Tabernacle residents have more time to discuss chicken ordinance
Residents came to the Tabernacle Township Committee meeting last week to discuss the ordinance on keeping chickens that was supposed to be up for second reading. However, committee decided to table the ordinance to its next meeting.
Mayor Stephen Lee IV said the committee had asked the Land Development Board to look at the ordinance, specifically in regard to possible setback issues, and would like its input before moving forward.
Committeeman Joseph Barton explained that the Land Development Board’s solicitor said the board will need to look at whether the ordinance is consistent with the township’s Master Plan as well as other township ordinances, including setbacks.
The board has 35 days to get back to the township committee. Barton said the ordinance is set to be on the Oct. 5 meeting agenda of the Land Development Board, and concerned citizens who would like to voice their opinions are welcome to go to the meeting.
“Anyone who wants to come to that meeting is welcome. I’m sure the chairman will acknowledge (their comments),” Barton said.
Once the Land Development Board has made its recommendations, the township committee may either add what the Land Development Board recommends, if anything, or, with a supermajority, override the input, according to Barton.
Although there was a delay in reading the ordinance, residents still let their opinions be known about the ordinance.
George Gates requested committee members give the proposed ordinance more thought. He felt it was very rushed and that the township should look at how other townships are dealing with chickens. Gates also said he felt many residents did not know what was going on with the ordinance. He said it was a quality of life issue, and that the smell of chicken fertilizer is much worse than other animals in his opinion.
“I really believe this should slow down. If nothing else, we should look at the other communities who have adopted this chicken thing; let’s just give it a year and ask them what kind of problems they have,” Gates said.
Others did not agree. Amanda Williams and new resident Christina Hudley both expressed their support for the ordinance.
Community members will have the opportunity to speak at the Land Development Board meeting or the township committee meeting on the chicken ordinance in October.
The next township committee meeting is Oct. 24 at 7:30 p.m.
In other news:
• Two other topics were pulled from discussion — the contract between the township and the Tabernacle Rescue Squad and the facility use and license agreement between the township and the Tabernacle Athletic Association. Lee said he wanted to have the full board present for discussion on these two topics, as only three of the five members were available that night.
• The committee approved receiving a grant from the Burlington County Freeholder Board for park development projects in the amount of $77,000.
Part of the township’s 2016 Park Projects for the Pricketts Mill Tennis Court Rehabilitation was also approved in the amount of $80,125.50 to All Surface Asphalt.
• The committee reminded residents of two upcoming events. The Tabernacle Fire Company is having an open house on Oct. 10 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., and the Tree Lighting Ceremony is planned for Dec. 12.
