Committee Report - Public Health - 1-25-11 — File 190775

January 25, 2011 Public Health and Public Safety Committee Page 1 of 4 Printed 1/26/2011 REPORT OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE Attendee Name Title Status Arrived William A. White Jr. Chair Present John M Connolly Vice Chair Present Walter F. Pero Ward Four Alderman Present Bruce M. Desmond Alderman At Large Present Rebekah L. Gewirtz Ward Six Alderman Present William M. Roche Ward One Alderman Present Dennis M. Sullivan Alderman At Large Present Stan Koty DPW Commissioner Present Steve MacEachern Supt. of Lines and Lights Present Robert King City Engineer Present Frank Wright City Solicitor Present Thomas Pasquarello Chief of Police Present 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.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 189631 - Response to Order #189278 - Use and Licensing of Public Address Systems as Well as the Noise Ordinance: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 189705 - That This Board Requests that the Administration Update This Board on Any Fire Department Studies.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED

Committee Meeting January 25, 2011 Public Health and Public Safety Committee Page 2 of 4 Printed 1/26/2011 189888 - 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: 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.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 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.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 190310 - That the Commissioner of Public Works check Albion Park and Albion street each morning for discarded hypodermic needles and syringes as they have recently been found in and around the park.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 190370 - That the Director of Traffic and Parking appear before this Board’s Committee on Traffic and Parking regarding vehicles exiting from Clyde Street onto Cedar Street.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 190375 - That the Commissioner of Public Works appear before the Committee on Public Health and Public Safety to discuss the impact of the use of brick cross walks, their impact on the handicapped community, the measures in place to ensure that such cross walks comply with all state regulations and whether such cross walks should be used in future road work.: Numerous complaints have been received regarding the condition of the brick crosswalks in Davis Square, especially from handicapped individuals. The committee discussed alternatives to using brick and asked that Mr. Koty investigate and provide pictures of the materials used by the state and other communities. Chairman White stated that he intends to schedule a committee

Committee Meeting January 25, 2011 Public Health and Public Safety Committee Page 3 of 4 Printed 1/26/2011 meeting in the future to discuss a Resolution as to whether the City should no longer use brick crosswalks. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 190411 - That the Chief of Police inform This Board If the Mayor’s public statement of the city’s support of all immigrants includes eliminating the SPD’s General Order 2009-11, which states in part that notification of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency will only be authorized if a non-resident is arrested for murder, sexual Offenses, narcotics trafficking, or other serious offenses.: Chief Pasquarello told the members that this policy applies to legal aliens. If an illegal immigrant commits a felony, ICE should be contacted, even without a conviction, otherwise the city might have a liability issue. The Police Department's policy on this issue will not be changed until guidance is obtained from the Attorney General's Office regarding the 2013 implementation of the Secure Communities Act. Chairman White asked Chief Pasquarello to update the department's General Order 2009-11 policy, making it clear to all members of the Police Department and to the community, what actions would be taken by police regarding this matter. The committee requested an update in one month regarding how this information will be transmitted to the public. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 190419 - That the Director of Traffic and Parking appear before the Committee on Public Health and Public Safety to discuss speeding on the south side of the Lowell Street Bridge.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 190439 - That the Chief of Police recommend to this Board, specific places on the community path where more lighting could be added.: Chief Pasquarello told the members that the lighting on the bike path is adequately spaced, however the power might need to be increased and the foliage should be trimmed. The installation of a call box on the path would provide an additional means of security. A hearing has been scheduled on February 20th to determine whether, or not, cameras may be installed on the path. Effective immediately, Auxillary Police Officers will be deployed in the area of the bike path. Chairman White requested that Chief Pasquarello provide the committee with a written report of the specific plans to make the path safer. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 190537 - That the Commissioner of Public Works provide the Committee on Public Health and Public Safety with a listing of ramps that have been requested to be made ADA compliant, indicating those that have been completed.:

Committee Meeting January 25, 2011 Public Health and Public Safety Committee Page 4 of 4 Printed 1/26/2011 Mr. Koty will forward the list to the committee as soon as it is provided by the ADA Coordinator. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 190682 - That the Commissioner of Public Works inform this Board on the most recent reconstruction and re-design of the Somerville Avenue, Elm Street and Wilson Square area, which was intended to address potential accidents.: The redesign has been completed except for replacing 2 signs. Chairman White asked Mr. Koty to respond to this order in writing and to also speak to Aldermen Heuston and Taylor about the matter. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 190685 - That the Chief of Police and the Director of SPCD (ISD) create a plan to address noise issues at 26 Mansfield Street and 9 Ward Street.: Chief Pasquarello told the members that there might be a zoning issue to be considered and that the Police Department would look into ticketing cars and would also take decibel readings of the noise. Alderman Roche suggested that it might be preferable to approach the issue from zoning and occupancy regulations. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 190697 - That the Chief of Police inform this Board if the Mayor’s public statement of the city’s support of all immigrants includes eliminating the SPD’s General Order 2009-11, which states in part that notification of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency will only be authorized if a non-resident is arrested for murder, sexual offenses, narcotics trafficking, or other serious offenses. (2nd request): See discussion on item 190411 (above). RESULT: WORK COMPLETED