6.30.25 Board of Health

Good afternoon to everyone in the land of Zoom and welcome to the board of health virtual meeting on Monday, June 30th, 2025 scheduled for 3:30. My name is Thomas Corey. Present with present with me via Zoom is Michael Coughlin and Tess Curran, our agent of the board, various guests and participants in today's meeting.

Pursuant to the open meeting law, any person may make an audio or video recording of this public meeting or may transmit the meeting through any medium.

Attendees are therefore advised that such recordings or transmissions are being made whether perceived or unpersceived by those present and are deemed acknowledged and permissible.

The first order of business is Tess. Can we have a roll call?

Thomas Corey. Yes. Michael Coughlin here. Okay. We have the approval of the minutes of the meeting of Wednesday, May 28th 2025.

Are there any additions, deletions, or corrections to be made to the minutes of the meeting as printed?

Move to approve. I'll second. Test. Can we have a roll call? Thomas Corey? Yes.

Michael Coughlin? Yes. Okay, next we have the request for variance for the keeping of chickens for Nicole Bigalow at 81 Salisbury Street in Fall River.

Who's presenting? I am. Okay. F.

Okay. So, I hope you're not hearing that. I am.

Um, so I did visit the property today.

I' I've been there in the past. Um, is is any are any of the applicants here?

The applicants not here. Someone from from the big O is here. Yes. Yes, he is.

Chris Dart. Chris. Okay. Hi, Chris.

Chris, could you state your name and address for the record? Christopher Dart, 81 Salesbury Street.

Okay. So, so, um, I would bring up to the board that, uh, there was a rooster present that has since been removed. Um, the applicants have been informed that that's that property is going to receive some scrutiny, make sure that does not return. Other than that, everything's uh, very good. The the yard is clean. We have the uh exterminator contracts here, the fast running place. And the uh the coupe is

well the chickens have plenty of room.

I'll say that the coupe is spacious and really everything's all set to go with this one with their caveat that I better not see a rooster in the future. No rooster. Okay. Yes, sir. Uh the three things that the board always insists upon are one, no roosters, two, two, the rodent contract, and to to set the number of animals. Uh what did you put on your application?

12 chickens, three ducks. Okay. Ju just so you know, 12 chickens is fine and three ducks is fine if we approve. But if the inspector shows up, please don't have 13, 14, or 15. Okay. Okay. All right. You can have five, but you you can't have 13, 14, or 15.

Understandable. Okay. We we did receive a letter in opposition from the um the Amoral Family Trust, and they said they uh they live at they they own or live at 43 Mellan Street.

Um, is there anyone here to speak in opposition to this application?

Yes, sir. Okay. Could you state your name and address for the record, sir? My name is Leland Daltry. I'm at 130 Winter Street.

Okay.

And my only objection, a couple of things I'd like to voice my opinion about. Uh, I think the address in question at one point had a goat on the property. I don't know if that was permitted or not permitted that that's not any of my business, but it was the amount of noise and the things that went along with the goat and I want to make sure that that number one, the noise is

taken care of and it's not a problem with chickens and number two, how the smell and the containment of uh chicken feces is taken care of and make sure that's not going to impact me on my property with smells or anything like Yeah. And which property is your property, sir? Because you said you mentioned Winter Street, correct?

So, on the back side, it's on the very corner of where that property adjoins.

Uh, sir, hold on. Uh, Winter Street is not anywhere near this one. I think you might be here for a second one. Oh, sir, I'm very well may be. I apologize. Maybe I'm thinking of the wrong one. Okay, so right now, I apologize. Please strike that. Okay. No, we're only interested right now for the Big O's at 81 Salisbury Street. Yes, sir. I'm sorry. I had the wrong address in mind. Okay.

Michael, do you have any questions or comments? I I I do not. I do not. F I guess I do. F Do you have any contact with the person who sent the letter in opposition? No. Okay. Just just got the letter. Just got the letter. Um, no. No phone calls or anything else or anyone else that we know of? No. No. Not on this one. Okay. And how long has the chickens been there already?

Six years. Sometime. This was as happens often. We discovered the chickens on a complaint. Uh, and the the applicants stated, as many do, that they didn't realize they needed a permit. So, I don't know how long they've been there, but probably a year anyway. Okay.

All right. Okay. I I'll just move to approve. All right. I will second. Tess.

Can we have a roll call?

Thomas Corey. Yes. Michael Coughlin.

Yes. Okay. Uh, good luck with the chicken, sir. Uh, remember to to keep it clean and take care of your neighbors. We'll do. Next we have the request for variance of keeping of chickens by David Pimento at 435 David Street Fall River. Uh FA, are you presenting on this one? I am. So yes, I I know and I saw David here on the Zoom earlier. Uh this is uh David is

a carpenter by trade and the coupe here on this property could well become an ADU, the accessory dwelling unit. It's so well built. Uh it is capacious.

Uh the uh the chickens are actually living on two levels and I guess there's some plans uh to make a run. David, is it a run you're going to construct there?

Yeah, I was uh wanting to put a run up and until I get Mr. Pimento, can you state your name and address for the record? Oh, I'm sorry. Yeah, David Pimemental, uh, 435 David Street, Fall River. Okay.

