Committee Report - PHPS - 3 25-15 — File 198666

Public Health and Public Safety Committee Page 1 of 3 Printed 3/26/2015 March 25, 2015 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 Maryann Heuston, Doug Kress - Health, Corey Mashburn - SCAP, Tom Ross - SFD, Robert Hodnett - SFD, Goran Smiljic - ISD, JoAnn Rivieccio - SOA, Omar Boukili - Mayor's Office, and representatives of Cambridge Health Alliance 1. Approval of the December 10, 2014 Minutes RESULT: ACCEPTED 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. Representatives of Cambridge Health Alliance (CHA) spoke about some of the many services offered by their agency, which operates predominately in 5 different communities. CHA formed a partnership with Somerville over the years, supporting Shape Up Somerville and piloting programs with Somerville’s Teen Empowerment and Head Start programs. Representatives reported that there is a 41% rate of food insecurity in the city and that there are approximately 100 homeless students in the Somerville school system. Among the topics discussed were: the health of the community, a 2011 report on the well being of Somerville, outreach to isolated seniors and the outpatient addiction program at their Central Street location. Chairman Connolly read a few emails submitted from the community asking questions about recovery coaches and sensitivity training for CHA staff. The committee directed the city’s Substance Abuse Coordinator to attend the next available meeting.

Public Health and Public Safety Committee Page 2 of 3 Printed 3/26/2015 RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 198424: That the Director of Purchasing and the Director of Capital Projects inform this Board about the faulty bid submissions for a new modular structure to house Engine 3, and a plan for fast tracking such a structure, and that the Chief Fire Engineer inform this Board about current fire protection in the Union Square area. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 198376: That the Administration consider employing a Substance Abuse Coordinator to assist our city's families. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 198383: That the Director of SPCD dispatch the NIT team to inspect 135 Lowell Street for building, health and/or zoning code violations. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 198579: That the Director of SPCD (ISD) inspect the Rent a Center store on Broadway for trash and other violations. Alderman Heuston’s motion that ISD perform weekly inspections of the Rent-a-Center store on Broadway for trash and other violations, was approved. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 198582: That the Director of SPCD (ISD) inspect Walnut Street between Medford and Pearl Streets for possible chemical spills. According to Smiljic, the spill is not there any longer. Alderman Connolly’s motion that ISD perform weekly inspections of Walnut Street, between Medford and Pearl Streets, for any signs of a chemical spill, was approved. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 198256: DPW Commissioner responding to various Board Orders submitted 11/13/14. 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,

Public Health and Public Safety Committee Page 3 of 3 Printed 3/26/2015 to appear before the Committee to explain where the programs are and how the City can assist them. 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 197962: That the Administration and NSTAR provide this Board with an update regarding the numerous blackouts in East Somerville and the surrounding neighborhoods. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 198097: That the Director of SPCD update this Board on its public education campaign concerning appropriate bicycling in central business districts. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE