CAMDEN — During recent Camden Village Council meetings, residents have petitioned council to revise and amend village ordinance #664, section C, which pertains to livestock within village limits. In its current state, the ordinance prohibits village residents from owning, keeping or caring for any livestock or “farm” animal within Camden.
During the Thursday, Feb. 16, council meeting, Camden resident Elizabeth Jones spoke to council on behalf of 277 petition signers living in the village to ask for council’s consideration in amending ordinance #664, section C, allowing the keeping of chickens in the village through acquisition of proper permits.
Some members of council expressed concerns with allowing poultry to be kept in town, such as odor, sanitation, domestic disputes between neighbors, and an increase in rats, snakes and coyotes.
“Anytime you have things that you feed, or anything that drops droppings, anything like that, it’s just like feeding birds. You look out there at night, you’ll have rats, mise, opossums, raccoons, snakes, you’ll have all kinds of vermin. It will be a multiplier,” council member Kelly Doran remarked.
Council member Debbie Hickman also expressed concerns for the increased workload to Village Administrator Rusty Wilson, and his crew, who would be responsible for neglected coops and health violations.
“My concern is also we have three men on our maintenance crew, and Rusty is very busy with property maintenance, and this is just going to be another thing. Because if you think everybody will take proper care, they won’t,” Hickman said.
However, after deliberating the subject, council concluded during a Thursday, March 2, meeting, to amend the ordinance and allow chickens within the village on a trial basis. Council also established several requirements for owning chickens, such as a hen limit, set number of permits for the entirety of the village, and most strictly — no roosters.
During the Thursday, April 20, meeting, council read into record the first of three readings to establish ordinance #1047-2023, amending village ordinance #664, section C. Council members Doran, Hickman, and Judy Michael voted yes, while council member Jeff Steele voted no. Council members Carla Risner and Kate Duskey were absent.
Steele remarked he would like to see an extra requirement added to the amendment, stating owners must seek their neighbor’s permission to own chickens.
“The only reason I say that is because if they’re not getting along with neighbors, it’s a very valid point. The chickens are not going to help the situation. So, we’re going to be down there, Rusty is going to be there constantly,” said Steele.
Mayor Toni Keesler stated by adding such a requirement, it may cause more issues between neighbors who are otherwise agreeable.
“It would launch an issue preemptively,” added Doran. “I don’t think we should have to ask permission of our neighbors when something is legal.”
The next two readings will take place during the Thursday, May 4, and Thursday, May 18, meetings.
In other business:
•Council was unable to address financial business, due to the vacancy of the village fiscal officer position.
Camden Village Council meetings are public meetings held on the first and third Thursday of each month, at 7 p.m. at Camden Town Hall.
Reach Nathan Hoskins at 937-683-4057.
