North Judson’s chicken debate is expected to continue during tonight’s town council meeting. The town’s existing animal ordinance prohibits chickens and other farm animals from being raised within the town limits, but there are still some chickens in town.
Last month, the town council voted to enforce the ordinance and remove all remaining chickens after this year’s Starke County Fair. But resident Sarah Burkett says the town council previously decided to let her keep her chickens. She feels the apparent reversal unfairly singles her out. Burkett says many people support the idea of allowing residents to raise chickens in town, and she’s been encouraging them to speak up during tonight’s council meeting.
The town council has already announced plans to review the animal ordinance. Town officials have suggested allowing farm animals on properties that meet certain size requirements and specifically prohibiting the feeding of feral cats.
In other business tonight, council members are expected to get an update on the town’s new compliance officer position. The part-time employee would issue warnings and citations for tall grass and other code violations. Applications for the job were due last Friday.
Tonight’s North Judson Town Council meeting starts at 6:30 at the town hall.
