Lovell Town Council votes not to allow the birds in town limits

LOVELL — There will be no chickens roosting in the Lovell town limits, at least for now, with a decision by the Lovell Town Council Tuesday night not to proceed with an ordinance to amend the town code and allow the birds, ending a several months-long discussion on the issue.

The vote was 3-2 in favor of a motion not to allow chickens in town. 

Councilman Bob Mangus made the motion to not allow the birds, and Carol Miller seconded the motion. They both voted in favor of the motion, but councilmen Dan Anderson and Mike Grant opposed the motion, resulting in a 2-2 tie.

Mayor Tom Newman broke the tie, voting with Mangus and Miller not to allow chickens in town.

The meeting began with citizen Jodi Baxendale reading a statement opposing chickens. She began by reminding the council that they were elected to serve the people of the town, and every decision should reflect “the voices, needs and best interests of the community, not personal agendas, outside influences, short-term gains or the wishes of a few people.”

She expressed “strong opposition” to allowing chickens in the town limits, noting that while she understands that “a few people see benefits in backyard poultry,” the concerns raised by a majority of residents are practical and valid.

As stated by Baxendale, those concerns include the following:

• Noise and odor: Even a few hens can create persistent noise and unpleasant odors that affect neighbors’ quality of life.

• Attraction of predators and pests: Chickens can attract raccoons, foxes, coyotes, skunks, rodents and flies, posing a nuisance as well as a danger, especially in residential areas.

• Health and sanitation: Not everyone will maintain proper care and cleanliness, and enforcement would likely fall short, leaving others to live with the consequences. The Chief of Police has said he does not have the manpower to enforce a chicken ordinance.

• Property values and aesthetics: The presence of livestock in residential areas can affect property values and change the character of neighborhoods in ways many residents did not sign up for.

• Zoning and fairness: Allowing chickens sets a precedent that complicates future zoning decisions, and it’s unfair to those who moved here with the understanding that this is not a rural agricultural zone.

Baxendale concluded by saying citizens expect “thoughtful governance that protects the long-term health, safety and cohesion of this community,” adding that the message from the majority of residents is loud and clear: “Keep chickens out of the town limits.” 

After the council approved the minutes and paid the bills, the first agenda item under unfinished business was the chicken ordinance, although there was no ordinance to consider, with the town not having written an ordinance after studying those of other municipalities. 

At the May meeting, Newman had expressed support for a committee to reach an agreement on the issue.

Mangus expressed the opinion Tuesday that, before a committee is formed, an ordinance written and a lot of time and effort invested, the council should first decide whether to proceed, asking, “Why waste people’s time?”

Grant said he’s in favor of allowing chickens in town, and after the council met with Chief of Police Roger Haney during a recent work meeting, he preferred to not end the discussion but rather wait until the chief feels the time is right, noting, “Right now he has his hands full.” He said the situation might be different six months from now, and in essence, he wanted to kick the issue down the road a bit rather than kill it immediately.

Mangus made the motion not to allow chickens in town, and after the 2-2 tie, Newman explained that the Town of Lovell has a lot of things to worry about from an administrative standpoint, “and chickens are way down the list.”

“When it comes to ordinance enforcement, I can’t in good conscience bury our law enforcement with one more thing until they can get a handle on the ones already on the books,” Newman said. “I don’t know how long that will take.”

This story was published on June 12, 2025.