HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-01-19 Infrastructure Committee Minutes
Infrastructure Committee
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Minutes
Councilors Attending: Susan Hawes, Harold Wheeler, Patricia Blanchette, Cary Weston
Staff Attending: James Ring, Jeremy Martin, in for Dan Wellington
Others Attending: Charles Boothby, Thomas Young
Committee convened at approximately 5:00 p.m.
Regular Agenda
1. Discussion: Possible Ordinance Change to Allow Chickens in Certain Residential
Areas
Jim Ring explained this was brought about by citizen interest. He stated
chickens were allowed in the Rural Residential and Agricultural Zone in the
outlying areas of the City. The draft ordinance was modeled after other
ordinances that were in place.
Mentioned were some of the requirements of the ordinance:
Annual permit.
Maximum of six chickens, limited to only females, no roosters.
No commercial use.
Prohibit of slaughtering on property.
Enclosed at all times.
Impermeable to rodents and predators.
Fencing to be buried in the ground.
Pen should be no closer than 20’ from house or property line.
Councilor Hawes wanted to provide an opportunity to those citizens who were
concerned.
Charles Boothby’s initial statement was inaudible. Some noted concern was for
some of the language in the draft ordinance such as: “condo complex”,
“supervised”, chicken wire being impermissible, burying of fencing (predators
were more in daytime and precludes moveable pens), waste storage/removal of
3 c.f., need for covering of pens due to overhead predators. He also suggested
the use of “nite-guards” for the night predators and the composting of the
chicken waste.
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Jeremy provided a response, but inaudible.
Jim responded that these were proposed requirements and were used by other
communities. He also provided details of the zones in Bangor. Jeremy also
commented on the 20’ requirement applied to the house and the abutters and
that the pen must be located in the backyard.
Thomas Young from Outer Ohio Street expressed he was in favor but was
opposed to burying of fencing because of ledge/granite. He suggested the use
of electric fencing and scattered dog hair instead.
Councilor Gratwick was in support and suggested having a sub-committee to
wordsmith the draft ordinance. He also suggested having a website for the
pooling of wisdom.
Councilor Wheeler was not in favor of a sub-committee and thought the Council
was spending more time on this type of issue than necessary. He spoke about
zoning purposes, etc. and was unclear of the implications, requesting Staff
further refine.
Councilor Weston was concerned about needing more information on waste,
carcass, rodents and suggested to perhaps limit the amount of initial permits
issued. He noted that communication was most important and this ordinance
should be done at a careful pace and should have a test period. He stated he
was in favor, though not a voting member.
Councilor Gratwick would like this to come back to this Committee with a final
draft.
Councilor Hawes was concerned about the timeline with it coming back to this
Committee then going to full Council. Her preference was for it to move to full
Council.
Councilor Wheeler motioned to go to full Council the first meeting in February
and Councilor Gratwick seconded.
2. Coal Tar Remediation Project Update
Jim stated the project started last September and work was still ongoing.
Pictures that were taken last Friday were handed around for review. All
underwater work was done, but on shore work was still in progress through the
month. Grading and seeding would be done in the springtime. The cost was
slightly lower than projected. They would be removing the barge from the river
in the morning and the diver’s inspection was done on Sunday. Monitoring
would continue for three years.
Meeting adjourned approximately 6:06 p.m.
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