Acton is no place for SGAR use
Acton Public Works does not use SGARs. Neither should we, and neither should business owners.
It’s distressing to read in the May 23 Bridge that the owner of a store that prides itself on stewardship, sustainability, and support of healthy communities also supports the continued use of SGARs.
Article 36 seeks to ban the use of SGARs but allows for exceptions. There is no reason to exempt businesses from the requirements of Article 36 because it stipulates that a business owner — or anyone — can petition the Board of Health for an exception if there is a need to remediate a public health condition. That should be a rare occurrence if care is taken to rodent-proof buildings, keep premises clean, and, when necessary, use traps or poisons that do not make their way up the food chain. There are pest-control companies that are willing to eliminate rats without using SGARs, which kill not only their target species, but also the birds and animals that help keep rats under control.
Acton Public Works does not use SGARs. Neither should we, and neither should business owners.
Janice Locke
Spring Road
