Chicken complaints, code enforcement issues discussed at Cleona meeting

This article was funded by LebTown donors as part of our Civic Impact Reporting Project.

Two Cleona residents addressed borough council with complaints about neighboring properties, questioning both animal regulations and code enforcement.

Gale Kerkeslager voiced ongoing concerns about chickens kept in her neighbor’s backyard and asked when a borough ordinance addressing the issue would be finalized. According to council meeting minutes, prior to the most recent meeting on Monday, March 2, Kerkeslager has raised the matter three times before council in 2025 and again at both the January and February meetings.  

“How much longer am I going to have chickens in my backyard?” asked Kerkeslager. “I’d like to know, because then perhaps I’ll just invest in some goats and pigs, and maybe a cow, a horse or two. It seems that everything is allowed here.” 

Borough solicitor Colleen Gallo explained how the ordinance has continued to be revised and stressed the importance of ensuring council crafts a durable regulation.

“We have to get it right because if we don’t get it right, then it can’t be enforced,” said Gallo.

Borough ordinances currently prohibit keeping livestock on residential properties. However, borough manager Mike Peiffer said that when Kerkeslager’s neighbors were contacted, they claimed the chickens were pets rather than livestock.  The borough does not have defined wording as to what can be classified as a pet versus livestock. 

Councilman Larry Minnich and Gallo plan to meet this month to discuss revisions recommended by the borough’s planning and zoning commission.

A second concern was raised by Margaret Bowman regarding a neighboring property. Bowman alleged the home is in violation of the International Property Maintenance Code, which establishes standards intended to ensure properties remain safe and sanitary.

“Conditions in the backyard are getting worse,” said Bowman. “Tree limbs that were sawed off are strewn all over the rear yard.  The trampoline is collapsed – that happened last summer, and that is a mosquito trap because water gathers there.”

Mayor Matt Zechman expressed his sympathy for both situations and said he understands how this could lead to frustration. 

“Whether it’s the chickens or whether it’s this (issue) it’s just people don’t have respect for their neighbors and that’s kind of the core issue we’re looking at,” said Zechman. He said he will speak to Bowman’s neighbors to see if he is able to reach an agreement to appease them both. 

Another major topic before council was the purchase and upfitting of two new police vehicles.

Members reviewed several quotes submitted for the vehicles and their equipment.  Councilwoman Tricia Springer voiced concern about the limited range of vendors represented, emphasizing the need for council to exercise due diligence when evaluating costs.

“I think we should be responsible with the taxpayer money and we should be looking to find the best possible price,” said Springer. “The prices are going to be incredibly close. They could be within thousands of dollars but for a borough our size that is significant.”

Council unanimously voted on the upfitting quote for the one vehicle but tabled the remaining portion of the matter until they receive more quotes and an itemized list of what will be included as a part of the vehicle. 

In other council news: 

• The borough is at 93% of its snow removal budget for the year, which needs to stretch through December.
• Unanimously approved a $250 donation to an America250 parade for Lebanon County.  The parade will be held on July 3 at 6 p.m. in Jonestown.
• Police Chief Jeff Farneski read a poignant message the station received from a resident about Officer Todd Soderberg, who recently pulled over a motorist who explained she was rushing to the emergency room because her son was having an episode related to a heart condition. Soderberg let the driver continue to the hospital, where the child was able to receive the care he needed.
• Zechman reported he is continuing to evaluate potential crosswalk enhancements in the borough and shared several quotes he obtained for the installation of rapid rectangular flashing beacons. His next step will be to seek funding for the project.
• Annville Free Library’s annual meeting on April 20 will feature a plaque unveiling and showcasing the work done from the building’s expansion. 
• Cleona Celebrate 250 will take place on Saturday, June 20, from 3 to 6 p.m. at the Cleona Park Pavilion. For more information about the event or to volunteer visit, CleonaCelebrates.com.

The next Cleona Borough Council meeting is scheduled for Monday, April 6, at 7 p.m. at the Cleona Borough Building, 140 W. Walnut St. The meeting is open to the public.