Joe Gentile is reporting in the Register Star the Copake Town Board Thurs., Jan. 23, passed legislation to regulate slaughterhouses in the small farming community. Board members unanimously adopted the law following a public hearing where local residents debated the environmental costs and economic benefits of amending the local zoning law to permit farmers to commercially slaughter poultry and rabbits on their own farms. Local regulations apply to any facility that slaughters between 1,000 and 8,000 poultry birds and rabbits, or 256 to 2,000 turkeys, per year. The animals must be raised for at least 75 percent of their lifespan on the property before being slaughtered, according to the law. Town Supervisor Jeff Nayer said he believed the law effectively balanced the interests of residents and farmers, alike. Read the full story in the Register Star.