Committee Report - PUPW - 4-12-11 — File 191077

April 12, 2011 Public Utilities and Public Works Committee Page 1 of 4 Printed 4/13/2011 REPORT OF THE PUBLIC UTILITIES AND PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE Attendee Name Title Status Arrived Sean T. O’Donovan Chair Present John M Connolly Vice Chair Present Robert C. Trane Ward Seven Alderman Absent Bruce M. Desmond Alderman At Large Present Maryann M. Heuston Ward Two Alderman Present William M. Roche Ward One Alderman Present Stan Koty DPW Commissioner Present Rick Willette DPW Present Monica Lamboy Exec. Director, OSPCD Present Robert King City Engineer Present William Zamparelli NSTAR Present Mark Reid NSTAR Present Robert Masci NSTAR Present Alderman Roche recused himself from all items involving NSTAR. 189019 - That the Commissioner of Public Works Attend the Next Public Utilities and Public Works Subcommittee to Discuss Any and All Business, Especially the Issue of Double Poles.: RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 189632 - Response to Order 189101-Legality of Ordinance Requiring Public Utility Companies to Make Requested Repairs Within a Specific Period of Time.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 189689 - That the Commissioner of Public Works Replace All Sewer Pipes at Trull Street and Vernon Street to Stop the Constant Backup of Sewerage into Residences in the Area.: Chairman O'Donovan's motion that this item be forwarded to the City Engineer for a detailed set of recommendations to include the proposed 200 units at the MaxPac site, was approved

Committee Meeting April 12, 2011 Public Utilities and Public Works Committee Page 2 of 4 Printed 4/13/2011 RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 189691 - That the Commissioner of Public Works Install Benches at the Somerville Junction Park on Woodbine Street.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 189697 - That the Commissioner of Public Works Clear the Overgrowth at the Bottom of Henderson and Nashua Streets Adjacent to the Railroad Tracks.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 190126 - That the Commissioner of Public Works repave Albion Place as soon as possible.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 190129 - That the Commissioner of Public Works trim and inspect the tree at 115 Hudson Street and/or remove it if necessary for safety reasons.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 190133 - That the Public Utilities and Public Works Committee discuss the damage done to the roof of 140 Willow Avenue by the utility companies working there.: RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 190198 - Jason Kahn and Elizabeth Exton expressing concerns about the reconstruction of Marshall St.: RESULT: PLACED ON FILE 190308 - That the Director of Traffic and Parking replace or secure the traffic signs at 204 Cedar Street that face traffic exiting from Clyde Street as they pose a potential safety hazard to pedestrians.:

Committee Meeting April 12, 2011 Public Utilities and Public Works Committee Page 3 of 4 Printed 4/13/2011 RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 190371 - That the Commissioner of Public Works appear before this Board’s Committee on Public Utilities and Public Works to discuss efforts to stop automobiles from turning around in the middle of Boston Avenue at Pritchard Avenue.: Alderman Connolly's motion to request an opinion from the Director of Traffic and Parking was approved. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 190372 - That the Commissioner of Public Works appear before this Board’s Committee on Public Utilities and Public Works regarding the lack of handicap ramps at the intersection of Highland Road and Kidder Avenue.: RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 190373 - That the Commissioner of Public Works appear before this Board’s Committee on Public Utilities and Public Works regarding proper signage at the intersection of Hinckley Street and Broadway.: RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 190374 - That the Commissioner of Public Works appear before this Board’s Committee on Public Utilities and Public Works regarding Parker Place and Conwell Street.: Alderman Desmond's motion to add Bow Street to this item was approved. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 190396 - That the Commissioner of Public Works provide this Board with an update on the city’s street sweeping operation, including the current schedule and effectiveness of the program.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 190998 - That the Director of SPCD present a list of all development projects over the past ten years and all future development projects to this Board’s Committee on Public Utilities and Public Works, for its discussions with NSTAR regarding acceptable electrical service for Somerville.:

Committee Meeting April 12, 2011 Public Utilities and Public Works Committee Page 4 of 4 Printed 4/13/2011 Ms. Lamboy discussed future developments in the city, including the Green Line Extension, the Orange Line station at Assembly Square, Boynton Yards and the rezoning of Porter Square and lower Broadway. Approximately 7 to 10 million square feet of development is being planned, part of which will accommodate 7,000 housing units and provide 27,000 jobs. Hotels are being considered for various parts of the city, as well. Mr. Masci assured the members that NSTAR will be prepared to meet the increased demands for service. In response to an inquiry about capacity for fiber and cable upgrades to these new developments, Mr. King noted that Somerville Avenue might have to be dug up again, if necessary. Mr. Masci spoke about NSTAR's system upgrades in the Ball Square area, replacing several thousand feet of underground cable in different sections of the city, the installation of new fuses and replacing poles. The committee discussed the time line for grants of location and expressed a desire to consult with the DPW, Traffic and Parking, the City Engineer and the Police Department before granting emergency grants of location. NSTAR representatives were told about poles with low hanging wires and severely tilted poles and Alderman Heuston stated that she would not agree to utility wires being hung across Somerville Avenue. NSTAR was also made aware of the committee's concern about power outages during the hot weather, when air conditioners may be in use. There was a dispute over the necessity for NSTAR to obtain street occupancy permits when working on city streets. Mr. Koty explained that he is concerned with main streets being blocked off and he informed the members that the permitting policy has been in existence since last year. Mr. Zamparelli replied that NSTAR does not pay for street occupancy permits, however it dies pay for street opening permits. Mr. Masci told the committee that this issue needs to be resolved. Alderman Connolly's motion that the City Engineer examine the issue of street occupancy permit fees and review all available data for the past 10 years, was approved. Alderman Connolly's motion that all street opening permit fees be waived for the accelerated plan of infrastructure improvements, was approved. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED