Committee Report - PHPS - 10-2-12 — File 193838

October 2, 2012 Public Health and Public Safety Committee Page 1 of 6 Printed 10/11/2012 REPORT OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE Attendee Name Title Status Arrived William A. White Jr. Chair Present William M. Roche Vice Chair Present Rebekah Gewirtz Ward Six Alderman Absent Bruce M. Desmond Alderman At Large Present Maryann M. Heuston Ward Two Alderman Present Janice Delory Chief of Staff Present Thomas Pasquarello Chief of Police Present Dave Shapiro Asst. City Solicitor Present Michael Glavin Exec. Director, OSPCD Present Eddie Nuzzo Supt., ISD Present Ellen Schneider ISD Present Stan Koty Commissioner, DPW Present • RODENTS 190058 - That the Director of SPCD Provide This Board with the Latest Revision to the City's Rodent Control Policies before the Next Meeting of the Committee on Public Health and Public Safety, and appear with Appropriate Designees at Said Meeting.: Mr. Nuzzo discussed 12 Ward One problem properties and explained how complaints about rodents are handled and how owners of problem properties have been engaged in the baiting effort. Other problem properties were discussed and Chairman White requested that Mr. Nuzzo forward a list of those properties to the Law Department for possible legal action by the city. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 190956 - That the Director of SPCD and the Director of Health update this Board on the public awareness campaign to address rodent control, and describe specific problem areas and plans to address rodent control in those areas.:

Committee Meeting October 2, 2012 Public Health and Public Safety Committee Page 2 of 6 Printed 10/11/2012 Discussed with item 190058, above. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE • PROPERTIES: 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.: Mr. Nuzzo submitted a list of 8 abandoned properties (Exhibit A) and Mr. Shapiro gave a summary of each property’s status. Alderman Heuston mentioned 2 properties on Durham Street that should be inspected by ISD. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 191021 - That the Director of SPCD initiate a full NIT evaluation at 47 Harrison Street and report the findings to this Board's Committee on Public Health and Public Safety.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 192651 - That the Director of SPCD dispatch the Neighborhood Inspection Team to 35-37 Jackson Road for possible building violations, health violations, illegal activity and disturbances.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 192652 - That the Director of SPCD dispatch the Neighborhood Inspection Team to 3-5 Walter Terrace for possible building violations, health violations, illegal activity, and disturbances.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 192731 - That the Director of SPCD (ISD) inspect 30 Wheatland Street for building code violations, rooming house activity, and the yard being used as a debris transfer station for a contractor living in the building.:

Committee Meeting October 2, 2012 Public Health and Public Safety Committee Page 3 of 6 Printed 10/11/2012 RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 192778 - That this Board requests that the Mayor work with this Board’s Committee on Public Health and Safety to identify Neighborhood Impact Team members that can best identify and solve neighborhood safety and health issues.: Mr. Nuzzo stated that NIT members meet once per week and that he visits a property within 2 days of receiving a complaint. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 192921 - That the Superintendent of Inspectional Services appear before the Committee on Public Health and Safety to discuss measures to address fire safety at 155 Central Street.: Mr. Nuzzo reported that this property is not in violation of any city codes/ordinances and that he visits the property monthly to ensure compliance. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 193079 - That the Neighborhood Impact Team inspect 7 Greene Street for code violations, and report back to this Board with its findings and actions taken.: Mr. Nuzzo discussed his dealings with the property owners. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 193196 - That the City Solicitor update this Board on the status of legal proceedings related to 47 Harrison Street.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 193202 - That the Director of Health and the 3-member Board of Health Commission report back to this Board regarding their plan/policy to control the rodent problem.: RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 193310 - That the Director of SPCD (ISD) and the Director of Health determine the sources of a greatly increased rodent infestation in the areas of Lincoln Park and Central and Madison Streets, and develop an action plan to address this problem.:

Committee Meeting October 2, 2012 Public Health and Public Safety Committee Page 4 of 6 Printed 10/11/2012 Mr. Nuzzo reported that the city has been working with absentee landlords as a means to stem the rodent problem in the city and stated that he hasn’t heard of any problems since May. Mr. Nuzzo will contact Alderman Heuston to determine if the problem has been resolved. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 193312 - That the Neighborhood Impact Team inspect the several illegal apartments on Partridge Avenue, Direnzo Terrace and at 20 Trull Street.: Mr. Nuzzo reported that he is waiting for court dates for the property on DiRenzo Terrace and sending letters to the owner of the Partridge Avenue property informing him that the city wants to inspect the property. No problems were found at the 20 Trull Street property. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED • DOGS: 192345 - That the Chief of Police advise this Board on the safety measures in place in the Lexington Park area of the community path with respect to dogs off leash.: Chief Pasquarello discussed the implementation of directed patrols in the area. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 193313 - That the Chief of Police and the Animal Control Officers enforce the city’s leash law at Somerville Junction Park.: Chief Pasquarello stated that periodic inspections are being performed. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED • UNREGISTERED VEHICLES 192791 - That the Director of SPCD (ISD) and the City Solicitor appear before this Board’s Committee on Public Health and Safety to explain why the city is unable to enforce the unregistered vehicle ordinance passed last year.: Mr. Nuzzo spoke on the matter and informed the members that the City has taken property owners to court.

Committee Meeting October 2, 2012 Public Health and Public Safety Committee Page 5 of 6 Printed 10/11/2012 RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 193446 - That the Director of SPCD (ISD) and the City Solicitor appear at the next meeting of this Board's Committee on Public Health and Safety to explain why the enacted unregistered vehicle ordinance is not being enforced.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED • WARD 5 193443 - That the Commissioner of Public Works install a raised crosswalk at Albion Park.: Mr. Koty updated the members on this item RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 193444 - That the Chief of Police set a speed trap on Albion Street 4-5 PM, Monday through Friday.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 193445 - That the Chief of Police order a directed foot patrol and the presence of the Ward Five officer in Magoun Square between 8:00 - 11:00 PM.: Chief Pasquarello stated that this situation requires and officer and a cruiser. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED • OTHER 192100 - That this Board requests that the Administration update this Board on actions proposed and taken regarding the negative impact of activities, lighting, and noise on the quality of life in the neighborhoods abutting Conway Park and the Skating Rink.: Alderman Heuston informed the members that the Mayor’s Office has provided an in depth report on this item.

Committee Meeting October 2, 2012 Public Health and Public Safety Committee Page 6 of 6 Printed 10/11/2012 RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 192496 - That the Commissioner of Public Works (Lines and Lights) analyze the streetlights on Bailey and Temple Roads, under Route 93, and report the findings to the Committee on Public Health and Safety.: Commissioner Koty spoke about working with the state to clean up this area and told the members that he would report back to the committee regarding who is responsible for managing the lights in that area. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 193570 - That the Chief of Police increase enforcement of bicycle regulations in the city’s business districts.: Chairman White submitted a CD to be viewed by the committee and discussed at the next committee meeting. There was a discussion regarding the payment of citations and Chairman White requested statistics on the number of tickets written, paid, appealed, etc., and questioned what efforts the City is making to inform the public about the rules governing riding bicycles on sidewalks. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE