By Alex Malm
The Town Council voted on a proposed zoning ordinance amendment in regards to poultry during their June 6 meeting.
The proposed amendment was to allow up to 12 chickens or six turkeys for lots from one to two acres. For properties with a half acre to a full acre they would be allowed to have six chickens and no turkeys.
The Planning Board recommended approving the changes.
Town Manager Mike Malaguti said they were provided with statistics from the police chief about a number of conflicts regarding chickens.
Malaguti also pointed out that violating the zoning ordinance can technically be a crime in NH. He explained that coming into compliance with zoning ordinances after a written violation has been written can lead to fines.
With that said Malaguti said that isn’t something they want to do except in extreme cases.
It was also explained by Malaguti they try to explain to them what the standards are so they can become compliant.
“We should either be visiting them or sending them a courtesy letter,” said Malaguti.
Deputy Police Chief Kim Bernard said they occasionally receive calls regarding chickens.
Bernard said it includes things like chickens being on the loose which can sometimes lead to neighbor disputes because of it.
Council Chairman John Farrell said he feels having it on a smaller than acre lot would be too small.
“While I can get to an acre I don’t know if I can get to a half acre,” said Farrell.
Farrell said one of his major concerns is properties that are an acre or smaller or closer to their neighboring property.
“If you want to do a half an acre I won’t stand in your way,” said Farrell.
Councilor Deb Paul said people were coming to the Planning Board and wanted to do it on .75 acres of land.
It was explained former Town Planner Colleen Mailoux did extensive research on what the best practices are for poultry and determined that a half an acre is the absolute smallest that it could be to have them.
One of the questions raised was whether or not the police department should be the one handling concerns with chickens or if it should be handled by code enforcement.
Malaguti said he felt it would be better to do through code enforcement.
Councilor Chad Franz asked if the conservation ranger could help out with some of the chicken issues.
Bernard said that the Animal Control Officer would be designated to handle chicken issues.
Chief Building Inspector Nick Codner told the Council that they usually only field three to four complaints a year that they actually have to enforce. He said typically they are back in compliance before it gets to the legal level.
The Town Council ultimately voted in favor of the zoning ordinance amendment.