Committee Report - Public Health - 10-21-10 — File 190316

October 21, 2010 Public Health and Public Safety Committee Page 1 of 3 Printed 10/26/2010 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 Present John M Connolly Alderman At Large Present Matt Buckley Assistant City Solicitor Present Dave Shapiro Assistant City Solicitor Present Jackyln Rossetti Communications Present Paulette Renault-Caragianes Director of Health Present Omar Boukili Administrative Assistant Present 189114 - That This Board of Aldermen Hereby Requests that the Administration Provide an Update on the Status of the Bicycle Safety/Enforcement Task Force.: Ms. Rossetti discussed the posters that will be used to target different segments of bicyclists and informed the members that bicycle safety classes will be held in conjunction with the Police Department and signage would be installed prohibiting bicycling on sidewalks. Mr. Boukili added that the administration no longer intends to form a Bicycle Safety Task Force because the relevant issues are already dealt with by the Bicycle Committee. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 189131 - That the Executive Director of the Office of Strategic Planning and Community Development (ISD) and the City Solicitor Appear Before an Upcoming Meeting of the Committee on Public Health and Public Safety to Discuss the Regulation of Asbestos Removal Contractors.: Mr. Buckley told the members that this issue is regulated by the state and that he is still researching how it would be enforced. A draft ordinance on the matter will be submitted to the Board of Aldermen at its next regular meeting for referral to the Legislative Matters Committee. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED

Committee Meeting October 21, 2010 Public Health and Public Safety Committee Page 2 of 3 Printed 10/26/2010 189132 - That the Executive Director of the Office of Strategic Planning and Community Development (ISD) Prepare a Fact Sheet that is Given to Every Homeowner who Pulls a Construction Permit, Explaining to the Homeowner His Rights Under the Massachusetts Home Improvement Contractor Law.: Mr. Shapiro distributed and discussed a fact sheet that would be provided to individuals applying for permits at the Inspectional Services Department. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 189278 - That the City Solicitor Provide the Committee on Public Health and Public Safety with a Report on the Use and Licensing of Public Address Systems as Well as the Noise Ordinance, was Approved.: Chairman White directed Mr. Buckley to discuss this issue with Alderman Heuston prior to the next meeting of the Committee on October 27th. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE Next: 10/27/2010 6:00 PM 189404 - That the Executive Director of the Office of Strategic Planning and Community Development (ISD) and the City Solicitor Determine Appropriate Fines for Landlords And/Or Contractors who Blatantly Disregard the City’s Regulations, E.G. Performing Work Without the Necessary Permits or Continuing to Work After a Stop Work Order Has Been Issued.: Mr. Shapiro informed the members that he has drafted an ordinance on this matter and that it is currently in the Legislative Matters Committee. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 189722 - That the Committee on Public Health and Safety Follow-Up with and Provide Data on the Ticketing Process of Inspectional Services for Properties that Are in Violation of City Ordinances.: No discussion. Information had been previously provided. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 190061 - That This Board Requests that the State Dept. of Public Health Perform a Health and Risk Study and Offer Remediation to Deal with the Issue of Highway Pollution to the Neighborhoods in East Somerville, Adjacent to Route 93.: Ms. Renault-Caragianes discussed a five-year community based study being conducted by Tufts University to collect ambient air samples along Route 93. The data will be used to cross index

Committee Meeting October 21, 2010 Public Health and Public Safety Committee Page 3 of 3 Printed 10/26/2010 health issues and develop mitigation strategies. An update report on the study, now in its second year, is expected in December. The committee approved a motion, by Chairman White, that the findings of the Study Committee be referred to the Board of Aldermen. The Committee approved a motion, by Chairman White, that a communication be sent to the City's state delegation requesting that they ask the appropriate state agencies to construct appropriate barriers along Route 93, adjacent to populated areas to deal with the issue of highway pollution. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED