Brant Municipal Enterprise CEO departs role

MEDIA RELEASE - The County of Brant in collaboration with the Board of Directors for Brant Municipal Enterprises announce the departure of the Brant Municipal Enterprises Chief Executive Officer, Brooke Hayward.

“Mrs. Hayward began with Brant Municipal Enterprises as Director of Energy in 2013 and was promoted to the Chief Executive Officer role in 2018,” said Mayor David Bailey, Chair of the Board of Directors for Brant Municipal Enterprises “We thank Mrs Hayward for her time and commitment to Brant Municipal Enterprises and wish her the best in future endeavors.” Brant Municipal Enterprises Inc. is an incorporated, County of Brant owned corporation with a primary focus on generating new revenues for the County of Brant while adding economic and social value to the community. Brant Municipal Enterprises focuses on renewable energy development and real estate.

“We truly appreciate everything that Mrs. Hayward has accomplished over the last ten years with Brant Municipal Enterprises including the construction of the Cowan

Community Health Hub,” said Alison Newton, Chief Administrative Officer of the Count of Brant. “Mrs. Hayward was part of building Brant Municipal Enterprises and enhancing the County’s focus on renewable energy among many other accomplishments.”

Adam Crozier, Project Manager for the County of Brant’s Chief Administrative Officer, will be appointed as Acting Chief Executive Officer of Brant Municipal Enterprises effective June 5, 2023, as recruitment commences.

What’s that clucking sound coming from your backyard? Councillors revisit backyard chicken bylaw as the question comes forward again – to lay the egg or not – err to allow them or not?

By Bailey Zimmer

On May 16, 2023, Brant County Administration and Operations Committee discuss modified regulations regarding backyard chickens and keeping poultry as pets.

Backyard chickens within the County of Brant are under deliberation after many years of community members expressing their desire for small scale farming experiences and keeping chickens on their property.

Currently, chickens within the County of Brant, with the exception of The City of Brantford, are not to be kept as pets, even in seemingly rural areas

“I’m not insisting that Council amends the bylaw entirely, I’m suggesting maybe the easiest route be taken, if it simplifies things,” said delegate Casey Nykorak in the meeting. “My recommendation is that non-urban zoned properties like my own have an allowance for backyard chickens.”

Nykorak suggests the number of chickens an owner may have can depend on the size of the lot they own as well as to deny the ownership of a rooster on certain plot sizes to avoid unwanted noise that may disturb others.

As of June 2022, the city of Brantford currently allows up to 10 chickens within a property, with a maximum of one rooster to be included in the 10. In Brantford, chicken owners must have a permit from the City of Brantford allowing them to own and house chickens.

While the regulations currently within Brantford are not applicable to the rest of the County, council will soon make a decision regarding backyard chickens and decide if some areas within the county will be eligible to have small scale chicken farms on individual homeowner’s property

Currently in Brantford, the ByLaw restricts the number of birds each lot may allow, as well as the placement of the chicken coop. If the chicken coop cannot fit appropriately on the property without disturbing other structures, it will not be permitted.

Some residents are asking council to reconsider a bylaw that prevents them from raising chickens in their backyard The concept was discussed at a recent Administration & Operations Committee meeting but must go before council to determine if it will be allowed or not.

From By-Law chapter 206, article 10.3 A, a chicken coop “cannot be located in the front yard or exterior side yard as defined in the City of Brantford Zoning Bylaw 160-90 as amended; and be no less than 7.5m from structures on other lots.”

Some residents within the County are concerned about the smell, noise or other wildlife that may be attracted to the chickens or the feed should the ByLaw regulations be altered

From 206, 10.3 D, a chicken coop should “have regular cleaning to remove debris and other potential hazards including soiled material that could cause foul odour and is disposed of or composted in accordance with all applicable laws and legislation.” If this section of the ByLaw is obeyed, the smell or other hazards caused by chickens should be minimalized and limiting concern for surrounding neighbours.

Another concern with backyard chickens currently is from biohazards and how the chickens may affect wildlife or humans. In particular, the avian flu is a concern for some, though the flu is mainly transmitted from migratory birds and will rarely affect humans. According to the Government of Canada website in section Avian Influenza A, “Human infections with avian influenza viruses have occurred most often after close contact with infected birds or highly contaminated environments, such as poultry farms or live bird markets Although the virus spreads easily between birds, it is not well adapted to mammals, including humans.”

Other residents think there are more benefits than concerns in the matter. “I’m in favour of backyard chickens in my area,” said Lisa Wood, resident of Paris “There are numerous environmental and health benefits provided by backyard chickens. They divert waste from landfills by consuming organic kitchen waste; their manure is among the best for fertilizing gardens and takes less time to compost than other types; they clear the yard of insects that destroy plants, including ticks that carry Lyme disease dangerous to humans ”

Other benefits including mental health, education, responsibility and understanding of where food comes from have also been mentioned by Nykorak and Wood alike

Currently, other large cities such as Guelph, Burlington, Kitchener-Waterloo, Brampton and others allow chickens to be kept in various plots with varying numbers.

“There really is no reason when comparing to these large Ontario cities for Brant County not to consider this,” said Nykorak.