Committee Report - PHPS - 2-16-16 — File 200794

Public Health and Public Safety Committee Page 1 of 7 Printed 2/18/2016 February 16, 2016 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 Matthew McLaughlin Ward One Alderman Present Others present: Alderman Mark Niedergang, Steve MacEachern - DPW, Goran Smiljic - ISD, Tim Snyder - Mayor's Office, Rositha Durham - Clerk of Committees The meeting took place in the Committee Room and was called to order at 6:00 PM by Alderman Connolly and adjourned at 7:20 PM. Document List: none Approval of the October 27, 2015 Minutes RESULT: ACCEPTED Approval of the November 17, 2015 Minutes RESULT: ACCEPTED 200518: That the Mayor or his designee report at this Board's January 14, 2016 meeting on the large number of malfunctioning streetlamps and to update this Board the status of the contractor(s) responsible for their maintenance. Mr. MacEachern spoke to the Eversource contractor, Dagle Electrical, to express the city's concerns about the lights. Ninety six of the 121 work orders for lights out have been closed. Two of the work orders require Eversource to resolve them. Chairman Connolly stated that there are several lights out on Broadway and said that. the response time from Eversourse is very poor. Alderman Rossetti mentioned that she noticed several lights that were not working on her way to the meeting tonight and asked if the Solicitor's Office has been involved with this matter. Mr. MacEachern replied that both the Solicitor's Office and the Purchasing Department have

Public Health and Public Safety Committee Page 2 of 7 Printed 2/18/2016 been involved. Chairman Connolly suggested that this matter may need the assistance from the Administration to do some PR work to get citizens to report any non-working light. Alderman Rossetti suggested that perhaps the Police Department could report defective lights, since officers are on the streets 24/7. Mr. Snyder will take this suggestion backto the Administration for consideration. Chairman Connolly suggested enlisting the Fire Department's assistance, as well. He asked that Mr. Snyder report back in a couple of weeks to let the committee know the next steps and asked Mr. MacEachern to inform Dagle Electrical that they may need to appear before the committee if a substantial response tot he problem is not seen. A resident from Ward 1 complained about the lights being too bright and Mr. Snyder said there are options and shields to redirect the lights, adding that residents should contact 311 for resolution. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 200249: That the Supervisor of Inspectional Services report to this Board on complaints about overzealous and mistaken ticketing by Health Inspectors for minor infractions of trash and yard regulations. Alderman Niedergang reported that he received complaints awhile ago on this issue and Alderman McLaughlin stated that he appreciates it when inspectors take pictures sites. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 200431: That the Supervisor of Inspectional Services appear before the Committee on Public Health and Safety to describe inspections for new residential units and whether they protect buyers from shoddy construction and poor soundproofing. Alderman McLaughlin spoke about poor construction and asked what ISD looks for with regard to construction and what kind of expectations should the city have for construction. Mr. Smiljic said that ISD inspectors and engineers inspect everything. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 200522: That the Supervisor of Inspectional Services and the Director of Engineering report to this Board on the 12/31/15 collapse of the carriage house roof at 13 Tufts Street, and explain the inspections and procedures before a building permit is issued for work on old buildings. Alderman McLaughlin asked about asbestos on this property. Mr. Smiljic said there were concerns for the people who were working in the building and that they were evacuate. He said that he requested the names of the contractor and that the city is going to court to resolve these issues. Alderman McLaughlin asked how these issues would be resolved in the future with the involvement of ISD and the Historic Preservation Commission. Mr. Smiljic stated the city is tough, but fair, and will not take anything lightly.

Public Health and Public Safety Committee Page 3 of 7 Printed 2/18/2016 RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 200619: That the Supervisor of Inspectional Services notify the Beacon Street Star Market to change the time that their vendor sweeps the parking lot, since the current time of 4 AM violates the noise ordinance and disturbs neighbors. Mr. Smiljic said that the police were at the location today. He spoke to the assistant manager about the noise ordinance and will keep an eye on this matter. If this matter persists, a ticket will be issued. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 200630: That the Supervisor of Inspectional Services inspect 625 McGrath Highway for structural problems and trash violations. 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. Chairman Connolly spoke about the Logan Airport noise report and said that Mr. Zamore will come in to discuss strategies and ways to more forward. Mr. Snyder stated that there have been two prior lawsuits that were not successful and it is unclear what the city can do to significantly reduce the impact of the noise. Alderman Rossetti stated the committee has met several times and that this matter needs to move to the next level. Chairman Connolly said the west side of the city has been impacted greatly and he wants to keep this issue on the forefront, as much as possible, and asked Mr. Snyder to set a date, (tentatively March 29th), to invite Mr. Zamore to speak on the matter. 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. (see 198956) RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 200074: That the Administration update the Committee on Public Health and Safety monthly on data for Logan Airport Runway 33L, and that the City engage Wig Zamore and communicate with officials from Cambridge and other communities on this matter. (see 198956)

