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HomeMy Public PortalAboutWatertown Pesticide Free Zones Signs - IndividualCity of Watertown, MA  ARPA Project Proposal Submitted by: Debra Smith Submitted on: May 26, 2023 Request Number: ARPA-22 Project Name: Watertown Pesticide Free Zones Signs Proposal Type: Individual Recommended Project Manager: Board of Health could be helpful in promoting this project. Project Summary: The Watertown Pesticide Free Zone Sign Project seeks to educate the public and create pesticide free zones in the City of Watertown.  This is a voluntary project that the public would do to promote a healthier community. The 2023 Spring Organic Landscaping Series at the Watertown Free Public Library from March 2023 to June 2023, has taught us about what organic landscaping is, how using pesticides affects our health, our children’s health, the waste water and practical ways to not use pesticides and its costs.    From the most recent lecture on May 18, 2023, we learned that there are significant health concerns to ourselves, our families and esp. to our children in the community due to the pesticide use on our lawns and local business lawns.  Not promoting a safer community doesn’t appear to be an option any longer.  Educating the community with signs at no charge to bring health concerns to the attention of the public and the library’s programs should lead to the reduction of pesticide  use.    Watertown has such positive plans to reduce the effects of climate change and is not using pesticides on public lands, but at this time can’t require residents or local businesses to stop using pesticides in Watertown.  This 2023 Spring Organic Landscaping Series has provided education, but residents don’t know which homes and apartments are free of pesticide so they can walk their dog, go for a walk with children and the elderly and feel safe. Signs would be free and available at the Board of Health, at the information desk at the farmer’s market and at the library. Amount of ARPA Funds Requested: $15,000 Minimum Funds Needed: $12,000 Matching funds available? No Other funds available? No Project Narrative: I will use the form to enter narrative Narrative description of the project: The 2023 Spring Organic Landscaping Series at the Watertown Free Public Library from March 2023 to June 2023, has taught us about what organic landscaping is, how using pesticides affects our health, our children’s health, the waste water and practical ways to not use pesticides and its costs.  All of the programs have been recorded and are on the library’s website.  From the most recent lecture on May 18, 2023, we learned that there are significant health concerns to ourselves, our families and esp. to our children in the community due to the pesticide use on our lawns.  Not promoting a safer community doesn’t appear to be an option any longer.  Educating the community with signs at no charge to bring it to the attention of the public and the library’s programs should lead to the reduction of pesticide  use.    Watertown has such positive plans to reduce the effects of climate change and is not using pesticides on public lands, but at this time can’t require residents to stop using pesticides in Watertown.  This 2023 Spring Organic Landscaping Series has provided education, but residents don’t know which home and apartments are free of pesticide so they can walk their dog, go for a walk with children and the elderly and feel safe. Signs would be free and available at the Board of Health, at the information desk at the farmer’s market and at the library. Having areas that are free from pesticides would promote a healthier Watertown community. Detailed Project Budget: 500 Ladybug and Honey Bee Pesticide Free Zone Signs $6,250 10,000 Pesticide Free Doorknob Hangers for $4,200 Shipping $50.00 Total Costs $10,500 These signs will be obtained from Beyond Pesticides from Washington, D.C.  Note, more signs could be ordered if project is approved. Additional money is sought for the City of Watertown's costs for mailing with the tax bill of $12,000-$15,000. Timeline for the project: 6/1/2023 to 6/1/2025.  The signs would be ordered and obtained as soon as the project is approved.  Resources required in addition to the ARPA funding: None. Metrics for success of the project: Seeking the City of Watertown assistance such as a leer with tax bill could include the signs are available for free at the Board of Health, the library and at the Farmer’s Market Informaon Desk. Outputs / outcomes: Having Funds for Pesticide Free Zones, would create a healthier community.  What will be the overall benefit? After hearing Dr. Sarah Evans speak as part of the 2023 Spring Organic Landscaping Series on May 18, 2023, which was recorded on the Library’s website and one more program in the series on June 15, 2023, residents of the City of Watertown can watch it and learn of the health concerns due to pesticide use. Having less pesticides in the community would help the health of the residents of City of Watertown. Watertown Pesticide Free Zones Signs Proposal by Debra L. Smith Educating the public about the dangers of pesticide use is important as the science is becoming clearer. Watertown is committed to green spaces, a healthier community and reducing the risks of climate change from our net zero public schools and new construction, but more needs to be done to educate the public, including new business construction of the concerns from pesticide use. This Spring 2023, we have an informative lecture series at the Watertown Free Public Library. More information needs to encourage residents of Watertown to get educated about not using pesticides. An unintended impact of COVID 19, was that more of the public have been outside gardening and working on their lawns. Children play on the lawns. Families met family and friends outside on their grass. It is so important for the health of our community to reduce the use of pesticides on the grass. There has been an increase in childhood illnesses, autism and other health concerns in our community that the data is showing. The City of Watertown should put information about the signs in the newsletter with the tax bill and request to residents to take the signs and post them where no pesticides are used. Also, Watertown Cable Access T.V. could talk about a community project of the signs and the reduction in pesticide use that the City is promoting. A letter with tax bill could include the signs are available for free at the Board of Health, the library and at the Farmer’s Market Information Desk. Here is information about the 2023 Virtual Organic Landscaping Series for the Watertown Free Public Library on March 16, 2023, April 20, 2023, May 18, 2023 and June 15, 2023 from 7-8:30 P.M. Here is the link for the program held on March 16, 2023, with Jim Agabedis, from Minuteman Landscaping: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xj9N7zMXIWM Here is the link for the program held on April 20, 2023, with Denise Breiteneicher from Mass Water Resources Authority : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=47K4t5mOMSQ Here is the link for the program held on May 18, 2023 with Sara Evans, PhD, MPH, Assistant Professor of Environmental Medicine and Public Health who spoke on “the latest science on how pesticides impact health, children’s unique vulnerability, and steps that families can take to reduce pesticide exposures:” https://youtu.be/OXCIKDO8dHk Here how to register for the program on June 15, 2023 to hear Chip Osborne for a presentation on “how municipalities can make a commitment to caring for public lands without the use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, including examples from the towns of Wellesley and Marblehead. Fear of failure is a common limiting factor to a more widespread adoption of organic practices. Just as one needs education to manage with chemicals, education is needed to manage with alternative practices”. https://reservations.watertownlib.org/virtual-organic-landscaping-series-chip-osborne-organic-landscaper Now is the time to work on education to the public with signs proposed in this project. If we do little, then we will be paying later to clean up the City of Watertown from continued pesticide use in our waste water, paying for our children’s health issues and our own health costs.