Yarmouth Board reviews Massachusetts Coastal Railroad vegetation plan; board asks staff to follow up on herbicide timing and resident notification

The Town of Yarmouth Board of Health reviewed the Massachusetts Coastal Railroad’s yearly vegetation-control plan at its June 15 meeting and discussed concerns about herbicide timing, notification for residents and alternatives to chemical treatment.

Staff reported the plan falls within existing regulations and that the state Department of Agricultural Resources has approved it. Board members referenced the town’s previous detailed comment letter opposing certain herbicide uses and outlining timing concerns. One board member said the railroad’s response disagreed with an earlier suggestion to move some applications to late fall or winter; another said an expert on the board had recommended later fall timing for brush applications to improve efficacy.

Members raised practical concerns about notifying residents—particularly renters—when applications are scheduled and about impacts on pets and well water. The board reviewed prior correspondence included in the meeting packet and asked staff (Carl) to pull the earlier letters and the railroad’s responses so the board can consider sending an updated comment letter.

The discussion also touched on alternative vegetation controls (mechanical removal, goats, nonchemical options) and an experimental reference in the packet to laser or electric-current methods; staff agreed to investigate whether any progress has been made on such alternatives in the past year.

Next steps: the board directed staff to follow up with the railroad and provide a clearer summary of prior comments and the railroad’s responses so the board can decide whether to send a letter or undertake additional local mitigation or notification measures. No formal motion or vote on the plan was recorded at the meeting.