Okay. So, yes, the plan is to put up a run, um, all a fence in the yard. I want to really fence it all in. It's It's three It's two/ird fenced in now or 3/4 fenced in now. I got to do the front.

Um, but there's something going on because of the the the me the the the footage from road to property that belongs to the city comes downhill. I got to talk to someone in engineering to figure out if I can get some type of variance or figure out something for that front over there for the for the fence. Once it's all fenced in, then they'll just have the whole yard. But yes, they'll have

So, we do have the uh it's a it's a it's extensive. Uh we do have a contract in hand. Um the the is stowed in in a in a garage actually in in metal cans. And um David David um this process started some time ago but for a variety of reasons it's been delayed. So David I just want to mention I did not collect a u a permit fee from you. It would have been

stale by now. The check would have been.

So I'm going to send you a letter about that. But other than that everything's all set. Okay. Very nice property. Very clean. Thank you. Mr. Mento, you understand how how many chickens did you apply for? 30. 30. Wow. Two dozen eggs a day. Wow.

Um, you know. Okay. Again, you can have less than 30, but no more than 30. No roosters. And we have evidence that the rodent contract is already in place.

Yes. Okay. Now, is there anyone here to speak in opposition?

Supplementals. I have a couple of questions on as far as it rodent. Wait a minute. Wait a minute. Who Who's speaking? I can't I'm right here. Okay. All right. I I have you as a ci. Can you state your name and address for the record? Yeah.

My name Sean Penet. I'm at 364 Bulllock Street. Okay. So my my only concerns that I have and I've talked to other people not even near here that but have uh other neighbors near them that have chickens. Uh rats and mice are a big issue that they come across. Um one of the things that they said is yes roosters very loud. Uh but you already answered that question. Um, but if if my biggest concern is if

if I get or if we get in around in the area get start to have issues with rats, what happens then? Well, you should report it to Mr. Fiori's department right away. Yeah, I I I can say this.

I've been on the board now a few years and after we have granted variances, no one has ever come back with a complaint about roads. Yeah, it could happen, but it hasn't come to our attention.

Question. Can I can I say something about that real quick? Mr. Fiori first.

Okay. Uh Mr. Pett. Yep.

Probably at least half of the permits we have or have issued lately have been to people who already had the birds didn't realize that they needed a permit and many other communities you don't you know in the surrounding suburbs generally you don't right the one of the great things about this process is the extermination requirement if you can get some addresses for me it could well be that your friends are

living near people who don't have a permit and have not gained a bariance and therefore don't have discrimination.

Right. So, if I can give you my office phone number real quick, you can get information like that uh to us. We don't mind if it's someone who's got a permit.

You know, we'd rather hear about it and not need to take action than not hear about it. The number is 508 324 2541. All right. Yeah, that's the same number that's on my uh letter that I got. So, that could be an anonymous call. Yeah. Outside thing. If someone wants to call us, we'll have to check that out. Yeah. That's that what I got information. It's just people I know

through work and they live way on the Northshore, most of them. Oh, all right.

You know, so it's not nobody near here.

Uh but that's just some of the issues that they had to deal with. Have I said something about that when when there's a minute? Yeah. And then I I kept and raised chickens in New Bedford. And one of the ways that I stopped that from happening is I feed them only in the coupe area. And it's in uh in in a half inch by half inch chicken wire and it's

into the ground 6 in to a foot. So nothing can really dig in or dig out.

And that's the only area where they feed. And we have the contract with with the Guardian Pest Control. And we have two indoor outdoor cats that are taking care of mice and stuff like that, too.

Um, yeah, because we we already I don't know. I mean, I'm not far away from you, but I see foxes and every once in a while I see coyotes cutting across. They used to cut through my yard before I put part of my back up. Um, and I used to see them almost every morning when I go to work. So, it's like a food trail for them. Um, but I don't know if that was

going to affect anything. Um, that was that's my biggest concern because, you know, when if you end up getting a problem with rodents, it's not they're not going to hang around just there, right? They're gonna they're going to spread out and look for a home. Um, whatever suits them. Um, that's my biggest concern that I have. Um, I don't I don't know. Uh, um, you said uh 30 chickens. Yes. I don't I is that I mean

do you have enough space for that?

That's Oh, he does. Yeah. Yeah. Okay.

Yeah. Yeah. Um but yeah, that's that's only my only concern is that that and you know roosters, but we're good with the roosters. Yeah.

Um so that's my only concern is is getting rodents which I don't have any problem with now. Okay. Yeah. And you are what was your address again? Just so I know. I'm 364 Bullock. 364 Bulock. All right. Trying to go around the corner on Bullock Street and I'm pretty much right there. So, oh, okay. Yeah. Um, so that's my biggest concern. Um, and if something was to happen, what you know, what happens

then? You know, that's my biggest issue.

You know, who do I say, "Hey, I've got a problem now." That kind of thing. That's my that's my only issue that I have with that. Well, sir, Francis, if you call us Yep. we found that the extermination wasn't adequate and that really was the source of it then we would uh ask Mr.

mental to uh beef it up. Generally speaking, three to four traps is what exterminators put out there. It is a rather large house. We lost you. Lost your volume.

