Committee Report - PHPS - 10-6-11 — File 192069

October 6, 2011 Public Health and Public Safety Committee Page 1 of 3 Printed 10/11/2011 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 Absent Walter F. Pero Ward Four Alderman Absent Bruce M. Desmond Alderman At Large Present Omar Boukili Administrative Assistant Present Kevin Kelleher Chief Fire Engineer Present Thomas Pasquarello Chief of Police Present Eddie Nuzzo Supt., ISD Present Dave Shapiro Asst. City Solicitor Present Jason Grossfield Asst. City Solicitor Present Steve MacEachern Supt. of Lines and Lights Present President Gewirtz appointed Alderman Desmond to the committee for this meeting only, to ensure that a quorum was present. 190439 - That the Chief of Police recommend to this Board, specific places on the community path where more lighting could be added.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 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.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 191014 - That the Director of SPCD (ISD) and the Director of Health advise this Board of the number, location and status of all abandoned properties reported within the past two years.:

Committee Meeting October 6, 2011 Public Health and Public Safety Committee Page 2 of 3 Printed 10/11/2011 Mr. Nuzzo was asked to submit a list of the abandoned properties that the Inspectional Services Department is aware of. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 191362 - That the Commissioner of Public Works repair or replace all damaged or missing bricks in Davis Square to eliminate the public safety hazards they create.: Mr. MacEachern addressed this issue and explained the process for maintaining the bricks. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 191459 - That the Director of SPCD (ISD) provide the Ward 2 Alderman with a status of the condemned building at 294 Beacon Street.: The property has been knocked down. Once the $61,000 in back taxes are paid, a permit may be issued to rebuild. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 191564 - That the Director of SPCD (ISD) inspect 20 Thorndike Street and take any action necessary to compel the owner to improve the property.: Mr. Nuzzo reported that 14 violations have been issued for overgrowth. Chairman White recommended that ISD condition the issuance of applicable permits to include cleaning of the overgrowth. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 191581 - That the Director of Constituent Services provide the Committee on Public Health and Safety with a list of calls to 311 over the past 2 years on the trash/dumpster problem at 64 Walnut Street.: This item was addressed during the Committee’s work on the rodent control issues. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 191733 - That the Director of Communications update this Board regarding the July 7 phone outage that affected the Fire Dept. and explain what steps have been taken to ensure it will not happen again.: Mr. Bokuli will check to determine if a response was sent to the Board, if not, the Committee will have the Director appear before the Committee at a future date.

Committee Meeting October 6, 2011 Public Health and Public Safety Committee Page 3 of 3 Printed 10/11/2011 RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 192034 - That the Chief of Police order directed patrols along Shore Drive, including the adjoining water front and wooded area.: Chairman White's motion that the Administration work with the Department of Conservation and Recreation to obtain a maintenance agreement that would allow the City to maintain the area between Shore Drive and the Mystic River, to address the overgrowth and issues of public safety, was approved. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 192035 - That the City Solicitor and the Administration explore the legality and feasibility of banning HAZMAT trucks from driving through the City.: Mr. Shapiro and Mr. Grossfield explained that the city would have to make a request to the state’s Department of Transportation in order to ban HAZMAT trucks. The state would determine, through a feasibility study with HAZMAT trucks on the streets, whether the federal regulations are being satisfied. Chairman White asked that the Law Department investigate whether any other communities have obtained a full or partial ban of HAZMAT truck traffic. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE