Falmouth residents and town councilors will have another opportunity to voice their opinions on the controversial pesticide and fertilizer regulatory ordinance.

The Town Council voted to adopt the ordinance on Feb. 24, following a year of deliberation, public comment and redrafting. At the time of the vote, town staff said they were unaware of the statutory requirements to provide notice of the vote to the Maine State Board of Pesticides Control. Initially the town announced that in accordance with the requirement, another vote on the ordinance would take place at the March 24 town council meeting, and the ordinance would go into effect on April 1.

However, last week the town announced that the ordinance will be merely introduced at the March 24 meeting. Councilors will consider scheduling another public hearing for the ordinance for April 14, with a tentative vote planned for April 28.

Previous public comment voiced a mix of opposition and support of the ordinance. Like the public, the Town Council was not in agreement on the passage of the ordinance, with five councilors voting in favor and two opposed on Feb. 24.

 If the ordinance is passed, the effective date will now be May 1.