You put You went on mute. I did. Oh, there you are. Am I still on? It's You're back. I'm sorry. Hello. Call us and we can Hello again. Okay. and we can uh if it if we're trying to get through.

I don't know. We're like really having a hard time with this. Can anybody hear us?

Yes. Yes. Okay. Um our volume's low.

We're having a hard time. Uh we are 229 and 241 Free Love Street. The property abut feet away from my back my backyard fence. I'm out there with my kids. I'm out there with my dog. They already had chickens two weeks ago clucking. The dogs already barking the whole It's a nice decent clean neighborhood, single family homes, a lot of dogs in the neighborhood. We have coyotes that come

through and we I don't want to smell it while I'm in my backyard to be honest, whether it's in the coupe and food flies out of the coupe. Um my girlfriend had uh had chickens on Morland Street. The fox got them, killed them all. Um yeah, we we don't want it. 30 is a little bit ridiculous. Sorry. U speak my mind. I don't want it either. Amen. And this Sue Canwell, Kimberly S, George Allison, 229

free love 241 free love. A letter was submitted by her son. Uh we have we have the letter to speak to someone down there. They were supposed to bring it forward.

So I I I would like to comment just on the location. Can't hear you.

Hello.

We can hear you, F. We You can't hear me? No, we can hear you. Oh, okay. So, uh, this coupe is I didn't measure it. 9 ft away from her fence. I thought you did, but I'd say it was about 10 feet from the property line. No way. You're welcome to come. 10 ft. Wait. It's not 10 feet. up. Let's keep it civil. Okay.

That that is um, you know, because we have a lot of small yards.

That's why you shouldn't have chickens in a residential property or Dartmouth or Freetown. Ma'am. Yes, sir. Please let Mr. Fiori finish. Okie do Fiori Pment. We have something about Coops.

Many Coops are closer to the property line than 10 ft.

I I'm guessing 10 feet. Mr. Pment, did you measure it when you put it down?

It's 9 ft away from her property. So now it's I stand corrected. He said 10. I said nine right from the start. But that's a decent uh that's a decent setback. If it were enough to require a permit, it would only have to be 5T off the line. You know, a shed permit. It was big enough for that. Yeah, I did that. I did 9 ft on one side and seven

feet on the other. So, I knew I was in I knew I was more than enough room in my own property.

So, what about like the noise part of it and the smell in the mice? I I know there's no smell because there's there's hardly any smell even two feet off of the coupe now and you're you're 9 ft away from that and you got a fence, but um I the the smell is taken care of with composting and and uh turning that into, you know, garden dirt for gardening.

I mean, it would have been nice to talk to your neighbors.

It would have been nice to talk to my neighbors. Yeah. Instead of having it all of us to come to a Zoom phone call to hear about it or it already in the backyard before it's even been approved.

Ma'am, you did re you did receive the butters. Oh, yeah. Oh, I got That's how you That's how you knew about it. It's been constructed in chicken already before it was even approved.

Yeah. And that that is actually common in full river because people don't always know about the individual agencies.

Mr. Pmental, did you need a permit in New Bedford?

Uh, no. I had I Well, I I don't know if I needed one. I never got one. If I did, um, I had chickens there for five years.

I never had an issue. The one in the Oh, do you know if they require permits in New Bedford? I I don't I do not know that. No.

I'm guessing they do, but I don't know.

I don't think so. They're even tighter than we are.

So, who do we call if there's issues?

Uh, give me my phone number. It's It's should be on the letter you got.

324 2541.

My name is Fouse. Can talk to anyone here, but my name is Fouse. FA USD.

Thank you.

Michael, any other questions? I I do not. Let's Let's move this along. I I move to approve. I I have um concerns and I'm a neighbor. I'm sorry. Uh state state your name and and address for the record, please. Donna, hello, 510 David Street.

And I did submit uh questions and concerns to Tess.

Yep. So those those were submitted after our technically after our citizens input. Um but we can you know the questions really were regarding uh a variance like what is a variance?

It's um Can I can I start with my statement? Sure.

The property on 435 David Street was purchased in September 2024.

Most homes on David Street are currently valued at at least 450,000.

This reflects the well-maintained character of the neighborhood and its desiraability as one of the most beautiful and sought after areas in the city of Fall River. Homes on David Street are situated very close together with most lots measuring no more than a quarter of an acre. The dense residential layout does not support the introduction of livestock or poultry such as backyard chickens. Chicken coups

are known to attract unwanted pests and animals, including rodents and mites, and they require constant upkeep to avoid odors and unsanitary conditions.

These issues can significantly impact neighborhood properties, especially when homes are in such close proximity. Many residents, including myself and my husband, chose to live in this neighborhood precisely precisely because of the zoning regulations and ordinances that help maintain its residential character and property values. Allowing a variance for chickens at 435 David Street would set a precedent that could

compromise the integrity of our neighborhood and diminish quality of life for nearby homeowners. For these reasons, we strongly oppose the granting of any variance that would allow chickens or similar animals on this property.

