Three Department Heads Will Meet to Create Goose Population Control Plan

To solve the problem of geese overrunning borough parks and fields, members of the governing body have asked the directors of the Recreation Department, Board of Health and DPW to put their heads together and formulate a plan of attack.

Councilman William Phayre said at the council meeting Tuesday night that Recreation Director Gary Buchheister, Board of Health Director Sharon Blehl and DPW Superintendent Rick Woods would be meeting to discuss ways to control the goose population.

At past meetings, , but decided to broaden the scope to include all parks and fields and investigate all the ways to keep the population down.

"By consensus we're recommending that the three department heads gather together and come up with a multi-level approach because there's so many methods out there," Councilwoman Ingrid Quinn said Tuesday. "It will take more than one person to solve that situation or even put together a plan. We want them to come up with the action plan and suggestions on ways to implement it and achieve it."

While Blehl is involved in the project, Quinn said the health risk for residents is minimal. She said good hand washing techniques are the best defense against illness after coming in contact with goose droppings.

The three department heads should meet next week and Phayre said there would be an update at the next council meeting work session, which is scheduled for March 1.