Village will reduce peafowl flock

The Longboat Key Town Commission learned the Longbeach Village peafowl population will be reduced from 50 birds to a dozen birds at its Thursday, April 28, meeting.

Village president Michael Drake and others told the commission they believe they can reduce the population with the $2,400 the town already has budgeted for the Village this current fiscal year.

The remaining birds most likely will be only male peacocks, which are the birds tourists like to look at and will prevent widespread overpopulation.

Also at its workshop, the commission:

Forwarded to its May 2 regular meeting for first reading:
• An ordinance that revises the town’s beaches, parks and public places regulations.
• An ordinance that amends the town’s mortality rates for its three pension plans.
• An ordinance that eliminates a firefighter pension board member’s right to vote in pension board member elections if they are enrolled in the Deferred Retirement Option Program.

Reviewed:
• A preliminary budget presentation by the town’s finance director.

Heard:
• Presentations about the operations of the town’s Public Works and Planning, Zoning and Building Departments.

Discussed:
• How the town can help assist the Longboat Key library financially.
• The pros and cons of accepting federal funding for beach projects.
• Potential lobbying efforts to promote awareness of the town’s legislative issues.
• Poisonous plantings that exist on Longboat Key.

Formed a committee:
• To review goals and objectives for the town in the coming year.

Contact Kurt Schultheis at [email protected].