I second that. I may have to sell my home because I got hurt at work and nobody's going to want to buy it when there's 30 chickens attached to my backyard. Sorry.

My property value as well.

30.

Yeah. I I think 30 30 chickens is a lot of chickens. Yes. Crazy. And not one of them better be a rooster. I have two twin grandb babies that try to sleep and I don't sleep. Oh my god. I have PLMD.

It's a periodic limb movement disorder where I move like 67 times in a 4 hour span. I don't sleep. I don't want to hear any roosters. I was told by the department that there wouldn't be any roosters. We have already discussed that part of the situation with Mr.

Clemental. I didn't hear about the Okay.

Okay.

It's not appropriate for our for our neighborhood. Nope. It's not at all.

I'm shocked that you're allowed 30. I have one of the biggest lots in this neighborhood. I have more than enough room for these chickens. I have I have I have enough room legally on this property to have well over 50 chickens legally. David, this does not belong in our neighborhood. No. Agreed. Just because you can have it doesn't mean that you should. That's your opinion.

Listen, I'm Well, I hope you love your neighbors. You're gonna You know, nobody's thrilled with this at all.

Really? All right, that cuts it off.

Okay, that's it.

Hold on.

Michael comments?

I have no comments.

Oh wait.

We we could propose to um the board, you know, the board could reduce the the number if that was a consideration that you you may be interested in.

um by reducing, you know, approving but we're at a at a reduced number.

I personally don't want any chickens on the property in our neighborhood. Same.

I don't want to set a precedent. Yeah. I I don't I don't see any room for compromise here. No, not at all. Um well, I have an issue as well to bring up uh in terms of all this u proposal.

My name is John Marcula. I'm also at 510 David Street. Um we hear uh quite often lately about uh bird disease and uh chickens are certainly susceptible to disease. of you uh made provisions to inspect the chickens for their health and lack of uh disease.

Chickens show signs of disease just like humans. Yeah. When when when they're sick, they're sick. Yep. But they're all healthy. All the birds are healthy.

They're all So, how do you They're all fed organically. They're all fed organic feed and they all free range in the yard. So, it's um the they they they stay in their coupe from 7 at night until uh about 11 or so in the morning, sometimes a little bit later depending on what I have to do. And then the rest of the afternoon until 7:00 at night, 7:30, they're out roaming the yard. I've

been coring them in so they know where they can go and where they can't go. So, I mean I Well, that's even worse. I thought they were staying in the coupe.

No. What do you mean that's even worse?

Yeah. Having them roam around while I have my dog out there. Dog doesn't mean I thought they said it was going to be in the unless I'm sorry. That's what the woman told me from the health department that they were going to be in the coupe and they would not be walking.

Yeah, my yacht is closed. My yacht. It's going to be It's all closed in. I got the fencing everything. I'm disgusting.

Let them out. I don't

I guess my suggestion, Tom, would be to table this. Yeah, that's what I'm thinking. Move to table.

And Mr. Pimental, I would recommend go go back to the drawing board and see if you could come up with a proposal, a more modest proposal. It doesn't sound to me like setting up a run and having them run through the whole yard is a good idea if you want to win over your neighbors. Uh, and you'll probably have to live with a smaller number if we are able to approve anything. But, um, I I

think that's where we are. Um, I might have to come in and speak to you guys then because I tried doing this a whole different way right from the start and I wouldn't have invested the money that I've invested in it the way I have. So, we're I'm going to have to come in and speak to you guys. That's That's what we're doing. That's what That's what we're doing.

We are how do we find out when the next um meeting is tabled for? At the uh at the end of this meeting, ma'am, we set the date for the following meeting.

Okay. But but I I would like to suggest that before you come back to us, Mr.

Perimental, you have some additional contact with your neighbors because I don't want to have another debate among the neighbors of the of David Street about this issue like this. It's not appropriate. Figure it out. uh win some agreement. Well, obviously this Excuse me. She's saying that she doesn't want one chicken on the property. She's obviously What do you mean? I mean, what's Do I

have the right to keep chickens? Do I know? I read I read the laws before I did anything and it said in Fall River I have the right to to have chickens. I went to the town. I spoke. I went and did everything first. I said I wanted 50 birds. They said put 30 down on the thing. That's what I did. So, I want like I've already I'm already back. I'm

already back 20 chickens from what I originally wanted. I want 30 and I know I have the room for it. And we don't want any. All right, ladies and gentlemen. Ladies and gentlemen, this is horrible. The motion to make is made to table. That's what we're going to do.

There'll be no further discussion on this variance this afternoon. Gotcha.

Can I ask one question? What role does the city have in terms of inspecting the property? How often do you go down there to inspect it or is it just through complaints?

Mr. There's usually annual con annual inspections by the department.

Unbelievable. Unbelievable. I could see if there was like a big problem if there was rodents everywhere. Well, if there were up all right excavators on this property, Ladies and gentlemen, if you if you see a rat in your neighborhood, just as if I saw a rat in my neighborhood, I would call down to Mr.

Fiori's office. If you see something, if you see foxes running through your neighborhood, that means the foxes have something to eat.

It's just if you have a complaint after he gets the chickens, if he gets the chickens, if if you have a complaint, you call down to you either call the the health department or call down Mr.

Fiori's office and he will make a visit and investigate. There's already a chicken there.

Okay. Again, this discussion is over. It's table.

Enjoy the rest of the day, everyone.

All right. Next item.

We have the request for the variance of keeping of chickens by Monica Fernandez at 598 South Almond Street. That's us.

That's us. Unmute it. Okay. Who's who?

Foust. I guess we'll start with you. Oh, it's Ela. It's me, Elaine. Oh, okay.

Elaine, sorry. How are you? We're doing wonderful. Where'd you go? Well, okay.

When people drop off, my screen changes, so I have to hunt for you.

Okay. Ready? Okay. So, boss, can you lower that a little bit? No. Um, I have made visits to South Almond Street. I've been doing a few visits along the way as they were progressing with the yard, getting it ready for this. Um, she did complete everything. I was there on Friday. The yard looks great.

the area where the chickens are going to be in the back. Um the coupe is bigger than what um Mrs. Fernandi's husband wants. He's going to bring it down because they initially had put 8 to 12 chickens, but they're actually going to do six. So, he thinks it's a little bit too long for the birds. And we we all kind of agreed. So, he's going to shorten that a little bit. But the yard

is very clean. They have, you know, met every criteria on the application. I know there's been some opposition u from the neighbors, but as far as I'm concerned, they've done what we've asked. They've got pest control.

Everything's set up. They do not have chickens yet, but the yard looks very nice. They're waiting for their grass to grow in now because they've done a lot of work back there. A lot of work, improvements, and it looks great. Um, so in my opinion, they should have the birds. The children are waiting for them. Okay. Is there any anyone here from the Fernandes?

Yes. Okay. Uh last week, last week I leave the one because he's my neighbor. I don't want the chickens because the the chicken place too close in my fence is the big place for the chickens. The chickens come probably with disease rats smell bad even some this the for river seal that's not chickens rasport rasport and swansing have a more spaces for animals now for desk too small I'm sorry and

it's for is put the chicken uh uh uh the chicken place is put is not put in the back. He's not put in the back is put too close and his house together is house and I think we've lost you ma'am. Mrs.

Barbosa, you're frozen on my screen.

Mine too.

Yeah, she's frozen. May I? Um, the coupe is set way back chicken seconds. I'm sorry. Okay. More rats and more things, more problems.

Hold on. It's okay.

Are the chickens there yet? No, there are no chickens there yet. Not yet. I was there Friday. There were no chickens. The coupe is at the extreme back corner of the lot which is next to a garage and there are two fences back there and actually sir could you state your name and address for the record?

Absolutely. Uh my name is Michael Sardina. It's 495 South Beach. My fence and the garage that the uh that woman was speaking about literally is right near my inground pool.

Okay.

So you're back to back. Literally, we're back to back. His side by side. Okay.

Right. So his property right behind mine. Okay. I'd like to know where Mrs.

Barbosa's property is in relation to the Fernandi's property. Uh that I do not I do not I'm asking Mrs. Barbosa.

I think they're muted. My property is exactly like my my spot. I just put a fist behind like Manny is not you. I'm sorry. They talking about Mi uh Barbosa, the lady that spoke first.

Mrs. Barbosa, can you hear us?

Mrs. Barbosa?

Yes. What is your address?

610 Sleman Street. Okay. 610.

Okay. The house is the house is too close cuz this is one way and very close.

He's not he's not put the chicken's place in the back. No, he's put it together and his her house together. He can he can send somebody if they're going to nip the check the spectum. All right, Mrs. Barbuza, thank you. Um, it says Monica Fernandez.

Did you want to say something? Yeah.

Good afternoon everyone. Um, I wanted to say something, but before I say my kids wanted to talk, um, just want I just want to know they are allowed because we all here as a family.

Um, and um The city sent the inspector.

The inspector can you know them, you know, they came here in the expertise. What did they saw? We just wanted to have couple, you know, chickens in in our backyard. We know that they see allowed. We don't have chicken yet. We did all the work as inspector stated to have it AC by the code and according to to the law. I think we have a right to have it because

a lot of people in the city they they have chickens. So we're not uh we don't we're not here to look for problem with the non neighbors at all. We just trying to uh because we care about our relationship with them. We just wanted to do in a way that nobody's going to be upset or nothing like that. But based on what is going on in the meeting, I don't

know what my kids wanted to say, but they asked to talk. You want to say something? Um, I was wondering, um, Miss Barbosa, um, where your house is like located near ours because our chicken coupe is to the top right corner of our our backyard. Well, she said it was 610 South Almond, so I would assume it's the next house mathematically.

Um, to the right or to the left?

Bernese, how many chickens are you at to the south?

To the south. Yes. So, our chicken with the inspector can say it's one year her house. So, we are just looking for six six moment. Yes.

Okay.

So, we're talking we're talking about six chickens.

