August 14, 2017 - Safety Committee Meeting

VILLAGE OF BREWSTER

SAFETY COMMITTEE MEETING

August 14, 2017

 

Committee Members Present:

Mike Schwab, Mayor                          Dave Godwin, Councilman

Chuck Hawk, Councilman                   Tom Hilliard, Councilman

Paul Mackey, Councilman                  Steve Tharp, Councilman

 

Village Officials:

Mike Miller, Village Administrator     Kris King, Clerk-Treasurer

 

Audience Members:

Ray Heitger                                        

 

Meeting was called to order by Tom Hilliard at 6:30pm.

 

The meeting was called to discuss an animal ordinance.  There have been a growing number of chicken coupes popping up throughout the Village and neighboring residents are having issues along with health concerns.  There is a resident raising and breeding pigeons in his back yard and has a number of pens. 

 

The Mayor provided Brewster’s Codified Ordinance-Chapter 90-Animals, a letter from the ASPCA, and samples of ordinances from neighboring communities.

 

All committee members agree with the ASPCA’s suggestion to remove specific breeds from our animal ordinance language.

 

The conversation moved on to chickens and pigeons.  Because the eggs produced are only allowed to be used for personal household consumption, a limit of six chickens, with one structure limited to twenty-four square foot per parcel should be written into the ordinance.  It was decided that this would also apply to pigeons and rabbits.  Residents that have more than the limit can keep what they have but as they die off they cannot be replaced until they are down to the limit.  Permits will be issued to residents annually at a cost of $25.00 if paid by the deadline, doubled if not.  There will be a grievance procedure and a formal complaint sheet will be created.  The residents will also have to meet all requirements imposed by the Stark County Health Department.  It was agreed that goats should also be added to the prohibited list.

 

The committee then moved on to dogs and kennels.  Ray Heitger described his situation with an animal rescue next door.  The VA is going to contact the County concerning animal rescues. The committee reviewed Alliance’s codes under General Offenses and their Zoning Code concerning kennels.  VA Miller stated if the committee is considering passing legislation similar to the Alliance legislation, he recommends going up to talk to them concerning enforcement.

 

Meeting adjourned at 7:39pm.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Kris King, Clerk-Treasurer