government
Lincoln could ban rat poison that thins blood
The town would be allowed to stop use of anticoagulant rodenticides, including by licensed commercial applicators. Lincoln’s Board of Health could still approve them for public-health cleanup.
A Massachusetts bill would let Lincoln bar anticoagulant rodenticides within town limits. The rule would still leave a narrow opening for the Board of Health to allow them for public-health cleanup.
- Lincoln could bar a specific class of rodent poison by local ordinance.
- Licensed commercial applicators would have to follow the town rule.
- The Board of Health could still allow use for public-health cleanup.
- The measure would take effect as soon as it is passed.
- In Massachusetts, Lincoln could get a local ban on anticoagulant rodenticides, a pesticide class used in rat control
In Massachusetts, Lincoln could get a local ban on anticoagulant rodenticides, a pesticide class used in rat control. The proposal would let the town prohibit their application by ordinance within Lincoln, and it would take effect upon passage.
The reach is broad enough to cover licensed commercial applicators, not just homeowners or property managers. The measure says Lincoln may act despite chapter 132B of the general laws or any other general or special law to the contrary, giving the town room to make its own call even where other rules might otherwise stand in the way.
A narrow public-health exception
The one built-in exception belongs to the town’s Board of Health. It could still allow the products when they are needed to remediate a public health condition, leaving room for targeted cleanup but not routine use.