The road contract is in place. You you heard the discussion in the pri pre previous agenda item regarding uh what to do if you see any problems. Uh you call FA's office AI's office. Uh you know we we have every intention of ensuring that the the health of the neighborhood is is protected. It's seems like a modest request. Uh wondering if Mrs. Barboszer and and Michael, I'm sorry I forget your

last name, Sardina. Sardina, how you feel about a modest proposal for just six chickens? Well, the thing is we um my wife and I actually spoke to the owners of the property uh recently and they said they were actually going to move the coupe because it's so close to my pool, you know, just the property line. I just, no offense, when I'm in my pool, I kind of don't want to be s, you know, smelling chickens.

I mean, I don't mind them having it, but I just don't want to smell it when I'm enjoying my ingground pool.

It's a little further than your fence. I And it's going to shorten They're going to shorten that. It'll bring it in even a little more more. It's still too close. Oh, yes. Um it is it is further than it's not we respect more than what it's the city you know uh requirement said but when the uh Michael and the wife spoke with us as I mentioned we don't want a problem with the neighbors

at all we want to maintain a healthy you know friendship that's why if you see our application we ask for 10 to 12 and we have a capacity for we we we brought the the coupe for it, but we consider even cutting it on on his side to make it smaller, reducing to six. And with our proposal, with our application since we've been living in this house, we have

a garden pest control, we they we buy a um a gold package a year. So for a year, they come here even before considering the the the the chicken in the backyard.

So every year is automatically renewed.

So we want to uh maintain and keep all the the health uh requirement. So that's not going to be a problem. So we never you know we don't we don't want no problem. So Mr. Fernandez, how close is is your coupe to Mrs. Barbos's property line? Uh it's really not close at all and the inspector that came here, you know, can attest can testify that.

No.

Did you want to say something? Yeah. I'm just concerned that it's too close to my property line.

It's what if it's within like a foot and a half to two feet to my property line and it's within 5t of my pool. and I've spoke to them and I really don't like the location because it's gonna stink and I want to be able to enjoy my yard and not be in my pool smelling chicken feces.

No offense. They said they they were willing to move it to the other side of their house, but I don't like the location of it. They're very nice people, but I just don't want it where it is because I don't want to smell it while I'm in my yard enjoying my pool.

That's right. That's right.

Well, the finanes have already said that they're going to they're going to reduce it to six chickens and they're going to trim or reduce whatever the proper term is, the size of the chicken coupe. It's it's still going to smell though. You can't reduce the smell. Six chickens are still going to have a smell to them. And I'm sorry, I didn't pay all the money I paid for my pool to float around and smell chicken feces.

They had told me they were going to move it to the other side of their house, and I was okay with that because it wasn't like right at my property line, but where it's located, I'm not I'm definitely not okay with it.

taxes I pay. I'm not going to be comfortable in my my yard in my house.

That's not fair. Okay. Uh, we're gonna we're just because my we my kids really want this and I hope you take in consideration. We're gonna cut it. We're going to reduce it to six and we're going to pay the guys. We're going to move that. We're going to take out of the back. We're gonna I'm gonna put it here near my patio down my patio down in the same side down near my house. if

that it, you know, will make this happen.

By the way, I think Mrs. Barbrosa is confusing. Uh the their Fernandes have an extra coupe, a smaller one that they gave to someone. That person was supposed to come and pick it up. That may be the ones that she's viewing because the one the chickens are actually going in, it is long and they have agreed to shorten it because they only wanted the six chickens. If they

even if they leave it where it is, it is not going to be on top of anyone's if they shorten it for the six chickens.

They're going to have ample room around this coupe. And it's there's a cement pad near it. It's very clean. I was impressed that with the work they've done back there. I understand. I understand you're at your pool. You don't want to smell it. But the whole yard is nice and neat. I don't see where this is going to Oh, and I I agree with that 100%. They've done a lot of work

and it looks very nice. But again, I don't want to smell it.

I'm sorry.

It's going to it's going to draw rodents. The propert the properties already have a rodent problem. On trash days, you can see rats outside and that's just going to draw them in more.

Well, going to smell it. There's also a situation with a property abuing it that has a lot of overgrowth. That may be where some of the rodents are hiding.

So, but again, they amped up their their um again, I don't want to smell it. It's too close to the property line. It's too close to my pool. Not only are we going to cut it down, we are also going to move it closer to our property so then you don't smell it.

I know. Tom, maybe we should table this one too. Yeah.

uh it would, you know, another few weeks, another month would give the the uh Fernandez the opportunity to make these changes so that the neighbors could see them and and perhaps feel more reassured before we make a final decision. I mean, if they move it towards their house, I won't have an issue, but right now it's literally like a foot and a half from the property line and five feet from like All right, we're

we're gonna see we're gonna All right, we're we're going to table this one also. Yeah. Um what what we were trying to say is um the reason why it's closer to your property right now is because we don't even have the chickens yet. We're still trying to prepare the coupe and um when we do, we'll be able to move it closer into our patio away from this. This is going to conclude the discussion on on this

variance request and uh we will pick this up again next month after the Fernandes report back about the upgrades that they make to the chicken coupe.

