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2026 Annual Town Meeting, Town of Arlington, MA
Article: 32
Warrant Article Title:
HOME RULE LEGISLATION / PROHIBIT FIRST GENERATION
ANTICOAGULANT RODENTICIDES (FGARS) IN ARLINGTON
Warrant Article Text:
To see if the Town will vote to submit a Home Rule petition to the
state legislature requesting permission for the town of Arlington to
ban the use of First-Generation Anticoagulant Rodenticides
(FGARs)--warfarin, diphacinone, and chlorophacinone–in
Arlington borders (including on private properties); or take any
action related thereto.
Requested By:
Laura Kiesel and ten registered voters
Report Excerpt:
Vote and comment to Town Meeting - Favorable Action (4-0)
Mr. Helmuth recused himself.
The Select Board voted unanimously (Mr. Helmuth recused
himself) to recommend favorable action on this warrant article to
file home rule legislation seeking to regulate and ban the use in
town by pesticide applicators of First-Generation Anticoagulant
Rodenticides (FGARs). The Board heard from the article’s
proponent, who explained the purpose of the proposed legislation
as a means of protecting Arlington’s wildlife. It was noted by
Board members that the Board has consistently supported efforts
to limit the use of FGARs and Second-Generation Anticoagulant
Rodenticides (SGARs) in Arlington.
Last year, following an affirmative vote of Town Meeting, home
rule legislation was refiled to regulate and ban SGARs in
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Arlington, legislation that was previously filed with the Legislature
in 2022 pursuant to prior Town Meeting action. That bill, H4571,
remains pending in the legislature.
Vote Language:
That the Town does hereby request and authorize the Select
Board to file Home Rule Legislation to provide substantially as
follows:
“AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE TOWN OF ARLINGTON TO
PROHIBIT USE OF FIRST GENERATION ANTI-COAGULANT
RODENTICIDES”
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in the
General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as
follow:
Section 1.Notwithstanding chapter 132B of the General Laws or
any other general or special law to the contrary, the town of
Arlington may regulate through local bylaw or board of health
regulation or ordinance the use of first generation anti-coagulant
rodenticides, including, but not limited to warfarin, diphacinone,
and chlorophacinone, within the town of Arlington, including
prohibiting the use of such pesticides by licensed commercial
applicators as defined in 333 C.M.R. 10.00
Section 2.This Act will take effect upon its passage.”
Select Board Report
