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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08/28/2023 MI „ 424, Town Hall,53095 Main Road t P.O.Box 1179 Southold,New York 11971 Telephone(631) 765-1283 Ext.235r Fax(631) 765-9015 Deer Management Task Force Committee TOWN OF SOUTHOLD MINUTES August 28, 2023 A meeting of the Deer Management Task Force Committee was held on Monday,August 28, 2023 at Southold Town Hall Meeting Room, 53095 Main Road, Southold. Call to order 6:00 pm Present: Arnold Blair, Dave Dominy, Adam West, John Rasweiler, Jim McMahon, John Wittenburg, John Haas, Alison Delaney, Craig Jobes and Nancy Foote Call to Order: Meeting was called to order by Craig Jobes at 6:00 PM Motion made by Dommy to accept previous minutes, second by Blair. Minutes approved. Turkeys - Committee discussed reestablishment of wild turkeys in the area and consequences of the increased population. Another host for ticks and crop damage. The turkeys are aggressive. Bill update —Craig explained the bill is sitting on the Governor's desk for many months. It was suggested to send Town Officials to NYS meetings. Enlist NYS Senator Anthony Palumbo and Assemblyman Fred Thiele to draft bill in proper form. Letter of support has also been sent to Governor by Suffolk County Health Dept. Both branches are behind it but Governor Hochel has not signed it. Craig will follow up with Councilman Doroski. Upcoming Season—Early season is open September 9th— 17th. Town cooler will be open everyday and all Town properties are included in the program. Regular season is open October 1 - January 31, 2024. Cooler will be everyday but closed in December on Sundays and holidays. New properties discussed that will be added to the Town program once all specifics and/or purchases are ironed out. Other business—Arnold asked if there has been any feedback from the community meetings attended. Craig reported none so far. Follow up may be key with these groups and their presidents. Need to be proactive. Orient reached out and asked to be connected with hunters but did not have full support of surrounding property owners. It was suggested to create a one page informative for deer to be distributed at the civic programs. Educate community and continue to encourage residents to open properties. Reassure homeowners that hunting is safe with face-to-face meetings, distance rules and covered liability. Homeowners set the rules on their properties. Partner with John Sepnoski to find suitable properties for hunting. Suggested John Rasweiler, Arnold Blair and John Wittenburg pen a letter to civic associations indicating "It's all up to you". Craig will reach out to Steve Wick at Suffolk Times. Craig will inquire about properties the Town has proposed to purchase. Speak with Land Preservation to purchase land and equipment(rotary mower) with preservation money. Perhaps a full-time employee for Land Preservation and discuss management of additional properties to be purchased. He will speak with Tim Abrams and Michael Collin in the regards to tearing barn down by Hummel Pond to open that property to hunting. Meeting adjourned 7:10 PM Respectfully submitted, Nancy Foote Deer Management Task Force Committee Secretary