Several attend hearing to allow chickens in Endicott

A public meeting Tuesday, March 28, in the multipurpose room at the Endicott school brought out several residents and varying opinions on the issue of allowing chickens within town limits.

The meeting was scheduled to gather public input on the matter after an Endicott resident presented a petition with 115 signatures in favor of allowing chickens in town at the last town council meeting on March 14.

“We had a very positive turnout at the meeting,” said Laura Jones, town clerk/treasurer. “Most of the people were interested in having the option of having chickens in town.”

There were people on both sides of the fence present, she noted.

“There were quite a few opinions,” said Jones.

A current town ordinance prohibits residents from keeping any horse, cattle, sheep, swine, goat, chicken, duck, goose, turkey, peacock, guinea, rabbit or wild animal. It also does not allow for residents to keep or maintain any animal that makes continuous noises or annoys or disturbs the peace of others.

In considering the option to allow chickens in town, Jones said the council is researching the appropriate size of a chicken coup and how many chickens would be allowed at a residence. Free range chickens would not be allowed. Jones also noted that most of the people who are in favor of chickens in town want them for the purpose of having their own fresh eggs.

At the public meeting last week, which lasted approximately an hour, the town council was present to hear the opinions.

“The council did not speak at the meeting,” said Jones. “They just listened to the citizens.”

The council is now deliberating the matter and expects to have a decision at the next town council meeting scheduled for Tuesday, April 11, at 7 p.m. at the town hall.

The 115 signatures collected on the petition represent approximately half of the population of Endicott.