Chicken lovers raise a squawk in Calais

Council chambers were standing room only when the Calais City Council held a public hearing on a proposed domestic livestock ordinance during their May 9 meeting. There was a high level of public interest in both the proposed ordinance as well as the discussion of ATV use on public roads.
The proposed domestic livestock ordinance would apply to the majority of the city east and north of a line from roughly Main Street and Victorian Lane to the traffic circle in Baring. As proposed, the ordinance would require a minimum lot size of half an acre for domesticated fowl, including chickens, ducks, geese, turkeys and guinea fowl, and two acres for domesticated farm animals such as cows, horses, donkeys, mules, sheep, goats, swine, llamas and alpacas.
During the public hearing, residents offered sometimes emotional statements on both sides of the issue, primarily concerning the restrictions on domesticated fowl. Those opposed to the ordinance referred to the "right to food" amendment to the Maine Constitution, stressing that the limit to six chickens would force those who do not desire to purchase store-bought chicken to not be able to raise enough birds to meet their needs. Kamiwan Oliver stated, "We as residents of Calais would be forced to rely on the unnaturally bloated breasts sold in big grocery." Other speakers expressed a similar view concerning the treatment of commercially raised chickens and the harmful products in commercial groceries.
Supporters of the ordinance relayed stories of existing chickens belonging to neighbors roaming their property and leaving droppings, as well as intimidating the residents.
Eden Stuart, an attorney in Calais, noted that sections of the proposed ordinance may not stand up to a judicial review, as they are ambiguous or unclear in some aspects. She noted that "it is discrimination" as it is written, as it requires a building permit for a chicken enclosure but not for a dog house.
One young girl made a brief statement, commenting, "Everybody should have chickens for fresh eggs."
Councillor Michael Sherrard noted that "everything that is legal has limits" and that he feels that the city attorney should be present for the next public hearing to respond to questions from the public. Sherrard moved to table the ordinance for a future public hearing with the attorney present. Following a second by Councillor William Quinn, the council voted unanimously to table the ordinance.

Other action
The council revisited the purchase of playground equipment for the Red Beach playground at the request of Councillor Elery Beale. Noting that the Calais Elementary School is also in need of playground equipment but does not have the funds available at present, the council decided that the equipment originally purchased for Red Beach would be used at the elementary school and that a second set of equipment would be purchased at the same price of $35,000 to be installed in Red Beach. The school would provide $20,000 that it had raised towards the purchase of equipment, with the remaining $15,000 coming from the Calais Rec Department. A total of $6,000 would come from the tower fund and $9,000 from recreation budget savings. Councillor Sherrard made the motion to make the purchase of the second set of equipment for $35,000, and all voted in favor.
In other business, the council approved a new liquor license for Mad Mardigan's and the bid from Stanhope Trucking for demolishing the building at 34 Garfield Street for $7,550. The council also agreed to establishing a Juvenile Outreach Committee as a subcommittee of the Public Safety Committee. The council also approved a sewer fee abatement request by Got Dirt Car Wash during a proposed fundraiser that would be a single-day event and operate in the same way as when a resident fills a swimming pool.
Based on concerns over fireworks in the city and ATV operation on roads, the council agreed to review both the ATV and fireworks ordinances at the next meeting.
The council also approved writing off uncollectible personal property taxes for eight defunct businesses and three additional ones that have failed to respond to notices from the city and referring to collections. The past due taxes range from $7.79 owed for 2020 22 by GCN Holding LLC to $21,098 owed by Tim Horton's Café & Bake Shop for 2019 to 2023. The oldest amount of $418.72 dates to 2010 for the former Juliana's World Café.