I’m Fiona Tulba, and I’m raising funds for my family and for a fair, responsible change in Montville, CT. Right now, the town ordinance only allows backyard hens on properties of at least 0.50 acres, which leaves out many families on smaller lots who want fresh eggs and a more self-sufficient household. My family has kept hens in a clean, covered, secure coop and run, but after a single complaint, we were ordered to remove them. Instead of giving up, I’m trying to work within the system and present a proposal at the December town meeting that would allow residents on smaller lots to keep a limited number of hens responsibly.

This proposal is about sensible standards, not a free-for-all. I’m asking the town to consider a smaller minimum lot size of 0.25 acres, limits on flock size for smaller lots, no roosters, secure coops and enclosed runs, clean housing, setbacks from neighboring property lines, and proper waste management to help prevent odor and pests. Funds from this fundraiser will help cover the town’s application and filing fees for the ordinance amendment, public notice and hearing costs, printing petitions and informational materials for residents, and platform processing fees. Any funds raised beyond those costs will be donated to Montville Animal Control / the Montville Animal Welfare Initiative Inc.

If this matters to you, I’d be so grateful for your support. Every donation helps me move this proposal forward and gives more families a chance to grow their own food responsibly. I’ll continue to post updates here as the process moves forward, including the meeting date so supporters can attend and show support. Thank you for standing with me and helping make Montville a more practical, compassionate place for families like mine.