Chicken ordinance to get second reading in C.D.

Next Wednesday night people will gather in Coulee Dam to talk about chickens.

Are they likely to answer once and for all the two top chicken questions that have confronted civilization for decades: “Why did the chicken cross the road?” and “Which came first, the chicken or the egg?”

Probably not.

But they will talk and probably make a decision on whether residents of Coulee Dam can keep a few chickens, legally.

The town council will have its second reading Aug. 12, of its chicken ordinance, and likely face again a number of people either mouthing the virtues of chickens or the opposite, whether the town should allow a handful of chickens to scratch the underbelly of civilization.

The town had its first reading of the so-called chicken ordinance in mid-June in a meeting made dramatic by the number of people who showed up and the surprising action by the town council.

After a lengthy session of people speaking for and against chickens, the council split its vote 2-2 on the first reading of the new ordinance. Mayor Greg Wilder broke the tie, moving the ordinance along to its second reading and possible passage next Wednesday night.

Mayor Wilder brought the matter to the council when some Coulee Dam residents said they would like to have a few chickens. Little did he know it would create such a fuss.

The ordinance, if passed, would allow residents to keep up to four chickens under a long list of conditions that protect cleanliness and address other traits of chickens.

The ordinance would allow hens only; you wouldn’t want to wake up in the morning by the sound of a rooster crowing, would you?

Chickens were the targets of several complaints at the last meeting, many of which will likely crop up again next week.

The ordinance tries to address all the negative issues some townspeople have brought up.