UPDATE: The Maplewood Township Committee voted 3-2 to allow backyard chicken coops, with Mayor DeLuca voting in favor. Discussion of the evaluation criteria for the pilot program was tabled until November 1.
With all that Montclair and Maplewood have in common – beautiful old homes, bustling downtowns, hip art scenes, high property taxes – there is one thing Montclair has that Maplewood doesn’t: backyard chickens.
That might change tonight. After months of intense debate that has divided the town’s elected officials as well as residents, the Maplewood Township Committee will cast the final vote on an ordinance to permit a very limited and highly regulated pilot backyard chicken program.
Maplewood resident Marli Craig is against the proposal. “We live in a bedroom community with small yards,” said Craig. “There are a lot of people who don’t want this shoved down their throats.”
Committee member Jerry Ryan agrees. “I hope [it doesn’t pass]; I think it’s a mistake,” said Ryan. “I just don’t think something like this belongs in a town like ours.”
His stance puts him in opposition to Deputy Mayor for the Environment Fred Profeta, the driving force behind the proposal. Last fall, Profeta got the ball rolling by bringing Montclair chicken guru Grace Chow Grund to Maplewood for an informal presentation.
Craig has another reason for her opposition: rats. She and her neighbors in the Midland Park section of town have been battling a serious vermin infestation for the last several months, and they are concerned that adding livestock to the mix would make the problem worse.
“Rats are attracted to chicken coops,” she said.
The residents have spoken out at public meetings, presented the committee with a signed petition against the ordinance, and have even appeared on local news channels decrying the proposal.
Officials responded by making several key changes. Participants must first get their neighbors’ written consent. Also, any areas with active rat infestation are not allowed to participate.
“Those changes would never have happened if we had not started calling and complaining,” said Craig.
However, Ryan thinks the neighbor notification clause might open up a can of worms. “The township committee should not be creating a situation where we put people in the position of being the bad guy to a neighbor,” he said.
After the public hearing portion of tonight’s 7:30 meeting, the five committee members will vote. Based on previous votes, Vice Mayor Kathleen Leventhal will likely join Profeta in a yes vote while committeeman Marlon Brownlee will vote no with Ryan.
That leaves Mayor Vic DeLuca as the swing vote. DeLuca has not spoken much publicly on the issue, although his was the deciding vote that allowed the ordinance to be introduced last week. (He declined to comment for this article, saying that he is waiting to hear residents’ comments tonight).
The pilot program, which would begin on March 1, 2012, would allow 15 households, chosen by lottery, to each keep no more than three chickens in a coop. The program would be reevaluated after one year.
Profeta, who has spearheaded numerous green initiatives in Maplewood, believes the pilot is an opportunity for the town to serve as an example of the local food movement.
“The goals of the program are laudable, and the proponents are well-intentioned, but I just don’t see the benefits are worth the trouble and risk of problems,” said Ryan, who noted that he has tried to persuade DeLuca to vote against the ordinance.
“I’m still trying,” said Ryan. Stay tuned.
Photo: Wikipedia.
Oh brother. If you want a bunny hatch or a chicken coop or a dog house or whatever – who cares!
It’s a very bad idea. Who would buy a home, next to a home with a mess of chickens squalking at 5AM ? I think Profetta is losing common sence over being ubber “Green” ~
apparently only 07042 can have chickens while 07043 cannot. A friend of mine in 07043 tried to get some several years ago and was denied…..
There is currently someone in 07043 with a coop. There was an article in the last Montclair magazine in the Montclair Times that featured the family.
Gurl — I think the house is on Glenwood Ave near Norwood
That’s the house, Liz.
Those who oppose this should boycott chickens, eggs – ALL poultry products.
This will send a loud and clear message to the people who manufacture chickens.
After tonight I think that The Green Team should be re-named as the Fred Team or Team Fred.
Sitting in many of the TC meetings it was all about Fred and HIS thoughts, wants, desires and needs!
NO ONE from the Green Team was there but Fred and he had a a vote! Not Democracy!
Lots of clucking over this one. And a bit of crowing for Profeta.