Okay. Meeting. All right. Next, we have the request for the variance of keeping of chickens by Anna Martins at 225 High Street here in Fall River. Is is June chicken month? I mean, what what I mean, uh, every month's going to be chicken month for a while.

Okay. Okay. That one is Okay. Okay. So, again, uh, a work in progress with their yard. They've come a long way and they've done quite a bit of improvement to that um, property, which looks awesome. So, the coupe is in the, um, back corner of the property on the right. It is very neat back there. They did have a little goat that they were not we thought it was a goat. It was

actually a lamb. They were holding on for someone in that they knew that was traveling, but that that's gone. There are only two chickens there currently, although they've asked for 10. She's only got two. Um, and it doesn't look like she's going to increase them. I don't know if she's here or not, but I've only seen two all along. It is neat. The pest control is there. Uh, her yard, she does not have any of the

fencing. It actually belongs to the neighbors. And there are spots where there's um fence posts missing and we can actually see to the house behind her where there's some debris and we're going to be addressing that one. But her yard is neat. Um the where the chickens are is very clean and they have it actually wired in. So these chickens are not going to be getting out I don't

think all over the yard. I'm not sure if they let them out during the day or not.

But right now I say it's neat. She's met all the stuff on the application. I know there was one um opposition. We got a note, one of them. I don't know if there are any more on here. Um however, she's done everything that we have asked her to do. And and the lamb is gone.

Okay. Is there anyone here for the Martins?

Anyone for Anna Martins? Anyone to speak on Anna Martins's request?

Hello.

Last call. Anyone for Anna Martins and the chickens at 225 High Street?

There was a person who spoke up earlier who talked about a goat on the property.

Is he still here? Yes, sir. I'm still here, but you guys just answered the question, so I didn't feel like I had to address it anymore. Thank you. You're welcome. I I I would like to state a concern. Um my name is Kelly. I live at 130 Winter Street. Um my husband and I bought this house about 5 years ago. Um probably about 8 months into living in this home. Um we learned that there was

a huge huge mice and rodent infestation in the neighborhood. We have since um had to hire exterminators which have been with us for four years now. Um um I walk a lot. I walk this neighborhood a lot and I just keep seeing more traps being set out in in neighbors um yards, properties. My neighbor across the street now has pest control. My neighbor behind me now has pest control. It it it's just I don't

know if it's a hot spot for mice and rodents, but this this chicken um coupe is just going to make it worse. Um again, I walk this neighborhood a lot.

I'm on three occasions I've seen coyotes in the middle of the day running up Winter Street, running down Cherry Street, running down Pine Street, on High Street. Um, again, this just draws in more attention, um, more rodents, more pests, more concern. It's a historical neighborhood.

These houses are beautiful. Um, they're right on top of each other. I I too have a pool. I spend a lot of time in my yard and I I I'm I have concerns about how they're going to proceed with the cleanliness. I've had to close my windows on many afternoons because they burn trash in their yard and the whole house reeks of smoke and chemicals and I just don't have a lot of faith that

they're going to do the right things proceeding with these chickens because of everything else I've seen including the goat.

The goat is there. It's been Right. But I mean, he was there for a few weeks. And again, I just I I oppose of this chicken coupe. Um it's just going to make the rodent issue in this neighborhood, which is existed for the five years that I've been here, worse.

And then I've been with I've been with Guardian for four and a half years now.

And it's the same people who want the chickens who burn trash in their yard.

Yes, sir. It is.

It's awful. It's awful. We have to close our windows. I'll come home from work and my whole entire house is filled with smoke. Is that allowed? That's not allowed. No, it's not allowed. It's not allowed. And I mean, we have I mean, if they were just burning wood, wood smells good. Granted, the house I don't think we can approve, Tom. I don't think we can approve this one at this time based

based on if they're burning trash in the yard to be checked out. That's not under you though, is it? FA. Is that the fire department? That would be the fire prevention bureau. The fire department.

Yeah. Yeah. Can can can you notify them about that and have them check it out?

We can. And if we got a call here during the day uh that it's happening, we could do it then, too. But we can we can refer to them. Yeah.

Okay. So, we're going to table this pending pending some more information.

And just one more thing, gentlemen. That was my name is Leland Daltry, by the way. That was my wife just speaking. Uh, one other thing is I I realized that, you know, you guys give variances for chickens and other livestock and all these things, but you know, they had a a goat or a lamb there or whatever. That was probably not permitted at the time, but they done that. Uh, now they're

wanting chickens. They they going through the process to have chickens, but yet they already have chickens on the property from what I understand.

At what point does that stop? I mean, there's got to be some of penalty or something for that.

Again, the most of these situations, the the uh the applicants have already had the animals for some time and not realized that they needed a uh a permit.

Yes, sir. And that's what we're catching up on now. As as things are reported to us, we send an inspector out and inform the the property owner that we uh they need some documentation. And that's how most of these things come up now. Yes, sir. I appreciate what you guys do.

Thank you very much. Thank you. Okay.

Next, we have the request for the variance of the keeping of chickens by Jack and Nellia Santos at 204 Hascoll Street.

Is there anyone here?

Yes, that is me. Can you hear me? Yes.

Yeah.

