Council discusses mosquito spraying program; OK’s closing W. John Fitch

By JIM BROOKS
Nelson County Gazette / WBRT Radio

Tuesday, July 8, 2014, 11 p.m. — The state-funded mosquito spraying program will return to Bardstown in the near future, according to Mayor Bill Sheckles.

Benson Bell, who serves as executive director of the Kentucky Department of Consumers and Environmental Protection, addressed Tuesday’s meeting of the Bardstown City Council to explain the spraying program.

The pesticide the Department of Agriculture uses in the spraying program is called Duet, an EPA-approved pesticide designed to mimic pyrethrins, the natural insecticides found in chrysanthemum flowers. Bell said the spraying program uses one ounce per acre covered.

Bell explained that the spraying program takes place at night when mosquitoes are flying, and when beneficial insects like bees and butterflies are dormant. Duet is also biodegradable and it breaks down on exposure to light.

Bell also explained the program’s procedures for avoiding spraying the pesticide in areas where residents may have concerns. “It would be unusual for someone to get sick from this chemical,” he explained.

“What we’re trying to do here is offer a solution,” Bell said. “I understand there are questions about the chemical we spray. If you let us spray in the city, we’ll get the information out to newspapers and media, and let people know the nights we’ll be spraying so they can their plans, animals or children in the house.”

Sheckles said he would like to plan to spray the entire city, and said that city residents with concerns or who wish to not have the area around their home sprayed should contact the mayor’s office.

“We want to make the community well aware of what we’re going to do and when we’re going to do it,” Sheckles said.

NEW POLICE OFFICERS.  With family and friends in attendance, Dalton Pinkston and Derek Sidebottom were sworn-in as Bardstown’s newest police officers.  The addition of the two officers brings the police force back to its full strength, with all authorized positions funded in the budget year that began July 1, Sheckles said.

EXCAVATION BID. The council approved a $443,053 bid for excavation work that will eventually move currently overhead utilities in the Demaree and Guthrie Drives area underground. The work is made possible by a FEMA grant of $330,000 to fund the utility relocation. The neighborhood has had a history of utility service problems, and moving overhead lines underground will reduce service interruptions.

The bid is just for the excavation work, explained Jeff Mills, the city’s electrical engineer. The electrical wiring work will be done by the city utility staff, he said.

WEST FITCH CLOSED. The council approved Bethlehem High School’s request to close West John Fitch Avenue in the area behind the school. The vote came after questions by the council about who would own and maintain the closed roadway, and what power the ordinance in question actually gave the mayor — specifically, the council was uneasy about the power to deed the property from the city.

City Attorney Bruce Reynolds explained that the wording in the ordinance was standard “boilerplate,” and that the mayor had no intention of doing anything other than closing the street for Bethlehem’s use while the city retained ownership.

Councilman Joe Buckman cast the sole vote against the measure, citing the language in the ordinance that could allow a future mayor to quit-claim the property over to Bethlehem or another property owner.

In other action, the council:

— approved a mobile food vendor permit application from Smokin’ Em All BBQ from Hodgenville. Sheckles said Jess Smith, the owner, plans to bring his food truck to Bardstown once a month;

— gave final approval of the classification and compensation plan that sets pay scales for city employees.

NEXT UP. The Bardstown City Council will next meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 22.

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