Committee Report - PHPS - 7-23-14 — File 197510

July 23, 2014 Public Health and Public Safety Committee Page 1 of 9 Printed 8/27/2014 REPORT OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE Attendee Name Title Status Arrived John M. Connolly Chair Present Mary Jo Rossetti Vice Chair Present Mark Niedergang Ward Five Alderman Present Others present: Alderman White, Kevin Kelleher, Patrick Sullivan, Goran Smiljic, Steve Carrabino, Sarah Spicer, Wig Zamore, Omar Boukili Approval of the Minutes of March 06, 2014 RESULT: APPROVED Approval of the Minutes of June 25, 2014 RESULT: APPROVED 197132 - That the Chief of Police enforce the NO BIKING ON SIDEWALK ordinance citywide, especially in business districts, and attend the next Public Health and Safety Committee meeting to discuss bicycle safety education and enforcement.: Captain Carrabino contacted Traffic and Parking and requested that signs be posted in various squares regarding biking on the sidewalk. Sidewalks will be stenciled to alert bikers not to bike on the sidewalk. Close to 500 biking citations have been issued since April 15th. Chairman Connolly requested that an updated report be emailed to committee members regarding the number of findings/citations for the last couple of years. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 197329 - That the Chief of Police order a directed patrol to monitor traffic speeds on Fairfax Street and report the findings and actions to these Aldermen.: Alderman Rossetti received an update from the Police Department that may require a number of resident signatures in order to change the speed limit.

Committee Meeting July 23, 2014 Public Health and Public Safety Committee Page 2 of 9 Printed 8/27/2014 RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 197278 - That the Chief of Police order a directed patrol on Benton Road, at various times, to monitor traffic and to issue citations for speeding.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 196906 - That the Chief of Police review patrols of the Davis Square area, especially around the community path from the T-stop to the Cambridge line, and consider adding an additional foot patrol officer daily from 4 PM to midnight.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 194678 - That the Chief of Police provide this Board with the crime statistics near the East Somerville dog park for twelve months prior to, and after, opening.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 197167 - That the Chief Fire Engineer share with this Board, the fire safety plan for the newly opened stores and housing at Assembly Square.: Chief Kelleher described a possible safety plan for the stores in Assembly Square and said that the Fire Department will continue to monitor the traffic very closely. Responding to Alderman Rossetti’s concern about not having a fire station in Assembly Square, Chief Kelleher suggested a fire station near Dunkin Donuts to handle others areas, as well. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 196209 - That the Administration inform this Board of any and all supports available to those who were victims of arson this past summer.: All fires are being evaluated. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 196205 - That the Chief Fire Engineer, the Chief of Police and the chief trauma response individual appear before this Board’s Committee on Public Health and Safety to explore training first responders in the use of Narcan, currently being used by EMTs to save victims of drug overdoses.: Chief Kelleher described the use of the Epi Pen and training for the police. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED

Committee Meeting July 23, 2014 Public Health and Public Safety Committee Page 3 of 9 Printed 8/27/2014 195880 - Requesting review and approval of the MAPC's 2013 Update to the 2008 Hazardous Mitigation Plan.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 194296 - That this Board requests that the Mayor consider implementing a Community Emergency Response Team, a volunteer citizen support group which is part of FEMA, to assist response efforts during emergencies.: Chief Kelleher will provide the committee with an update on this item within the next 90 days. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 197367 - That the Director of SPCD (ISD) provide updates on the problems reported at 38 Illinois Avenue and 39-41 Michigan Avenue, detailing a plan of how these properties will be dealt with.: Mr. Smiljic explained that the city must have some evidence of the property being used as a rooming house in order to get a warrant to enter the premises and said that the Mayor is attempting to expedite the process to secure a warrant. It was suggested that ISD contact Alderman McLaughlin and copy the committee on the status of this property. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 197222 - That the Director of SPCD (ISD) inspect the fire damaged property at 27 Dickinson Street for violations and hazards which negatively impact the neighborhood, and direct the owners to make all required changes.: RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 196910 - That the Director of SPCD (ISD) order the immediate removal of the non- compliant exterior light on the new building at 128 Highland Avenue.: Mr. Smiljic reported that the light was installed and does not point at the church. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 196891 - That the Director of the SPCD (ISD) and the City Solicitor appear before this Board to discuss the city’s schedule of fines and how and/or why they have or have not been used fully.: ISD has issued 765 tickets. The ticket process is working and is being used in the best way possible. Additional funds may be needed to bring cases to court. The City Clerk's office tracks the citation and once a paralegal is hired for ISD, inspectors will spend less time on court cases. A request was made for a breakdown by category, with dates and details of fines issued through the end of July.

Committee Meeting July 23, 2014 Public Health and Public Safety Committee Page 4 of 9 Printed 8/27/2014 RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 196890 - That the Director of SPCD (ISD) appear before this Board to provide an update on complaints, fines and resolutions associated with 100 The Fellsway.: Chief Kelleher believes that the demolition will present a traffic nightmare with smoke conditions possibly shutting down Route 93. This work will need to be done during the weekend. ISD suggests that this building come down ASAP. Mr. Smiljic said that all fines had been paid. Chairman Connolly asked Mr. Goran to report back to the committee once the building is down. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 196779 - That the Director of SPCD (ISD) contact the owners of 28 and 30 Beacon Street regarding overgrowth and the improper storage of trash and recycling materials, and issue citations for their maintenance of the properties.: Mr. Smiljic reported that ISD went to the address, took photos of the site and could not find any overgrowth. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 196778 - That the Director of SPCD (ISD) cite Walgreen's, at 26 Beacon Street, for all health code violations, and direct them to clean the periphery of their property and remove the trash barrel from 28 Beacon Street.: RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 196766 - That the Director of SPCD (ISD) and the Director of Public Health explain the policy for food and food donations at charity or nonprofit events.: RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 196363 - That the Director of SPCD (ISD) dispatch the NIT Team to inspect 174 Walnut Street for numerous code violations.: ISD will continue to monitor the property for code violations. A ticket was issued this month and was the first ticket issued to this property. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 195307 - That the Director of SPCD (ISD) and the Director of Public Health appear before this Board’s Committee on Public Health and Safety to provide an update on the city-wide rodent problem, including all areas that have been baited, and to present a comprehensive approach to deal with this problem, including the necessary resources and funding.:

Committee Meeting July 23, 2014 Public Health and Public Safety Committee Page 5 of 9 Printed 8/27/2014 RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 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.: One of the programs is working well. Only 2 locations showed signs of rodent activity. The call volume has reduced to half of the previous year's calls. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 196432 - That the Middlesex County District Attorney update the City on the investigation into the murder of Deanna Cremin, on this, the 19th anniversary of her death.: The City Clerk sent a letter to the District Attorney's Office in April, but has not yet received a response. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 197435 - That the Director of Communications place a link on the City's web site to allow residents to complain about noise from Logan Airport flights as had been done in the past and also notify residents via social media about that link.: Chairman Connolly will discuss this with the City Solicitor. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 197268 - That the City Clerk request of MassPort an explanation for the increase of air traffic noise recently in West Somerville, and that the Director of Communications add to the website information about the most effective method to complain about such noise.: Mr. Zamore distributed information regarding Logan’s jet noise with the complaint line number. The noise level grew from 2006 - 2007 by 12%. Chairman Connolly suggested that the Mayor's office give this issue more attention by placing Logan Airport’s complaint line number on the city website. Chairman Connolly would like the administration to appoint Mr. Zamore to other Logan noise committees. The City Clerk has sent a letter to MassPort requesting an explanation, but has yet to receive a response. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 193093 - That the City Solicitor and the Director of SPCD locate any documents or agreements made by the federal government regarding the initial construction of Route 93 through Somerville.: The City Solicitor sent an email to Chairman Connolly stating that the Law Department does not have any relevant documents.

Committee Meeting July 23, 2014 Public Health and Public Safety Committee Page 6 of 9 Printed 8/27/2014 RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 195082 - That the City's Disability Coordinator appear before the Committee on Public Health and Safety to update the Committee on pending claims on accessibility issues and the status of plans to improve access to City buildings and sidewalks, including the East and West Branch Libraries.: RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 195502 - That the Environmental Programs Manager report to the Ward 6 Alderman and the Committee on Public Health and Safety, the impact of bamboo and whether it is a plant that should be limited due to its invasive nature.: RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 197253 - DPW Commissioner responding to various Board Orders submitted 6/12/14.: RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 197144 - That the Commissioner of Public Works investigate and remedy the low pressure of the water fountains at the ESCS and the strange taste of the water from the school's second floor faucets.: RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 197032 - That this Board urges the Cambridge Health Alliance to reverse its decision to consolidate its Psychiatric Emergency Room with its general Emergency Room.: RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 196958 - DPW Commissioner responding to various Board Orders submitted April 24, 2014.: RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 196787 - That the Director of Public Health and Commissioner of Public Works install a sign on the island at Bow Street and Somerville Avenue prohibiting feeding the birds, and that the Director of Public Health distribute a flyer around the neighborhood explaining why birds may not be fed, and that the Police, Animal Control, ISD, and DPW enforce Ordinance 3-3 at this island.: RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE

Committee Meeting July 23, 2014 Public Health and Public Safety Committee Page 7 of 9 Printed 8/27/2014 196758 - That the Director of Personnel appear before the Committee on Public Health and Safety to report on the process for, and status of, the search for a new Police Chief.: RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 196613 - DPW Commissioner responding to various Board Orders submitted March 27, 2014.: RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 196458 - That the Commissioner of Public Works repair the broken street lamps at Davis Square Plaza.: RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 196456 - That the Commissioner of Public Works notify the MBTA to repair the broken street lamps at the Davis Sq. Busway.: RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 196433 - That the Chief of Police explain the reasoning for not towing vehicles obstructing a city fire hydrant.: RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 196374 - That the Administration contact the owner of 1060 Broadway and inquire about the reuse of the property.: RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 196373 - That the Director of SPCD (ISD) direct the MBTA to shovel the sidewalk at the bus turn-around by Clarendon Hill Towers.: RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 196353 - That the Administration take steps to address the snow related concerns affecting public safety, especially of school aged children and elderly residents, expressed in the attached letter.: RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE

Committee Meeting July 23, 2014 Public Health and Public Safety Committee Page 8 of 9 Printed 8/27/2014 195671 - That the Director of the Women's Commission appear at a future Public Health and Safety Committee meeting to update this Board on the city's domestic violence prevention efforts.: RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 195509 - That the Administration provide an update on air traffic noise over Somerville and continuing efforts to reduce this noise.: RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 195321 - That the Director of Traffic and Parking install an audio tone device for the pedestrian walk signal at Highland and College Avenues for the benefit of visually impaired individuals utilizing that crosswalk.: RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 194984 - That the Committee on Public Health and Safety request that the Executive Director of the Cambridge Health Alliance appear to explain, at a public hearing, its recent proposal to reduce funding for services to Somerville’s youth community.: RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 194939 - That this Board requests that the Cambridge Health Alliance cease, or shelve, its proposed consolidation plan until they convene stakeholders to discuss how best to meet the challenges of an ever changing health care landscape, while meeting the needs of our community.: RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 194408 - That this Board requests that representatives of the Community Assessment of Freeway Exposure and Health study and SPCD's Housing Division appear before the Committee on Public Health and Safety to discuss the recent $675,000 grant from the Kresge Foundation to address health risks to residents from I-93.: RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 193094 - That the Director of Public Health provide the Committee on Public Health and Safety with the CAFÉ study information once it's completed.: RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 192737 - That this Board’s Committee on Public Health and Safety arrange for representatives of Riverside Community Care aka Somerville Mental Health Association,

Committee Meeting July 23, 2014 Public Health and Public Safety Committee Page 9 of 9 Printed 8/27/2014 to appear before the Committee to explain where the programs are and how the City can assist them.: RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE