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Residents clash over roosters and farm animals during Shamong public comment
Summary
Neighbors and new property owners traded complaints and defenses over roosters and small-scale farming on Oakshade Road. Township staff said the county Board of Health handles animal-noise and smell complaints and reiterated that the township’s letter asked for consideration, not removal.
Several residents at the Aug. 6 Shamong Township Committee meeting pressed the committee for help resolving an escalating neighborhood dispute over roosters and other animals at 529 Oakshade Road.
"We then took the roosters out of our property, out of respect again," said Josie, a resident of 529 Oakshade Road, describing how she temporarily removed the birds after a complaint. "We are going to bring them back," she added, saying the township had previously told the family the roosters were allowed.
Other neighbors said the birds disrupt sleep for a largely retired block and that wetlands and buffer requirements complicated where coops and small structures could be sited. "I do not wanna be woken up by rooster at 05:00 in the morning," one nearby resident said.
Township administrator Sue told the committee she had urged the new occupants to be considerate and clarified a written message did not order removal. "I wrote that letter. It did not say remove your... It asked if you could possibly move it away from the property line," Sue said.
Several residents asked whether the township enforces animal-noise limits. Sue and other staff said the county Board of Health typically handles habitual noise and smell complaints; the state noise code (Title 7) excludes agricultural activities from certain decibel limits, a resident noted.
Speakers representing both sides urged neighbors to document incidents. The mayor encouraged residents to call 911 when dangerous behavior occurs and to collect video evidence when possible so law enforcement can act on trespass or threats.
The committee did not propose a new rooster ordinance at the meeting. Staff said they would take no immediate enforcement action beyond encouraging voluntary compromise and directing residents to county resources when a public-health or environmental complaint is involved.
The public-comment portion of the meeting also covered ATV trespass and leaking hydraulic fluid reported near Woodgate and Ironwood; staff advised documenting environmental concerns to trigger DEP or county follow-up.
