Committee Report - PHPS - 12-12-11 — File 192375

December 12, 2011 Public Health and Public Safety Committee Page 1 of 3 Printed 12/20/2011 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 Dennis M. Sullivan Alderman At Large Present Kevin Kelleher Chief Fire Engineer Present Thomas Pasquarello Chief of Police Present Eddie Nuzzo Supt., ISD Present Frank Wright City Solicitoe Present Corey Mashburn SCAP Present Sonia Durai Health Department Present David Lutes Environmental Programs Manager Present 192046 - That the Director of SPCD dispatch the Neighborhood Inspection Team to 113- 115 Hillsdale Road to examine the property for code violations.: Mr. Nuzzo reported that the property is vacant and has been deemed unsafe and that it has been secured. Mr. Wright will explore the possibility of receivership. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 192047 - That the Director of SPCD (ISD) inspect 100-102 West Adams Street for overcrowding.: Mr. Nuzzo reported that no violations were found at the property. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 192048 - That the City Solicitor contact the owner of 100-102 West Adams Street regarding overcrowding.: Mr. Nuzzo reported that no violations were found at the property.

Committee Meeting December 12, 2011 Public Health and Public Safety Committee Page 2 of 3 Printed 12/20/2011 RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 192057 - That the Director of Health appear before the Public Health and Safety Committee to provide an update on the proposed Municipal Domestic Violence Policy.: Ms. Durai informed the members that there has been an increase in the incidents of domestic violence and that a policy to deal with the problem has been drafted. The committee directed Ms. Durai to contact the District Attorney’s Office to ascertain when the policy might be completed. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 192223 - That this Board requests that the Administration ensure that any person covered as a survivor, while insured through the City, maintains a level of coverage equal to or better than the coverage received while insured through the City.: Solicitor Wright provided an opinion on this matter and informed the members that the City and the Law Department are willing to work with affected survivors to assist with coverage. Basically, the GIC regulations now govern the benefits that are available to survivors, which was not the case prior to the City’s entry into the GIC. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 192224 - That the City Solicitor and Director of Personnel report back to this Board as to why the few Somerville residents previously covered as survivors through their parent’s policies will not receive coverage from the GIC.: Solicitor Wright provided an opinion on this matter and informed the members that the City and the Law Department are willing to work with affected survivors to assist with coverage. Basically, the GIC regulations now govern the benefits that are available to survivors, which was not the case prior to the City’s entry into the GIC. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 192243 - That the Chief of Police, Superintendent of Inspectional Services, Director of Public Health and City Environmental Officer appear before the Committee on Public Health and Safety to address issues pertaining to the recent Oxford Street crystal meth lab incident.: Mr. Lutes spoke about the hazardous materials that were stored at the property and said that no soil testing at the site has been performed. Chairman White directed Mr. Lutes to consult with the Law Department and the State about testing the soil.

Committee Meeting December 12, 2011 Public Health and Public Safety Committee Page 3 of 3 Printed 12/20/2011 Chief Pasquarello informed the committee that the owner of the property used the drains in the house to dispose of some of the materials and stated that since the owner has a legal right to be on the property, a trespass order cannot be enforced. Absent a warrant, the police have no right to enter the premises. Mr. Nuzzo stated that the property is uninhabitable and secured, and at the request of Chairman White, will consult with the Law Department to determine what right the city might have to restrict access to the property. This property also might be a candidate for receivership. Several neighbors expressed concern about contamination. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 192244 - That the Chief Fire Engineer appear before the Committee on Public Health and Safety to discuss implementing the Fire Dept. study recommendations.: Chief Kelleher commented on the study's priorities of training, policies and procedures, staffing, office space and capital improvements, apparatus replacement, fire alarm and buildings and discussed changing procedures based on its recommendations. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 192280 - That the Chief of Police appear before this Board’s Committee on Public Health and Safety to address the recent house break-ins in the Ten Hills neighborhood.: Chief Pasquarello spoke about the break-ins and the Police Department’s directed patrols of the area and told the committee that the investigation is pointing towards a particular suspect who has a substance addiction. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED