Committee Report - Rodents - 1-29-19 — File 207519

January 29, 2019 Rodent Issues Special Committee Page 1 of 7 Printed 2/4/2019 REPORT OF THE RODENT ISSUES SPECIAL COMMITTEE Attendee Name Title Status Arrived Stephanie Hirsch Chair Present Ben Ewen-Campen Vice Chair Present Matthew McLaughlin Ward One Alderman Present Others present: City Councilor Davis, Doug Kress - HHS, Georgianna Silveira - HHS, Annie Connor - Legislative Liaison, Rose Durham - Clerk of Committees. The meeting took place in the Committee Room and was called to order at 5:30 PM by Chairman White and adjourned at 6:10 PM. Chairman Hirsch distributed a breakdown of agenda items. Mr. Kress introduced the city’s new Environmental Health Coordinator, Georgianna Silveira, who has experience in urban rodent issues from her work with Chicago, Washington, DC and New York City. She is examining ways to track rodent movement with an environmental focus. Ms. Silveira has been with the city for three weeks gathering information on where rodents can be found. She gave a presentation on 311 calls and the residential baiting program from 2016-2018, detailing a high number of calls from Ward 1 and a significant jump in numbers in Ward 2 during 2018. The committee discussed expanding the residential baiting program for property owners with three or less units. Chairman Hirsch opened the floor to those anyone who wished to share information. Property owner John Beauvais owns several properties near Inman Square, Davis Square and Winter Hill and said that he does not always call 311. He complained that rats chew through trash barrels and noted that there very large burrows on Concord Avenue that need to be addressed. Resident Martin Jaspen reported that he has not seen a lot of rats but has seen many traps. He found some green substance around Hodgkins Park and wanted to learn about it, so he called 311. Four days later, someone from the city responded to that call. Bridget Weinert commented that she has been noticing rats in her area with the winter construction and wants to be more educated about the rodent issues. Alderman McLaughlin stated that he has had a lot of complaints that there are no call backs from 311 and that people in East Somerville do not call anymore. Mr. Kress is looking to put out a marketing package to help track data and identify rodent hot spots in the community. This package would include tips on cleaning up dog waste, replacement of trash barrels, examining yards and emptying water sources. Ms. Silveira envisions her role as a central channel for the

Committee Meeting January 29, 2019 Rodent Issues Special Committee Page 2 of 7 Printed 2/4/2019 community and city. She has reviewed the rodent consultant’s assessment and the city’s exterminator’s contract scope of service. She commented on the rodent issues in the Gilman Street area and will be attempting to build a better relationship with GLX personnel by employing some simple fixes and working to be more proactive rather than reactive. Ms. Silveira plans to go out into the community to talk to residents and see, firsthand, what they are seeing. Approval of the April 25, 2018 Minutes RESULT: ACCEPTED 200220 - That the Supervisor of Inspectional Services inspect the General Insulation building on Cross Street for signs of rodent activity and update the Ward 1 Alderman of the findings.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 200238 - That the Supervisor of Inspectional Services monitor and bait Otis Street for rodents, particularly near the Edgerly School and 15 Otis street.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 200246 - That the Administration request rodent sightings be placed as an icon on the Commonwealth Connect app.: RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 200628 - That the Supervisor of Inspectional Services consider increasing fines for businesses in violation of rodent prevention measures.: RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 200715 - That the Supervisor of Inspectional Services conduct a walk-through of Bonair Street, McArthur Street and Autumn Avenue and order new barrels for those who need them.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 200887 - That the Supervisor of Inspectional Services bait Illinois and Pennsylvania Avenues for rodents and distribute rodent prevention information to the community.:

Committee Meeting January 29, 2019 Rodent Issues Special Committee Page 3 of 7 Printed 2/4/2019 RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 200889 - That the Supervisor of Inspectional Services address the rodent issues on Wesley Street and inspect around 14 Dana Street for rodent activity.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 201089 - That the Supervisor of Inspectional Services inspect Kensington Avenue, Edmands Street and Assembly Row for signs of rodents activity and bait accordingly.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 201134 - That the Supervisor of Inspectional Services inspect Wellington Street for rodents and bait where appropriate.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 201156 - That the Supervisor of Inspectional Services bait the sewer on Pleasant Street at Vinal Avenue.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 201417 - That the Supervisor of Inspectional Services inspect Pinckney Place for rodent activity.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 201710 - That the Superintendent of Inspectional Services support the residents of Beacon Street with rodent control flyers and private baiting services.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 201766 - That the Superintendent of Inspectional Services bait around the Healey School for rodents.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 201768 - That the Commissioner of Public Works clean the trash barrel(s) at the Marshall Street playground due to increased rodent activity, and that the Superintendent of Inspectional Services bait the barrel(s).:

Committee Meeting January 29, 2019 Rodent Issues Special Committee Page 4 of 7 Printed 2/4/2019 RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 201879 - That the Superintendent of Inspectional Services bait Cross Street, Gilman Street, Chester Avenue and Cross Street Place for rodents.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 202161 - That the Superintendent of Inspectional Services inspect with the Ward 2 Alderman the 300 block of Beacon Street, to determine the source(s) of increased rodent activity.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 202178 - That the Director of Inspectional Services bait Belmont Street, from Highland Avenue to Summer Street.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 202352 - That the Superintendent of Inspectional Services inspect Rhode Island Avenue for rodents and bait appropriately.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 202436 - That the Superintendent of Inspectional Services bait the sewer at 22 Conwell Street.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 202438 - That the Superintendent of Inspectional Services bait the sewers at the corner of Highland Avenue and Lowell Street.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 202439 - That the Superintendent of Inspectional Services bait the sewers on Wesley, Dana, and Wigglesworth Streets.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 202444 - That the Superintendent of Inspectional Services and the Commissioner of Public Works clean the building at 22-24 Cross Street East, bait for rodents, and replace the shingles.:

Committee Meeting January 29, 2019 Rodent Issues Special Committee Page 5 of 7 Printed 2/4/2019 RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 202723 - That the Superintendent of Inspectional Services bait School Street between Medford Street and Broadway, and all around the Healy school.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 202796 - That the Superintendent of Inspectional Service inspect Hathorn Street for rodents and bait accordingly.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 202804 - That the Superintendent of Inspectional Services inspect the area around 117 Liberty Avenue for rodent activity.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 203263 - That the Superintendent of Inspectional Services inspect potential rodent burrows under I-93, by Lombardi Way.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 203264 - That the Superintendent of Inspectional Services inspect Pennsylvania Avenue for signs of rodent activity and bait accordingly.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 203447 - That the Commissioner of Public Works remove the dead rodent on the North Street corner of Hamilton Road.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 203589 - That the Superintendent of Inspectional Services bait the Quincy Park area for rodents, and address the conditions there that may attract them.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 203715 - That the Superintendent of Inspectional Services address rodent issues on Cross Street Place, Wisconsin Avenue, MacArthur Street, Franklin Street, Pearl Street Mt. Pleasant Street, Alston Street and Gilman Street.:

Committee Meeting January 29, 2019 Rodent Issues Special Committee Page 6 of 7 Printed 2/4/2019 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 203812 - DPW Commissioner responding to various Board Orders submitted 6/8/17.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 203839 - That the City Solicitor draft an amendment to Ordinance 11-38(d)(2) to strengthen the language regarding rodent eradication prior to developments being constructed.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 203842 - That the Superintendent of Inspectional Services bait Autumn Street for rodents.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 204172 - That the Superintendent of Inspectional Services report to this Board on the use of raptors (hawks, owls, etc.) to control rats and whether they might work here, and on the use of poisons to control rats and whether they also kill raptors.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 204221 - That the Superintendent of Inspectional Services inspect the Linden and Merriam Street neighborhoods for rodent problems and report back to this Board on findings and actions taken.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 204226 - That the Superintendent of Inspectional Services inspect the parking lot at Chester Avenue and Cross Street for rodent activity and issue fines if appropriate.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 204832 - SomerStat Analyst submitting rodent management research and data analysis findings and takeaways.:

Committee Meeting January 29, 2019 Rodent Issues Special Committee Page 7 of 7 Printed 2/4/2019 RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 205338 - That the City Solicitor draft a feral cat ordinance similar to Chicago's, to assist feral cats and address rodent concerns.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 205356 - That the Superintendent of Inspectional Services establish a system of ongoing rodent population monitoring at several hot-spots in high-impact neighborhoods, to determine and regularly report on the effectiveness of interventions.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 206224 - That the Administration present a revised job description for the Environmental Health Liaison that requires candidates to have rodent extermination experience and the ability to implement the city’s rodent eradication strategy, including monitoring and neighborhood meetings.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 206689 - That the Superintendent of Inspectional Services address the dramatic increase in rat sightings on Wesley Park, Bow Street and Montrose Street and discuss baiting and examining nearby garbage dumpsters and public waste bins.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 207379 - That the Commissioner of Public Works explain to this Board the process for procuring, maintaining, and repairing or replacing rodent-proof trash barrels.: RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 207380 - That the Administration work with this Board to consider strengthening rodent eradication as part of building demolition, potentially using as an example the ordinance of Nassau County, Long Island, which requires proof of eradication before allowing demolition to proceed.: RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE Handouts: • Rodent - 1-29-19 - Meeting Outline • Rodent Data (with 204832)