A Southport resident wants to prohibit application of chemical-based herbicides and pesticides on lawns and woodlands, especially along shorelines, abutting logs, marshes and streams. Sigrid Kopf sent selectmen a letter seeking a town ordinance banning herbicides and pesticides. She also attended the April 3 board meeting seeking advice on how to initiate a warrant article. In her letter, she wrote: “Walking around the island and smelling chemicals being applied to lawns by a worker in hazmat protection is something that should not be allowed. We should be a beacon of a good stewardship.”

Selectman Gerry Gamage advised her to discuss her proposal with the planning board which was also in session April 3. In her letter, Kopf wrote in 1972, there was a warrant article which prohibited all state and commercial pesticides. “This was requested by Marjorie Barter and passed. I believe this was regarding spraying along the roadsides,” she wrote. “Much has changed in 52 years that have gone by, but the harmful side effects of these applications have not, especially with run-off from around many of those homes.”

In other action, selectmen approved Morgan Mitchell’s request to rent the town hall. Mitchell sought the May 18 rental for the Little Dippers’ annual meeting and potluck supper.

Selectmen meet next at 5 p.m. April 10 in the municipal building.