Thanks, Dan. One thing I am compelled to point out is that there is no ordinance in place that prohibits Victor or anyone else from keeping hens for personal consumption. The ordinance in place regulates the keeping of hens for the primary purpose of selling eggs or chicken meat to others. The ordinance was adopted in 1947, and the history is important. During the first & second world wars, there was great pressure on food supplies in north America and Europe. In several countries, including here, governments encouraged the planting of 'war gardens,' also known as 'victory gardens' on public lands and at residences. It was a matter of national urgency both economically and agriculturally. Slogans like 'Plant More in '44' adorned government ads and Eleanor Roosevelt led the charge with a Victory Garden at the White House. About 40% of produce consumed in the US in that period came from these gardens. After the war, the perceived need for gardens faded (two are still in operation, one behind Fenway Park). But gardens still remained everywhere, including Wayne, and everyone was selling their produce in front of their homes. So the ordinance in Wayne was aimed to curb those sales, not to outlaw growing tomatoes and keeping hens for your own consumption. There should be reasonable regulation of this stuff and right now there's none. Victor Alfieri stands accused of violating a law that does not restrict what he is doing.

I hope the town fathers don't get their feathers all ruffled over this. The taxpayers can't afford it.

Great job Rob! Keep up the good work. You are a positive example to our community in many ways. I appreciate it! Now maybe, if our Mayor and Town Council who are not a positive example would get off their political bandstand and stop jerking you around with your windturbine, further progress can be made.

Pass an ordinance that requires all lawsuit expenses be approved by the taxpayers prior to litigation. Corporations require approval prior to expensive and unnecessary legal expenses, why should this be different?

Bill....we don't know the half of it! Just a failure by the town to provide info on an OPRA request, cost us taxpayers $50,000.

Congratulations on a job well done Rob! I applaud the area that you have set aside for all of this - and I think it will be beneficial to both the charities that you support, and to your business! While you know that I am not in support of Mr. Alfieri and his disregard for the ordinance of keeping chicken hens on his property, I think that what you have done is totally selfless, and that many people will reap the benefits of your hard work.

That is very interesting information on the ordinance Rob. Did you get a copy of it? I will stop by for the car wash soon. Can't wait to see the gardens and the chickens. You are a great example of what it means to be part of your community, despite with some of our council members say.

Bob, you "NOSE" how this town likes to stick it to you and Victor.They will come up with some idiotic ordinance so you can't have your garden and chickens and victor will have to get rid of his chickens.GOOD LUCK! Were all 'ROOSTING '' for the chickens.

Very nice Rob! Thanks for sharing the info about the ordinance. Seems to me that Victor should be able to keep his chickens, I am very much in support of his campaign. People have to realize times are changing, people have to relearn to be sustainable and living in the suburbs is no longer an excuse, unfortunately some people are more stubborn to this fact. Best of luck.

Hi Rob, your garden looks great. Best of luck with it. I think with Victor helping it will be a success.

BEAUTIFUL JOB ROB! Just did a drive-by.The place looks great.Just want to "NOSE",what chicken you are going to call "MAYOR",Because he also runs a chicken coop full of hens.

Bob, NOT being negative,NOSE first hand how the hen house is run.GOOD LUCK on your garden and hen house

Love the article! I'm all for owning chickens and even chickens in town. Our town allows up to six hens on any lot with a regular home or business. Obviously not apartments. I'm not from your area, but I do have one thing to say. Most places I have lived, the city council are elected officials. Maybe they should keep that in mind, and as well, for those voting, obviously you already know to vote for people who are like-minded! There's a very large "green" movement around the nation, and I'm sure there's "green-minded" candidates!

WOW! Just came back from the Victory Garden. It is actually beautiful. It is well planned, designed and organized. It's really neat! The hens are beautiful and they have a really neat set up. That to is well organized. What a great project! It is a positive impact on our community and a wonderful thing to have! Thanks to Rob Burke and Victor Alfieri for bringing this to fruition!

I drove by last night and was amazed how beautiful the garden and coop are together. Rob & Victor, thank you, you both did a wonderful thing for our community. The hens are adorable! I can't wait to bring my mom over this weekend to see the finished project. What better way to spend Mother's Day?

Thanks Rob…Great project. What a perfect setting for a garden and the coop under the willow tree, just looks absolutely beautiful.

For those who are interested, the gardening method at the Wayne Auto Spa is “Square Foot Gardening” invented in 1976 by NJ resident and engineer Mel Bartholomew.

Before Mr. B. became an engineer he was an efficiency expert. Mel would travel to manufacturing facilities, analyze their process, and help companies to become more efficient and save money. After retirement Mel started to backyard garden and SFG was born.

After 35 years this method of gardening has now emerged as the most practical, efficient, cost effective, highest yielding forms of backyard gardening on the planet. Square Foot Gardening is now being implemented and used all over the world.

The 16 chicken hens are Rhode Island Red and White Rock mix. Brown Egg layer. About 300 eggs per year. Size 2 1/2 pound max.

To learn more about all this stuff visit my website
http://www.woodlotfarms.com/

Bob, Just a word of caution. My friend had a hen house and the FOXES ate ALL the chickens I saw a fox crossing the street up by Armstrong,Just be CAREFUL!

Claire, thank you so much for your support. I want to build a garden for you. Please contact me when you are ready.