Making Chickens Legal Village Wide
by Doug La Rocque
Following public comments at the December public hearing on Local Law #3, the so called “chicken law,” the Village Board at the January 12 meeting, decided to let the law as written, “fly the coop” so to speak. The board will ask Village Attorney Andy Gilchrist to revise the document to permit the keeping of chickens, under the conditions set forth in the law, anywhere within the Village. The law, as currently written, only allows chickens in residential zones 1, 2 and 3.
It was brought out at the hearing that some residences exist in industrial and commercial zones, which while labeled as non-conforming, are permissible because in many cases they were there before the current zoning ordinance took effect. Why should they be excluded? Village Trustee Kevin O’Malley said he was in favor of the change, because he believed only those with a residence in these zones would be interested in chicken rearing. I don’t think a business like Saint Gobain is looking to put a chicken coop out back.
Another change to the law that Mayor Rob Allen suggested was to allow those already raising chickens to have six months to apply for a permit, and to bring their operation up to code. Attorney Gilchrist further said there has been a definition of what is a chicken added to the law. Besides looking like a chicken, and tasting like a chicken, it must also now be a chicken.
Seeking A Grant For
A New Water Tower
The meeting opened with a brief presentation from Robert Flores of Delaware Engineering, who discussed the Village applying for a $1 million grant to replace the Rogers Avenue Water Tower, which has seemingly been repaired many times and is again in need of a fix. Mr. Flores said the money is available under the Community Development Block Grant program. The window to apply is short and urged the Board to allow his firm to submit the application ASAP.
The Village would not have to match any of the money in the grant, but would be on its own if the replacement costs exceeded $1 million. Mr. Flores indicated that should not be the case, and even suggested the Village include an alternate project in the application, should there by any money left over. The board voted unanimously to authorize Mayor Allen to sign a $2,000 contract with Delaware Engineering to begin the process.
Seeking a New Trustee
At the December board meeting, Trustee Vanessa Lewis submitted her resignation, because she had relocated to a residence slightly outside the village line. Mayor Allen had the prerogative to name a replacement at the Tuesday gathering, but chose not to for a couple of reasons. Primarily, because Ms. Lewis’ resignation means there will now be four seats available on March 16, three for two-year terms, and one to fill Ms. Lewis’s seat, which would be a one-year term. Mayor Allen said he has talked to a couple of interested parties, but wanted the full board’s feedback. That feedback was they hoped whoever might be appointed, would in turn seek the seat on election day. Petitions for the four board seat as well as that of Village Mayor begin on Tuesday February 2 and must be returned to the Village Clerk by Tuesday, February 9. Attorney Gilchrist explained the short one-week window is what is spelled out under an Executive Order from Governor Andrew Cuomo. 40 signatures are required on a petition to qualify for the March 16 election. Voting will take place at the Ann Bornt Municipal Building on Main Street from noon to 9 pm. The Mayor and the board all expressed the wish for those interested in serving the village to apply.
Other Items of Discussion
The Village is looking for two additional members for the Zoning Board. The new parking signs for the lot adjacent to the Tri-State Area Federal Credit Union have been ordered. Mayor Allen pointed to a decline in the number of COVID-19 cases in the community but urged everyone to continue to “mask up,” keep your distance and avoid large gatherings. He also called last week’s break-in at the U.S. Capitol “a deeply disturbing and aggressive act, that needs to be investigated and the perpetrators punished.” He further stated there is no creditable evidence of any demonstrations planned for Inauguration Day in the village, but that they are prepared.
It was announced that the building owner and Walgreens have given permission for a mural to be painted on the side of that building. It will be created by the same artist that painted the mural on the side of the Hoosick Provision building.