Jackson considers hiring firm for second spraying
BY DAVE BENJAMIN Staff Writer

Jackson Councilman Scott Martin

JACKSON - Gypsy moths flying over Jackson this spring better look over their shoulders (if they have shoulders).

After signing up for an aerial spraying program provided by the state that will seek to mitigate property damage from an expected gypsy moth infestation, township officials are considering hiring a private firm to provide a second application of Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis).

Councilman Scott Martin said he has been in touch with two firms, but noted that because the cost of the spraying is expected to exceed $17,500 the Township Council will be required to solicit bids for the work.

Council members may make a decision on the second application within the coming weeks.

In an e-mail to Martin from Chuck Webber of Rebecca Lynn Flying Service Inc.,Webber wrote, "Thank you for the opportunity to quote you an (estimated) price on spraying 12,660-plus acres … "

Webber said a deposit would be required from Jackson by March 21.

Martin said he was told that a signed contract would have to be completed and in hand no later than March 5.

"The sooner that you book us the better your chances are of having an aerial application business take on your work and stop taking on any more work, as we can and will only take on so much work,"Webber wrote. "We are currently booking work in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York and Connecticut."

Webber said his firm, if hired, would use two turbine-powered and one pistonpowered fixed-wing aircraft to complete the work.

Martin also received an estimate from Joe Cordoba, president of Cordoba Helicopters. Cordoba said spraying from helicopters would give better coverage and penetration on the 12,000 acres to be sprayed.

"Cordoba Helicopters worked for Jackson several years in a row during the last heavy gypsy moth infestations in the 1980s, so we are very familiar with the township areas," Cordoba said. "In fact, we used Johnson Park to fly out of, and that allowed us to perform the job quickly and efficiently as we were in direct contact with township supervisors for the operation."

He said the firm has been spraying in New Jersey for 35 years. The firm also has contracts with the states of New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Maryland, as well as with Washington, D.C., parks, military bases, the U.S. Forest Service and others.

Martin declined to reveal the estimates that were provided by the two firms in order to protect the bidding process that will be required.

"We are hoping the state hires additional vendors so we don't have to hire one ourselves," he said.

The basic benefit to Jackson, if the state hires additional vendors, would be the township's eligibility for federal reimbursement, he said.

"Our state senator, Robert Singer, has sent a letter to the agriculture department asking them to hire additional vendors for this reason," Martin said.

In the spring of 2007, trees and property in many areas of Jackson were damaged by an infestation of gypsy moth caterpillars. State agriculture officials have said that a more significant infestation of caterpillars is imminent this spring.

Jackson did not participate in the state's aerial spraying program last year. The cost to participate in the state's aerial spraying program in 2008 is expected to be about $500,000 for one application of Bt on 12,000-plus acres.