Callery chicken petition ‘laid to rest’
CALLERY — Borough council unanimously voted against amending their ordinance on backyard chickens Monday.
“As you recall, in January we received a petition request along with a verbal request asking Callery borough to amend their ordinance to allow yard chickens,” Council President Rose Wirtz said.
Cranberry residents Jennifer and Michael Flickinger, representing Jennifer’s parents, who live in Callery, presented a petition at the Jan. 3 meeting asking the borough to introduce an ordinance allowing backyard chickens. The petition was signed by 56 residents and modeled after Evan City borough’s ordinance.
“The couple that spoke, out of courtesy, we heard their comments,” Wirtz said. “They did a lot of legwork, and they did their research, and one thing that I find is extremely disappointing is not anyone bothers to call the borough.”
Many of Callery’s residents own chickens and were unaware that the borough’s ordinance forbid it.
“I don’t care what Evan’s City’s ordinance is, I don’t care if the Village at North Hills allows chickens,” Wirtz said. “Every municipality is different, and no one has ever called — they just assume it is OK, and then it’s not.”
After presenting the petition for backyard chickens at the January meeting, Wirtz said that it would have to be presented to Tom Smith, the borough’s solicitor. The borough would then respond within 30 days.
“Tonight, I just think we need to decide what we’re going to do here,” Wirtz said. “What I’m going to ask for is a petition if someone would like to make a motion to amend the ordinance to permit chickens in the borough.”
Councilman Mike Brandl motioned to leave the ordinance as it was.
“Not one resident came to me or asked me about chickens; I had two say, ‘If you allow chickens in there, I’m moving,’” Brandl said. “Nobody’s came to me and said they want to have chickens, I’ve had people say they don’t want to see chickens in there, that’s why we have the ordinance.”
Councilman Robert Dugan seconded the motion. The preceding vote was unanimous.
“And Evans City is going to amend their ordinance,” Brandl continued. “And there may not be chickens in Evans City anymore, because of the complaints they’re getting.”
Council will send a letter to Jennifer Flickinger’s parents stating the outcome of the petition.
Wirtz cited uncleanliness, disease and a lack of oversight as the leading factors against the proposed ordinance.
“These ordinances we have on our books are ordinances that are there, that were drafted and reviewed by our current solicitor and by past solicitors for 30 years or better,” Wirtz said. “We have to do things that we feel is in the best interest of this community.”
Smith said the next step will be to send residents a letter informing them that they have 10 days to get rid of the chickens. If residents don’t comply, the matter will go to the district judge.
“So, on that note, the chickens have been laid to rest,” Wirtz said.
The borough also approved a new rate structure with the Evans City Water and Sewer Authority.
“Ten years ago we were looking at $125 a month,” Smith said. “I would say the majority of customers in Callery borough will be paying $88.”
According to Smith, the new plan will be implemented in March now that the borough has approved the rate study.
“I think Evans City Water and Sewer Authority has done a really good job with this rate study; I think they’ve really taken the intent and the meaning of the agreement we have with them to heart,” Smith said. “Quite honestly, I think you’re coming out way ahead of where you would have been if we hadn’t done this.”
