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West Jefferson board retains chicken ordinance after 3-2 split; residents urged change during public comment
Summary
The Town of West Jefferson voted 3-2 on July 7 to leave its chicken ordinance as written after a divided discussion among aldermen; four residents spoke during public comment in favor of allowing chickens.
Mayor Tom Hartman opened discussion of the town’s chicken ordinance at the July 7 Board of Aldermen meeting, recommending that the board reconsider a prior decision on allowing chickens in town. Alderman Calvin Green and Alderman Rusty Barr initially agreed to reevaluate the ordinance while Alderman Stephen Shoemaker expressed that he wanted the board to move forward with the new regulations.
After discussion, Alderman Calvin Green moved to leave the ordinance as written; Alderman Rusty Barr seconded the motion. The motion passed 3-2, with Alderman Stephen Shoemaker and Alderman John Reeves recorded as opposed. The minutes do not record additional amendments or a timetable for further review.
During the public-comment portion of the meeting, four residents—Jeremy Aldridge, Angelica Aldridge, Cody Loeffler and Mary Poteat—spoke in favor of allowing chickens in town. The record lists those speakers as supporting changes to the ordinance but does not include direct quotes or the specific regulatory language they urged the board to adopt.
The board did not take a subsequent formal vote to reopen or amend the ordinance at this meeting. No implementation steps or dates were specified in the minutes; the outcome is a continuation of the ordinance as currently written.
