using the chemical for many years, there are still many mosquitoes in the township.
   ”I’m not exactly sure how much this is helping our mosquito problem, however I am convinced that (the companies or people) making these chemicals are making a lot of money.”
   Mayor Jim Cann said the chemical, a dense carbon compound with the generic name “temephos,” is not sprayed over residential areas.
   Committeeman Karl Feltes said Rutgers University has a program where they study how these kinds of chemicals affect natural habitats, adding “I respect the scholars that they have.”
   He said the mosquito problem is similar to a medical complication that can take one’s life. The treatment a doctor gives for such a complication may cause other problems, but at least the patient will live.
   ”It’s a balancing act we do here,” Mr. Feltes said. “Working under the assumption that the benefit is better than the adverse consequences I would be supportive of spreading (the pellets).”
   Ms. Popko stated that the chemical is not toxic to humans, and said her main concern is “colony collapse that will affect us much more than West Nile (Virus) will. The chances of someone getting deathly ill from West Nile is pretty minimal here,” she continued. “On the other hand we do have a crisis with colony collapse. We lose billions of dollars each year to crop loss because our crops aren’t getting pollinated.
   ”I’m not sure they’re taking this into account when they go and pellet these areas.”
   Bruce Hill, of Mission Road, and a former mayor of Bordentown Township, said when he was on the committee residents had voiced West Nile Virus concerns.
   ”Not only did they want one spraying, but they wanted two sprayings,” Mr. Hill said of his interaction with residents back then.
   ”If you put a press release out saying you’re not going to spray I guarantee you this room will be filled with residents saying ‘you’re not gonna get my vote again,’ because what they care about is their children and themselves and what this township is going to do to protect them from West Nile,” he said. “You can do all the studies you want, but when you have people who get into a panic remember they’re your constituents. I’m for the environment and all that, but you’re talking about the welfare of the residents. “
   The contract for the spraying begins April 1, so the township has until then to commit, said Colleen Ebert, township clerk.
   ”I would just say it may be our only viable alternative in keeping the mosquito population down,” Mayor Cann said.
   The mayor said the spraying comes out of the county tax revenue, so there wouldn’t be any savings to the township if they decided not to spray.
   Ms. Popko said the chemical is spread into natural wildlife habitats.
   The committee decided to make no decision on the matter at this time, choosing rather to wait for more information.