Public Health and Public Safety Committee Page 4 of 7 Printed 2/18/2016 RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 200216: That the City Clerk invite the Logan Airport Community Advisory Committee representative to this Board's next meeting to recommend action for the increased impact of Logan air traffic. (see 198956) RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 200479: That the MassPort Community Advisory Committee seek to address Logan Airport noise, pollution, and traffic issues by sponsoring a regional citizens' forum, an online runway database, and federal research. (see 198956) 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. Chairman Connolly tentatively set a date of March 15th to discuss the opioid abuse epidemic. Mr. Snyder will follow up with the Chief of Police and Mr. Kress to appear before the committee. 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. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 200075: That the City Solicitor provide this Board's Committee on Public Health and Safety with a listing of all ordinances and traffic regulations regarding bicycles. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 200172: City Solicitor Responding to #200075 re: Ordinances and Traffic Regulations regarding bicycles. The Chair asked that the Clerk of Committees send a copy of the bicycle regulations to all BOA members for their feedback.

Public Health and Public Safety Committee Page 5 of 7 Printed 2/18/2016 RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 200311: That the Administration provide this Board's Committee on Public Health and Safety the names of the Community Cabinet members mentioned at the Committee meeting on 11/17/15. 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. 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. Chairman Connolly suggested a meeting be held mid-March to mid-April for both chiefs to appear before the committee. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 199948: That the Chief of Police provide this Board with a list of all notices sent to property owners pursuant to Ordinance 9-97 (nuisance control) in the last two years. Mr. Snyder stated that he received the list moments before this meeting and that the Chief would be happy to come before the committee to review the information. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 200140: That the Chief of Police, the Chief Fire Engineer and the Director of Traffic and Parking consider a "Don't Block the Box" program at key intersections that impede the flow of traffic and present a public safety hazard, and report back to this Board in writing within 30 days. Chairman Connolly asked the Administration to request locations for the "Don't Block the Box" signs and to identify the areas most in need. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 200309: That the Administration arrange for Matrix Consulting to appear before this Board's Public Health and Safety Committee to report their findings on public safety. Mr. Snyder stated that he is expecting to have the study in the next couple of weeks.

Public Health and Public Safety Committee Page 6 of 7 Printed 2/18/2016 RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 200312: That the Administration provide this Board's Committee on Public Health and Safety with a financial breakdown of funding relative to the matter of addiction. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 200355: Traffic and Parking Director responding to various Board Orders submitted 10/8/15. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 200492: Traffic and Parking Director submitting responses to various Board Orders submitted 10/22/15. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 200519: That the Chief of Police consider deploying body cameras for all police officers, and prepare a feasibility report within 30 days for this Board's Public Health and Public Safety Committee. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 200534: That the Chief of Police order a directed patrol on Berkeley Street at various times for speeding motorists. Mr. Snyder reported that two citations were issued this past week. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 200587: Ben Asack submitting comments re: establishing a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). Chairman Connolly asked Mr. Snyder determine if there is something the city can do on this matter. Other communities currently have Community Emergency Response teams in place. Some residents have already reached out to be a part of the response team. Volunteers could help answer phones, as an example. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 200618: That a representative of the Cambridge Health Alliance appear before this Board's Committee on Public Health and Safety to discuss any reductions in service at Somerville Hospital.

Public Health and Public Safety Committee Page 7 of 7 Printed 2/18/2016 Chairman Connolly reported that he contacted the CHA and that they will be available to discuss the reduction of services at Somerville Hospital. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 200631: That the Chief Fire Engineer provide the Ward 1 Alderman with the number of real and false fire alarms for Assembly Row, and any fines assessed. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 200641: That the Administration consider implementing a Certified Emergency Response Team as outlined by FEMA. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 200693: That the Chief of Police conduct a directed patrol in Lincoln Park to investigate suspicious activity at the shed structure. Mr. Snyder reported that 44 directed patrols were conducted to investigate suspicious activity at Lincoln Park. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 200694: That the Commissioner of Public Works inform this Board of the purpose and condition of Lincoln Park's shed structure, and whether it should be locked when not in use. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED