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Board continues large‑animal variance request on Reed Schoolhouse Road to April for site visit
Summary
Jamie Fielder requested variance to keep and expand farm animals and construct a barn/pen; neighbors raised concerns about odors, roosters and proximity. The board continued the matter to April 1, 2026, and will conduct a site visit before rehearing.
Jamie Fielder requested variances to keep large and small farm animals and to place an animal pen and barn closer to the property line at 138/130 Reed Schoolhouse Road. Fielder said she holds a farm designation through state agencies and described plans to move her run farther back on the lot to increase separation from neighbors.
Multiple neighbors spoke in opposition or concern. Laurie Butler said the smell and scale became "horrific" after the animal count grew and asked the board to enforce buffers the town adopted to protect residential properties. Ashley Morrison and Cheryl Kane corroborated odor, noise and proximity concerns; Morrison said persistent crowing had disrupted her sleep. Fielder replied she routinely maintains coops and uses lime and other measures to control odor and said she attempts to rehome roosters that appear.
Board members and staff discussed topography and the feasibility of moving the pen farther back on the lot, and noted that an appeal of a notice of order remains pending. Given snow and site‑access constraints, the board voted to continue the public hearing to a date certain of April 1, 2026, and to schedule a site visit so members can view the property before rehearing the variance request.
