Residents urge action on animal control and call for town to speak out on ICE activity

Several residents used the meeting's public-input period on July 21 to press the town for action on neighborhood animal-control issues and broader community concerns.

James Ferrari described an infestation of pigeons he attributes to a neighbor's feeder at 96 Harwick Road, submitted photos and letters, and said the problem has driven away prospective renters and created sanitation and rat concerns. He asked the town to review the materials he submitted and to consider limiting feeders.

Mary Sapone, a long-time resident of Washington Avenue, described an increase in stray and unneutered cats following a nearby house fire and urged the town to coordinate trap-neuter-release (TNR) efforts with rescues and animal-control partners. She said she has worked with rescues and volunteers and asked the town to better support TNR coordination and communication.

Drew Herczyk, speaking for disability-access concerns during Disability Pride Month, asked for improved accessibility at town events and criticized a recent local NY Forward meeting for lacking inclusive planning. Herczyk and Kathy Krupp also raised urgent concerns about federal immigration-enforcement activity (ICE/DHS); Herczyk asked the board to "speak out," and Krupp asked that the board adopt a previously requested resolution to organize targeted community outreach to address erosion of trust in law enforcement stemming from ICE activity.

Board members acknowledged receiving correspondence related to several agenda items and said submitted materials would be entered into the record; staff indicated appropriate follow-up would occur. No formal resolutions on animal control or ICE/DHS policy were adopted at the meeting.