BRUNSWICK

A long agenda awaits the town council today dealing with such matters as chicken license increases, parking on Weymouth Street, and traffic flow at Harriet Beecher Stowe Elementary School.

Following a public hearing on Jan. 19 regarding raising the fee for a chicken license in town from $10 per year to $30 every two years, the council is set to take action on the matter.

If passed, the amendment to the ordinance would also end annual inspections of coops by the animal control officer, requiring only an initial inspection when the coop is built. Subsequent inspections will only be required if there are complaints or significant alterations to the coop.

Currently, South Portland assesses an annual fee of $25, Portland $26, Sanford $25 and Bid- deford a one-time fee of $40. Brunswick, South Portland, Sanford and Windham all require coop fencing to be buried 12 inches deep.

The council also will hear from the public regarding a possible parking ban on the south side of Weymouth Street, extending 100 feet from the Union Street intersection. When first discussed, the ordinance proposed by Councilor Jane Millett was met with general agreement among council members as many said they have heard from the public about safety concerns created by parked cars near the intersection.

There also will be a public hearing on amendments to the fire prevention and protection ordinance. In a letter from Deputy Chief Jeff Emerson to the town council, he said that changes are mostly considered as “housekeeping.” Language will be clarified in the codes to reflect current terminology, and codes will be brought in line with statewide standards.

Fees and fines will also be updated. The letter stated that such an increase is long overdue following comparative research and would produce an increase to the town of about $2,000 annually.

The council will also take action on parking restrictions at the elementary school access road.

The request comes from the school department and would designate the road as one-way at all times and prohibit parking at all times. Currently, parking is allowed during dismissal.

Coop cash

• CURRENTLY, South Portland assesses an annual fee of $25 to keep chickens, Portland $26, Sanford $25 and Biddeford a one-time fee of $40. Brunswick, South Portland, Sanford and Windham all require coop fencing to be buried 12 inches deep.

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