CC Response 9.28.23 DPW orders — File 23-1657

1 CITY OF SOMERVILLE, MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS KATJANA BALLANTYNE MAYOR JILL LATHAN ERIC WEISMAN DPW COMMISSIONER DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS Date: November 3, 2023 RE: Orders appearing on the September 28, 2023 City Council meeting agenda Order: 216028 That the Commissioner of Public Works address the sewage smell around 85 Washington Street. • On 10.2.23 the DPW sewer crew investigated the concern and did not detect a sewer odor in the area of 86 Washington St. The crew added deodorizer to the catch basins in the area for good measure. The sewer crew did also notice a trash barrel in the general area of concern which was full and foul smelling, which may have been the source of the reported odor. If this issue resurfaces or continues, additional departments such as Water and Sewer will need to step in to further investigate the matter. Order: 216029 That the Commissioner of Public Works place an "Illegal Dumping" sign by the vacant lot on Maine Avenue, parallel to Interstate-93. • This is State Property, and the State would need to decide to install such signage. City staff will relay this request to the appropriate State office. Order: 216030 That the Commissioner of Public Works ensure that the trash bin and adjacent trash outside of the Edgerly School on Otis Street is disposed of regularly and that rodent mitigation efforts are implemented. • This is actively being addressed via contracted trash collection taking place regularly. DPW is also working to get Big Belly garbage receptacles installed, which will assist with rodent mitigation as well. In addition, bait boxes have been added to combat rodent activity. Lastly, DPW is working with our waste disposal company to actively remove any garbage daily.

2 Order: 216031 That the Commissioner of Public Works ensure that Knowlton Street is cleaned of any trash not picked up by street sweepers due to cars not having moved on street sweeping day. • Completed 10.2.23. Order: 216033 That the Commissioner of Public Works address the potholes on Benedict Avenue. • Completed 10.2.23. Order: 216034 That the Commissioner of Public Works pick up the multiple bags of trash at the intersection of Broadway, Mt. Vernon Street and Lombardi Way. • Completed 10.2.23. Order: 216035 That the Commissioner of Public Works conduct regular maintenance of trash and weed removal at the underpass from Broadway into Assembly Row. • This underpass is DCR State property. DCR is responsible for the maintenance of this area, not DPW. City staff will relay this request back to DCR, so they are aware of the concern surrounding the area. Order: 216037 That the Commissioner of Public Works conduct regular maintenance along the medians on East Broadway. • DPW actively maintains these on Broadway, weekly. Order: 216039 That the Commissioner of Public Works clean the empty tree well in front of 38 Pearl Street and install a new tree. • This was completed in October. Order: 216093 That the Commissioner of Public Works clear weeds and vegetation on the north fence line of the city- owned lot at 217 Somerville Avenue. • This was completed in October.