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Board grants variance to keep six chickens at 411 Stewart Street amid neighbor objections
Summary
The Board of Health granted a variance allowing six chickens (no roosters) at 411 Stewart Street, with inspectors to monitor and the board to reconsider if complaints or evidence of rodent infestation arise.
On July 28, 2025, the Fall River Board of Health voted to grant a variance permitting Jessica Horstman to keep up to six chickens (no roosters) at 411 Stewart Street, despite objections from multiple nearby residents who cited concerns about rodents, coyotes and property impacts.
Neighbors Carrie Britland, who said, "My house directly abuts 411... I am concerned about the impact to my family and to my property, specifically the the disease that comes along with some chickens, ruins, and other animals, noise, and overall property value," and Kristen Govan, who said she lives "directly across the street" and expressed fear that chickens would attract rats to older nearby homes, spoke in opposition. The board acknowledged the objections and reviewed an inspector’s site visit report describing a well-kept yard and the planned coop location. The inspector said the coop location was "right by the side of their garage" and that the yard was "very well kept."
Board member Thomas Corey said the board had issued multiple animal permits over the years and "to the best of my knowledge, no one has ever come back and filed a complaint about rodents or foxes and coyotes or smells or noise." The board discussed mitigation measures including a required rodent-extermination contract, the applicant's agreement that feeders would be mounted off the ground, an automatic coop door and periodic inspections by health staff. The applicant's husband, who identified himself as Russ Horstman, said they would "upgrade our contract with our contractor as needed if that became an issue." An abutter offered to provide the board with paperwork from a past case she said involved rodents; the board asked staff to review any documentation submitted.
The motion to grant the variance carried in a roll-call vote recorded in the minutes with affirmative votes from the members present. The board noted it would monitor the property and stated it would reconsider or revoke the permit if credible evidence of violations or public-health problems (for example, rodent infestation) is provided.
