Committee Report - PUPW - 6-21-12 — File 193472

June 21, 2012 Public Utilities and Public Works Committee Page 1 of 4 Printed 7/10/2012 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 Bruce M. Desmond Alderman At Large Present Stan Koty DPW Commissioner Present Steve MacEachern Supt.. Lines and Lights Present Michael Glavin Exec. Director, OSPCD Present Hayes Morrison Director, Transportation and Infrastructure Present Jason Grossfield Asst. City Solicitor Present Bill Zamparelli NSTAR Community Relations 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.: Commissioner Koty reported that the city paid nothing for this project and that striping would be done in July or August. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 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 reported that $125,000 will be spent, this year and next, to deal with this issue.

Committee Meeting June 21, 2012 Public Utilities and Public Works Committee Page 2 of 4 Printed 7/10/2012 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.: There appears to be a jurisdictional issue as to who is responsible for rectifying this situation and Mr. Zamparelli will contact the property owner to discuss this further. 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.: The ADA Compliance Officer will send a report to the Ward Two Alderman regarding this matter. Mr. Zamparelli reported that the pole is compliant and that the mailbox is in the way. 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.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 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. MacEachern and Mr. Zamparelli are working on this item. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 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 reviewed the notification process and explained why it is utilized.

Committee Meeting June 21, 2012 Public Utilities and Public Works Committee Page 3 of 4 Printed 7/10/2012 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. MacEachern reported that there are 54 double poles in the city. NSTAR has 4 needing equipment transfers and 10 poles needing removal. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 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 work on the interior walls has been completed. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 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.: Mr. Koty reported that the roof has been replaced and that OSPCD is working on a plan to rehab the facility. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 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.: Commissioner Koty stated that the City Engineer is continually working on this issue and added that ISD could provide additional information to the committee. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 192776 - That the Commissioner of Public Works and the City Engineer meet with the Ward 7 Alderman and concerned citizens to discuss the conditions of the bike path in Ward 7 and outline plans to make repairs to the retaining wall and prevent flooding.: Commissioner Koty stated that the MBTA would participate in correcting the problem and that the city's Law Department is also involved.

Committee Meeting June 21, 2012 Public Utilities and Public Works Committee Page 4 of 4 Printed 7/10/2012 RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 192810 - That the Commissioner of Public Works provide, at each meeting of the Committee on Public Utilities and Works, an update of the number and status of double poles.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 193316 - That the Commissioner of Public Works repair the broken sidewalk panels at 7 and 7A Trull Street.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 193317 - That the Director of SPCD provide this Board with information on the tree planting schedule and locations.: Mr. Glavin spoke about tree funding, location selection and diseased trees found on Morrison Avenue. Chairman O'Donovan expressed concern regarding the level of communication to residents regarding tree removals and he requested that OSPCD provide him with an email that he will forwarded to the residents of Morrison Avenue. Mr. MacEachern stated that diseased trees are removed without notification to residents in cases where removal has been recommended by the city's arborist, and Chairman O'Donovan requested that a list of diseased trees be emailed to him. Mr. Grossfield will prepare a report on the removal of diseased trees. Ms. Morrison told the members that the city plans to expand its tree canopy by planting 120 trees in the spring with a goal of 200 per year. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED