
Persistence pays! On November 4, the popular coastal community of Ogunquit passed a ballot to ban cosmetic pesticides after an earlier vote in June was nullified due to procedural mishaps. “Cosmetic” refers to the fact that the pesticides’ use is strictly for aesthetics, rather than food production. The Ogunquit policy allows the use of pesticides permitted by the Organic Materials Review Institute or the USDA National Organic Program on both public and private property within the town’s jurisdiction. According to Beyond Pesticides, Maine is one of only seven states that allow their municipalities to adopt their own pesticide ordinances. Ogunquit patterned its ordinance after the first U.S. municipality to enact such a ban, Takoma Park, Maryland. Nice going, Ogunquit!