Today: Zoning Board Meeting, A Call For Volunteers, Watch Out For Deer

1. The South Kingstown Zoning Board of Review meets tonight for its monthly meeting at 7:00 p.m. at the Town Hall Council Chambers, 180 High Street. At the top of the agenda is the continued petition by the owner of the Matunuck Oyster Bar to expand its service area for a restaurant serving alcohol.

2. Senator Francis T. Maher Jr., (R-Dist. 34, Charlestown, Exeter, Hopkinton, Richmond, West Greenwich), announced again that General Treasurer Gina Raimondo will hold a forum on the proposed pension legislation at 5 p.m. today at the Chariho Middle School.

Senator Maher said Treasurer Raimondo will give an overview of the pension reform legislation and be available to answer questions.  The forum is free and open to the public.

“It is important that all interested parties be able to get their questions about this very important legislation answered,” Maher said.  “This is a complex bill that will have far-reaching effects, and I am pleased the treasurer has made herself available.”

The event will be held in the auditorium of Chariho Middle School, located at 455B Switch Road in Wood River Junction. 

3. The Return Of The Rain

Though we dodged a bullet yesterday with mostly cloudy skies and sprinkles, expect the rainy weather that arrived overnight to continue into today and Thursday with unseasonably high temperatures near 60 according to Weatherbug’s Wakefield forecast.  Sunny skies are expected to return Friday.

4. Rhode Island Red Cross Puts Out a Call For Volunteers

Looking to get into something meaningful? The American Red Cross is seeking volunteers to support its work in Rhode Island, according to a release issued by the Providence-based nonprofit organization on Tuesday. There are opportunities in emergency service and in office work. No special skills are needed; the Red Cross provides training.

Local disaster response volunteers are needed in locations throughout Rhode Island. Help neighbors when they need it most, in the wake of house fires or in the event of a major storm. “Our volunteers are a vital part of our ability to respond,” said Senior Director of Emergency Services Elizabeth McDonald. “We can train you to join a team of people ready to help in emergencies. And the training pays off in helping you to be better prepared in your own home.”

Volunteer receptionists are also needed in Providence during daytime hours, 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Minimum age: 18. Office assistants are needed in Middletown Monday through Friday between 9:00 AM and 4:30 p.m.. Duties include answering phones and helping with copying, data entry and filing. Minimum age: 16.

For more information, contact:

Jason A Campagnone

Director of Volunteer Services

American Red Cross

Phone:  401-831-7700 ext. 101

Email:    campagnonej@riredcross.org

5. DEM, RIDOT, State Police Caution Drivers to Be Alert for Deer During the Rut

The Department of Environmental Management, the Rhode Island Department of Transportation, and the Rhode Island State Police are advising motorists to be alert for deer, particularly at dawn and dusk. The deer mating season is currently underway and will continue through November and much of December. Deer tend to move around more frequently during this time, and November is typically the peak period for road kills.

           

With shorter daylight hours, many commuters are on area roads during the dawn and dusk hours, when deer tend to be most active. Many of those deer live and roam in suburban and urban areas. Deer dart out suddenly and often travel together, according to DEM, so motorists should watch for any other deer that may try to cross the road, following the first one. Officials caution that motorists should slow down while driving at dawn and dusk, use high beams when possible, and always use seat belts, since most injuries occur to drivers who are not belted.

           

The best way to prevent a collision is to remain alert while driving. Some people report success blowing the horn in one long blast while other drivers report success with ‘deer whistles,’ although studies have not proven their effectiveness. Most drivers are simply not able to react in time to avoid hitting a darting deer, despite best efforts. Swerving suddenly to avoid the deer can result in a more severe accident, as drivers lose control by crashing into oncoming traffic or going off the road.  The best approach is to slow down at night in areas where deer are common; if a deer does suddenly appear, drivers should use controlled braking to avoid or minimize a direct impact with the animal.  Deer struck head-on will succumb, but the driver and passengers might be saved from a more serious potential outcome.     

           

Anyone who strikes a deer should exercise caution when approaching a deer that has been hit, as it may only be stunned, and a person could become seriously injured by a wounded animal’s attempt to escape. In accordance with state law, any deer-vehicle collision must be reported to DEM's 24-hour dispatch office at 222-3070, as well as to local police and the driver's insurance company. Though small consolation, the owner of the vehicle involved in the accident may choose to keep the deer with a permit from DEM. The owner may request a permit when calling the 24-hour dispatch office to report the accident.

One thousand seventy-five auto strikes have been reported, to date, in Rhode Island this year, with high numbers reported in North Kingstown (93), Cumberland/Lincoln (77), South Kingstown (72), Smithfield/North Smithfield (68), Warwick (64), Narragansett (40), and West Greenwich (38).

DEM’s Division of Fish & Wildlife has established two deer management zones for harvesting deer in an effort to meet specific deer management goals, such as reducing auto strikes, addressing nuisance deer and health-related Lyme disease issues, managing urban deer herds in the state’s most densely populated communities, and maintaining quality hunting. This is expected to help reduce the number of auto strikes and property damage over the next several years in Rhode Island. DEM’s deer management strategy is aimed at maintaining quality hunting programs that recognize the strong hunter tradition of deer hunting in Rhode Island and the important role that hunters play in population regulation. 

Factors such as food supply can increase or reduce the number of strikes that take place because these factors may limit deer movement.  This year’s crop of acorns is very small and may result in increased activity by deer in search of a food source.  Last year’s abundant crop of acorns reduced the movement of deer in search of food by providing a readily-available food source.