The town of Holly Pond has found itself facing an unlikely foe and officials are looking for ways to evict a family of muskrats taking up residence in the pond at Governor’s Park.

Mayor Carla Hart told the Holly Pond Town Council on Monday, July 3, that she had noticed what she believed to be a single muskrat — referred to by one councilmember as “Muskrat Sally” — but was unaware of the extent of the issue until she recruited an exterminator to provide a quote for its removal.

“I thought there were just a few holes in the park, but we were walking through there and, my goodness, they’re everywhere,” Hart said.

Muskrats can have up to three litters each year, with between six and eight kits each. The exterminator — who remained unidentified throughout the discussion — told Hart he believed the town was facing at least a single family of the rodents.

As is typical behavior for the animals, the majority of holes are in fairly close proximity to the pond, but Hart noticed one of particular concern which seemed to be leading to a burrow beneath the parks asphalt walking track.

With the likelihood of legitimate structural damage being done to the town’s park, the council agreed the issue should be made a priority, but felt the single provided quote of $2,898 seemed slightly too high.

Hart said she had already placed several phone calls to both state and county agencies, as well as several other private pest control services. She said she learned from her call to Montgomery that the town would be allowed to address the problem themselves provided they obtain the correct nuisance permit which would allow them to trap and exterminate the muskrats out of season. The town would also need to purchase the necessary muskrat traps and be willing to take on any liability placing them in the park would cause.

Hart said if and when traps are placed, regardless of who places them, the town would need to either close the park or place signs designating where the traps had been placed to prevent children or pets from accidentally becoming ensnared.

Further discussions were tabled to provide the council an opportunity to seek alternate options and quotes.

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