Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Wildlife Management topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Oakmont council hears proposals to reduce deer population; action deferred pending more presentations
Summary
Council members heard a presentation from a vendor about archery and sharpshooting options to reduce the borough’s deer population, discussed costs and public-safety concerns, and agreed to invite that vendor and two others back for additional public presentations before deciding.
Members of the Oakmont Borough Council spent a large portion of the July 21 meeting discussing proposals to manage the borough's deer population after a vendor, Suburban Wildlife Solutions, presented program options.
The vendor described multiple approaches — archery, sharpshooting and a combined offering — and said it would conduct background checks on participants, carry insurance and provide training requirements for sharpshooters. Council members and residents asked about timing, sightlines and the possibility of trauma or public exposure to field dressing; the vendor said it would make efforts to be discreet and that hunters/teams would be expected to remove carcasses and clean up the site.
On outcomes and cost, the presenter said sharpshooting could remove an estimated 50–75 deer and that the firm’s full-package price would be in the tens of thousands of dollars as presented; council members contrasted that with other firms’ proposals, which the meeting transcript showed ranged significantly. Several members said they wanted more time for public input and a chance to hear from the other two vendors before voting.
Council agreed to invite Suburban Wildlife Solutions back to present at a future meeting and to request presentations from the other two firms so the council and the public can compare approaches and costs. Several members recommended scheduling an additional study session or special meeting to allow for public comment and legal review of contracts before any final approval.
Why it matters: Oakmont members said deer are numerous in borough neighborhoods and present traffic and nuisance concerns. The decision balances public safety, humane treatment, costs and community preference; council members emphasized the need for transparency and public input prior to authorizing a contract.
What’s next: Council staff will invite Suburban Wildlife Solutions back for a more detailed presentation, request presentations from the other two vendors, and bring any recommended contract terms to a subsequent meeting for legal review and public comment.
