Chicken decision set May 9 at Endicott

The Endicott Town Council will likely vote on whether or not to allow chickens in town at its next meeting May 9. The matter came before the council at its March 14 meeting when a resident presented a petition with 115 signatures in support of allowing chickens within town limits.

A current ordinance does not allow residents to keep 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.

The ordinance was expected to be ready for the April 11 council session after a meeting to hear opinions from residents was conducted by the town.

Town Clerk/Treasurer Laura Jones said the session, which was at the school, brought people on both sides of the fence, and it left the council with items to consider. Some of those included researching the appropriate size for a chicken coup and how many chickens would be allowed at a single residence.

When the topic originally came up, the proposal included a limit on the number of chickens allowed and also stipulated that roosters and free range chickens would not be allowed. It also said there would be rules for cleanliness.

Jones said a committee of about 10 was formed to draft an ordinance to present to the council May 9. She said the committee plans to meet this week.

“They haven't come up with an ordinance yet,” she reported Monday.

Jones said the committee will propose a list of rules for allowing chickens, and the council will have the option of passing all, some, part or none of the ordinance.

The May 9 meeting will be at 7 p.m. at the Endicott Town Hall.