Committee Report - PHPS - 12-10-14 — File 198224

December 10, 2014 Public Health and Public Safety Committee Page 1 of 5 Printed 12/11/2014 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, Wig Zamore (Somerville's representative to the CAC), ADA Coordinator Betsy Allen, Chief Fire Engineer Kevin Kelleher, Deputy Fire Chief Patrick Sullivan, Kelly Donato, Alex Bob, Ellin Reisner, Doug Brugge (Tufts) Approval of the Minutes of November 03, 2014 RESULT: ACCEPTED Approval of the Minutes of November 19, 2014 RESULT: ACCEPTED 198104 - That the Chief Fire Engineer appear at this Board's December 10 Public Health and Safety Committee meeting to report on the Fire Department this past year and the forecast for 2015, preferably in writing.: Chief Kelleher gave an update of activities for the Fire Department. Among the issues covered were: • the use of Narcan, which was used successfully in 19 of 25 incidents, • the inclusion of EPI-PENS on all fire apparatus, • grants for various equipment and safety programs, • new equipment purchases, • rehabilitation of apparatus, • maintenance improvements,

Committee Meeting December 10, 2014 Public Health and Public Safety Committee Page 2 of 5 Printed 12/11/2014 • fire fighter training (pump training, rope rescue, structural collapse, building construction & collapse, decontamination, shoring, big rig stabilization, auto extrication, torch use, confined space rescue awareness, use of thermal imaging cameras, incident safety, advanced fire investigation, commanding & controlling a MayDay, ethanol spills & fires, hydrogen cyanide, vehicle fires, natural gas safety, use of belt trauma kits, medical training, • fire prevention Chief Kelleher explained the mutual aid process and will provide data for the past 2 years. Chairman Connolly requested that the Chief keep the committee apprised of any plans for fire protection services for Assembly Square. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 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.: MassPort notified the committee that representatives would not be attending this meeting due to a previously scheduled commitment. The FAA notified the committee that representatives would not be attending this meeting for a variety of reasons and suggested that the committee, instead, obtain information through the Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC), of which the City of Somerville is a participant. To that end, Mr. Zamore appeared before the committee. (See item 195509) RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 195509 - That the Administration provide an update on air traffic noise over Somerville and continuing efforts to reduce this noise.: Mr. Zamore, Somerville’s representative to the Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC), spoke about the lack of information available to the public and he discussed noise studies that have taken place over the past several years. A new committee has been legislated, the MassPort Civic Advisory Committee (MCAC), to further explore this issue. This new committee will be comprised of representative from 31 surrounding communities and will also have a seat on MassPort Board of Directors. Each community will have one representative on the committee, except Boston, who will have six. This committee will be able to take up longer term changes. Mr. Zamore explained that spreading flights out over a wider area would lessen the air traffic noise over Somerville, but would increase it in other communities. Essentially, the noise isn’t going away - the question is where will it go? The FAA has recently begun a program of examining noise abatement options over four 3-month periods. Mr. Zamore also spoke about a recent study of air pollution caused by air traffic at LAX.

Committee Meeting December 10, 2014 Public Health and Public Safety Committee Page 3 of 5 Printed 12/11/2014 Alderman Rossetti referenced constituent emails dealing with concerns from other communities. Alderman Rossetti’s motion that the Administration contact Boston’s Mayor Walsh to urge him to appoint Boston’s representatives to the new MassPort Civic Advisory Committee, as expeditiously as possible, so that this committee may begin it’s work of dealing with various air traffic issues, was approved. 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.: Ms. Allen reported that 1 claim was closed and another was settled without any financial aspect. At the present time, there are no pending claims against the city. The East and West libraries were discussed, as was the Brown School (which is grand fathered). Work at the East Branch library, including curb ramps, bathroom upgrades and overcrowding issues should be completed in the next few months. Other buildings needing attention are City Hall, City Hall Annex, the recreation building and the Brown School. In the case of the Brown School, if work exceeds a certain dollar amount, then a trigger would be pulled requiring that more extensive updates be performed. 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 the recent meeting with VinFen. The Department of Mental Health and VinFen have come up with detailed plans to increase the safety of neighbors. Alderman Niedergang stated that he has not received additional complaints from neighbors. The committee will remain cognizant of the matter to ensure that the safety of the neighborhood is maintained. 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.: Chairman Connolly reported that representatives will be meeting with the committee in January. Alderman Rossetti informed members that Somerville Overcoming Addiction would like to be notified of the date of that future meeting so that they might participate.

Committee Meeting December 10, 2014 Public Health and Public Safety Committee Page 4 of 5 Printed 12/11/2014 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.: Mr. Brugge and Ms. Reisner spoke on the item and explained that Tufts is the primary grantee and Somerville is the secondary grantee of a $45,000 grant from the Kresge Foundation. Much data has been collected and statistical models have been developed. Key pieces of the study are nearing completion and more information will be forthcoming over the next 3-6 months. As soon as a plan is finalized, there will be a public release. Chairman Connolly requested that the committee be apprised of the plan’s release so that the committee might assist in getting the information out to the public. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 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 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.: The Police Chief will provide an update on this item in the spring. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 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.: Chairman Connolly reported that the sign will be installed

Committee Meeting December 10, 2014 Public Health and Public Safety Committee Page 5 of 5 Printed 12/11/2014 RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 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.: Chairman Connolly reported that fines have and will continue to be levied until the issues are resolved. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 197960 - That the Director of SPCD (ISD) investigate 50 Tufts Street for possible ordinance violations.: Chairman Connolly reported that numerous violations have been levied and that the matter is now resolved RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 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 197969 - That the Commissioner of Public Works repair the street light at the corner of Prospect Street and Somerville Avenue.: This has been repaired. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 198097 - That the Director of SPCD update this Board on its public education campaign concerning appropriate bicycling in central business districts.: Alderman Niedergang stated that the Communications Department, the Police Department and the Bicycle Committee need to be involved in getting a multi-language educational campaign underway. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 198099 - That the Chief Fire Engineer explain the emergency procedures associated with gaining access to residents at Housing Authority buildings.: Chief Kelleher explained the procedure for gaining access and he will provide data on the number of calls/access incidents at SHA buildings. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED