Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Borough officials said at least 36 properties are already used for raising chickens.
Westwood officials are considering creating rules for raising chickens because there are already at least 36 properties in the borough with the birds, Councilman Ray Arroyo said Tuesday. The borough has received some complaints about properties with chickens, Arroyo said, but the zoning officer has not taken any action because there is currently no law. Mayor John Birkner also said one resident had brought concerns to him that they could attract rodents. "If we introduce this to the public, I expect some feathers to fly," Arroyo said. The practice of raising chickens for eggs and meat has become increasingly popular in recent years as part of the sustainability and homesteading movements, but the practice remains outlawed in some towns. …
Thursday, July 26, 2012
Westwood Mayor John Birkner proposed the borough could host their own and Washington Township's emergency dispatching services to save money for both towns.
Shared dispatching is still an option for Westwood and Washington Township to save money, according to local officials. Washington Township councilmen said at their meeting this week they were still open to investigating a proposal from Westwood Mayor John Birkner that the towns share emergency dispatching services. Birkner shared the idea in March and sent a proposal to township officials in April, but they had not yet given an official response because they wanted to know more about the capital costs associated with the plan. According to a letter from Westwood Police Chief Frank Regino to the members of the Westwood Borough Police Committee, a test run with shared dispatching for the two towns "was relatively quiet." Dispatchers fielded…
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
The Division of Fish & Wildlife will not take the bird as long as she continues to behave normally.
Eileen, the one-legged turkey that has become an unofficial mascot for Washington Township, will be allowed to stay as long as she continues exhibiting normal behavior, according to Carol Tyler of Tyco Animal Control. Tyler said the ultimate decision on whether or not Eileen can stay is in the hands of the state Division of Fish & Wildlife, who had intended to capture the bird after she was spotted back on the ground near the intersection of Pascack Road and Washington Avenue. When Tyler and state biologists went out to take Eileen, the turkey evaded them and flew to a high tree branch. Division of Fish & Wildlife representative Larry Hajna said they will not remove Eileen as long as she does not pose a risk. The division would consult …
Sunday, March 11, 2012
A look back at the past week in Westwood and Washington Township.
The Iron Horse officially reopened Monday, less than five months after a fire destroyed the kitchen and nearly took down the entire building. Kitchen Manager Sean Tremble said the restaurant is planning a grand reopening ceremony for March 21, which also happens to The Iron Horse's 40th anniversary. *** A one-legged wild turkey, which some Washington Township residents feared was in danger, was found at the Raptor Trust in Millington Tuesday. Residents who feed the turkey, nicknamed Eileen, were concerned for the bird's safety after witnesses saw a pair of men take her away last weekend. $2,700 was offered by residents for Eileen's return before she was found at the animal rehabilitation facility. She was treated for an infection and is …
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Residents offered a reward for the turkey's return after witnesses saw two men take it away Saturday.
Update: Eileen is back in Washington Township. A representative from the Raptor Trust said the turkey was deemed healthy enough to return to her home. A one-legged turkey that some Washington Township residents feared was in danger after witnesses saw two men snatch it up Saturday has been found and is safe, according to Washington Township Police Lt. Gregg Hackbarth. The turkey, nicknamed "Eileen" by residents who feed her near the intersection of Pascack Road and Washington Avenue, was treated for an infection at The Raptor Trust wildlife rehabilitation facility in Millington, Hackbarth said. After her treatment, officials planned to bring Eileen to the James A. McFaul Wildlife Center in Wyckoff. They later decided Eileen was healthy …
Frances L Parise
11:23 pm on Monday, March 4, 2013
Fran Parise I have 4 beautiful, contented and loved chickens. My granddaughter named them and runs races with them and has tons of fun. They have a clean coop (daily) and a clean 10'x40' run. I asked each of my surrounding neighbors if they would allow me to have chickens and I check with them all regulary to see if they are a bother. NO one has ever complained. Food is kept in a metal can, coop … more ›