Resident presses Woodbridge council over backyard-chicken permit fee hike; council promises review

An Avenel resident urged the Woodbridge Township Council on Tuesday to explain a recent increase in the backyard-chicken permit fee, telling council the fee went "from $35 to $75, which is a 114.2857% increase." The speaker, Suzanne Repnicki Rowland, said the higher cost could discourage residents from keeping small backyard flocks she said help with education, composting and pest control.

Council responded that the fee schedule had not been updated for roughly 16 years and that an incremental reset was responsible for what appears to be a large percentage change in a single step. Council said staff would consult with the health department and review rates to ensure they are justifiable and in line with surrounding communities.

Another commenter described positive local experiences raising chickens, saying they reduce ticks and provide educational opportunities for children and solace for homebound residents. Council did not take immediate regulatory action at the meeting but said it would follow up with the health department and administration and consider aligning fees with neighboring towns.

"We, as a council, will speak with Mr. Semiluca and our health department," the council president said, adding that officials wanted to make sure rates were justifiable and consistent with peers.

The council did not provide a timetable for any change; residents were told officials would review the fee structure and report back.