After careful review of a revamped site plan, Planning Board members expressed support last night for a special permit to allow livestock to be kept at 16 Brigham Hill Rd.
During a second public hearing, Rebecca Wilson decreased the number of livestock to 10 adult goats and newborn goats to be kept on 2.75 acres of land.
“After examining the new site plan, I don’t see the number of goats being an issue with the size of the property,” Chairman Bruce W. Spinney III said.
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The goats will be housed in a pen 300 feet away from abutting property owners. Wilson plans to build a 24 square-foot compost pile for manure. Compost will be used for her family's garden and apple trees.
The goats, a breed known as Nigerian Dwarf, grow to a maximum height of 21 inches. They will be shown at 4-H fairs and used for milk. Newborn goats will be sold immediately after nursing.
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Goat owner Cindy St. Pierre of 12 Hudson Ave. also supported the new site plan. “Rebecca is light years ahead in raising goats,” she said. “I’ve seen her expertise firsthand when she helped me take care of my own goats and she has the support of her father and older brother.”
Originally, Wilson applied to keep 20 goats, 30 chickens and possibly a llama. Neighbors and Planning Board members expressed concerns about the number of animals being kept on 2.5 acres of land and gave her two weeks to draw up a clearer proposal.
Final approval for the special permit will be given at the next Planning Board meeting on April 11.