Um so this is um one of those perfect yards that I envy so much. It's great yard, very large property. Uh, we lost you again.

Am I am I there now? You're you're back.

Yes. I don't know how I h that happened.

I must have breathed wrong. Uh, if you're looking at the plot plan, the coupe is actually in the rear corner of the yard. Um it's not placed quite exactly right on the um on on the plot plan, but it's it's so in the rear corner away from the street and that butts uh a wooded area because this property is near the the right of way of Route 79. It's that Haskell Street. We

have several Haskell streets. Um uh you have the plan. It is the it is rat proof containers. We have the just looking through this. We have the contract here somewhere. Um I saw the contract. So yes, and I I think I was doodling, but we do have it. Yes. Uh the yacht is pristine. The the coupe is maybe the largest coupe I've seen yet.

There must be some competition in town.

Uh you could keep cows in there. Uh they only have the the nine hens though and they've met all our requirements. Thank you.

I guess the obvious question is there any opposition?

There were no letters of opposition received that I saw.

Is there anyone here to speak on the application for the Martins? No, for the Santos.

Oh yeah. Well, I ju I just saw Nia Nelia that there Santos? Yes, that's me. Jack Santos.

Yeah. Oh.

Oh, it's Jack. Yes. Oh, okay. The name is Okay. So, you're here.

Mr. Santos, you have the the rodent contract in place. You know, there would be no roosters on the property and not to exceed the applicants the application amount of chickens. Is that correct? You understand all that? Yes, sir. Okay.

Do you have any questions for us?

No, not not right now. Right now, I'm a little bit nervous, but when I'm ready, I talk. I'm sorry about that. I'm just nervous. I never did anything like this before. So, deep breath. We're friendly people.

Well, if it's a friendly people, they shouldn't call anybody to complain, right? They shouldn't think about they shouldn't think about more about God.

Complain about anything.

Jack, let's not get into philosophy and ethics and morals today. I'm sorry about that. In point of fact though, the Santos has had these birds for so long or some birds that they they got them under the old rag where because of the square footage of the property, they wouldn't have needed a variance. Uh but there was a uh a complaint from the neighborhood and uh yes, they were I discovered that they had these birds.

Okay. But my yard it my my chicken it's far away from the people's house. So why they complain? Why they don't think about Mr. Santos? Mr. Mr. Santos. No one No one is complaining. We have no letters of opposition. How about we make a motion? Yeah. Move for it, Tom. Go for it. I'll second. Roll call, please. I understand, but that Yes. Michael Coughlin. Yes. All right, Mr. Santos, you enjoy your chickens and

and keep keep up the good work. Thank you. I love my chickens. If anybody has chickens, think about the chickens they have because we here today, tomorrow we not here. That's what they got to think about. You know what I'm saying? All right. Thank you very much. You're welcome. Bye-bye.

Does the director have anything to report today?

Um, no, I don't other than our um our youth services coordinator position has been posted. So, we'll be conducting interviews and looking to hire um for that for that role. Um, I did just want to flag the two um or the the I guess the three um addresses that we tabled. We didn't vote. So I want to just do if we want to make somebody makes a motion and then we second that.

Um do you do you vote on a table motion to table?

I thought we historically had um Okay, we will. But if that if that'll complete the record, Sandy, insert the motions and the seconds in the appropriate place in the minutes. Right. I approve of that, too. Okay.

But I I want to I actually want to bring up something in regard to the youth services coordinator. I would I would like to move that the board send a letter to Christian McCloskkey thanking him for his service to the to the city.

Um he he did that job for over 20 years.

Uh and and uh you know I I one of Tessa's predecessors I worked closely with him for the five years I was here and I I just want to acknowledge that.

I'm sure the city probably I don't know did did this did the city do anything on his behalf? test. I don't even know. We um internally within the department, we had um a gathering for Christian and during that gathering, the mayor provided him with a citation. Oh, okay.

All right. All right. Um Okay. Well, good. Yes. So, he I like the idea of the board sending us. Tom, are you okay with that? Can we Yeah, that's that's fine.

Yes. Yeah. All right. Okay. So I can draft I can draft a letter and um send it to you for your um your signatures.

Yes, that'd be great, Tess. Thank you.

Okay.

Okay. Does anything receive for citizens input?

Um no, no, that wasn't discussed. Okay.

To confirm the date for the next meeting following our usual patent, it would be uh Monday, July 28th.

That's fine. Okay. Is that also at 3:30?

Yes, ma'am. Okay. And is it the same Zoom meeting ID, please? No, there'll be a different I ID meeting. And and we we don't know for sure that the issue that that you're concerned about will be on the agenda. So you we'll if you be contacted like you were for this meeting. Okay. So we'll receive something in the mail with the new Zoom uh meeting ID, right? Okay. Yes. Thank you.

Okay. Hearing no other business. Can we have a motion to adjurnn? Move to adjourn. I'll second. Can we have a roll call? Thomas Corey. Yes. Michael Coughlin. Yes.

All right. Thank you all. I hope you uh have a wonderful Fourth of July weekend.

Thank you. Thank you. Take care. Thank you. You as well. I would.