Committee Report - PHPS - 2-22-17 — File 202883

Public Health and Public Safety Committee Page 1 of 5 Printed 2/23/2017 February 22, 2017 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 Lance Davis, Chief Patrick Sullivan - SFD, Goran Smiljic - ISD, Annie Connor - Legislative Liaison, 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 6:50 PM. Approval of the November 9, 2016 Minutes RESULT: ACCEPTED Approval of the November 30, 2016 Minutes RESULT: ACCEPTED 201410: That the Administration submit a Home Rule Petition relative to allowing Special Police Officers to serve up to age 70. Ms. Connor had conversations with the Chief of Police who supports special police officers serving up to age 70. They must be certified for CPR and attend legal updates classes. The law office will begin drafting language for this item. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 202782: That the Supervisor of Inspectional Services and the Chief Fire Engineer report to this Board on the cause of the fire at 8-10 Appleton Street, including whether the AirBnB rental there was in compliance with city and state laws, and whether it played any role in the cause of the fire. Chief Sullivan and Mr. Smiljic addressed this item and said that an investigation by the Somerville Police and the State Fire Marshall’s office determined that the fire was not the result of arson and may have been started by the careless disposal of smoking materials. Chief

Public Health and Public Safety Committee Page 2 of 5 Printed 2/23/2017 Sullivan reported that there were smoke detectors in the building and that there were 12 people in the building at the time of the fire, some of whom jumped out the windows. An around the clock fire detail is posted at the site and ISD will oversee the demolition of the building. There was a discussion about insurance reimbursements which would be for the building’s demolition and rebuilding. Ms. Connor stated the city has been looking into AirBnB and that a report was received from AirBnB that outlines how long people stay, the age of occupants and policy tools. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 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. See attached ISD Responses RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 202319: That the Superintendent of Inspectional Services inspect 135 Hillsdale Road for an illegal rooming house. Mr. Smiljic said that the inspection was unfounded. See attached ISD Responses RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 202325: That the Director of Constituent Services and the Superintendent of Inspectional Services discuss the 311 calls and inspections related to 19 Clarendon Avenue. There issues with the trash and two tickets were issued in 2015. A detailed report will be send to Alderman Ballantyne. The City Clerk's office tracks the citations and receives regular reports. See attached ISD Responses RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 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. A complaint was filed on November 9, 2016 and two trash tickets were issued during 2016. Ms. Connor will update Alderman Heuston on the status of this item. See attached ISD Responses RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 202499: That the Superintendent of Inspectional Services update the Ward 7 Alderman regarding the inspection of 135 Hillsdale Road as an illegal rooming house. See attached ISD Responses

Public Health and Public Safety Committee Page 3 of 5 Printed 2/23/2017 RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 202710: That the Superintendent of Inspectional Services inspect the trash barrels of the apartment complex at the intersection of McGrath Highway, Bonair Street and Otis Street weekly and issue fines where appropriate. See attached ISD Responses RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 202766: That the Superintendent of Inspectional Services inspect the new construction on Beacon Place to determine if it complies with the approved construction plan, and report the findings to the Ward 2 Alderman. The most recent inspection was done today, (2-22-17). Ms. Connor will send a notice to Alderman Heuston on the status of this item. See attached ISD Responses RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 202865: That the Superintendent of Inspectional Services take steps to revoke all licenses held by the Winter Hill Market at 269 Broadway. Numerous tickets have been issued for this property/business and the Solicitor’s Office will be looking into whether this business has ever had any license revoked. See attached ISD Responses RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 202703: DPW Commissioner responding to various Board Orders submitted 12/8/16. 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.

Public Health and Public Safety Committee Page 4 of 5 Printed 2/23/2017 RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 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 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 201988: That the Superintendent of Inspectional Services inspect 33-35 Barton Street weekly for continual overgrowth onto the public sidewalk. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 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 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. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 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 202515: That the Commissioner of Public Works cause the responsible utility companies to raise or move the low-hanging wires that cross Benton Road between numbers 75, 76 and 79. (second request)

Public Health and Public Safety Committee Page 5 of 5 Printed 2/23/2017 RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 202617: That the Administration advocate for sound barriers along I-93 in East Somerville to help reduce air pollution by up to 50 percent. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 202625: That the Director of SPCD develop and report to this Board an outreach campaign to start in the spring of 2017, to educate motorists about using the “Dutch Reach” to open the driver’s side door to avoid “dooring” cyclists. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 202733: That the appropriate department head request that the commuter rail operator address some early morning noise issues. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 202763: That this Board's Committee on Public Health and Safety determine the extent of soundproofing to be installed for the Green Line Extension. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 202776: That the Superintendent of Inspectional Services, with the assistance of other departments as necessary, forward to this Board’s Committee on Public Health and Safety a list of AirBnB-type lodging facilities in the city. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 202801: That the Administration advise this Board on the proposed state regulation of AirBnB properties, and options the city might have for taxation and regulation. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 201482: Conveying the Carlson Group's study of Somerville's fire and rescue services. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 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 Handouts: • ISD Responses (with multiple items)