Committee Report - OSEE - 12-1-15 — File 200446

Open Space, Environment and Energy Special Committee Page 1 of 4 Printed 12/8/2015 December 1, 2015 REPORT OF THE OPEN SPACE, ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY SPECIAL COMMITTEE Attendee Name Title Status Arrived Katjana Ballantyne Chair Present Robert J. McWatters Vice Chair Absent Rebekah L. Gewirtz Ward Six Alderman Absent Mark Niedergang Ward Five Alderman Present Alderman Niedergang was appointed to the committee, for this meeting only, to effectuate a quorum. Others present: Omar Boukili - Mayor's Office, Charles Sillari - Clerk of Committees Approval of the October 6, 2015 Minutes RESULT: ACCEPTED 198203: That the Administration report its Action Plan in response to the recommendation of the Fields Task Force. Mr. Boukili spoke about a large plan that should be submitted within a few weeks. Design is moving on park renovations and a usage analysis is being done. The plan relies heavily on DCR assets, therefore, DCR will submit their willingness to work on the design. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 198353: That the Commissioner of Public Works meet with this Board’s Committee on Energy and Environment to discuss the use of salt and salt substitutes during the winter. Mr. Boukili said that using salt is the best and most efficient way of dealing with snow and ice, adding that the Administration is open to trying alternatives. Two residents have requested that their street not be salted. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 199294: That the Director of Sustainability and Environment discuss methods to reduce

Open Space, Environment and Energy Special Committee Page 2 of 4 Printed 12/8/2015 light pollution with dark sky lighting. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 199513: That the Commissioner of Public Works develop a maintenance plan for all grass athletic fields and submit a request for funding to this Board. Mr. Boukili spoke on this item and said that maintenance plans would depend on the usage of the fields. Alderman Niedergang asked for a written plan. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 199696: That the Director of SPCD update the Ward 3 Alderman on plans for renovating Central Hill Park. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 199712: That the Mayor’s Aide and/or the Director of Sustainability and the Environment report to this Board on progress in addressing the litter from Globe Direct circulars, and whether Cambridge’s agreement with Globe Direct is being implemented here. Mr. Boukili spoke about free speech issues and possibly eliminating the plastic bag used in the delivery. Alderman Niedergang discussed an ordinance in Cambridge that deals with this issue. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 199715: That the Commissioner of Public Works and the Director of Sustainability and the Environment report to this Board on why the city is not using its authority to request a recycling plan for apartment buildings, which has resulted in some apartment dwellers not being able to participate in recycling. Mr. Boukili spoke about buildings that have private trash vendors and Alderman Niedergang wants to make sure that the law is being followed. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 199791: 671 Somerville petitioners communicating their support for keeping natural grass at Lincoln Park, not artificial turf. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 199792: Lynn Weissman submitting comments re: grass fields at Lincoln Park. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE

Open Space, Environment and Energy Special Committee Page 3 of 4 Printed 12/8/2015 199864: That the Administration develop a city-wide Open Space Integrated Plan for the protection, development, maintenance and programming of both private and public open spaces. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 199992: That the Commissioner of Public Works provide the Special Committee on Open Space, Environment and Energy with a list of fields that would benefit from the field maintenance plan this fall and those that would not. Mr. Boukili will contact Alderman Heuston to get the specific fields of concern. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 200012: David Turin submitting comments re: grass fields at Lincoln Park. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 200103: Sara Rostampour submitting comments re: grass fields at Lincoln Park. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 200289: That the Administration review concerns raised by residents about LED street lights, and change course if the problems seen in other communities are imminent. Katherine VanBuskirk spoke about LED street lights and the effect that some types of lighting have on people. She suggested that test sites be utilized prior to making a final lighting selection. Mr. Boukili stated that lighting could be observed at certain locations now, and told the members that the contract for the new lighting has been executed. Mr. Boukili added there were no previous complaints about the lighting and that all the proper steps have been taken. All the lights in the city will be changed. Alderman Niedergang discussed ways to get resident feedback on the new lighting. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 200299: That the Director of SPCD, the Commissioner of Public Works and the Director of Sustainability and Environment consider the pros and cons of artificial turf and identify alternative designs for publicly accessible open space. Chairman Ballantyne explained her concerns about the products available and Ruth Bonen spoke about the condition of the Lincoln Park field. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 200300: That the Director of SPCD and the Commissioner of Public Works advise this Board of the minimum ADA requirements for hard surfaces at publicly accessible open

Open Space, Environment and Energy Special Committee Page 4 of 4 Printed 12/8/2015 space. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE