The advisory board spent a sustained portion of the meeting considering options to manage Canada geese at Veterans Park, where board members said geese are creating nuisance conditions on some fields and walking paths.

Members discussed three principal approaches: (1) contracting a private goose‑management service (some services use dogs or remote devices), (2) hiring or contracting a trained herding dog and handler on a seasonal basis, and (3) a longer-term town-managed dog-handler program. Participants noted that New York State DEC guidance indicates the most effective techniques commonly used are hunting or trained dogs. Board members said hunting was not a practical option for park settings and that a trained dog or service is more viable.

Costs and logistics were discussed: several participants cited an estimated upfront cost in the neighborhood of $5,000 (one speaker framed it as an approximate figure for an initial program), and recurring seasonal costs would follow. Members raised liability and management questions if a dog were owned by the town (parallels were drawn to police canine arrangements that require contracts, a vet plan and clear operational rules). The board also discussed contracting local handlers, part‑time dog‑warden roles and seasonal employees in the parks department to run a program.

Board members said they have been unable to secure consistent bids or estimates from known providers; some national providers have not returned calls. One participant said the board had received a “nibble” of interest but no firm service contract. The group asked staff to keep pursuing local and regional providers and to consider a pilot arrangement (contracted vendor or seasonal handler) before pursuing a fully town‑owned canine program.

Next steps: staff to continue outreach to service providers and to explore a pilot contract or seasonal-handler arrangement; the board requested follow-up when a written estimate or contract option becomes available.