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Advisory board raises geese nuisance at parks; discusses deterrent options and next steps
Summary
Board members reported goose droppings on playgrounds and fields and discussed deterrent options including trained dogs, robotic devices, trapping, and state nuisance permits; they asked staff to explore solutions and Town Board permissions.
Advisory board members raised recurring problems with Canada geese fouling playgrounds and ballfields at town parks and discussed possible deterrents and next steps.
Several members said geese droppings are pervasive at the new playground and other park areas, posing sanitation and maintenance burdens. Members discussed deterrent options used by other municipalities: trained dogs under handler control, contracted trapping or harassment services, robotic deterrents, habitat modification, and, where permitted, lethal removal under state nuisance rules. Members said the DEC allows certain actions under a nuisance permit and that removal or harassment often requires a formal town-level authorization and an identified contact or contractor.
The board asked staff to research vendors and contracts (including costs and insurance), check whether any local companies would provide trained dogs or robotic deterrents, and confirm DEC permitting requirements for nonlethal and lethal options. One member noted prior local attempts to secure contractors had failed because firms were too far away or unresponsive.
Ending Staff will report back with vendor options, cost estimates and permitting steps; the board emphasized that a practical, maintainable deterrent is needed to keep playgrounds and fields sanitary and usable.
