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Northborough Board of Health reviews poultry regulation draft, moves to schedule public hearing
Summary
The Town of Northborough Board of Health reviewed a final draft of local poultry regulations on Jan. 13, accepted staff edits recommending 8–10 square feet of outdoor run per chicken (up from 4), questioned a 25-foot setback requirement, and agreed to post the draft and schedule a public hearing (likely in March).
On Jan. 13 the Town of Northborough Board of Health reviewed a final draft of proposed poultry regulations and agreed to post the draft for public notice and a hearing.
Staff presented the draft as the final version and flagged a substantive edit: on page 4 the recommended outdoor pen or run per chicken was changed from 4 square feet to roughly 8–10 square feet, "based on the poultry program's recommendation," staff said. The board discussed several other edits (replacing the generic term "animals" with "chickens" and minor grammar/spacing fixes) and the process for posting the notice twice in the newspaper two weeks before a public hearing.
Why it matters: the rules will establish the town's standards for backyard poultry and could affect where and how residents keep chickens. Board members questioned whether some requirements in the draft — most notably a 25-foot setback from an owner's dwelling — are necessary or practical for small coops.
Board debate focused on the setback language and practical care issues. One board member said a 25-foot rule could force homeowners with small coops to apply for variances, noting many owners place coops close to their homes for easier winter access to water and electricity. Staff reported they had asked town counsel about the draft's "manifest injustice" language; counsel advised that the standard leaves discretion to the board and may not be met in some cases, which the staff described as limiting how an exception could be applied. The board discussed relying on the animal inspector to advise homeowners about siting rather than imposing a strict setback.
Next steps: staff will update the draft and post the required public notices; the board discussed scheduling the hearing (an initial Feb. 10 suggestion conflicted with member availability), and members agreed to confirm a hearing date by email with plans to hold it in March if that timing works for a quorum. No formal vote or adoption occurred at this meeting.
The board did not take final action on the regulation text; the posted hearing will allow further public input before any vote.
