Committee Report - PHPS - 10-24-11 — File 192131

October 24, 2011 Public Health and Public Safety Committee Page 1 of 2 Printed 10/27/2011 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 Dennis M. Sullivan Alderman At Large Present William M. Roche Ward One Alderman Present Michael Cabral Deputy Police Chief Present Paul Upton Deputy Police Chief Present David Fallon Captain, SPD Present Nicholas Stiles Officer, SPD Present Frank Wright City Solicitor Present Eddie Nuzzo Supt., ISD Present Tim Toomey State Representative Present Paul Mackey Somerville Housing Authority Present 192050 - That the Chief of Police and the Director of SPCD (ISD) respond to the attached list of problem addresses and be prepared to provide an update at this Board’s October 24 Public Health and Safety Committee Meeting.: Neighbors told the members about various problems in the area, absentee landlords, dogs off leash, parking, illegal apartments and trash issues. A list of problem properties was forwarded to the Police and Inspectional Services Departments for investigation prior to this meeting and Mr. Nuzzo reported that he investigated 20 properties and was unable to gain access to 10 properties. Mr. Nuzzo noted that some of the issues have since been resolved. Representatives of the Police Department told the committee that they are familiar with the issues and that they are working to keep the neighborhood safe. Chairman White asked that administrative search warrants be obtained to allow the city access to the unexamined properties in question and directed the City Solicitor to take problem houses over under receivership. Chairman White also asked that Assistant City Solicitor Shapiro explore the use of a receivership on a number of problem properties owned by an absentee landlord in bankruptcy who has avoided paying over $10,000 in fines according to Mr. Nuzzo. Alderman Roche requested that a follow-up meeting be held in one month. Chairman White agreed and committed to holding as many meetings as it will take in the neighborhood to resolve the problems.

Committee Meeting October 24, 2011 Public Health and Public Safety Committee Page 2 of 2 Printed 10/27/2011 RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 192054 - That the Clerk of Committees request a representative of the Housing Authority to appear at the October 24 Public Health and Safety Committee meeting (7 PM at the Cross Street Center) to address the Authority's ability to deal with tenants who hold Section 8 certificates and create neighborhood problems.: Mr. Mackey, from the SHA, explained how the Section 8 program works and said that problem tenants could be terminated from the program after due process. Chairman White asked Mr. Wright to determine if the recently passed nuisance ordinance might be applied to problem tenants who violate city ordinances or state statutes. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED