Board of Health

Board of Health Meeting Wednesday, July 15, 2026 at 7:30 PM Hybrid meeting via remote and in person in the Louis P. Andrews Upper Conference Room (third-floor conference room), 149 Main Street, Watertown, MA 02472 Agenda Pursuant to Chapter 2 of the Acts of 2025, the meeting and public hearing will be conducted with remote opportunities for participation. Remote participation and access methods include: ACCESS INFORMATION: A. This meeting will be held on Wednesday, July 15, 2026 at 7:30 PM. Location: Louis P. Andrews Upper Conference Room (third-floor conference room) B. The in-person meeting will also be televised through WCATV (Watertown Cable Access Television) on Comcast Channel 22 or RCN Channel 13 and can be streamed online at: http://vodwcatv.org/CablecastPublicSite/watch-now?site=3 C. Public may comment through email: amyers@watertown-ma.gov D. Join Zoom Meeting https://watertown-ma.zoom.us/j/83188312663 Meeting ID: 831 8831 2663 E. Please Visit the Board of Health Website here: https://www.watertown- ma.gov/176/Board-of-Health 1. Call to Order 2. Acceptance of Minutes A. Review of Draft Minutes of May 20, 2026 3. Public Comment 4. Review Permit Application A. Resonance Life Sciences. – 155 Arlington Street 5. Tobacco Violation Hearing – 320 Main Street – Main Street Mobile A. Vote on determination 6. Staffing and Department Updates A. Department updates 7. Items that could not be anticipated before meeting 8. Adjournment Page 1 of 5  BOARD OF HEALTH MEETING REMOTE ONLY MINUTES Wednesday May 20, 2026 at 7:00 pm PRESENT: Dr. Dominic Amirtharaj, Chairman, Kim Netter, Staff: Abbey Myers, Director of Health, Maureen Foley, In attendance: Reilly Ellis, Sue Zhao, Scott Malstrom, Marne Smith, Mary Wertz, Xin Peng, Guest. CALL TO ORDER: Dr. Amirtharaj called the meeting to order 7:01 pm ___________________________________________________________________ Minutes Minutes were approved for April 15, 2026 Dr. Amirtharaj gave motion to approve minutes. (Amirtharaj, Netter) (2,0) Roll Call Public Comment No public comment Approval of Permit applications for: Camp4 Therapeutics Corp. – 100 Talcott Avenue Mary Wertz, Associate Director of Lab Biology, gave a short presentation of the lab’s activities and lab’s protocols. Camp4 plans to move into Watertown on August 6, 2026. Dr. Amirtharaj and Ms. Netter both agreed this was a comprehensive presentation. Dr. Amirtharaj made a motion to recommend approval of this application to the BOH without conditions. (Amirtharaj, Netter) (2,0) Roll Call Quintara Biosciences Inc. – 65 Grove Street Sue Zhao, General Manager, gave a short presentation of the lab’s activities and lab’s protocols. Quintara was established in California in 2005. Ms. Netter asked about bleach solution and the disposal of the decontamination solution. Mr. Mastyugin stated 10% bleach solution and 30 min. drying is standard for decontamination. Dr. Amirtharaj made a motion to recommend approval of this application to the BOH without conditions. 1|Page Page 2 of 5  (Amirtharaj, Netter) (2,0) Roll Call Tobacco Violation Hearing Bus Stop Variety – 121 Galen Street was heard by the BOH. Ms. Myers reviewed the findings from the RTCC during a sale with a minor on February 18, 2026 to purchase a pack of cigarettes. The violation is $1000.00 set by the state. Ms. Ellis, Tobacco Control Inspector, stated the under age purchaser stated the salesperson was older, balding with a mustache with brown skin. Dr. Amirtharaj asked Ms. Ellis if the purchaser went into the store and came out with tobacco product. So therefore, the sale was made. Dr. Amirtharaj made a motion acknowledge the tobacco product sale was made. (Amirtharaj, Netter) (2,0) Roll Call Tobacco Regulations Review On the draft tobacco updated regulations, the red indicates additions to the state regulations. Sec. F12 states 14 establishments have retired their Tobacco Permits in Watertown. Public health is allowing 30-day grace period after the November 30th expiration. If the permit is not renewed by December 30th, then that permit will be retired. There is a push to limit nicotine pouches. BOH should plan on a public hearing in September 2026 to address the updated Tobacco Regulations. Keeping of Hens Variances: 1. 179 Edenfield Avenue, to remove or reduce the 10 ft. setback from the side/rear of lot line for the pen at the alternative location discussed during the site visit. Per Ms. Myers, the homeowner has contacted neighbors, clipped the birds feathers. Our ACO has no objections to this coop and pen. Dr. Amirtharaj made a motion to allow the variance for Keep of Hens at 179 Edenfield Avenue. (Amirtharaj, Netter) (2,0) Roll Call 2. 10 Jewett Street, to allow the coop to be within 10 ft. of the primary dwelling, to allow the pen to abut the lot line on the side, to allow the pen not be totally enclosed. Per Ms. Myers, the coop is not enclosed. The pen takes up the whole yard. The variance is allows for the coop to be close to the house and the pen is abutting the property line. 2|Page Page 3 of 5  3. Dr. Amirtharaj made a motion to allow the variance for Keep of Hens at 10 Jewett Street. (Amirtharaj, Netter) (2,0) Roll Call Department Updates 1. We are short by one Health Officer and still interviewing for the position. 2. Rodent calls have increased a. Pest inspections are going on b. Dumpster inspections are going on c. Checking sources of harborage d. Purchased trash can lids for city owned barrels. e. Rodent inspections of public 3. Seasonal Pool permits 4. Intern starting next week 5. Sunscreen Stations 6. Sunscreen Bands Next Meeting Next meeting will be June 17, 2026 Adjourn Dr. Amirtharaj made a motion to adjourn this meeting at 8:13 PM. (Amirtharaj, Netter) (2,0) Roll Call 3|Page Page 4 of 5 4|Page Page 5 of 5