Opposition grows to herbicide use at Fairfield parks

Some Fairfield residents are pushing for an end to the use of herbicides in public open areas. Residents started a petition in October after officials treated weeds along Penfield Mills, a popular

News 12 Staff

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Mar 22, 2016, 4:02 AM

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Updated 3,180 days ago

Some Fairfield residents are pushing for an end to the use of herbicides in public open areas.

Residents started a petition in October after officials treated weeds along Penfield Mills, a popular walking trail. The petitions specifically target to eliminate the use of Roundup.

Residents worry that the chemicals are harmful and can cause serious health problems.

Fairfield resident Mary Jean Green says she spends every day in Penfield Mills, usually with her dog. She says the town's conservation department used Roundup to kill off invasive weeds.

"It kills every small organism it comes in contact with," says Green.

Town Conservation Director Brian Carey says an invasive weed was found all over the property and licensed officials used a minimal amount of the herbicide to stop the species from returning.

Most Connecticut towns face this problem and Carey says they all use a form of this herbicide.

"I would never put the people and the town at risk by something that was being done incorrectly or something I really didn't think was a benefit to the town," says Carey.

Conservationists say they've used the herbicide in the town in the past.

They say it's not something that is done regularly, only when the state says it's the most cost-effective and rational plan to handle invasive species going forward.