Committee Report - Rodents - 2-2-16 — File 200713

February 2, 2016 Rodent Issues Special Committee Page 1 of 6 Printed 2/9/2016 REPORT OF THE RODENT ISSUES SPECIAL COMMITTEE Attendee Name Title Status Arrived Maryann M. Heuston Chair Present Matthew McLaughlin Vice Chair Present John M. Connolly Alderman At Large Present Others present: Alderman Dennis Sullivan, Alderman Robert McWatters, Goran Smiljic - ISD, Chris Roche, All Star Exterminators, Charles Sillari - Clerk of Committees The meeting took place in the Committee Room and was called to order at 6:30 PM by Alderman Heuston and adjourned at 8:05 PM. Document List: • None Approval of the Minutes of Wednesday, September 09, 2015 RESULT: ACCEPTED 198190 - That the Director of SPCD (ISD) inspect the property and field around 11 Austin Street for rodents.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 198374 - That the Director of SPCD communicate with the appropriate state agency to address the rodent issues on, and the underutilization of, the land behind 11 Austin Street and I-93.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 199342 - That the Director of SPCD (ISD) inspect the corner of Everett Avenue and Cross Street for rodents and bait accordingly.: Alderman McLaughlin inquired why just the sewers are baited.

Committee Meeting February 2, 2016 Rodent Issues Special Committee Page 2 of 6 Printed 2/9/2016 RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 199367 - That the Director of SPCD (ISD) bait the sewers on Grand View Avenue for rodents.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 199368 - That the Director of SPCD (ISD) inspect the area on McGrath Highway behind 3 Chester Avenue for rodent activity, issue fines as indicated, and direct the property owner to clean and bait the area.: Members requested that the ordinance regarding overgrowth be reviewed. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 199422 - That the Director of SPCD (ISD) inspect the parking and trash area that opens onto Lowell Street, behind Modelo Bakery and White Sport Pizza in Magoun Square for signs of rodent activity and take appropriate action.: A ticket was issued on this property. Chairman Heuston would like to revisit the private pickup of trash. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 199670 - That the Supervisor of Inspectional Services inspect the businesses along East Broadway for rodent issues.: ISD has been issuing tickets, as needed, and Chairman Heuston would like to close down businesses having egregious trash violations. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 199674 - That the Supervisor of Inspectional Services address rodent complaints along Kensington and Pennsylvania Avenues, and Dell, Ellsworth, Cutter, and Medford Streets.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 199687 - That the Supervisor of Inspectional Services inspect the Healy School for trash and rodents and bait/set traps as necessary.: This item has been handled by the DPW. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED

Committee Meeting February 2, 2016 Rodent Issues Special Committee Page 3 of 6 Printed 2/9/2016 199689 - That the Supervisor of Inspectional Services inspect 41 Marshall Street for overgrowth and rodents and take all appropriate actions.: A ticket was issued for this item. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 199680 - That the Director of Communications use the city’s Connect CTY system to remind residents of the importance of rodent prevention.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 199682 - That the Supervisor of Inspectional Services update this Board on rodent control measures at construction sites.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 199684 - That the Supervisor of Inspectional Services consider using rodent birth control on MacArthur Street.: Mr. Smiljic discussed this matter and said that locations were an issue because it was difficult to locate the property owners and because federal and state approvals took some time. He will look into the program timeline. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 199796 - That the Supervisor of Inspectional Services perform the actions listed within to combat the rodent problem in the city.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 199883 - That the City Clerk request of Representative Tim Toomey that the state address the rodent issue behind 11 Austin Street and I-93.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 199884 - That the Director of Communications notify the Special Committee on Rodent Issues, within 30 days, of the plan to utilize Connect CTY and other means of communication to remind residents of the importance of rodent prevention, as directed in #199680.: Chairman Heuston would like more door knockers delivered to homes and suggested that neighbors might be amenable to assisting in this effort. Residents are informed through the city's website, social media and face to face meetings and concern was expressed that overuse of the CTY system could cause people to lose interest in CTY.

Committee Meeting February 2, 2016 Rodent Issues Special Committee Page 4 of 6 Printed 2/9/2016 RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 200043 - That the Supervisor of Inspectional Services bait around 240 Pearl street for rodents.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 200055 - That the Supervisor of Inspectional Services update this Board on the rodent control measures recently undertaken on Winter Street.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 200180 - That the Supervisor of Inspectional Services work with the residents in Kensington Street to alleviate their rodent problems.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 200220 - That the Supervisor of Inspectional Services inspect the General Insulation building on Cross Street for signs of rodent activity and update the Ward 1 Alderman of the findings.: RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 200238 - That the Supervisor of Inspectional Services monitor and bait Otis Street for rodents, particularly near the Edgerly School and 15 Otis street.: RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 200245 - That the Supervisor of Inspectional Services update this Board on the rodent birth control program.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 200246 - That the Administration request rodent sightings be placed as an icon on the Commonwealth Connect app.: RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 200268 - That the Supervisor of Inspectional Services review the attached articles on rodent control in Canada and New Zealand and report back to this board if similar measure could be utilized here.:

Committee Meeting February 2, 2016 Rodent Issues Special Committee Page 5 of 6 Printed 2/9/2016 Item was discussed, noting that Alberta, Canada is being aggressive in its efforts to eliminate rodents. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 200269 - That the Supervisor of Inspectional Services report to this Board, whether the current rodent bait is a Warfarin product and if not, whether Warfarin might be more successful,: The city's exterminator reported that Warafin isn't effective any longer and that there are better baits available. It takes 24-48 hours for a rodent to die after ingesting the bait. It was noted that dog feces is also a food source for rodents. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 200270 - That the Supervisor of Inspectional Services conduct a follow-up meeting regarding the MacArthur Street rodent infestation.: Rodent problems at various sites were discussed and Alderman Connolly relayed information he received from the former Ward One alderman about prior problems in the area of McArthur Street. Chairman Heuston inquired if dumpster owners were taking extermination measures and commented on the need to eliminate food sources for rodents, e.g., bird feeders and gardens. Mr. Smiljic stated that in the McArthur Street area, all neighbors are keeping their properties clean and it is difficult to locate the source of the problem. Neighbors have asked that the property at 11 McArthur Street be checked, however, Mr. Smiljic reported that this property is involved in a court case, thus the city is not allowed to go onto the property. He explained what conditions would compel the city to enter onto a property without the owner's permission. Alderman Connolly's motion that the City Solicitor take action to petition the courts to allow the city onto properties requiring remedial action when there is an emergency public health issue, was approved. A resident stated that he and the city baited his property, without success, after seeing burrows. Rodents are chewing their way through plastic barrels and Alderman spoke about the response he received from the city regarding the need for additional barrels. Alderman Heuston's motion that ISD conduct a walk-through of Bonair Street, McArthur Street and Autumn Avenue and order new barrels for those who need them, was approved. Mr. Smiljic discussed actions taken so far and future steps to be taken and said that he will contact the management company at the subject property. Alderman Sullivan suggested that trash be removed twice a week in the problem area. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED

Committee Meeting February 2, 2016 Rodent Issues Special Committee Page 6 of 6 Printed 2/9/2016 200438 - That the Supervisor of Inspectional Services address rodent problems on Wigglesworth Street, Cross Street Place, and Everett Avenue.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 200628 - That the Supervisor of Inspectional Services consider increasing fines for businesses in violation of rodent prevention measures.: RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 200635 - That the Supervisor of Inspectional Services inform this Board of rodent baiting services purchased and delivered for the development at 197 Washington Street.: Mr. Smiljic confirmed that baiting was performed monthly. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 200636 - That the Supervisor of Inspectional Services describe before this Board the enforcement of rodent baiting requirements during demolition and construction, and the availability of such information to the public.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED