Board of Health Approves Repertoire Lab, Backyard Hens
Watertown Board of Health confirms tobacco sale to a minor, approves biotech lab permit and backyard hens.
Board of Health · Meeting of September 16, 2026
Watertown Board of Health confirms tobacco sale to a minor, approves biotech lab permit and backyard hens. Tobacco Inspector Riley told the board a clerk at Main Street Mobile sold a pack of Marlboro Reds for $17 to an underage buyer on June 25; members Dominique Amirthraj, Kim Netter and Jessica Mellifant voted 3-0 that a violation occurred, triggering a state-mandated $1,000 first-offense fine. "This one was pretty clear," Netter said.
The board also voted 3-0 to permit Repertoire Immune Medicines' new BSL-2 laboratory at 99 Coolidge Avenue as roughly 64 employees relocate from Cambridge, and approved a variance letting Matthew Hirsch keep up to three bantam hens at 43 Crawford Street with a reduced setback. Staff separately reported a Belmont Street body-work business had its permit suspended after police and the FBI found evidence of apparent sexual exploitation on site.
In the full story:
- Who Was There
- Organizations And Documents Referenced
- The complete report — 2,539 words
Source: the Board of Health meeting of September 16, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.
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