Committee Report - PHPS - 5-5-15 — File 199148

Public Health and Public Safety Committee Page 1 of 5 Printed 5/13/2015 May 5, 2015 REPORT OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE Attendee Name Title Status Arrived John M. Connolly Chair Present Mary Jo Rossetti Vice Chair Present Mark Niedergang Ward Five Alderman Present Matthew McLaughlin Ward One Alderman Absent Maryann M. Heuston Ward Two Alderman Present Robert J. McWatters Ward Three Alderman Present Tony Lafuente Ward Four Alderman Absent Rebekah L. Gewirtz Ward Six Alderman Absent Katjana Ballantyne Ward Seven Alderman Absent Dennis M. Sullivan Alderman At Large Present William A. White Jr. Alderman At Large Absent Others present: Police Chief David Fallon, Deputy Fire Chief Patrick Sullivan, Rob King - Capital Projects, Ed O'Donnell - OSPCD, Omar Boukili - Mayor's Office, Stan Koty - DPW, Wig Zamore, Detective Donovan - SPD, Detective Lyons - SPD (Retired) 1. Approval of the March 25, 2015 Minutes RESULT: ACCEPTED 198738: That the Chief of Police advise this Board on the Deanna Cremin murder investigation and appear at a meeting of this Board’s Committee on Public Health and Safety to discuss details, where appropriate. Chief Fallon explained that the Police Department is in a precarious position discussing an open case. Captain Donovan assured members that the investigation is ongoing and that he is personally working on it as one of his top priorities. Kimberli Bowler, a friend of Deanna Cremin, spoke about the hiring of a private investigator and said that the city has provided much support, but more is needed at the state level. Chief Fallon is willing to have a meeting with people who are close to the case. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 198739: That the Middlesex County District Attorney advise this Board of the status of the

Public Health and Public Safety Committee Page 2 of 5 Printed 5/13/2015 Deanna Cremin murder investigation and attend a meeting of this Board’s Committee on Public Health and Safety to update members where appropriate. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 199091: Middlesex District Attorney responding to #196432 re: the investigation into the murder of Deanna Cremin. Chairman Connolly read the letter from the Middlesex District Attorney's Office. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 198703: That the Chief Fire Engineer report to this Board’s Committee on Public Health and Safety on present and future fire station locations as well as other matters before the Committee. Deputy Chief Sullivan discussed the department’s response times and explained that increases were due to weather conditions and electronic problems. Mass DOT is aware of the problems is working to correct them. Alderman Rossetti asked if SomerStat could obtain some specialized data being sought and Mr. Boukili replied that SomerStat is currently understaffed. The committee discussed the possibility of combing Engines 2 & 3, the eastern part of Union Square, replacing the uninhabitable trailer in Union Square and the contemplation of moving the Union Square apparatus to 515 Somerville Avenue. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 198424: That the Director of Purchasing and the Director of Capital Projects inform this Board about the faulty bid submissions for a new modular structure to house Engine 3, and a plan for fast tracking such a structure, and that the Chief Fire Engineer inform this Board about current fire protection in the Union Square area. Deputy Chief Sullivan discussed the history of flooding at the Union Square building. Mr. King spoke about the history of the modular design plan and the RFP’s; which were deemed non- responsive. Modulars are not common, therefore the architect will reach out to vendors to try to generate interest. Alderman Heuston asked to be updated if any problems arise. Chairman Connolly’s motion that the Director of Purchasing and/or the Director of Capital Projects provide the Board of Aldermen with bi-weekly updates on the status of securing a new modular structure to house Engine 3, was approved. Alderman Rossetti requested that the Administration communicate with the Fire Fighters Union to keep morale up. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 198925: That the Director of SPCD communicate to the owner of the Social Security building in Davis Square, the need to move forward on necessary repairs so the scaffolding

Public Health and Public Safety Committee Page 3 of 5 Printed 5/13/2015 may be removed from the public way as soon as possible. Chairman Connolly spoke about the building owner's inaction. Mr. O'Donnell said that a criminal complaint has been filed and that the owner is now working with the city to come up with a repair plan. Mr. O'Donnell also spoke about the prospect of Roche Brothers coming to Davis Square. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 198972: That the Administration update this Board on conversations with the owner of the old Social Security building in Davis Square and confirm the date that the scaffolding will come down, and reply to the Ward Alderman within 2 weeks. See 198925 RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 198702: That the State Delegation secure the funding and achieve the installation of sound proof barriers along I-93, which would curb fine particle pollution. Alderman White suggested that a resolution from the BOA be sent to Governor Baker along with photos of the fence falling down. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 199054: MA DOT responding to #198702 re: noise and pollution barriers along I-93. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 198957: That the Commissioner of Public Works appear before this Board to discuss the circumstances that led to the collapse of the Brown School roof. Mr. Koty reported that the insurance company is happy with the repairs and that the parents are satisfied. Alderman Niedergang relayed concerns of a parent regarding water leaks and a rotting roof, among other things, and he expressed concern that warning signs weren't heeded. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 198960: That the Commissioner of Public Works inspect and report to this Board on the safety of the telephone pole and tree that abut 351 Summer Street. Mr. Koty said that the pole is new and that there is no immanent danger. He believes that the equipment mounted on the pole is to heavy and added that a letter has been sent to NSTAR. As to the tree, Mr. Koty stated that it is healthy and will not be removed. Chairman Connolly requested a follow-up report in 30 days.

Public Health and Public Safety Committee Page 4 of 5 Printed 5/13/2015 RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 198951: That the Director of SPCD (ISD) inspect the Winter Hill Market for rubbish and fine the business and building owner. Chairman Connolly relayed information from Goran Smiljic that no violations were found. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 198953: That the Director of SPCD (ISD) inspect the former Star Market site for all violations and inspect the parking lot for unsafe conditions and litter. Chairman Connolly relayed information from Goran Smiljic that no violations were found. Alderman White inquired about regulations regarding the illumination of parking lots and wants to look into permitting the lot for public parking. Alderman Heuston requested that ISD and the City Clerk look into permitting the current use of the lot. Chairman Connolly requested that Mr. Smiljic attend a future meeting of the committee to discuss the issues raised here. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 192737: That this Board’s Committee on Public Health and Safety arrange for representatives of Riverside Community Care aka Somerville Mental Health Association, to appear before the Committee to explain where the programs are and how the City can assist them. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 195671: That the Director of the Women's Commission appear at a future Public Health and Safety Committee meeting to update this Board on the city's domestic violence prevention efforts. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 198097: That the Director of SPCD update this Board on its public education campaign concerning appropriate bicycling in central business districts. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 198376: That the Administration consider employing a Substance Abuse Coordinator to assist our city's families. Mr. Boukili stated that he believes that someone was hired to fill this position. Alderman Rossetti spoke about efforts by the City of Gloucester regarding substance abuse and would like information from Somerville's Chief of Police.

Public Health and Public Safety Committee Page 5 of 5 Printed 5/13/2015 Alderman Rossetti's motion that the Clerk of Committees forward the attached article regarding the City of Gloucester's substance abuse policy to Somerville's Chief of Police and to the city's Substance Abuse Counselor, was approved. Alderman Rossetti's motion that the Administration, within 14 days, provide the Committee on Public Health and Public Safety with the job description for the city's Substance Abuse Counselor and the date on which an individual was hired to fill the position, was approved. Alderman Rossetti's motion that the city's Substance Abuse Counselor appear before the Committee on Public Health and Public Safety, was approved. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 198727: That the Neighborhood Impact Team inspect 7 Craigie Street for building and health code violations. Alderman McWatters reported that the issue has been resolved. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 198956: That the Administration develop with this Board a strategy to analyze the increasing use of Runway 33L at Logan Airport and document the adverse noise impacts. Mr. Zamore spoke about noise pollution and how jets impact neighborhoods. Alderman White asked Mr. Zamore to look at households impacted and wind data and to mine the data so that an objective case may be made. Alderman Rossetti spoke about a meeting and communication with Belmont residents and suggested that a stipend be paid to a collage student to work with the city on what steps to take. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE