Village of Nassau holds public hearing on proposed ban of livestock and poultry within village limits

The Village of Nassau opened a public hearing on Proposed Local Law No. 1 of 2025, which would prohibit residents from housing horses, cattle, sheep, goats, swine or poultry within village limits. Chair read the draft ordinance aloud and noted the text includes a clause that the local law "shall take effect immediately."

The draft ordinance, as read by the Chair, repeals section 58-3(h) and adds a subdivision stating: "No horse, cattle, sheep, goat, swine or poultry shall be housed or kept within the village limits, nor shall any person suffer or permit any horse, cattle, sheep, goat, swine, or poultry owned by or ... to be housed or kept within the village limits." The reading concluded with the clause making the law effective immediately if enacted.

During the public-comment portion, a resident identified herself as Janet Doherty of Elm Street; the Chair asked her to state her opinion for the record. Doherty raised a neighborhood concern, and the Clerk and Doherty discussed whether issues other than the proposed animal restrictions—including curbside trash handling—should be addressed outside the hearing.

Another speaker described chickens on nearby properties as a nuisance, saying they were often in yards and "especially because they're in the road," and that passing cars have stopped and sounded horns. The Clerk and Chair indicated that the trash question and other non-hearing matters could be handled at the regular meeting.

The board did not take a vote on enactment of the local law at the hearing. The Chair closed the comment period and the hearing by motion; the record will reflect that the draft ordinance was read and public testimony was heard at the session.