The Chickens Have Come Home To Roost
By Doug La Rocque
Jason Von Guiness and Sarah Gurgis presented the Village Board with a proposal that would allow village residents to keep a small number of chickens (laying hens) or guinea hens at their homes, provided certain conditions are met. Their proposal found a general acceptance from the Village Trustees at its Tuesday, December 10 meeting.
Currently, the housing of such hens is not legal, except after an inspection and licensing by the village. The new proposed regulations would allow up to six hens in a single family dwelling of at least 5,000 square feet. Six hens would be allowed per unit in a multi-family structure, but not to exceed the maximum allowed per 5,000 square feet per unit. The proposal still bans roosters and prohibits hens on any premises with code violations. The hens must be kept in a rear or backyard, with set backs of 10 feet from the sides of the property, and 20 feet from the rear. The hens would be considered as pets, with no sale of the eggs or meat or chicken breeding allowed.
Trustee Craig Pine noted the proposal does not specify how the hens would be confined, with Ms. Gurgis indicating it would be in a coop or cage. She also mentioned the recently approved law in the City of Albany allowing similar amounts of chickens and indicated she thought it might be a model for Hoosick Falls. It was also noted the Village’s Second Ward homes might not qualify, because many of the structures in that area are quite close to one another, and may not meet the space requirements.
The Trustees decided to meet with Mr. Von Guiness and Ms. Gurgis to discuss the proposal, meetings that would also include Village Attorney Andy Gilchrist.
Illegal Parking In Public Lots
Jim Martinez, who owns the Thorpe Block in the Village, told the Board during the public comment session, something needs to be done about people parking in sections of these public lots where they are not supposed to. He said this creates a major problem for snow removal and garbage pickup. He cited in particular the area behind the Post Office, where there is a considerable amount of refuse along the fence separating the postal property and the municipal parking lot. He asked if the Police Department and Village could not do more to relieve the situation. Chief Robert Ashe said after the recent storm, some vehicles were towed and some ticketed. He did mention some local tow companies are hesitant to tow vehicles in violation, for fear of non-payment. He also pointed out there are few signs in these lots specifying the parking regulations.
Criminal Justice Reform
Chief Ashe took most of his report time to blast the new criminal justice reforms set to take effect statewide on January 1. He joined his colleagues around the County, expressing his concern for public safety, noting judges will be restricted for setting bail for many offenses, including manslaughter. He also lamented the new timetable for turning over evidence collected during an arrest, soon to be just 15 days. He said that under these new discovery provisions, a person accused of a violent assault, would be allowed to inspect the scene of the alleged crime with their attorney as soon as these 15 days are up, and there is nothing a victim could do to prevent it.
PFAS Update
Mayor Allen told the meeting the carbon filters at water treatment facility were recently changed out without incident. He did indicate that testing is picking up levels of a chemical identified as PFBA, a much smaller compound that PFOA, in the middle level sections of the screening process. None has been detected in the actual drinking water being made available for public consumption. He did indicate this discovery, means the NYS Departments of Environmental and Health may have to change the carbon filters about every nine months, instead of the anticipated 18-month replacement schedule.
Separation Of Church And State.
Both Mayor Allen and Hoosick Town Supervisor Mark Surdam, have been asked to sign a letter of support for the campaign to restore the Immaculate Conception Church, damaged in the flood of July 1, 2017. That brought up the question of whether village and town officials could legally endorse a campaign whose primary mission is religious in content. It was then proposed the Mayor and Supervisor be made honorary committee members, something attorney Gilchrist said could be like moving “from the frying pan into the fire.” He called it “excessive entanglement.” They agreed to work on wording that might allow a statement of support that would not violate the constitutional clause about separation of church and state. Trustee Pine endorsed that effort, stating “ I support the church, but I support the separation of church and state even more.”
Other Items
Mayor Allen says the village has closed on four properties that are part of the Woods Brook buyout program, has another closing scheduled, and hopes to move one other property acquisition along shortly.
The board held a second public hearing on the Hoosick Falls Comprehensive Plan/ Local Waterfront Revitalization Strategy, at which no one spoke. They also declared a negative environmental impact on the Wastewater Treatment Plant effluent disinfection procedure. The board has previously named themselves the lead agency in the SEQRA process.
Action on the municipal building phone systems, a letter from a village resident concerning the Snow Street Water Line and Rensselaer Street Pump Station repairs, as well as a discussion about household garage fee changes, and adding costs for recycling, were all tabled.