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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/17/2016 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 February 17, 2016 6:30 P.M. Southold Town Annex A meeting of the Deer Management Committee was held Wednesday, February 17, 2016 at the Southold Town Hall on Main Road, in Southold. Present were: Chairperson Dave Dominy, Councilman Jim Dinizio, Councilman Bob Ghosio, Adam West, Jeff Standish, John Betsch, Rob Lehnert, John Haas, and John Rasweiler Meeting was called to order at 6:30 PM by Chairperson David Dominy. Minutes from January 13, 2016 meeting were approved. Wildlife Position – Committee discussed language for new part time position after reviewing Scott Russell’s job description recommendation with percentages. Shelter Island recently created a full time position for a similar need. With part time position there can be more leeway, less specific. Supervisor Russell will direct new employee. Part time description will be sent to Civil Service where the position will be classified and given a value. Purpose of classification is for scale of wage. John Rasweiler would like to see a more specific job description. Dave Dominy believes the position will be a big outreach, a voice for the Town. The position will be exempt and similar to an appointed position. No test is required for part time position but if the position became full time it may be competitive and a test would be required. There is no mention of tick management in the description but Jim Dinizio informed the committee that tick management is involved in all deer management plans. Deer reduction directly correlates with tick reduction. The committee voted to send the job description forward to the Town Board and Civil Service. Nuisance Season – Nuisance hunting is currently underway. There is no hunting at night. Upstate New York has hunting during nuisance season 5:00 PM to 11:00 PM. Town permit is active for 12 months but hunting will only take place February and March with bait stations in place at select properties for the two months. Other Business - Dave asked if the cooler hours could be extended during October since we have extended daylight until 7:00 PM. Jeff will speak with Town Board and DPW employees in regards to additional hours and potential overtime. The keys to the cooler cannot be distributed to hunters due to the DEC paperwork involved. John Betsch thought that additional advertising for the cooler will reinforce donation program. Highlight cooler in new redrafted pamphlet and make available via email to hunters and community. DEC/NYS has not changed cross bow law during regular season which would enhance the hunting program. There are other new incentives according to John Rasweiler, including State Assembly member Anthony Palumbo who is trying to change conservation laws to permit bounties on deer. Strategies for changing laws 1 include going to Albany to lobby. John Rasweiler questioned whether the Town would provide money for travel. Jeff thought possibly for a Town employee. John would like to see the phrase “deer are health hazard carrying diseases” inserted into the language that can help change the laws. Insurance companies may want to be involved due to millions of dollars in vehicle damage from accidents involving deer. State Farm is publicizing car accidents involving deer. Laura Khlare is currently looking into this. Town has provided every tool for the hunters. This year’s receipt program for donated deer worked well. Fish & Wildlife Unlimited where the donated deer are processed have worked great with the Town over the tenure of the program. East Hampton has developed a deer carcass map for Town roads only. The committee reviewed the map and commented that it was a great idea. Due to increased fencing in the Town of Southold area deer herds are being funneled into streets and other areas. Signage needs to be addressed and changed. Jeff stated an example out in Orient where deer are being hit every night where there is no signage. Current signs warning of deer for the next 4 miles are no longer relevant. Next meeting was not scheduled. Meeting was adjourned at 7:40 PM. Respectfully submitted, Nancy Foote Deer Management Program Secretary 2