Shelter Island councilman named to deer, tick panel

Shelter Island Town Councilman Ed Brown was named to the town board’s deer and tick committee at its annual reorganization meeting on Friday.

“It’s a very important committee out here,” said Supervisor Jim Dougherty.

The high rate of Lyme disease among Shelter Island residents -- the annual rate is at least twice as high as any other town on Long Island -- makes controlling deer that can carry ticks and spread them as the ticks feed and later drop off a major issue on Shelter Island. Spending money on tick control measures has also become a significant part of the town budget.