(7/20) Six of Carroll Valley’s newest residents are extremely popular outlaws.
Katlyn Weimer and Adam Colson recently added six chickens to their property at 8 Fawn Trail. They pluck around the couple’s yard all day, greet neighbors, and bother no one.
The animals have added joy to the community, according to neighbors. However, the fowl are running afoul of the law.
The law of the land in Carroll Valley states chickens must reside in the backyard of a property. That’s not possible for Weimer and Colson, whose house aligns with the rear of their half-acre lot.
The Weimer/Colson chickens flaunt their desperado lifestyle and the neighbors do not mind. In fact, four of them pleaded with the borough council in July to legitimize the chickens’ residency.
"Every time I go down the street, I smile when I pass that yard," Edie Jardine of 49 Fawn Trail said. "Please let them keep their chickens. I really feel that if you take them away, they will not be the only ones who will be losing something."
Lilly Gallmeister said the chickens are not only fun but hard workers who add to the quality of life on Fawn Trail.
"Chickens eat ticks, fun fact," she said.
Kelly Gordon, 2 Fawn Trail, commended Weimer and Colson for keeping their coop clean and property attractive.
"They run over to me every morning and night when I walk my dog, it is a joy to have them there," she said.
Council heard the residents’ concerns but did not rule on the matter because doing so would break a law much more serious than the Carroll Valley chicken ordinance – the Pennsylvania Sunshine Law. State law mandates government bodies may not alter a public meeting agenda less than 24 hours before the session commences. Weimer and Colson had just informed the borough of its dilemma the day of the meeting.
Borough Manager Dave Hazlett told the council it may choose to relax the chicken rules at its August meeting. Council concurred the item will be placed on the meeting’s agenda.
Carroll Valley chickens have been a popular topic in recent years. A previous law stated the animals were only allowed on properties zoned for agricultural use. Citizens protested and the council held numerous meetings that included countless hours of discussion on the matter. The hens exited the legislative process as victors, as long as they remained in the backyard.
Hazlett listened to Weimer and Colson’s appeal, even though doing so broke one of his personal goals.
"I’m still sitting here, and I swore I wouldn’t be sitting here with a chicken conversation going on," he said.
Hazlett confirmed he will be at the August 15 meeting of the council, during which he will hear more bird talk.
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