Committee Report - PHPS - 8-24-15 — File 199722

Public Health and Public Safety Committee Page 1 of 5 Printed 8/25/2015 August 24, 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 Others present: Goran Smiljic - ISD, Ed O'Donnell - OSPCD, Brad Rosen - OSPCD, Rob King - Capital Projects, Dan Hadley - Mayor's Office 1. Approval of the May 5, 2015 Minutes RESULT: ACCEPTED 198097: That the Director of SPCD update this Board on its public education campaign concerning appropriate bicycling in central business districts. Mr. Rosen discussed educational enforcement, advocacy and grant funding for outreach and said that materials are available on the topic. He noted that there are 4,500 daily bicycle commutes in Somerville. Alderman Niedergang's motion that Mr. Rosen work with the Police Department to develop a bicycle safety campaign, was approved. 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. Mr. King reported that a contract is in place and that the project should be completed before year's end. Mr. King noted that the structure could be relocated in the future if need be. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED

Public Health and Public Safety Committee Page 2 of 5 Printed 8/25/2015 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 may be removed from the public way as soon as possible. Mr. O'Donnell and Mr. Smiljic spoke on this item. All work must be completed by October 20th of this year and the property owner is cooperating with the city. A full service food retailer is still being considered for the location. Steel construction will commence shortly, requiring the street to be closed. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 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. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 199102: That the Administration and Chief of Police consider implementing a policy similar to Gloucester, where opiate addicts who ask for help are provided it and are not arrested. Committee members asked that this issue be a priority of the city’s Administration. Mr. Hadley discussed the opioid working group and said that collected data would be used to develop policy. Mr. Hadley welcomed any feedback on policy ideas. (Related items: 199102, 199151, 199152, 199480, 199520) RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 199520: That the Administration prioritize a public health initiative to control the opiate abuse epidemic, including nearby health and educational institutions and any other available resources. Committee members asked that this issue be a priority of the city’s Administration. Mr. Hadley discussed the opioid working group and said that collected data would be used to develop policy. Mr. Hadley welcomed any feedback on policy ideas. (Related items: 199102, 199151, 199152, 199480, 199520) RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 199151: That the Administration, within 14 days, provide the Committee on Public Health and Public Safety with the Substance Abuse Counselor's job description and hire date. Committee members asked that this issue be a priority of the city’s Administration. Mr. Hadley discussed the opioid working group and said that collected data would be used to develop policy. Mr. Hadley welcomed any feedback on policy ideas. (Related items: 199102, 199151, 199152, 199480, 199520)

Public Health and Public Safety Committee Page 3 of 5 Printed 8/25/2015 RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 199152: That the city's Substance Abuse Counselor appear before the Committee on Public Health and Public Safety. Committee members asked that this issue be a priority of the city’s Administration. Mr. Hadley discussed the opioid working group and said that collected data would be used to develop policy. Mr. Hadley welcomed any feedback on policy ideas. (Related items: 199102, 199151, 199152, 199480, 199520) RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 199549: That the Director of SPCD dispatch the Neighborhood Impact Team to 22 Richdale Avenue for code violations and report back to the Ward 3 Alderman. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 199589: That the Department of Public Utilities investigate and take appropriate actions against electricity companies that use deceptive sales tactics. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 199639: That the Director of Health and Human Services warn residents, especially senior citizens, about electricity companies that use deceptive sales practices. 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 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. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 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.

Public Health and Public Safety Committee Page 4 of 5 Printed 8/25/2015 RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 198951: That the Director of SPCD (ISD) inspect the Winter Hill Market for rubbish and fine the business and building owner. Mr. Smiljic reported on this property. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 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. Mr. Smiljic reported on this property. 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. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 199054: MA DOT responding to #198702 re: noise and pollution barriers along I-93. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 199099: Relaying the final report of the BU study regarding the impact of Logan air traffic on our community. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 199100: That this Board supports the efforts of the Logan Community Advisory Committee and requests that the FAA re-examine its Runway 33L policies to reduce noise complaints. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 199101: That the Administration review with this Board its policy for curbside furniture donations. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 199355: That the Administration institute a plan to notify and update affected residents during water main breaks, distribute bottled water to them, and check on their well-being.

Public Health and Public Safety Committee Page 5 of 5 Printed 8/25/2015 RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 199360: DPW Commissioner responding to various Board Orders submitted 4/23/15. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 199480: That the Director of Health and Human Services provide a revised job description, job expectations and performance measurements for the previously grant funded Somerville Cares About Prevention positions. Committee members asked that this issue be a priority of the city’s Administration. Mr. Hadley discussed the opioid working group and said that collected data would be used to develop policy. Mr. Hadley welcomed any feedback on policy ideas. (Related items: 199102, 199151, 199152, 199480, 199520) RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 199522: That the Administration examine safety services at Assembly Row, in light of the previously unanticipated development of Partner’s Health Care and Hotel, and report back to this Board by September, 2015. Alderman Rossetti expressed her desire for more planning and underscored her request to have the information available by September of this year. Alderman Rossetti's motion that the Chief of Police and the Chief Fire Engineer appear before the Committee on Public Health and Public Safety to discuss concerns regarding items 198703 and 199522, was approved. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE