LIBERTY — Liberty's chicken war has people clucking and chuckling. Rumors about who keeps chickens are flying faster than newly decapitated hens. On October 14, those who wished to speak at the crowded Village of Liberty Board meeting got three minutes to express their views about chickens in the village.

Prior to the meeting, 13-year-old Joey Galli, whose family lost their ZBA bid to allow him to keep his six therapy hens, collected signatures on Main Street to allow pet chickens in the village. The youngster and other petitioners in the village collected 287 signatures.

Code Enforcement Officer Pam Winters - who has been enforcing the law - did not show up at the meeting. When asked why, Village Mayor Daniel Ratner Sr. revealed, “I asked her not to; Pam was just doing her job.”

A few of those people at the meeting voiced opinions against chickens. One couple, who lives directly behind the Galli family, claimed they couldn't use their picnic table this summer because of the smells, flies and the clucking of the hens. They asked the board to uphold the law against chickens.

Village resident Edward Fredenburgh of West Lake Street said, “I don't see a reason why you can't have chickens. I have five aces.… I don't care if you paint your house green, it's your house. They want to decide how many chickens on how many feet of property? The village has bigger concerns! Our tax dollars could be better spent. It is your freedom, I'm for the Constitution.”

Laura Sprague claimed CEO Winters told her in the past that she could have chickens in the village. Sprague, who spent $700 for a deluxe chicken coop with heat and water, says it isn't fair that she is now not able to have chickens. She asked that the village allow a limited number of chickens on private property.

Edward Lopez of Orchard Street queried, “Why should I get rid of my chickens when I was told I could have them? We live in America for a reason; I come from Cuba and they were more civil. In NYC they kept chickens on the rooftops. I pay my taxes and I found a way to take care of my family when I don't have work. My chickens, their eggs and my vegetable garden provide for my family.”

Village resident Pat Grant was not sympathetic to the issue of therapy chickens or sustainable living. She said chickens were “more of a farm animal” and advised, “If you want chickens, buy a farm!”

Village resident Mary Kunzweiller was in favor of therapy chickens. “Joey Galli has six hens,” she said. “If they're helping him medically why not grant a medical waiver for him? He has a letter from his therapist.”

The problem seems to lie with interpretations of the village code by past Village Attorney Landon Chapman and by current Village Attorney Gary Silver. Chapman reportedly said chickens were allowed under the code, as they were “caged birds.” Attorney Silver has deemed otherwise and CEO Winters began issuing chicken eviction notices if there were complaints.

The September 8 decision by the Zoning Board of Appeals of the Village of Liberty did not favor the Galli family. The parents submitted a letter from Joey's therapist who opined the birds were therapeutic for the boy's special needs. The Board agreed the Galli family does not engage in “animal husbandry” but pondered if a chicken is a “customary pet,” they never approached the question of therapy animals for those with special needs.

At their request, the Gallis were the last to speak. Thirteen-year-old Joey Galli explained his last step when he cleaned the coop: “I use this special compound from the Tractor Store which kills the smell of ammonia.”

Like most politicians, Mayor Ratner would like to please everyone.

“We're not going to just drop this, and we appreciate everyone's opinions,” Ratner said. “This is definitely a cause that people are interested in and the Board will review everything and figure out a path to go. We would like to change this law, maybe by public referendum.”

Due to the holidays, there is only one Village Board meeting scheduled in November and December.