Deer Management Decision Could Take Months

Already five months in, the debate about what to do with Westport's deer population could last months longer before a decision is made whether to take action.

The Representative Town Meeting, Westport's legislative body, is tasked with coming up with a possible solution to what some perceive as an abundance of deer in town. Or, they could decide to do nothing.

According to Hadley Rose, moderator of the RTM, he predicts no decision before February, if not later.

"Instead of keeping to a hard and fast deadline we've been letting the information and the meetings play out," said Rose, who is not involved in the three committees looking at the issue.

According to RTM member Dick Lowenstein, who is also chairman of the public hearings,  the plan is to let the next public hearing play out and then either hold more meetings if needed or have the committees get together to hash out a plan.

The third public hearing is scheduled for Thursday at 8 p.m. in the Town Hall auditorium. Milan Bull, the senior director of science and conservation of Connecticut Audubon Society is scheduled to give a presentation. The meeting will then be open up to public comment.

The environment, health & human services and public protection committees of the RTM comprised the joint meetings. In past meetings, the feasibility of using controlled hunts, contraceptives and other methods to limit deer have been discussed. At times, amongst the RTM members.

The deer debate is unlike other RTM deliberations due to the divisive nature of the issue and the complexities involved, such as the town's ban on hunting. Due to , Westport is the only town in the Connecticut allowed to make its own regulations for hunting rather than following Hartford's laws.

In order for even a controlled hunt by professional hunters to take place, the town's regulations would have to be modified. But if the RTM decides to make a recommendation to do something, the issue becomes murkier.

"We're not the ones to [control the deer], so who's to do it? The health district? Parks and Rec? The [first] selectman?"

A petition started by Westport resident Peter Knight is the reason that the deer discussions are taking place. In July, a petition signed by more than 200 people requested that the RTM look into the issue.

This story has been updated to include a comment from Lowenstein, who was previously unavailable for comment. Also, Thursday's public hearing is at 8 p.m., not 7 p.m. Information provided by Town Hall was incorrect.