Committee Report - PHPS - 11-30-16 — File 202527

Public Health and Public Safety Committee Page 1 of 6 Printed 12/7/2016 November 30, 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, Alderman Katjana Ballantyne, Alderman Dennis Sullivan, Chief Patrick Sullivan - SFD, Chief David Fallon - SPD, Brad Rawson - OSPCD, Steve MacEachern - DPW, Annie Connor - Legislative Liason, 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 7:00 PM. 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. Chief Sullivan distributed two documents, one with response times for Assembly Square and the other updating the committee on the many activities of the Somerville Fire Department. He informed the committee that calls to Assembly Square had increased on average by a half day over last year. Alderman Rossetti expressed concern about the response times in Assembly Square and the lack of a Fire Department presence there. It was noted that OSPCD is actively looking for a location for the Fire Department in Assembly Square. Chairman Connolly asked Ms. Connor to provide the committee with an update on a possible location by next week. Chief Fallon brought the committee up-to-date with the new buildings and construction. He reported that over a 10-year period, crime had decreased by 17% and quality of life calls are down by 19%. These decreases are not evenly spread throughout the city and wards 1, 2, 3 and 4 still have more quality of life and crime calls. There are 14% more calls involving retail theft in Assembly Square and the security force there does not have the power to make arrests. Partners Healthcare currently has 1,400 employees and that number will increase to 5,000 at a later date. Alderman Rossetti asked if there was a way for FRIT to chip in on policing at Assembly Square to lighten the load on the city.

Public Health and Public Safety Committee Page 2 of 6 Printed 12/7/2016 Alderman Connolly’s motion, that the Administration contact representatives at Federal Realty Investment Trust and Assembly Square to discuss the possibility of having supplemental police support at Assembly Square, was approved. Chief Fallon also spoke about: • the 18 opiate fatalities in Somerville and the 85 in Manchester, NH • the Department being certified in 2017 and • his meeting with Betsy Allen to reformulate immigrant meetings. Chairman Connolly acknowledged Chief Fallon for his involvement with Teen Empowerment. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 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. 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 201410: That the Administration submit a Home Rule Petition relative to allowing Special Police Officers to serve up to age 70. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 201777: That the Mayor and the Chief of Police update the city website with expanded information on Police policies on Biased Based Policing, with all recent complaints and outcomes, as well as the complaint filing process and relationship with the Human Rights Commission. Chief Fallon told the committee that policies and procedures are online. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 201889: That the Superintendent of Inspectional Services inspect 15-17-19 Henderson Street for all code violations and unauthorized removals of stop work orders and unsafe building notices, and report back to this Board on recommended actions to ensure the public's health and safety.

Public Health and Public Safety Committee Page 3 of 6 Printed 12/7/2016 RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 201988: That the Superintendent of Inspectional Services inspect 33-35 Barton Street weekly for continual overgrowth onto the public sidewalk. Alderman Ballantyne spoke about the absentee landlord who never shovels. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 202183: That the Chief of Police report to this Board why Police Officers don't wear name tags, with his recommendation as to whether they should. Chief Fallon informed the members the department switched to badge numbers a few years ago, however it would like to return to name tags. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 202319: That the Superintendent of Inspectional Services inspect 135 Hillsdale Road for an illegal rooming house. Alderman Ballantyne spoke about the rooming house with residents in the basement. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 202325: That the Director of Constituent Services and the Superintendent of Inspectional Services discuss the 311 calls and inspections related to 19 Clarendon Avenue. Alderman Ballantyne spoke about a full dumpster that has been in the driveway for a number of months and said that she had contacted fire prevention on this matter. Chief Sullivan will follow up on the matter. Chairman Connolly asked Ms. Connor to contact ISD and provide an update to the committee. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 202340: That the Superintendent of Inspectional Services inspect 62 Lowden Avenue for contractors working on Sunday, in violation of their building permit, and take corrective action as necessary. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 202335: That the Superintendent of Inspectional Services inspect 18 School Street for building and health code violations and contact the property owner to make necessary repairs.

Public Health and Public Safety Committee Page 4 of 6 Printed 12/7/2016 RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 202336: That the Superintendent of Inspectional Services inspect 44 Adrian Street for building and health code violations and contact the property owner to make necessary repairs. 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 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 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. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 200846: That the Administration inform this Board of efforts to assist Riverside Community Care, formerly at 78 College Avenue, in finding a new location for its mental health day treatment program. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 201794: That the Director of SPCD report to this Board on measures to design streets and bike lanes, and educate drivers and bicyclists, to increase safety with respect to the door- opening zone for parked cars. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 202025: That the Chief of Police, the Chief Fire Engineer and the Director of Traffic and Parking attend the next Public Health and Safety Committee meeting to discuss #200140 regarding a "Don't Block the Box" program.

Public Health and Public Safety Committee Page 5 of 6 Printed 12/7/2016 RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 202182: That the Chief of Police or the Director of SPCD report to this Board on plans to educate motorists about using the “Dutch Reach” to open the driver’s door as a way to avoid “dooring” cyclists. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 202184: That the Commissioner of Public Works clarify to this Board and Constituent Services, and post on the city’s website, the regulations for putting trash out in plastic bags that are not inside a garbage can. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 202341: That the Commissioner of Public Works request of the commuter rail operator that the trash behind 104 Gilman Street be removed. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 201375: District Attorney responding to #196432 re: the investigation of the murder of Deanna Cremin. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 201482: Conveying the Carlson Group's study of Somerville's fire and rescue services. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 202292: DPW Commissioner responding to various Board Orders submitted 10/13/16. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 202293: Director of Traffic and Parking responding to Board Orders submitted 9/13/16. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 202314: Director of Transportation and Infrastructure responding to #201794, #201799, and #202111, re: a safety education campaign for bicyclists, pedestrians and drivers. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 202411: DPW Commissioner responding to various Board Orders submitted this evening,

Public Health and Public Safety Committee Page 6 of 6 Printed 12/7/2016 11/10/16. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED Handouts: • SFD Info (with 199724) • SPD Letter