Chicken Bylaw Raises Concerns

Selectmen raised questions last night about a proposed bylaw that would allow residents to keep no more than six chickens without facing a permitting process.

The bylaw, which will be voted on at May Town Meeting, allows people to keep no more than six chickens for personal enjoyment or consumption. They must be hens; roosters are not allowed.

Selectman chairman Peter Adams said he worried that people might tire of the chickens and then release them into the woods or other wild areas or onto neighboring properties.

He also said that coops could be built right on property lines, which could be disturbing to neighbors.

He stressed that he was not against chickens and noted that his wife keep chickens. In fact, he noted with a laugh, his wife gave the chickens names.

Selectman John Carlson, who is also the town animal inspector, raised concerns about how the issue would be enforced.

Planning Board member Bruce Spinney said the bylaw was aimed at allowing people to keep a few chickens for eggs or as pets without requiring them to go through the permitting process, which he said can be cumbersome and costly.

The Planning Board supports the bylaw, which was proposed by the Agricultural Committee.

Selectmen did not make an official recommendation on the topic.