October 16, 2017 - Safety Committee Meeting
VILLAGE OF BREWSTER
SAFETY COMMITTEE MEETING
October 16, 2017
Committee Members Present:
Mike Schwab, Mayor Dave Godwin, Councilman
Chuck Hawk, Councilman Tom Hilliard, Councilman
Paul Mackey, Councilman Dale Fox, Councilman
Steve Tharp, Councilman (arrived at 6:16PM)
Village Officials:
Mike Miller, Village Administrator Kris King, Clerk-Treasurer
John Anthony, Village Solicitor
Audience Members:
Ray Heitger and Stuart Rogers
Meeting was called to order by Tom Hilliard at 6:00pm.
The meeting was called to discuss an animal ordinance. Chapter 90 of the Village of Brewster’s codified ordinances deals with animals. It states that any structure housing animals must be 50 feet from neighboring residents and 20 feet from the property line.
Solicitor Anthony drafted an ordinance that would permit up to 30 adult pigeons used for sport as long as that breed was recognized by certain clubs and associations.
The topic then turned to chickens. Mr. Rogers was permitted to be part of the conversation. He has studied up on raising chickens and has them in his back yard. He has been following HB 175 as it concerns the zoning of chickens. There was discussion on how much space is needed for housing the chickens and space for them to run. One of the main points made was that any pens or yards must be in the back yard not the sides or front. Another important part of the legislation is that it must be enforceable. Chapter 90 is enforced through the Police Department.
The committee seemed to be in agreement with the setbacks, that the VA would be in charge of permitting, and that the Police Department was in charge of the enforcement. It was stated that these regulations are to protect our citizens not to punish anyone. It was also the consensus to remove pigeons from the original draft and use the Solicitor’s draft for a special pigeon ordinance.
Meeting adjourned at 6:53pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Kris King, Clerk-Treasurer