Committee Report - Public Health 7-6-10 — File 189886

July 6, 2010 Public Health and Public Safety Committee Page 1 of 4 Printed 7/8/2010 REPORT OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE Attendee Name Title Status Arrived William A. White Jr. Chair Present Rebekah L. Gewirtz Vice Chair Absent John M Connolly Alderman At Large Present Monica Lamboy Executive Director, OSPCD Present Paulette Renault-Caragianes Director of Health Present Dave Shapiro Assistant City Solicitor Present Michael Cabral Chief of Police Present Debra McLaughlin Manager Present 188794 - That the Director of Public Health Bait Pleasant Ave., Grandview Ave., Walnut St., Vinal Ave. and Summit Ave. for Rodents, and Report Back to the Committee on Public Health & Safety for Further Action.: No Discussion 189248 - That This Board’s Subcommittee on Public Health and Public Safety Invite the Owner(S) of the Armory Building to a Meeting to Discuss Their Inability to Contain Noise During Performances.: Chief Cabral told the members that he requested notification of future events at the Armory so that a detail could be present and noted that he has not received any requests for details. Ms. McLaughlin stated she has requested details and told the members that the request cannot come from her office but must come from the party renting the Armory since they are currently in the process of getting a liquor license. She believes her duty was only to give the contact number for details to the party renting the hall. Ms. McLaughlin discussed the report of the noise consultant and said that a recommendation of noise mitigation of the windows was suggested. Once the report is reviewed by the Armory’s Board of Directors, she will email the report so that it becomes a public document. Cathleen Claycomb, of 195 Highland Avenue, stated that she has not heard any noise for the past 6 to 8 weeks as a result of there being no activity in the Armory Café. On a recent Saturday eveining, (possibly June 19th), she did hear some music during a recent performance and the noise lasted until about 10:30 PM. Gordon Siek of 187 Highland Avenue stated that the music woke him from a sound sleep and that he could hear the music clearly even though he had his central A/C on. He said he cannot hear the noise from the front or rear of the building but only on his side. John Sullivan, of 50 Hudson Street, stated that the level of noise is very loud at certain parts of the building and he feels that the Armory personnel have

Committee Meeting July 6, 2010 Public Health and Public Safety Committee Page 2 of 4 Printed 7/8/2010 only been giving lip service and that the neighbors are being taken advantage of. He believes that it is the building owner’s responsibility to hire a detail police officer. Chief Cabral stated that the agent of the property is responsible for the detail and that all future details should be handled through the agent of the Armory. A representative of the Armory stated that there have been many events in the last month and a half and pointed out that noise was only heard on one night. Both neighbors and Armory representatives attempted to determine where the noise was emenating from in the building. Gordon Seek stated there have been a number of events that are not on the Armory calendar of events. He also complained about the parking situation and said he does not feel that the city is enforcing the parking regulations, noting that many of the vehicles do not have parking permits and are not being ticketed. Mr. Seek added that ticketing is being done on Hudson Street but not on Highland Avenue. Ms. McLaughlin stated that Armory personnel deliver the message regarding parking to those coming to events and she also discussed information that is posted on the Armory’s website. She discussed ways in which the website will be modified to keep neighbors informed more appropriately. Ms. McLaughlin stated that the Armory’s desire is to take care of the noise problems as soon as possible, adding that the establishment is a non profit entity and relies on grant money to do the renovations. Ms. McLaughlin stated that she would like a clarification as to who is responsible to call for a detail when a one day license is granted and Chief Cabral will provide his contact number to call when a detail is needed. Ms. McLaughlin also requested clarification of how the application for one day beer and wine licenses should be applied for. Chairman White stated the committee will review the sound consultant’s report and he asked to be alerted by the residents when they hear noise at the Armory so that he might drive by to hear the noise firsthand. Chairman White asked that the detail police officers monitor the noise and keep it under control. Chief Cabral encouraged the neighbors to report their concerns so that they can be documented. Motion: by Alderman Connolly That the Director of Traffic and Parking enforce the city’s parking regulations, on a regular basis, on Highland Avenue, in the vicinity of the Armory, including but not limited to, 2 hour minimums, proximity to diveways and proximity to intersections. RESULT: ADOPTED [UNANIMOUS] AYES: William A. White Jr., John M Connolly ABSENT: Rebekah L. Gewirtz Motion: by Alderman Connolly That the Chief of Police determine the process of applying for a one day beer and wine license and report that information to the Committee on Public Health and Public Safety. RESULT: ADOPTED [UNANIMOUS] AYES: William A. White Jr., John M Connolly ABSENT: Rebekah L. Gewirtz 189417 - That the Executive Director of the Office of Strategic Planning and Community Development (ISD) Inspect the Miller and Sacramento Street Area for a Severe Rodent

Committee Meeting July 6, 2010 Public Health and Public Safety Committee Page 3 of 4 Printed 7/8/2010 Problem and Inspect All Food Establishments and Businesses in that Area, Requiring Them to Demonstrate the Proper Disposal of Trash, Waste, Cooking Oil, Etc. and Cite Any Establishment Found to be in Violation of Any City Code or Ordinance.: No discussion 189586 - That the Chief of Police Provide This Board with an Update on the Enforcement of the NO BIKING ON SIDEWALK Regulation in Designated Districts.: Neighborhood officers have been assigned to the West District and area cruisers will be notified for enforcement. 189614 - That Representatives from Vinfen and the Department of Mental Health, Along with Somerville’s State Delegation, Meet with the Committee on Public Health and Public Safety, Within the Next Two Weeks, to Discuss Vinfen’s Contract with the Somerville Mental Health Association and Its Impact on the Somerville Community.: RESULT: PLACED ON FILE 189629 - Response to Order 189276 - Informational Packet Regarding Trash, Dumpsters and Laws Relating to Their Cleaning, Upkeep of Private Property and State Health Codes: RESULT: PLACED ON FILE 189713 - That the Director of SPCD (ISD) Examine the Area Around the Lower End of Hinkley Street, Wilton and Berwick Streets for Rodents, Taking Measures to Deal with the Problem and Prepare an Action Plan for the June 14 Public Health and Safety Committee Meeting.: Ms. Lamboy stated the city is working through the action plan and is making good progress. The script has been revised as well as work orders from 311 and a draft pamphlet has been put together to keep the public aware of the process. 189715 - That the Chief of Police Appear Before the Committee on Public Health and Safety to Discuss Police Staffing and Crime Reduction Measures for the Summer Months.: Chief Cabral addressed the members and spoke about the following issues: • plans to address issues with MS-13 (a few MS-13 members have been arrested and will be deported) • the presence of gangs (Bloods) in the Mystic Housing development

Committee Meeting July 6, 2010 Public Health and Public Safety Committee Page 4 of 4 Printed 7/8/2010 • the lack of adequate coverage in Davis Square (an additional officer will be assigned for July and August) • the gang anti-crime units • the establishment of a new 2 man unit on lower Broadway to deal with gang activity • four department vacancies that will not be filled until May or June of next year • the return to the city’s general fund of a departmental surplus • 70 percent of the crime in the city occurs in East Somerville • Legal Matters in Committee under review by the Solicitor’s Office Mr. Shapiro discussed the requirements to pull permits and the fine of a triple fee for failing to pull a permit and addressed Alderman Roche’s concern about fines being enforced. Ms. Lamboy discussed the section of the code where it discusses fees and fines and how they are implemented, an administrative re-inspection fee for wasted time and how the new MUNIS system will help to track violations. Mr. Shapiro discussed the dumpster ordinance and violations thereto as well as related safety conditions and said that the focus now is on construction dumpsters. • 515 Somerville Avenue Ms. Lamboy stated the owners did not apply to extend the building permits and will be looking at by right projects. • 188342: OSPCD Responding to various Board Orders (10-22-09) Placed on file.