Somersworth approves $44.7m budget and backyard chickens

April 22--SOMERSWORTH -- City councilors on Monday approved a $44.7 million city-school-county budget for 2014-15 and a proposal allowing residents to keep backyard chickens.

The zoning ordinance allowing up to six hens in backyard coops passed on a 7-2 vote. The measure requires an annual permit and fee, but does not mandate neighbor notifications or a building permit for chicken coops. Roosters are not allowed.

The budget measure was approved on a 8-1 vote after councilors found an additional $125,000 for road paving. All told, the City Council authorized $314,000 for paving next year.

The combined budget, which includes allocations for the city, Strafford County and Somersworth School District, takes effect July 1.

In its current form, property taxes are expected to increase by 71 cents per $1,000 in value. The owner of a home valued at $191,000 is projected to owe about $135 more next year.

The 2014-15 budget approved Monday is the first spending plan crafted under the tax cap, which voters approved in 2012. The cap limits spending increases to the federal inflation rate plus revenues from new development. The budget adopted Monday falls just within those parameters.

Mayor Dana Hilliard congratulated councilors for establishing a budget that met the tax cap limits while balancing city priorities.

The budget contains an $11.9 million allocation for the city's general fund, the vast majority of which pays for wages, benefits and health insurance for the city's roughly 100 employees. It also includes $25.9 million for the Somersworth School District and $2.33 million for the county.

Some $4.6 million was approved for water, sewer and solid waste departments, which are paid for through user fees.

Councilor Jonathan McCallion cast the lone vote against the budget. He favored changes that would have reduced the tax impact of the overall budget.

The final chickens ordinance was closer to the initial measure proposed in early March by Councilor Jennifer Soldati, who has four chickens. The plan was revised Monday to require a permit from City Hall and a $10 annual fee. The permit would expire each year on Sept. 1.

Residents can keep up to six hens provided they are in backyard coops at least 20 feet from a neighbor's property line. The chickens must be fenced in and have three square feet of space for each chicken.

About 10 residents spoke on the proposal, with all but one supporting it. They cited benefits such as fresh eggs, more control over their food and even stress relief from observing the chickens at play.

Councilors Dale Sprague and Brian Tapscott voted against the proposal. Both had concerns about the lack of neighbor notification. Sprague also sought stronger protections for those living around properties with chickens.

With passage Monday, the ordinance replaces an existing model in which those living in residential zones who wanted chickens had to seek a variance from the Zoning Board of Adjustment. At least two residents, including Soldati, received approval from the board to keep chickens over the past eight years.

A more stringent ordinance allowing backyard chickens that emerged from a City Council subcommittee last week was not considered Monday. However, it could be revisited at the May 5 council meeting.

In other action Monday, the council voted 5-4 for an a resolution supporting demolition of the city's vacant former police station at Main and Station streets downtown. A city park will be established in its place. The measure now goes to the city's Finance Committee to determine how to pay for demolition.

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