The Ad Hoc Tick Borne Disease Action Committee held a meeting on Wednesday, October 28, 2009 at the C.H. Booth Library, Main Street, Newtown, CT
PRESENT: Mark Alexander, Kirk Blanchard, Pat Boily, Neil K. Chaudhary, David Delia, Robert Grossman, Kim Harrison, Mary Gaudet-Wilson, Maggie Shaw, Peter Licht, Michele McLeod
ALSO PRESENT: Three members of the general public.
CALL TO ORDER: Dr. Grossman called the meeting to order at 7:57 p.m.
ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES: Dr. Chaudhary had one slight correction to the minutes of October 21, 2009. The Minutes were unanimously approved with the correction.
OPEN DISCUSSION ON INFORMATION SENT BY MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE TO OTHER MEMBERS
Block Island: Ms. Shaw distributed information
Redding Pilot: Ms. Shaw distributed information. She advised of a flier from a newspaper with information from various State departments explaining what is being done to control deer. There will be the first ecology meeting in Redding on November 12, 2009. It is not known how many registered hunters there are. A deer exclosure was discussed. The Committee might make a field trip to Wilton to see the impact of an exclosure area.
Dead Deer: Mr. Blanchard had sent a spread sheet prepared by the Highway Department showing all reported road kill over the past few years. The numbers were not exact. The State takes care of removal on State roads. The numbers will be cleaned up once the additional data is received. The count and locations should be noted.
Newtown Open Space: Mr. Boily produced a map showing Newtown open space. Ms. Wilson had a larger version of the same map. There is a relatively small amount of town owned open space. Allowing access to this land might work. Some private landowners allow hunting. Advising people of the seriousness of the situation is important. There is a need to invite someone to explain procedures other towns have used. Tom Bellow of Ridgefield will be invited to speak on the subject. Police reports showing accidents involving deer around town open space could add to the argument. An estimate from White Buffalo might be useful. Dr. McLeod suggested prioritizing by focusing on one thing rather than addressing everything at once. It might be beneficial to ask
Rob Sibley to advise on the right approach. Dr. Licht said that clinical backup would be helpful. Dr. Green will address the committee about Lyme disease and comment on what the town should do. There is a need for a survey of residents to ascertain who has come down with Lyme disease as physicians do not always report cases. Although it is not the committee’s responsibility to address treatment, Dr. Green’s information could be helpful.
OPEN DISCUSSION ON PREVIOUS SPEAKERS AND IDEAS EXPRESSED BY MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE: This has been addressed.
LYME DISEASE VACCINE – DR. PETER LICHT: Not addressed
DISCUSSION OF FUTURE MEETINGS AND SPEAKERS: Dr. Nelson is scheduled for the November 18, 2009 meeting. Other speakers have been covered.
PUBLIC COMMENTS: Lynne Garfinkle of West Redding advised that Redding has allowed hunting for five years and they are still no closer to the ten deer per square mile goal. Once the deer population gets down to a certain level hunters lose interest. She wondered if the committee’s priority was Lyme disease or ticks.
Russ Cornelius, Chair of Brookfield Deer Committee offered help if needed. They have a tough time with funding. They have enlisted bow hunters. He admitted that the ten per square mile was a tough goal but they are trying.
FINAL COMMENTS: Dr. McLeod distributed Dr. Ostfeld’s scientific articles for anyone interested.
ANNOUNCEMENTS: Dr. Telford is scheduled to speak on Thursday, November 5, 2009 at 11:09 a.m. at Danbury hospital and 2:00 p.m. at C.H. Booth Library.
EXECUTIVE SESSION: The Committee went into Executive Session at 10:00 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned
Respectfully submitted by:
Margaret R. Wilkin,
Clerk
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