A Cobleskill 4-H’er is looking for a way to raise a pair of female Nigerian dwarf goats at her Washington Avenue home.
Abby Quinn took the mic at last Tuesday’s Village of Cobleskill meeting to make her case to Mayor Linda Holmes and trustees.
They were sympathetic—and impressed with her presentation—but village code prohibits livestock like goats.
Abby said the goats wouldn’t be visible to the public and she has the written support of neighbors with adjacent property.
Her goal, she said, is to raise the goats so she can show them at the State Fair with 4-H.
Mayor Holmes suggested Abby find another 4-H’er to house the goats, but Abby answered that she feels it would be a better experience if she raised them herself.
Attorney Shawn Smith said that even if the village was to grant the request, it would need to be through something like a variance from the Zoning Board of Appeals and not by a decision from the village board.
Mr. Smith and Trustee Howard Burt both suggested Abby take her case to Codes Enforcement Officer Mike Piccolo.
“Take it to Mike Piccolo,” Mr. Burt said. “He might be able to steer you in the right direction if there’s a way it can be done.”