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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09/23/2015 Jeffery T. Standish Town Hall, 53095 Main Road Chairman P.O. Box 1179 Southold, New York 11971 Telephone (631) 765-1283 Ext.235 Fax (631) 765-9015 Deer Management Committee TOWN OF SOUTHOLD MINUTES September 23, 2015 6:30 P.M. Peconic Lane Community Center A meeting of the Deer Management Committee was held Wednesday, September 23, 2015 at the Peconic Lane Community Center, Room #1 on Peconic Lane, in Peconic. Present were: Chairpersons Dave Dominy, Laura Khlare, Members: Councilman Jim Dinizio, Jeff Standish, John Betsch, Adam West., Robert Lehnert, John Rumpler, Nancy Foote. Guests: John Severini, Don Stewart, Nancy Stewart Call to order : Donation Program – Hunters who donate harvested deer to the Town cooler are now offered a receipt from food banks. It is believed that the program will encourage hunters to harvest more deer and donate to the program to get the receipt for tax credit purposes. LI Cares established a formula of $4.00/per butchered pound weight for calculating the donation amount. At Jim Dinizio’s suggestion, Jeff Standish will contact Town Attorney to review the informational letter outlining the specifics before distributing to hunters. Jeff will call Danny from Fish & Wildlife Unlimited, the processor (who fills out the weight on the vouchers) to be sure he is ready to move forward with receipts on October 1, opening day. John Severini added to take advantage of a tax credit; the hunter will need to file an itemized deduction. Jeff expressed concern of the individuals who are interested in taking a donated deer. A receipt will not be generated when the deer is given to individuals. Hunters who donate will be asked at the time of donation if they require a receipt and those who don’t, their donated deer will be distributed to individuals rather than be transported to the processor. It will be a bit more paper work for DPW but once the season commences, it should run smoothly. It is imperative that donated deer are stored at the correct temperature, the condenser in the cooler has been replaced and this should not be an issue. Jeff informed the committee that DPW will add extra trips to the processor as well. New Property – The new property this year is a 10 acre piece at the end of Kayleigh’s Court in East Marion. It is a difficult piece, thick in the center. It’s tough getting to the zone without pushing deer out. The piece will have two zones. Jeff informed the committee that the neighbors in the area are aware of the hunting taking place. One neighbor was using the piece to drive through but the Town will be installing a fence. This particular neighbor thought that there was a “no hunting allowed” restriction on this piece with the Town’s purchase of the property but Jeff said there is nothing in the Town documents stating this. 1 Residency Requirements – The Deer Management Program requires that participants maintain residency in the Town of Southold. Jeff asked for consensus of the group for an applicant who applied to the Town program who is not a resident but serves as fire fighter for the East Marion Fire Department. Dave Dominy thought this should be handled on a case by case basis. Laura added that there is a need for rules but our objective is to kill deer. Robert Lehnert believes it may open the flood gates if the program is opened to others who are not residents. Last year the committee voted down having military vets who are not residents hunt on the program. For the 2016 season the committee voted in favor unanimously that a Town of Southold resident or any fire fighter in good standing that is volunteering at one of the fire departments within the Town of Southold will be permitted to participate on the Town DMP. Dave will bring the information to the Board for final decision and resolution. Other Business –John Rumpler asked if there were any plans for shotgun hunting on Town properties. Jeff responded that no property on the Town program is large enough. Crossbows are permitted during the Town’s nuisance permit. John Severini asked how his group could help change the law to permit crossbows during archery season. There is a big contingency of hunters in NYS that oppose use of crossbow during the archery season. Jeff suggested John’s group continue to write letters to politicians urging to change this law on Long Island. It would open hunting to older, experienced hunters who can no longer use a bow and arrow. Making it an east end issue can help to get the law changed. The meeting was adjourned at 7:25 PM. Respectfully submitted, Nancy Foote Deer Management Program Secretary 2