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Residents press Milton council on pigeon feeding and fiber‑optic contractor conduct
Summary
Public commenters raised two distinct neighborhood concerns at the Feb. 2 Milton council meeting: one resident asked the city to ban bird feeding after an expanding pigeon flock, and another said a fiber‑optic contractor trespassed and left property damage; Public Works said it had forwarded the complaint to the company and expected follow-up.
During the public-comment portion of the Feb. 2 meeting, two residents brought issues of neighborhood quality and contractor conduct to the council’s attention.
Philip Jenkins said a neighbor across the street has cultivated an expanding flock of pigeons (he estimated the flock at about 200 birds) and that the feeding attracts rodents and creates sanitary and nuisance issues for new home construction on Comet Street. "When you feed birds, you're not only feeding the birds, you're feeding rats and mice," Jenkins said, and he asked the council to consider applying an existing city code or drafting a no‑feeding ordinance similar to park restrictions.
Jacqueline Whalen presented photos and described what she characterized as trespass, property damage and unsafe conditions left by a contractor installing fiber‑optic conduit. "They had no problem making use of private property to facilitate the installation of the conduit. They left a mess," Whalen said, and urged council to require stronger vetting and contract protections for future agreements.
Public Works Director Madden told council later in the meeting that Ms. Whalen's email had been forwarded to Easy Fiber's West Coast development chief and that he anticipated a conversation with the company. "Their West Coast CEO of Development was forwarded the email from Mrs. Whalen... and I'm fully anticipating a conversation with them in the morning," Madden said.
What happens next: Council members and staff asked to be proactive; Public Works will follow up with Easy Fiber and report back to council on remedies and corrective action if appropriate.
