Committee Report - PHPS - 9-22-15 — File 199993

Public Health and Public Safety Committee Page 1 of 5 Printed 9/23/2015 September 22, 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 Absent Others present: Alderman Matt McLaughlin, Chief Dave Fallon - SPD, Dan Hadley - Mayor's Office, Corey Mashburn - SCAP, Doug Kress - HHS, Nanci Bacci - HHS, Patricia Contenti, Raquel Cerqueira - SPD, Mark Albanese - CHA, Patrick Wardel - CHA, Mary Cassesso - CHA, JoAnn Rivieccio - SOA, Cathy Harrington - RHF 1. Approval of the August 24, 2015 Minutes RESULT: ACCEPTED 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. Mr. Hadley stated that the problem of addiction is important to the Administration. Representatives from Cambridge Health Alliance (CHA) explained how cuts in funding impact the services it provides to the community and also spoke about how treatment data from hospitals is used in the fight against addiction. Chief Fallon spoke about collaborating with the cities of Everett and Cambridge and explained the department’s new philosophy of treatment instead of prosecution. Chief Fallon said that arrests strictly for possession of heroin have decreased. Members discussed ways to get information into the school system and out to the public, the program used in the City of Gloucester, the lack of detox facilities at CHA, substitution therapy and the need for additional resources. Ms. Harrington, from the Ryan Harrington Foundation, spoke about the need for detox and stressed that the whole person needs to be treated. She conveyed her belief that schools should

Public Health and Public Safety Committee Page 2 of 5 Printed 9/23/2015 be targeted for prevention. Ms. Rivieccio, from Somerville Overcoming Addiction, also spoke about the need for detox beds at CHA, evening treatment hours and recovery coaches. Alderman Rossetti’s motion that the President of the Board of Aldermen discuss the role of the City of Cambridge’s adjustment counselors, relative to preventing and/or dealing with addiction, with the Somerville School Committee, was approved. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 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. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 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. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 199152: That the city's Substance Abuse Counselor appear before the Committee on Public Health and Public Safety. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 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. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 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 198097: That the Director of SPCD update this Board on its public education campaign concerning appropriate bicycling in central business districts.

Public Health and Public Safety Committee Page 3 of 5 Printed 9/23/2015 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. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 198951: That the Director of SPCD (ISD) inspect the Winter Hill Market for rubbish and fine the business and building owner. 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.

Public Health and Public Safety Committee Page 4 of 5 Printed 9/23/2015 RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 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. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 199360: DPW Commissioner responding to various Board Orders submitted 4/23/15. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 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. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 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 199723: That the Director of SPCD work with the Police Department to develop a bicycle safety campaign. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 199724: That the Chief of Police and the Chief Fire Engineer appear before the Committee on Public Health and Public Safety to discuss concerns regarding #198703 and #199522 for public safety at Assembly Row and citywide. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 199793: MA DPU Chairman responding to #199589 re: addressing deceptive sales practices used by some electricity companies.

Public Health and Public Safety Committee Page 5 of 5 Printed 9/23/2015 RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 199850: That the Administration consider the attached Policy Order recently adopted by Cambridge for air traffic noise pollution, and report back to this Board at its next meeting. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE