Committee Report - Public Health - 10-27-10 — File 190319

October 27, 2010 Public Health and Public Safety Committee Page 1 of 3 Printed 10/28/2010 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 Maryann M. Heuston Ward Two Alderman Present Matthew Dias Traffic and Parking Present Paul Upton Police Present Monica Lamboy OSPCD Present Omar Boukili Administrative Assistant Present Eddie Nuzzo ISD Present Thomas F. Taylor Ward Three Alderman Present 189786 - That the Executive Director of Strategic Planning and Community Development Dispatch an Inspector to Teele Square to Check for the Proper Disposal of Trash by All Food Vendors in the Area.: Ms. Lamboy reported that two inspections have been performed and no violations were found. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 190055 - That the Director of SPCD (ISD) Consult with the Law Office to Obtain an Administrative Search Warrant to Examine 22 Forster Street and Then Issue All Appropriate Citations and Pursue Legal Action If Necessary.: Members were informed that Assistant City Solicitor David Shapiro has been in contact with the bank holding the mortgage on the property. Chairman White stated that the property has been the source of numerous problems, including evidence of rodents, overgrowth and peeling paint and he questioned why the owner hasn't been cited. Ms. Lamboy reported that the owner has been contacted by email and that a citation would be issued. Ms. Lamboy will follow-up with Mr. Shapiro. Chairman White requested that a written report be provided to the committee in time for its next meeting, detailing the steps taken so far and any further action planned to deal with this issue.

Committee Meeting October 27, 2010 Public Health and Public Safety Committee Page 2 of 3 Printed 10/28/2010 RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE Next: 12/31/2010 12:00 AM 190058 - That the Director of SPCD Provide This Board with the Latest Revision to the City’s Rodent Control Policies before the Next Meeting of the Committee on Public Health and Public Safety, and appear with Appropriate Designees at Said Meeting.: Ms. Lamboy distributed and reviewed the city's Rodent Abatement Action Plan and showed a video to inform residents how to combat rodent activity. The video is currently being aired on the city's cable channel, in multiple languages, and has even found its way to YouTube. Ms. Lamboy will provide the link to the video so that members might reference it in their newsletters. Alderman Heuston's motion that the Executive Director of Strategic Planning and Community Development (ISD) conduct a field tour of Joseph Street, Adrian Street, Newton Street and the Lincoln Park area to inspect for evidence of rodent activity and to take the appropriate steps to abate any problems found, was approved. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE Next: 12/31/2010 12:00 AM 190117 - The Director of Transportation and the Director of Traffic and Parking Provide This Board with Information Regarding Two Mass DOT Bridge Reconstruction Projects and their Potential Negative Impacts: the Craigie Street Drawbridge at Leverett Circle and the O'Brien Highway, and the Longfellow Bridge Project.: Alderman Heuston discussed the October 26th meeting with DOT officials and said that this project is going to have a major impact on Somerville for at least 6 months and possibly up to 2 years. Approximately 45,000 vehicles per day traverse the bridge slated to be reconstructed and those vehicles will now have to find an alternate route into, bringing them through Somerville. During the reconstruction period, only outbound traffic from Boston will be allowed over a temporary bridge, forcing drivers to seek alternate routes into the city. Officials from the DOT admitted that Somerville wasn't involved in planning and stated that of the 40 locations they designated to have paid police details, only 1 was in Somerville. Deputy Chief Upton reported that the DOT has since agreed to add additional details at various locations in Somerville during high traffic times. City officials are concerned with safety and traffic congestion around the city's schools and in the Union Square area. The city also requested to have the option to close the off ramp on Route 93 to prevent traffic spilling out into East Somerville. Steps are being taken to get the information out to residents since the detours will be put in place on November 5th. Chairman White requested Deputy Chief Upton to email members of the Board of Aldermen, informing them of the locations in Somerville that will have details. Alderman Connolly's motion that the Director of Communications inform the Board of Aldermen of its media plan to inform the public of the impending DOT bridge projects, was approved. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE Next: 12/31/2010 12:00 AM 190210 - That the Director of SPCD (ISD) re-bait the Walnut Street area between Aldersey Street and Highland Avenue.:

Committee Meeting October 27, 2010 Public Health and Public Safety Committee Page 3 of 3 Printed 10/28/2010 Ms. Lamboy reported that the area has been baited twice since June and no evidence of rodents was observed. Ms. Lamboy pointed out that baiting is sometimes ineffective if other food sources are available. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED