Efforts are underway to improve the quality of life for Middletown residents as the town takes steps to address potential environmental issues from a range of sources, including fertilizers and pesticides.
The Town Council recently approved new voluntary policies aimed at reducing the harmful effects of chemicals on local waterways and beaches. The policies, known as “Policy 20,” address everything from why the town wants to reduce chemicals in the community to the steps to help reach those goals on an individual basis and more.
“It’s all about appropriate use of fertilizers and pesticides,” Town Planner Ronald M. Wolanski said. “With an ordinance, there were a lot of questions about how something like that could be enforceable, so we decided it made the most sense to go the policy route. That way, it’s clear what we endorse as a community and what our expectations are for homeowners and businesses.”
An educational and outreach effort is a key component of the new policies, which aim to educate residents about how reducing fertilizers and pesticides can help make Middletown healthier. The policy paper highlights that damage done from fertilizers and pesticides runoff into local waterways and beaches can have serious ramifications for the health of the community and the environment.
Wolanski said the policy does not ban the use of fertilizers and pesticides, but instead recommends moderation and safe use. Encouraging anyone who uses such chemicals on their lawns or elsewhere to “read the label,” the policy paper suggests that people often use too much and cause problems they never envisioned.
Suggesting that letting Mother Nature do her part was usually the best solution, Welch said planting more native plants was important too. “One of the easiest things we can do is not remove the clippings when we cut the grass,” Welch said. “If you don’t take the grass clippings, it’s a nice ecosystem rotating through.”
Read more on this from the Town of Middletown here.
Generative artificial intelligence (AI) assisted a What’sUpNewp journalist with the reporting included in this story.
