STRUCTURE AND ADMINISTRATION

History:  In the late 1950s the public demand for relief from diminished property values, public health risks, and residents' inability to enjoy summer activities due to extreme mosquito populations resulted in the organization of the Essex County Mosquito Control Project (ECMCP).

Legislation:  The ECMCP's enabling legislation (establishing act) is Chapter 516 of the Acts of 1958.  The ECMCP operates under the authority of Chapters 252 and 112 of The General Laws of the Commonwealth, GLC.  Chapter 410 of the Acts of 1996 changed the name to The Northeast Massachusetts Mosquito Control and Wetlands Management District (the District).

Structures:  The District is governed at the state level by the State Reclamation and Mosquito Control Board (SRB). Housed within the Massachusetts Department of Food and Agriculture, the SRB is a three member board, consisting of one member from the Department of Food and Agriculture, who serves as Chairperson, one member from the Department of Environmental Protection, and one member from the Department of Conservation and Recreation.  Board members are appointed by their Secretariat and receive no additional compensation.  The function of the SRB is to execute the provisions of Chapter 252, set policy, and oversee and appoint Commissioners to Mosquito Control Projects or Districts.  A Board of Commissioners governs the District at the local level.

Commissioners are appointed by the SRB from candidates solicited from each member municipality.  Appointments are based on geographic representation, environmental, and/or public health knowledge. The function of the Commission is to approve budgets and expenditures, establish policy, insure the District operates in the best interest of  it's constituents, and appoint the District Director.  The Director is responsible for the day to day administration, operations, and execution of the policies and procedures established by the Commission.

Municipal Subscription:  Any municipality within the jurisdictional boundaries of the District (Essex County, Winthrop, and Revere) may subscribe to the District's services by majority vote of a town meeting or by vote of a Board of Selectman or City Council and approval of the Mayor.  A municipality must remain a subscriber for three years, after which they may withdraw.