Committee Report - PHPS - 5-9-11 — File 191377

May 9, 2011 Public Health and Public Safety Committee Page 1 of 2 Printed 5/10/2011 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 Absent Sean T. O’Donovan Ward Five Alderman Present Thomas Pasquarello Chief of Police Present Eddie Nuzzo Supt. of Inspectional Services Present Kevin Kelleher Chief Fire Engineer Present Omar Boukili Administrative Assistant Present Patrick Sullivan III Deputy Fire Chief Present Debra McLaughlin Arts at the Armory Present Joseph Sater Arts at the Armory Present 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 Pasquarello informed the committee that the Police Department has not received any complaints about noise coming from the armory since July of 2010. Police personnel conducted sound measurements this past September and the decibel readings were not over the threshold of the city’s noise ordinance. Presently, there are approximately 10 officers who are certified in the use of a decibel meter. Chief Pasquarello also stated that police details are assigned as required. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 190149 - That the Clerk of Committees send a communication to the owner of the Armory, requesting that he provide the committee with a timeline for completing the work to abate the noise emanating from the building.: Ms. McLaughlin told the members that the final report of the noise analysis was received on September 16, 2010 and that she would forward a copy to the Committee Clerk for inclusion into the record. She explained the steps being taken, to date, to monitor sound levels and to diversify events so as to limit the noise. Additionally, the company has applied for a state grant with the

Committee Meeting May 9, 2011 Public Health and Public Safety Committee Page 2 of 2 Printed 5/10/2011 intention of using any awarded funds to upgrade sound and lighting systems and obtain additional sound-proofing materials. Hudson Street resident, John Sullivan, spoke about the noise reaching his 2nd floor apartment (during some performances) and he feels that nothing has been done to alleviate the problem since the original complaint. Chairman White explained that the city’s noise ordinance requires decibel reading to be over a particular threshold in order to be a violation, and as yet, that level has not been exceeded. The committee suggested that the next time Mr. Sullivan is disturbed by noise from the armory, he contact Ms. McLaughlin and the Somerville Police so that all parties can hear the noise firsthand and take decibel readings in his apartment. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 191255 - That the Chief Fire Engineer advise this Board of any changes to the allocation of fire apparatus due to the recent addition of the rescue truck.: Chief Kelleher presented statistical information regarding the number of calls made by the Fire Department and explained that the figures are tabulated by box# rather than by ward. The highest number of calls is for medical situations and in 2010, the department responded to 6,164 medical calls. That year, the department also responded to 439 accident calls with 211 injuries. The department has a total of 11 emergency bays, each of which houses an emergency vehicle. Chief Kelleher also explained the station apparatus and rescue company deployments and reviewed the redesign of the running cards that allows for more efficient coverage and responses to calls. At the present time, there is an engine company at each fire station. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED