CAMDEN, Maine — The bird poop has hit the fan in this seaside community.
All five members of the Camden Select Board agreed Tuesday evening to propose a local law that would prohibit the feeding of wildlife if it creates a public nuisance. They expect to hold a public hearing, likely on May 3, before asking residents at the polls on June 14 to approve the proposed ordinance.
The ordinance would be the same as one adopted in Rockland in 2012 when it had to deal with complaints from residents in a neighborhood about bird feeding.
Town Manager Pat Finnigan said the town’s attorney, Kristin Collins, reviewed Rockland’s ordinance and found it well-written.
The ordinance adopted in Rockland states: “Dispensing, feeding, or otherwise making available to any species of wildlife, including birds, any type or amount of food that creates an unreasonable disturbance, or attracts other wildlife, vermin, or pests, or results in the accumulation of droppings, feces, feathers, or otherwise constitutes a private or public nuisance.”
Camden Select Board members are addressing the issue because of complaints submitted last week from neighbors upset about bird feeding leading to excessive droppings on their homes, cars and properties as well as attracting rats and other rodents to the Chestnut Hill and Bay View streets area.
The law would impose a $300 fine per day for people found to be in violation.
Board member Leonard Lookner agreed that the proposed ordinance should be put before voters but lamented its need.
“Camden has gone 225 years without a problem. I don’t see why neighbors can’t just go and speak to each other,” Lookner said.
Gian Gallace, who said he is the primary person who feeds the birds in the Chestnut Hill neighborhood, appeared before the board. He said only once has someone spoken to him with concerns and he adjusted his feedings accordingly.
Gallace said he takes much of his feedings off site by going to the Rockport waterfront near the Aldermere Farm.
“The overwhelming number of people support it,” Gallace said of his feeding.
He denies that he blankets his property with seed and said he has been feeding birds for 20 years without any problems before.
Neighborhood resident Linda Norton said Wednesday she considers the proposed ordinance a waste of time.
She said she puts bird seed in bird feeders to attract cardinals and blue jays, but that sea gulls also are attracted to what spills out.
“Quite honestly, I think this is asinine,” said Norton. “It’s not like I’m feeding black bears.”
None of the residents who voiced concerns during last week’s selectmen’s meeting spoke at Tuesday evening’s meeting.
Lookner said that the feeding of birds also had been blamed for reduced water quality in the harbor and high bacteria levels on beaches.
Select Board Chair John French said that boaters are spending more money to clean their vessels because of the congregations of birds attracted by human feeding.
Gallace said, however, that he does not believe his feedings are at the root of the problem.