Committee Report - PUPW - 4-4-12 — File 192809

April 4, 2012 Public Utilities and Public Works Committee Page 1 of 5 Printed 4/12/2012 REPORT OF THE PUBLIC UTILITIES AND PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE Attendee Name Title Status Arrived Sean T. O’Donovan Chair Present Robert C. Trane Vice Chair Absent John M Connolly Alderman At Large Present Omar Boukili Administrative Assistant Present Stan Koty DPW Commissioner Present Bill Zamparelli NSTAR Present Stan Usovicz Verizon Present 189988 - That the Commissioner of Public Works Appear Before the Subcommittee on Public Utilities and Public Works to Report on the Progress of the Magoun Sqaure Reconstruction Project and to Discuss Its Completion.: Mr. Koty reported that the he spoke to state officials about this project and that it would be completed in the early spring. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 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 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.: Mr. Koty stated that ADA ramps are normally funded through OSPCD, however, due to a lack of funds in that department, the DPW will allocate funds to accomplish the task. The committee will be apprised of when the work can be performed.

Committee Meeting April 4, 2012 Public Utilities and Public Works Committee Page 2 of 5 Printed 4/12/2012 RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 191056 - That the Commissioner of Public Works contact the appropriate utilities to address the overloaded and low hanging wires at Somerville Avenue at Kent Street, Somerville Avenue at Linden Street, and along Tyler Street.: Mr. Usovicz will investigate this situation and report to the committee. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 191365 - That the ADA Compliance Officer conduct an assessment of ADA accessibility at the corner of Somerville Avenue and Kent Street and provide the findings to the Ward 2 Alderman.: Mr. Koty stated that NSTAR is non-compliant in this matter. Mr. Zamparelli informed the members that NSTAR's ADA coordinators have inspected the site and determined that it would be too expensive to relocate the utility pole, however, Mr. Zamparelli will confer with Mr. Masci (of NSTAR) about the possibility of straightening the pole. Additionally, NSTAR will ask the owner to move the mailbox in an effort to resolve this matter. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 191815 - That the Director of SPCD place several additional seating options at Albion Park, especially near the water source, as the present seating is insufficient.: Chairman O’Donovan reported that OSPCD informed him that the DPW could install additional benches if they have them available. Mr. Koty said that the DPW would install 2 additional benches when the department receives them. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 192242 - That this Board requests that the Administration coordinate efforts with NStar to inventory the non-operating lights in West Somerville and make them operational as quickly as possible.: Mr. Koty provided the committee with a list of inoperable lamps throughout the city and said that the city is negotiating to purchase the lights from NSTAR, adding that a purchase would not be made until all repairs have been completed. Mr. Zamparelli informed the members that some of the outages are long-standing due to underground wiring issues. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE

Committee Meeting April 4, 2012 Public Utilities and Public Works Committee Page 3 of 5 Printed 4/12/2012 192279 - That this Board requests that NStar and National Grid create a policy to notify the Mayor’s Office, Communications Dept., Constituent Services Dept. and all affected Aldermen of scheduled outages, ensuring that a repeat of the November 16 incident, where only residents were notified, is not repeated.: Mr. Zamparelli told the members that the notification system is automated out of Boston and that he has no control of it at the present time. Chairman O'Donovan requested that Mr. Zamparelli confer with Mark Reed (from NSTAR) and with NSTAR's IT Department for additional information and a solution to the problem. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 192487 - That the Commissioner of Public Works advise the appropriate utility company to repair/replace the streetlamps at the locations listed within.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 192593 - That this Board’s Committee on Public Utilities and Works investigate the repeated power outages around 470 Medford Street and take the necessary steps to ensure that NStar resolves this problem.: Mr. Zamparelli reported that two transformers failed due to a fire. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 192597 - That the Commissioner of Public Works update the Public Works and Utilities Committee with the status of double poles and street lamps not working.: Mr. Zamparelli reported that 13 of the 41 remaining double poles would be removed by April 13th. Alderman Connolly recommended that the committee monitor the actions of utility companies with regard to double poles in the city. Alderman Connolly's motion that the Commissioner of Public Works provide, at each meeting of the Committee on Public Utilities and Public Works, an update of the number of double poles in the city and their status, was approved. Alderman Connolly's motion that the Director of Communications appear at the next scheduled meeting of the Committee on Public Utilities and Public Works, was approved. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE

Committee Meeting April 4, 2012 Public Utilities and Public Works Committee Page 4 of 5 Printed 4/12/2012 192598 - That the Director of Communications appear at the next meeting of the Public Works and Utilities Committee with an update and cost of the cable, internet and telephone providers in Somerville.: RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 192641 - That this Board requests that the Administration provide a timeline for repairs to the West Branch Library and that the Commissioner of Public Works provide an update on repairs to interior walls that are peeling.: Mr. Koty reported that the sheriff's office would provide manpower to paint and make some improvements at the library and that the city is awaiting a bid for the roof repairs. Alderman Connolly requested that the Board of Aldermen be apprised of the plans for the East and West branch libraries during the FY-13 budget process. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 192642 - That this Board requests that the Administration analyze improvements needed at the East Branch Library and provide this Board with a schedule for completion.: RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 192644 - That the Commissioner of Public Works and the City Engineer inspect catch basins and roadway depressions on Adrian Street and take action to restore structural integrity and address problems of overflow.: RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 192645 - That the Commissioner of Public Works repave Adrian Street as part of the Spring 2012 paving program, and provide the Committee on Public Utilities and Works with the streets to be repaved in 2012.: Mr. Koty reported that the city is conducting a street pavement management study. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 192768 - NStar Electric updating this Board on providing the DPW access to NStar’s double pole tracking system.:

Committee Meeting April 4, 2012 Public Utilities and Public Works Committee Page 5 of 5 Printed 4/12/2012 RESULT: WORK COMPLETED