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Committee to meet public‑works staff on animal‑reporting app and rodenticide alternatives; owl‑box pilot planned
Summary
A subcommittee reviewing rodenticide use and sick/dead‑animal reporting will meet with public‑works staff to assess PV Connect and a prototype reporting app; staff said the town’s animal‑control contract (countywide) costs roughly $23,000–$25,000 and the committee is piloting barn‑owl boxes in Sharon Heights as a rodenticide alternative.
The Conservation Committee’s rodenticide subcommittee reported progress on tools to help residents report sick or dead animals and explore alternatives to rodenticides.
Chris (Christopher Morris) said the subcommittee has been testing a prototype reporting workflow and reviewed the town’s existing PV Connect web reporting; members decided to meet with Scott Weber from public works in early June to determine the scope of current town and animal‑control responsibilities and whether existing systems can handle increased reports. "We were going to follow up... hopefully we're going to meet with Scott," Chris said, summarizing the group’s next step.
Town Manager Darcy Smith said the town participates in a countywide animal‑control contract and estimated the town’s share at between $23,000 and $25,000 a year; the extension of that contract is scheduled for Town Council consideration on May 27. Smith said the subcommittee should clarify which incidents are handled by town staff, which by animal control, and which require state agencies (for example, suspected rabies cases).
The subcommittee also emphasized data and workflow concerns. While PV Connect’s app has been retired, the web interface still accepts reports; the subcommittee will seek backend data access or confirmation from Scott Weber on what data exist. Members noted the value of a database for tracking trends (sick animals, possible rodenticide exposure) but raised maintenance questions if the committee hosts such a system.
Separately, Eliza reported a small pilot: Laurel from the Sharon Heights townhouse committee asked about installing barn‑owl boxes to shift from rodenticide use to integrated pest management. Eliza will walk the Sharon Heights property in June to identify installation locations and provide recommendations.
The committee will meet Scott Weber in the first part of June to map responsibilities and data flows and will report back to the full committee.
