Montrose looks at deer management options

BY STACI WILSON

Montrose seems to be experiencing an increased number of deer in the borough.

Audience member Dan Calby asked council to consider adopting an ordinance that would prohibit residents from feeding the deer.

He also spoke about deer management options put forth by the Pennsylvania Game Commission to deal with rising populations in higher population areas.
Calby volunteered to help get the effort going in the borough.

Solicitor Marion O’Malley asked about options that existed even if an ordinance was passed.

Calby said PGC offered several solutions. “But the only way to do it is to kill them,” he said.

Police Chief Dale Smith said the borough does have a law on the books that bans the firing of weapons inside the town. But he added that some municipalities allow for deer management during archery season.

“That’s dangerous,” O’Malley said. She also said that the borough could run into a problem with sentimentality rising from people who enjoy seeing the beautiful creatures in the borough.

Calby said that many residents are losing gardens and plantings. “I do beautiful work and it’s gone,” he said.

According to Calby, PGC could help the borough with the development of a deer management plan.

Council also heard a presentation from Lisa Kirby of Commonwealth Home Health & Hospice of NEPA. Kirby said the organization was active in the Montrose area and is seeking volunteers.

Kirby said the organization is “geographically challenged” with volunteers lacking in the Montrose area.

Kirby, along with hospice nurse Kim Sulzinski, spoke in general about hospice care, the program’s in-patient and at home services, and volunteer duties.

Councilman Randy Schuster said he’s seen a drastic change in the time hospice care is put in place for patients. In the past, he said, hospice care would begin when a patient had only days left to live. “Now people are in the program much sooner,” Schuster said.

Sulzinski said many people think hospice only deals with cancer patients. Not so, she said, patients often have a lung disease, COPD, or congestive heart failure.

Most of hospice provided care occurs in the home setting. Volunteers are trained, with background checks and drug screen done prior to being accepted as volunteers. The hospice workers provide companionship and are not responsible for personal or medical care, Kirby said.

In other business, the borough designated JHA Associates to handle zoning and codes for the borough.

Council approved the development of a borough website with a cap of $600 for the designer.

A $350 donation was made to the Montrose Restoration Committee.

Approval was given for the annual July 4 celebration in the borough.

Police presence was approved to work for the Chocolate and Wine Festival on May 17.

A contract for mowing of Memorial Park was approved.

Council also accepted the resignation of Patrolman Justin Sprout, with regret. Spout has accepted a position with the Susquehanna County District Attorney’s office to work as a detective/K9 handler.

Councilman Craig Reimel said the Montrose Lions Club planned to put a new roof on the park pavilion.

Pennsy Supply was also thanked for their donation of material for the walking track at the park.