Article 97 of the Massachusetts Constitution ensures "the protection of the people in their right to the conservation, development and utilization of the agricultural... and other natural resources." Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 40A, Section 3, Paragraph 1 furthers this goal by stating that no local zoning bylaw may prohibit, unreasonably regulate, or require a special permit for the use of land for the primary purpose of agriculture. Other state laws such as Chapter 111, Section 125A provide additional protection and incentives for agriculture.

In Templeton, MA, most of the Templeton selectmen want signs on the Historic Town Common, but they do not want you to sit on the grass under a shade tree at town hall and now there is mention of telling people where they can have roosters and how much land people must have to keep said roosters.

 Templeton July 2022 (fiscal year 2023) shows $5032.71 spent on Veterans benefits, out of $82,500.00 appropriated by town meeting in May 2022.

 According to public records, 227 registered voters took part in May 2022 town elections and 114 registered voters took part in 2022 annual town meeting.

I am going with 5000 registered voters (I am aware the number is slightly higher) so 227 voters take time to vote = 4.5% while 114 voters take time to attend town meeting = 2.28%.

Out of those numbers, only one voter took papers out to run for Templeton board of selectmen, while there were two positions on the ballot.

So, one can either put up, as in run for elective office or volunteer for a position or one can shut up, sit at home and complain on face book, which does not change anything. That is my personal view, and I don't care if you agree with it or not.

 Finally received the draft minutes from the agricultural commission (past the 10 day requirement of the law)

from those minutes; "much discussion was about a rooster bylaw being proposed by the board of health. We were all in agreement that this is not to be a no rooster clause. Dave will contact Commissioner LeBeau for advice on how to deal with hobby farming without hurting commercial farming interests. The commission was in agreement that we need to support the board of health director as she is farmer friendly and supportive. We will send something to the Ms. Wiita by 2/28/2022.

Now, according to the last weekly report of the Town Administrator, there are a few people in town who have issue with roosters. The agricultural commission is on the side on commercial farmers while not so much on people who have a few chickens. Here I thought this was a right to farm town.

Right now, the Templeton right to farm bylaw states;

§ 152-5

Resolution of disputes.

[Amended 6-17-2020 ATM by Art. 9]

Dispute resolution will be the responsibility of the Select Board (Board), or its designee(s), until such time as an Agricultural Commission is formed by the Town and empowered to resolve disputes arising from this bylaw.