Yes, I know it was Minnesota.

Urbanminers a deconstruction and salvage warehouse is hosting two upcoming workshops on January 22nd:

Maple sugaring with Lain Harris, 10am
Can you get maple syrup right in your own neighborhood. Yep. Learn how.
This will actually take place down the street at Lain’s house. Why ? He has maple trees and we do not. But stop by Urbanminers for some cider before or after or call Urbanminers for address information.

Raising hens & building chicken coops with Michael Calhoun, 2pm
Raising chicks and pullets for egg production
Proper handling of eggs
Qualities of different breeds
How to get started
Managing a small flock
Requirements of a chicken coop

Maple sugaring season is just around the corner and my Murray McMurray Hatchery catalog arrived last week. That means its time to start identifying neighborhood maple trees, selecting chicken breeds, and dreaming up some hen house specifications. Hope to see you there.

Mayor Scott D. Jackson is pleased to announce that the Town is planning the creation of a “spur trail” from the Farmington Canal Greenway to Town Center Park. The spur trail will allow for greater accessibility to Town Center Park from the canal line for cyclists and pedestrians alike. This trail is one of numerous projects undertaken by the Town to increase “walk-ability” and encourage alternate means of transportation. Residents who want to enjoy the open green area of Town Center Park will also be able to park at the library and walk this trail.

Mayor Jackson adds, “This spur trail is an example of a project that allows for alternative transport – as well as additional recreational opportunities for our citizens. The trail will allow residents to access events and activities in Town Center Park directly from the Farmington Canal.”

The trail will be funded by grants from the State Department of Environmental Protection as well as partial funding from the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program. Construction is planned for 2011. For further information please contact Chief Administrative Officer Curt B. Leng at (203) 287-7109 or via email at cleng@hamden.com.

All along, the backyard hens movement represented a larger redefinition of urban and suburban living based on ideals such as community, sustainability, walkable neighborhoods, and support for local businesses. Eh? Does this sound familiar? You’ve heard this message from Hens for Hamden here and from like-minded groups like the New Haven Bioregional Group, Elm City Cycling and from recently elected politicians, like Roland Lemar, State Representative, for the 96th District which includes Spring Glen in Hamden and neighborhoods in New Haven.

The question is, after hens, what next? Over the next weeks and months, Hens for Hamden will begin to branch out, reflecting the broader issues facing our town. How can Hens for Hamden transition into a collective effort, dare I say, movement, to make Hamden a more sustainable, safer town?

Both sides argued passionately for and against this issue, but our research, dedication, and networking won the day. Thanks to all who showed up and to all who wrote letters of support. To those of you who plan to keep hens, to those of you who can now care for your “illicit” flocks openly, and to those of you who don’t plan on keeping hens at all, but do care deeply about shaping a progressive future for Hamden: huzzah!

Tonight, Hamden chose a path forward, a path that embraces a forward-looking vision for our town. And we were there.

(For details about the final language in the regulation, visit your friendly town planning office!)

Unlike the May 11, 2010 “meeting”, this is a public hearing. After listening to the public, the Planning & Zoning Commission can hold an official voice vote. Yes, after Tuesday, we could have ourselves a good ol’ fashioned “up-or-down” vote. Numbers are important. We need to make our points succinctly and without being repetitious.

It’s easy: all those who support backyard hens can simply approach the microphone, give their names and addresses, and say that they support the change in regulations. That’s it. Really! It is most important that the Commission members see our faces, our numbers, and hear our names. We are their neighbors, after all.

Bring chicken accessories! Print out an “I {heart} Backyard Hens” sign and wave it in the air! Share your expertise on issues such as food safety and the environment! Get on the public record and make history. Yes, that’s you I’m talking to.

In the upcoming weeks as we prepare for the Planning and Zoning Commisson’s public hearing on backyard hens, show your support by posting this sign on your front door or front window.

Yes, your mail carrier and neighbors may wonder, “Eh?”

And when they wonder, and wonder they will,  you can share with both confidence and ardor the benefits and pleasures of keeping small flocks of backyard hens.

Tuesday, July 27, 2010 at 7:00 p.m.
Thornton Wilder Hall, Miller Memorial Library, 2901 Dixwell Avenue, Hamden

More details to follow in the upcoming weeks. This is an official public hearing with the possibility of an “up-or-down” vote that very evening.

In the upcoming weeks, here are some things that you can do:

Spread the word.
Send an email or write a letter to Hamden’s Town Planner.
Print this sign of support and hang it with pride in a window or on your front door!
And then send out a mighty “yee-haw!” for backyard hens in Hamden.

Statement of purpose.  The keeping of hens supports a local, sustainable food system by providing an affordable, nutritious food source of fresh eggs. The keeping of hens also provides free nitrogen-rich fertilizer; chemical-free pest control; animal companionship and pleasure; weed control; and less noise, mess and expense than dogs and cats.

This regulation is intended to make provision for the limited keeping of female chickens (Gallus domesticus), referred to as hens, for the health, convenience and personal enjoyment benefits afforded by such use, in a manner which preserves the quality of life of the surrounding neighborhood.

a.    No more than six (6) hens may be kept in the following residence zoning districts as a non-commercial accessory use: R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-5, T-3, T-3.5

b.    Hens shall be confined to a fenced enclosure located in a rear or side yard only. The enclosure shall be at least ten feet from any property lines or 20 feet from residential structures on adjacent properties.

c.    Within the fenced enclosure, a well-maintained structure (henceforth referred to as a coop) shall be required for the hens. The coop must be less than 15 feet in height and impermeable to rodents, wild birds, and predators, including dogs and cats. A Zoning Permit is required to erect all backyard or sideyard coops.

d.    The coop and enclosure must be clean and odor-free, kept in a neat and sanitary condition at all times, in a manner that will not disturb the use or enjoyment of neighboring lots due to noise, odor or other adverse impact.

e.    Any portion of the coop directly visible from a property boundary or directly visible from a street line shall be screened by either a fence or a landscaped buffer substantial enough to conceal the structure.

f.    Odors from hens, hen waste, or other hen-related substances shall not be perceptible at the property boundaries.

g.    Provision must be made for the storage and removal of hen droppings. All stored droppings shall be covered by a fully enclosed structure with a roof or lid over the entire structure. All other droppings not used for composting or fertilizing shall be removed. In addition, the coop, enclosure and surrounding area must be kept free from trash and accumulated droppings.

h.    Perceptible noise from hens shall not be loud enough at the property boundaries to disturb persons of reasonable sensitivity.

i.    No rooster shall be kept on any property.

j.    The keeping of hens shall conform to standards set by the Quinnipiack Valley Health District.