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Board tables variance for chickens at 225 High Street amid neighborhood rodent concerns
Summary
The board tabled Anna Martins’ application to keep up to 10 chickens at 225 High Street after neighbors reported an ongoing rodent problem in the area and other nuisance concerns; inspectors noted the property improvements but deferred a decision pending additional information.
The Fall River Board of Health tabled a variance request from Anna Martins for backyard chickens at 225 High Street after neighbors described a persistent rodent problem in the neighborhood and raised concerns about burning trash and yard cleanliness.
Inspector Tess reported the Martins’ property had made notable improvements, the coop area was “very neat,” and the pest-control contract was in place. However, multiple neighbors—including a resident who has paid for ongoing extermination for four years—said the area is a rodent hotspot and that past behavior (a goat on the property and burning trash) undermined their confidence in future compliance. Following public comment, the board decided to postpone a final decision and requested more information and coordination with other city agencies where appropriate.
Board members asked department staff to refer any burning-of-trash complaints to the fire prevention bureau for enforcement, and they said they would require follow-up verification of pest-control measures before reconsidering the variance.
