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Johnstown Common Council approves parking enforcement law, chickens ordinance and multiple administrative actions
Summary
At its April 20 meeting the Common Council approved Local Law #1 (civil enforcement of parking violations), adopted an ordinance regulating keeping of chickens, approved a Planning Board cost-recovery policy, rescinded prior parking-limiting ordinances, and took several administrative votes; one agreement was tabled pending attorney review.
The City of Johnstown Common Council met on April 20, 2026, and approved a series of local laws, ordinances and administrative actions covering parking enforcement, animal-keeping, planning policy and personnel/administrative updates.
Key votes: The Council adopted Local Law #1 (Civil Enforcement of Parking Violations) on a motion by Council Member Bradley Hayner, seconded by Council Member Eric Parker; the record shows four ayes and one absent (Scott Jeffers). The Council adopted Ordinance #2 to regulate the keeping of chickens (motion by Council Member Eric Parker, seconded by Council Member Max Spritzer), with provisions clarified by city officials that roosters will not be permitted and that coop placement and property setbacks are specified in the ordinance. Council also adopted an updated Planning Board Cost Recovery Policy (motion by Council Member Max Spritzer) and rescinded two prior ordinances that limited streets where parking is restricted. A motion to table the Agreement for the Senior Center for 2026 was recorded after the City Attorney had not reviewed the agreement; that item was tabled for further review.
Other administrative actions included approval of minutes from March 16 and March 27, approval of claims and accounts, authorization to advertise for a public hearing on streets where parking is limited, approval of a donation to the School District, updates to the employee handbook on retiree health benefits and policies, and approval of seasonal decorations with National Grid. Many motions passed unanimously among the four present members with one absence noted.
Enforcement and operational notes: The Fire/Codes department reported that the part-time Blight Officer has begun ward inspections focused on garbage accumulation, vehicle violations and property maintenance; standard remediation timelines (typically 30 days) and a shorter 10-day requirement for trash posing health hazards were described. The Police Chief reminded residents that parking on terraces and sidewalks is prohibited and announced a new Police Captain and new patrol vehicles.
What happens next: Items that require additional review (for example, the Senior Center agreement) will return to Council after attorney review. Staff will also advertise public hearings (including for streets where parking may be limited) and begin procedural steps to implement the newly adopted cost-recovery policy for Planning Board applications.
