Our town, Pittsfield, NH, has unfairly imposed a variance payment on the ownership of chickens, categorizing them under agriculture. As someone who has personally felt the impact of this policy, I am calling for its repeal. There's nothing more heart-wrenching than being unfairly targeted by the town we love and call home, to pay for chickens.

Turning to chickens as a way to cut groceries cost and have a steady supply of fresh eggs each day is a simple and thrifty strategy many families have undertaken across America. This cost-saving practice costs little more than chicken feed but is being virtually penalized in our town.

Not only does the owning of chickens by families contribute significantly to food sustainability, but the Environmental Institute of Australia and New Zealand reports that a family of four can reduce food wastage by 50% with just four chickens.

Such a policy thus not only unjustly financial burdens the everyday citizen but also hinders our community's stride for food sustainability and self-sufficiency.

This unnecessary financial imposition on chicken owners discourages thriftiness, self-sufficiency, and sustainability. I believe that everyone should have a simple right to own an agricultural animal for personal needs without undue backlash or penalties from the town, neighbors, or anyone else, simply because of opposing opinions or misconceptions.

Join me as we challenge this unjust regulation in Pittsfield, NH, to put an end to such overreach and to enhance the sustainability and food independence in our community. Sign this petition to abolish the pay-to-own-chickens regulation.

I pray the ultimate goal of this petition would allow zoning in Pittsfield’s urban development to allow for 10-20 cooped chickens that cannot be free roaming animals. 
thank you for reading and all the support on this petition 

Cara M. Marston

Town Hall
85 Main Street, Pittsfield NH 03263
Ph: (603) 435-6773  Fax: (603) 435-7922

Board of selectmen Members
 Carl Anderson
Chair
2025
 Jim Adams
Member
2027
 Jim Allard
Member
2027
 Carole Richardson
Vice Chair
2025
 Larry Konopka
Member
2025

ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT MEMBERS

Arthur St. Laurent
Chair
2027
Larry Konopka
Vice-Chair
2025
Pat Heffernan
Member
2027
Arthur O'Hara
Member
2026
Member
2026
Gretchen Anderson
Alternate
2027