DERRY — Some farmers in town feel a proposed ordinance to control livestock in town could pose a threat to their way of life.
Ruth Provencal, who operates a farm on 6 1âÑ2 acres off Island Pond Road, said she was very upset at the ordinance because she always thought of Derry as farmland.
"I think the city people should go back to the city if they don't like farms," Provencal said at a public hearing on Sept. 17.
According to the ordinance, residents would need at least one acre to house any agricultural livestock, including horses, cows and sheep. All fowl pens kept on fewer than two acres would be required to have wire mess or poly-mesh roofs, and all animals would have to be enclosed and kept at least 150 feet away from abutting homes.
Before the ordinance becomes part of the town's zoning regulations, it must go through another hearing with the Town Council.
Both the animal control office and the town's code enforcement are hoping this will give them some teeth when they deal with a resident who has nuisance animals. Currently, the town has no regulations.
Chris Peterson, who operates an 8 1âÑ2-acre farm on Floyd Road, said he could understand why the planning board was creating the ordinance but said it would make things more difficult for responsible animal owners.
"I would hate this ordinance to discourage farming," said Riccardo Gazanga, a member of the town's conservation commission.
Phil Ferdinando, owner of J&F Farms on Route 102, noted sections of the ordinance that prohibit residents from keeping animals that create a noise or odor problem for neighbors, and said his animals probably violate those sections on a daily basis.
"I know how the last dinosaurs felt because I'm the last producing farm in town," Ferdinando said. "I don't want an ordinance that is going to work against me."
Ann Evans, planning board member and co-owner of the Derry Feed and Supply, said she didn't want to hurt Derry's agricultural heritage.
"You as an individual are a very important part of the agricultural heritage of this community," Evans said to Ferdinando.
State Rep. Jim Rausch, R-Derry, who is also a licensed veterinarian, said some aspects of the ordinance need to be more specific, such as defining a kennel and stockpiling waste.
Also, the ordinance doesn't have any fines for violators, Rausch said.
