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West Jefferson board directs creation of regulations to allow hens after split vote
Summary
After a public hearing with several residents speaking in favor and one alderman opposing, the West Jefferson Board of Aldermen voted 3-2 to direct staff to create regulations that would allow hens in town; Alderwoman Beth Shelton and Alderman Calvin Green opposed the motion.
The West Jefferson Board of Aldermen on June 2 directed staff to draft regulations to allow hens in town after a 3-2 vote following a public hearing.
Supporters spoke during the public hearing in favor of permitting hens. Speakers identified by the transcript included Jeremy Aldridge, Mark and Mary Poteat, Ed Hinson, Katie Lesley, Dominic Gaetano and a boy scout who all spoke in favor of having chickens in town. Alderman Stephen Shoemaker spoke during the hearing against allowing chickens.
After the hearing Alderman Stephen Shoemaker moved to “move forward with creating regulation for having hens,” and Alderman John Reeves seconded. The motion passed 3-2. Alderwoman Beth Shelton and Alderman Calvin Green voted in opposition. The action was a direction to draft regulations and did not adopt an ordinance or finalize rules at the meeting.
The record does not include text of proposed limits (for example number of hens allowed, setback or coop requirements) nor a schedule for when draft regulations will return to the board for consideration. The board’s vote authorizes staff or the town attorney to prepare regulatory language for future review.
Alderman Green later reiterated his view that there should be no farm animals in town. Public commenters also noted constraints such as available green space when discussing how any policy might be implemented.
Next steps: the board’s vote instructs the town to draft regulations; the transcript does not specify a public timeline for review or adoption of any ordinance.
