Vernon chicken ordinance too regulated

I’m happy that the voices of so many Vernon residents have been heard by the town council's approval of the chicken ordinance. However, so many of these people will still be unable to have backyard pet hens based on a few points that seem to have no basis. Especially, if you compare hens to dogs.Let me start by saying I love dogs, have had many in the last 20 years. and currently have 2. I am not saying we need more regulations to own dogs, just more education about hens to see why these restrictions are unnecessary.
Requiring people to have a minimum lot size of 100’ X 200’ to backyard pet hen owners seems unfair. You can keep 5 large dogs or a dozen small dogs on any size lot does not make sense. Also, what about kids who want to get involved in the 4-H Club, which is a wonderful, educational, hands on program. But, they have to be told NO because the property the house they live in is just not the right size!!
The ordinance also requires a $50 zoning fee for any size coop, no matter how small but no permits are needed for a dog house. Having a fenced in yard makes sense for any pet. If a hen gets out, she puts her life in danger but a dog who gets out can be a danger to people or other pets.
You are required to let the town know how you are removing the chicken droppings, which is basically recyclable and makes great garden fertilizer. Nobody questions how anyone handles dog feces, which is pathogenic and smells awful.
Hens are not noisy. Hens are not roosters. By nature, once they go in their coop at night to roost, they sleep. Some dog owners leave their dogs outside all hours to bark, yet the town does not seem to have a problem with this noise.
People need education about owning backyard hens. Not only do hens provide delicious fresh eggs, they are also natural exterminators eating many undesirable insects especially TICKS which help prevent Lyme disease.
I am originally from Bergen County where many families own backyard chickens with no restrictions, no fees and no problems. People in New York City even own chickens with no problems. I mean we live in Sussex County - “PEOPLE & NATURE, “ right??????? I wonder how Vernon residents would feel if they had to abide by such restrictions to own the pets they love so much. I’ve been living in Vernon for many years but I am seriously considering putting my house for sale and paying our taxes to a more chicken friendly town. I know there are many other places to live in this county that are beautiful and welcome chickens.
Shout out to Dan Kadish who tried to bring up so many practical and simple changes to this ordinance at the town council meeting last week, but it seemed like they had no intentions of making any changes. Thanks again. It's obvious that Dan has a lot of knowledge concerning chickens.
Linda Osestad
Highland Lakes