The Ad Hoc Tick Borne Disease Action Committee held a meeting on Wednesday, September 23, 2009 at the C.H. Booth Library, Main Street, Newtown, CT. Chairman Dr. Robert Grossman called the meeting to order at 8:00 p.m.
PRESENT: Members of the Committee, Mark Alexander, Kirk Blanchard, Pat Boily, Neil K. Chaudhary, David Delia, Dr. Robert Grossman. Kim Harrison, Dr. Peter Licht, Dr. Michele McLeod, George Miller, Mary Gaudet-Wilson, Maggie Shaw and David Shugarts.
ALSO PRESENT: Newtown Bee reporter, John Voket and one member of the public.
CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Dr. Robert Grossman called the meeting to order at 8:00 pm. He then introduced Shirley Paproski who will be taking the minutes for the meetings. Attendance was checked for a quorum. Dr. David Licht moved to accept the minutes of the meeting of September 10, 2009, seconded by Mr. Blanchard. All in favor.
There was discussion on future meetings and times. It was decided to meet at 7:45 p.m. so as to get into the library before the doors lock at 8:p.m.There will not be a meeting Nov. 11, due to a holiday and availability of the library room. There will not be any meetings the week of Thanksgiving. No meetings will be held on Dec. 23 and Dec. 30 due to holidays. Then a new schedule will be set for 2010.
Discussion was held on regular and “special” meetings. During a “special” meeting the committee cannot vote on anything that is not on the agenda.
ITEMS OF INTEREST: It was discussed that Dr. Kirby Stafford would be an excellent first speaker for the group. Pat Boily said that the problem should be defined, who is at risk and how many people are suffering now. Chairman Grossman said not to get into treatment. Mr. Alexander said that Mr. Randell Nelson collects incident reports. He also asked how is the success of the committee going to be determined? Ms. Shaw said that the surveillance curriculum has changed. She added that in 2002 there were 4,000 cases and that CDC stopped mandatory reporting of trends. This and testing results not always being reliable would not give a true reading of incidences. Dr. Michele Mcleod indicated that doctors from outside of Newtown would have to be reached to get an account for incidences in Newtown. Chairman Dr. Grossman
suggested that a speaker come in on surveillance methods and the group could ask questions.
There was general discussion on topics such as; spraying for ticks near schools, tick drags, how many deer are killed during hunting season and how many are killed on the roads by cars. Mr. Alexander asked how much time each speaker would have. It was decided to have one speaker at a meeting out of courtesy. Chairman Dr. Grossman suggested that all sides of the issue of deer killing should be heard. Ms. Shaw said that families who have been effected by Lyme Disease should speak to the group as well.
Dr. McLeod said that there are animals and plants that could reduce the number of ticks. Dr. Grossman suggested that for the next meeting members should have more names and biographies of possible speakers. Discussion was held on the numbers of deer per square mile in Connecticut. It was suggested that people attend local informational meetings on Lyme Disease.
PUBLIC COMMENTS: There were no public comments.
ADJOURNMENT: Dr. Licht moved to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by Ms. Shaw. All in favor. Meeting adjourned at 9:20 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Shirley A. Paproski
Clerk
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