Committee Report - PUPW- 4-5-17 — File 203085

Public Utilities and Public Works Committee Page 1 of 9 Printed 4/9/2017 April 5, 2017 REPORT OF THE PUBLIC UTILITIES AND PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE Attendee Name Title Status Arrived Robert J. McWatters Chair Present Tony Lafuente Vice Chair Present Lance L. Davis Ward Six Alderman Present Others present: Alderman Katjana Ballantyne, Alderman Mark Niedergang, Steve McEachern - DPW, Stan Koty - DPW, Bill Zamparelli - Eversource, Tim Kelly - Comcast, Stan Usovicz - Verizon, Ken Bates - RCN, Charles Sillari - Clerk of Committees. The meeting took place in the Committee Room and was called to order at 6:35 PM by Alderman McWatters and adjourned at 7:24 PM. Approval of the September 21, 2016 Minutes RESULT: ACCEPTED 196378: That the Director of SPCD and/or the Commissioner of Public Works notify property owners along lower Broadway of the five year moratorium on renovations to private sewer systems and encourage them to make appropriate plans. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 196608: That the Commissioner of Public Works notify the appropriate utility regarding the double pole on Perkins Street. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 196621: That the Commissioner of Public Works contact the appropriate utility and cable vendors to address the low hanging wires on Allen Street. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 196770: That the Commissioner of Public Works contact the appropriate utility company regarding the removal of double poles on Perkins Street, Glen Street, Cutter Street,

Public Utilities and Public Works Committee Page 2 of 9 Printed 4/9/2017 Kennison Avenue and Garfield Street. Mr. Zamparelli reported that Eversource currently has 63 double poles in the city, with some requiring light duty work. He expects that more work will be accomplished now that the winter is over. Chairman McWatters stated that residents are concerned about the double poles and he asked that a good faith effort be made to address the issue. Alderman Ballantyne ask how these poles are prioritized, pointing out that some have been in place for 3 years. She also mentioned that stumps have become a safety hazard. Mr. McEachern stated that he needs access to certain information from the utilities and Chairman McWatters asked for better communication between utility companies and the DPW. Mr. Koty said that he is concerned with the poles on Barton Street and Chairman McWatters asked Mr. Zamparelli to address that situation. Mr. Koty would like to meet with all utility companies to discuss the general topic of double poles. Alderman Lafuente requested a list of all double poles in the city showing how long each has been in place. The utility companies will generate this list together and provide it to the DPW, where it will then be prioritized. Low hanging wires were also discussed and the committee was told that wires must be 14 feet above a driveway and 18 feet above a street. Mr. Koty stated that low hanging wires mostly belong to the cable companies. Mr. Kelly told the committee that Comcast is actively working on this, adding that new construction is a big cause of low hanging wires. Alderman Lafuente’s motion that the Administration appear before the Board of Aldermen to suggest how residents may report drops and low hanging wires to the DPW, was approved. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 196785: That the Commissioner of Public Works explain the policy regarding the height of utility wires suspended from poles, and the protocols in place to ensure adherence to the policy. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 196913: That the Commissioner of Public Works clean the banks of the Mystic River along Assembly Row and ensure that a regular cleaning schedule is put in place. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 196970: That the Commissioner of Public Works contact the appropriate utility companies to remove the double pole at the corner of Willow and Kidder Avenues. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 197233: That the Commissioner of Public Works direct Verizon to remove unused utility boxes from the side lawn of the West Somerville Neighborhood School, and from the north side of the grounds of the Powderhouse Community School. Mr. McEachern stated that the boxes are active and Alderman Ballantyne said that parents in the neighborhood are concerned that the boxes are not active.

Public Utilities and Public Works Committee Page 3 of 9 Printed 4/9/2017 RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 197429: That the Commissioner of Public Works repair the depression in the roadway on Mt. Pleasant Street, just after its intersection with Broadway. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 197465: That the Commissioner of Public Works notify the appropriate utility company to realign the utility pole in front of 47 Oliver Street. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 197472: That the Commissioner of Public Works contact NStar about removing the double pole at 72 Curtis Street. (2nd request.) RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 197694: That the Commissioner of Public Works assess the adequacy of street lighting along Chester, Fitchburg and Poplar Streets, install additional lighting where needed and repair street lights which are not working on those streets. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 197773: That the Commissioner of Public Works devise a strategy to address instances of low hanging utility/cable wires throughout Somerville. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 197917: That the Commissioner of Public Works direct all utility companies to clean up their lines throughout the city. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 198109: That the Commissioner of Public Works notify the appropriate utility company to remove the double pole in front of 46 Elmwood Street. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 198213: That the Commissioner of Public Works remove the rotting 10 foot high tree base that is being used to anchor a telephone pole in front of 11 Barton Street. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 198386: That the Commissioner of Public Works update the Ward 5 Alderman on repairs to prevent pedestrians from tripping in the crosswalks at Linden Avenue on the south side

Public Utilities and Public Works Committee Page 4 of 9 Printed 4/9/2017 of Summer Street, Aberdeen Road by Highland Avenue, and Hall Street by Cherry Street. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 198444: That the Director of SPCD (ISD) report to this Board on the process for issuing citations during snowstorms to private plowing and shoveling contractors who are plowing snow into the street or onto neighbors' sidewalks. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 199369: That the Commissioner of Public Works immediately assess the stability of the listing utility pole at 6 Windsor Road and act expeditiously to remediate the double pole. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 200136: That the Commissioner of Public Works fix the broken pedestrian warning signal for the exit from the Magoun Square CVS onto Medford Street. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 200149: That the Commissioner of Public Works plant grass in front of the East Branch Library. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 200150: That the Commissioner of Public Works repair the broken street lights on Broadway, from Fellsway West to Grant Street. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 200151: That the Commissioner of Public Works repair the broken street lights at 10 Wheatland Street. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 200266: That the Commissioner of Public Works repaint the faded NO CYCLING markers on sidewalks and install NO BIKE RIDING – PLEASE WALK YOUR BIKE signs in central business districts. The committee moved to refer this item to the Committee on Traffic and Parking. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 200276: That the Commissioner of Public Works repair the clock in the Argenziano School cafeteria which has been broken for the last 5 years.

Public Utilities and Public Works Committee Page 5 of 9 Printed 4/9/2017 RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 200528: That the Commissioner of Public Works provide this Board with a timeline for repair of the backstop behind the large baseball diamond at Trum Field, by Broadway and Charles E. Ryan Road. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 200529: That the Commissioner of Public Works make needed repairs to Trum Field in time for the spring baseball season. Mr. Koty reported that the DPW is working with the Recreation Department on this. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 200747: That the Commissioner of Public Works consider using pet safe salt on city walkways. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 200748: That the Commissioner of Public Works address the icing on Assembly Row sidewalks. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 200772: That the Commissioner of Public Works consider installing cigarette butt disposal boxes in public areas citywide. Mr. Koty inquired where the receptacles should be placed and suggested that the Health Department approach businesses to provide them outside their places of business. Alderman Davis said that he would watch to see what the City of Boston does about this matter. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 201011: That the Commissioner of Public Works replace the 3 missing yellow bollards on the east side of the Lowell Street bridge at the Community Path Extension ramp. (2nd request) RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 201133: That the Commissioner of Public Works contact the appropriate utility to address the low hanging wire on Lincoln Avenue. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 201612: That the Commissioner of Public Works trim all foliage blocking memorial

Public Utilities and Public Works Committee Page 6 of 9 Printed 4/9/2017 dedication signs, traffic signals, and parking regulation signs. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 201691: That the Commissioner of Public Works evaluate the low-hanging lines (from multiple poles) behind 52 Powder House Blvd. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 201830: That the Commissioner of Public Works cut down the rotting 12 foot stump at 7 Barton Street. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 201908: That the Commissioner of Public Works replace the sidewalk panels from Properzi Manner to Bow Street as they have become a public safety hazard. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 202333: That the City Engineer repair the concrete on the pedestrian and bicycle ramp under the railroad bridge on Sacramento Street between Somerville Avenue and Miller Street. (3rd request) RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 202345: That the Commissioner of Public Works address the low hanging wires on Mount Vernon Street and Washington Street. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 202720: That the Commissioner of Public Works direct Eversource to replace the poles at the corner of School Street and Oakland Avenue. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 202780: That the Commissioner of Public Works replace the sidewalk panels on Warren Avenue from Properzi Manner to the Citizens Bank. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 202783: That the Director of Engineering report to this Board on the policy and timeline for repainting crosswalks that are erased due to repaving or construction. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 202851: That the Commissioner of Public Works report to this Board why snow plows

Public Utilities and Public Works Committee Page 7 of 9 Printed 4/9/2017 can't go slower to avoid throwing snow over the curb and onto sidewalks. Mr. McEachern explained how speed aids in the removal of snow. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 202981: That an Eversource representative attend a meeting of this Board’s Committee on Public Utilities and Works to explain the repeated power outages in the area around Assembly Row, including Ten Hills, and in other areas around the city, and to provide evidence that Eversource is making sufficient investments in equipment serving these areas. Mr. Zamparelli distributed Eversource’s response and discussed each power outage and resolution in detail, saying that they were weather related. He also stated that the Ten Hills area is not on the same circuit as Assembly Row. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 202983: That the City Engineer inspect Beacon Place and Wyatt Circle for adequate drainage and determine if improvements are necessary. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 202960: DPW Commissioner responding to various Board Orders submitted 2/14/17. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 202959: DPW Commissioner responding to various Board Orders submitted 2/23/17. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 202411: DPW Commissioner responding to various Board Orders submitted this evening, 11/10/16. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 202383: DPW Commissioner responding to various Board Orders submitted 10/26/16. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 202136: DPW Commissioner responding to various Board Orders submitted 8/25/16. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 201815: DPW Commissioner responding to various Board Orders submitted 6/23/16.

Public Utilities and Public Works Committee Page 8 of 9 Printed 4/9/2017 RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 201750: DPW Commissioner responding to various Board Orders submitted 6/9/16. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 201572: DPW Commissioner responding to supplemental Board Orders submitted 5/12/16. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 201571: DPW Commissioner responding to various Board Orders submitted 5/12/16. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 201445: DPW Commissioner responding to various Board Orders submitted 4/28/16. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 201345: DPW Commissioner responding to various Board Orders submitted 4/14/16. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 201198: DPW Commissioner responding to various Board Orders submitted 3/24/16. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 201573: DPW Commissioner responding to various Board Orders submitted this evening. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 200989: DPW Commissioner responding to various Board Orders submitted 3/10/16. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 200853: DPW Commissioner responding to various Board Orders submitted 2/11/16 and 2/25/16. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 200760: DPW Commissioner responding to various Board Orders submitted 1/28/16. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 200759: DPW Commissioner responding to various Board Orders submitted 1/14/16.

Public Utilities and Public Works Committee Page 9 of 9 Printed 4/9/2017 RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 200560: Traffic and Parking Director submitting responses to various Board Orders submitted 11/24/15. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 200192: DPW Commissioner responding to various Board Orders submitted 9/24/15. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED Handouts: • Utility Response (with 202981) • DPW Responses