Committee Report - Rodent - 6-4-14 — File 197173

June 4, 2014 Rodent Issues Special Committee Page 1 of 3 Printed 6/11/2014 REPORT OF THE RODENT ISSUES SPECIAL COMMITTEE Attendee Name Title Status Arrived Maryann M. Heuston Chair Present Matthew McLaughlin Vice Chair Present John M. Connolly Alderman At Large Present Others present: Alderman Rossetti, Paulette Renault-Caragianes, Steve Craig, Leanna Barlow, Ellen Collins, Goran Smiljic, Daniel Hadley, Rick Willette, Denise Taylor Approval of the Minutes of March 17, 2014 RESULT: APPROVED Public Hearing regarding rodent issues: The committee heard from a resident who asked that the city remove a dumpster belonging to an apartment house and that the city be more aware of dumpsters throughout the city. A representative from ISD will visit the site to review the serviceability of the existing dumpster and make a suitable recommendation to repair or replace it. 196294 - That the Director of Health appear before this Board's Rodent Issues Special Committee to present the work of the Rodent Task Force and new programs to address rodent issues.: See #196301 RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 196301 - That the Rodent Task Force present its findings and recommendations at the next scheduled meeting of this Board's Rodent Issues Special Committee.: Members of the Rodent Action Team (RAT) distributed information relative to their investigation of the city’s rodent problem. To date, 15 applications have been received for rodent control assistance, wherein the city would pick up the tab if the property is owner-

Committee Meeting June 4, 2014 Rodent Issues Special Committee Page 2 of 3 Printed 6/11/2014 occupied and qualified for assistance. The Law Department is reviewing what penalties may be imposed upon property owners by the city for violations of rodent control ordinances/policies. ISD will request that the City Solicitor weigh in on the possibility of assessing a surcharge to property owners. The city has contracted with SenesTech to service 2,000 properties in the city. (There are approximately 6,000 properties that are owner occupied.) Members were told that one of the mayor's tasks is to take this rodent control initiative to other mayors. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 196852 - That the Director of SPCD (ISD) inspect the dumpsters and area around the Highland Creole Cuisine restaurant, 2 Highland Avenue, for signs of rodent activity, and take appropriate actions.: RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 196876 - That the Director of SPCD (ISD) inspect the Park Avenue/Laurel Street area for rodents and communicate with residents and the Ward 2 Alderman on actions taken.: RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 196877 - That the Director of SPCD (ISD) inspect the Bowdoin Street area, including Lincoln Park and Washington Street, for rodents and communicate to residents and the Ward 2 Alderman on actions taken.: RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 197005 - That the Director of Health and the Director of SPCD (ISD) direct the building manager at Bryant Manor to inform the residents not to throw food out their windows to feed the birds, as they are inadvertently feeding the rats as well.: RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 197006 - That the Director of SPCD (ISD) bait George Street and inspect the area for rodent related problems.: RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 197007 - That the Director of SPCD (ISD) bait the corner of Cross Street East and Pennsylvania Avenue for rodents and install signage prohibiting the feeding of animals at the intersection.: RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE

Committee Meeting June 4, 2014 Rodent Issues Special Committee Page 3 of 3 Printed 6/11/2014 197008 - That the Director of SPCD (ISD) bait Myrtle Street for rodents.: RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 197009 - That the Director of SPCD (ISD) investigate reports of rodents on Gilman Terrace, Pickney Street, Pearl Street, Mt. Vernon Street, Indiana Avenue, Pennsylvania Avenue and George Street.: RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 197010 - That the Director of SPCD (ISD) investigate the rat burrows along the Starbucks in Assembly Square.: RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 197011 - That the Director of SPCD (ISD) report on the compliance of construction workers along Broadway, and elsewhere in East Somerville, regarding required rodent baiting.: RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 197104 - That the Director of SPCD (ISD) bait Wilton Street and inspect the area for rodent related problems.: RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE