Committee Report - PHPS - 11-19-14 — File 198116

November 19, 2014 Public Health and Public Safety Committee Page 1 of 4 Printed 11/21/2014 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: Chief David Fallon - SPD, Stan Koty 197956 - That the Chief of Police appear before the Public Health and Safety Committee to report on the current and future progress of the Police Dept.: Chief Fallon reported that crime in the city is trending downward, but noted that there is a regional increase in airbag thefts. Chief Fallon spoke about increased walking patrols, community policing, training programs, the use of social media and the department’s work with the schools and the city’s youth. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 197886 - That the Chief of Police and representatives of the Administration report to this Board on the safety of neighbors of the Vinfen group home at 155 Central Street, and on discussions with Vinfen, DMH, and Somerville's state legislative delegation.: Alderman Niedergang gave an update on this item. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 197957 - That the Commissioner of Public Works report to the Committee on Public Health and Safety on the streetlamp repair contractor and the repairs of streetlamps.: Mr. Koty reported that there are 53lighting problems that are unanswered by the repair vendor, Siemens. The DPW is working with the vendor and Mass Highway to resolve these issues. Since the beginning of November, 46 repair requests have been submitted. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED

Committee Meeting November 19, 2014 Public Health and Public Safety Committee Page 2 of 4 Printed 11/21/2014 197718 - That the Commissioner of Public Works report to this Board any legal action with respect to the broken solar trash barrels in Davis Square and elsewhere.: Mr. Koty stated that the barrels are 3-5 years old. The city will explore purchasing additional barrels, at a cost of $4,500 - $5,000 each. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 197969 - That the Commissioner of Public Works repair the street light at the corner of Prospect Street and Somerville Avenue.: Mr. Koty discussed the situation with the vendor. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 197961 - That the Commissioner of Public Works notify NStar to provide justification for its proposal to cut down a tree on Gilman Terrace to make room for its wires.: Mr. Koty stated that the tree caught fire and utility wires were tangled in its branches. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 192737 - That this Board’s Committee on Public Health and Safety arrange for representatives of Riverside Community Care aka Somerville Mental Health Association, to appear before the Committee to explain where the programs are and how the City can assist them.: 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 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 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

Committee Meeting November 19, 2014 Public Health and Public Safety Committee Page 3 of 4 Printed 11/21/2014 the status of plans to improve access to City buildings and sidewalks, including the East and West Branch Libraries.: 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 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 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.: 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 197713 - That the Director of SPCD (ISD) inspect the property at the corner of Broadway and McGrath Highway (formerly a gas station), and issue fines where appropriate.: RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 197960 - That the Director of SPCD (ISD) investigate 50 Tufts Street for possible ordinance violations.: RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 197962 - That the Administration and NSTAR provide this Board with an update regarding the numerous blackouts in East Somerville and the surrounding neighborhoods.: RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE

Committee Meeting November 19, 2014 Public Health and Public Safety Committee Page 4 of 4 Printed 11/21/2014 197997 - That the Clerk of Committees invite representatives from MassPort and the FAA to attend a future meeting to discuss air traffic noise over Somerville.: Officials will be invited to the December 10th meeting of the committee, RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE