Committee Report - Rodent - 7-13-17 — File 203884

July 13, 2017 Rodent Issues Special Committee Page 1 of 4 Printed 7/14/2017 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 Mary Jo Rossetti, Alderman Robert McWatters, Alderman Dennis Sullivan, Alderman Mark Niedergang, Chris Roche - ISD, Joe Hamel - ISD, Tim Snyder - Mayor’s Office, Charles Sillari - Clerk of Committees. The meeting took place in the Committee Room and was called to order at 6:10 PM by Chairman Heuston and adjourned at 6:45 PM. Approval of the Minutes of Tuesday, February 02, 2016 RESULT: ACCEPTED 200714 - That the City Solicitor petition the courts to allow the city onto properties requiring remedial action when there is an emergency public health issue.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 201090 - That the Supervisor of Inspectional Services provide this Board with an update regarding rodent prevention fliers.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 201322 - That the Supervisor of Inspectional Services monitor 499 Medford Street for open trash, to control a rat infestation in the area.: Members received a list of violations for this property and Mr. Roche said he believes there is a problem at 503 Medford Street. Chairman Heuston said she is concerned about companies with private trash pickup and she also wants businesses to pay for private baiting. Alderman Connolly suggested having private trash at businesses picked up on a daily basis and he asked if

Committee Meeting July 13, 2017 Rodent Issues Special Committee Page 2 of 4 Printed 7/14/2017 business owners are giving access to properties, adding that if they aren’t cooperative, a court order could be necessary. Alderman Connolly’s motion that the Superintendent of Inspectional Services seek a court order to compel access to properties when property owners are not cooperative, was approved. Chairman Heuston would like to see bills of lading for grease removal from problem restaurants and Alderman McWatters asked about the NIT team getting involved. Alderman Sullivan said Ten Hills has a rat infestation and he wants to call for rat control when construction and demolition is going on. Chairman Heuston said she feels neighborhood walk-throughs are helpful and she feels that there is an improvement in Ward 2. Alderman McLaughlin said many of his neighbors have seen rats and he thinks the Stop & Shop development is displacing rats. He wants to make rat control ordinances stronger. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 201709 - That the Director SPCD ensure that rodent baiting is integrated into the entire Beacon Street project and work collaboratively to address recent rodent issues that have already increased in the active section of the project.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 201992 - That the Commissioner of Public Works regularly empty the trash bin at the West Somerville Neighborhood School, across from 17 Raymond Avenue, and check for rodents.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 201991 - That the Superintendent of Inspectional Services regularly bait the sewer at 66 Newbury Street.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 202151 - That the Superintendent of Inspectional Services bait the sewer at 24 Endicott Avenue to mitigate rodent activity.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 202194 - That the Superintendent of Inspectional Services inspect the Emerson Street neighborhood for rodent issues and take all necessary actions.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED

Committee Meeting July 13, 2017 Rodent Issues Special Committee Page 3 of 4 Printed 7/14/2017 202435 - That the Superintendent of Inspectional Services intensify rodent control around Magoun Square, particularly on Norwood Avenue and Lowell Street, and report to the Ward 5 Alderman by December 8 with an update.: Alderman Niedergang said that the DPW Commissioner stated the source of rats could be Modelo and Latinas America. He said there are rat problems at Medford and Norwell Streets. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 202440 - That the Superintendent of Inspectional Services consider using dry ice for rodent control and report the findings to this Board.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 202437 - That the Superintendent of Inspectional Services bait the sewers on Albion and Hudson Streets between Lowell and Central Streets.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 203263 - That the Superintendent of Inspectional Services inspect potential rodent burrows under I-93, by Lombardi Way.: RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 203497 - That the Superintendent of Inspectional Services provide a rundown of all rodent control efforts throughout Ward 1 and a plan for rodent control for the summer.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 203508 - That the Director of Constituent Services provide the residents of Ward 1 with information regarding rodent control.: Chairman Heuston said bird feeders, cat food bowls and water bowls will attract rats and added that rats will never be eradicated but we can do our best to control the problem. Members were told that rodent control requirements connected to construction and demolition are already in place. Alderman McLaughlin suggested adding additional rat control measures to the ordinance other than just bait. Alderman McWatters suggested more public relations on rat control and Mr. Snyder discussed the design of a door hanger to inform the public. Alderman Rossetti related a story about a Ward 6 resident who has had a rat problem caused by the sewers. She has heard that the City of Cambridge provides more assistance to its residents. Alderman Connolly said he was familiar with that story and said PT Kelly was exploring the sewer lines. Alderman Sullivan said ISD is working hard, but it may be a good idea to tighten up the amount of days for baiting by construction sites by making it 15 days. Chairman Heuston suggested a multi prong approach to fight the rats spoke about the future development of Patsy’s Pastry. Alderman Connolly’s motion that the Superintendent of Inspectional Services explore the possibility of reinstating the rat birth control program in the city, which was previously

Committee Meeting July 13, 2017 Rodent Issues Special Committee Page 4 of 4 Printed 7/14/2017 conducted as a pilot program, especially in the Ward One area, and report back in writing to the Special Committee on Rodent Issues within 30 days regarding the feasibility of implementing such a program, was approved. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 203487 - That the Superintendent of Inspectional services bait all public facilities along Merriam Street, including sewers and the Public Safety Building, cite all private properties on the street where conditions exist to attract rodents, and distribute informational door knockers to those properties with evidence of rodent activity.: Mr. Hamel reported that baiting has been baiting done and the situation is being monitored. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 203792 - That the Administration utilize the drug Senestech to sterilize rats as one of many measures to control the rodent population.: RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE Handouts: • 499 Medford St Data (with 201322)