Politics & Government

Talking Chickens and More Tonight at Township Committee

Also on the agenda, an update on the redevelopment agreement for 125 Dunnell Road.

Those who feel strongly about raising chickens in Maplewood need to get themselves to the township committee meeting tonight at 7:30 p.m. at Town Hall.

The town has proposed throughout Maplewood to raise up to five hens in backyard coops. The coops and chicken runs would need to meet health and cleanliness standards and be located certain distances from houses and neighboring yards.

While raising chickens for eggs previously was the topic of positive information and painful puns, the tone changed at the area appeared at town hall to voice their concerns about chicken guano, noise, and feed (as it might attract more rats to a neighborhood that is struggling with an existing rat problem). Neighbors also contended that chicken coops would negatively impact property values.

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Members of the township committee discussed changing the draft ordinance to stipulate that the 15 households would need permission from neighbors for the chickens and coops, but Deputy Mayor Fred Profeta argued that the discussion should be tabled until tonight when proponents of chicken farming could be present to state their case. The township committee complied.

Also on the agenda for discussion tonight:

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  • Parking restrictions on Woodland Road related to the Woman's Club
  • Redevelopment agreement for 125 Dunnell Road
  • Payment in lieu of taxes for Elit Properties development at 92 Burnett Ave.
  • Approval of proposal to prepare a redevelopment plan for post office property on Maplewood Avenue
  • Detached solar ordinance

See the full preliminary agenda on the township website.


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