Chair and host: Dianne Lescinskas
Minutes: Doreen Miller
Guest: John Ulrich, Assistant Commissioner of Environmental Services
Also in attendance: Mary DiCicco, Heidi Moesinger, James Newton, Johnny Nguyen, Kat Tran, Celina Warot
Updates on the Rat Problem (John Ulrich)
- Environmental Services
- This is the enforcement division of the ISD sanitary code.
- There are 22 wards in the city with 14 licensed pest control inspectors.
- The pest control inspector for our ward is Mr. Nguyen.
- Once an address has been served by the constable, the owner has 7 days to correct the violations.
- Rat Problems in Our Area
- Two walk-throughs were completed.
- Over 30 addresses have been identified as problematic including but not limited to properties on the following streets in the CSHCA area:
- Mayfield Street, Pearl Street, Pleasant Street, Romsey Street, St. Wiliam’s Street, Sawyer Avenue, Savin Hill Avenue, Saxton Street, Stoughton Street, Sudan Street, Taft Street, Victoria Street, Thornley Street.
- Owners of these properties are in varying stages of compliance, ranging from no response to awaiting the pest control report to resolution of the violations.
- Large areas along Pleasant Street and its side streets along with all the sewers have been baited using one of three methods:
- Poison
- Carbon monoxide
- Dry Ice
- Mary DiCicco had a walk through at 13 Thornley Street with Jennifer Deabler and Hong to show them the signs of rat activity. Their food source was the apartment building on Pearl Street behind her home. The owners there purchased new trash barrels with secure locks. The area was baited.
- The main driver of rat infestation is food availability!
- They will get into unsecured and overflowing trash barrels.
- Dog poop is also a source of food.
- Construction may displace rats, but they are required to sign off with ISD on rodent control measures.
- The lockdown during Covid contributed to a shift in food sources, causing rats to infiltrate deeper into neighborhoods.
- Use 311 to report
- Overflowing trash barrels on a property – this will be directed immediately to city code enforcement, which will issue a fine.
- Signs of rodent activity – this will be directed to the Environmental Services rat division at ISD.
- Overflowing trash barrels at Pattens Cove should be reported to ISD, which will reach out to DCR to resolve the problem.
- ISD is working on improving communication and education programs across city and state agencies. They are working with the city council regarding the code for putting out trash the evening before pickup to eliminate vulnerable trash bags not secured in a lidded container.
- Action Items
- John Ulrich will send Dianne digital copies of educational and informational flyers in seven languages to share with the CSHCA community.
- Dianne will continue to reach out to John for unresolved and new problems, and to check back if CSHCA would like to have him speak at a general meeting.
- Tips to Control Rats
- Always use securely lidded trash containers. Plug up/repair any chewed holes in trash container lids.
- Eliminate food sources for rats.
- Dispose of dog poop properly.
- Call 311 for trash problems or any signs of rat activity.
Other Updates
- Gas Tank Encampment
- The major encampment has been removed. One tent is still there.
- Trees and shrubs that provided cover have been removed.
- The trash in the area still needs to be removed.
- Savin Hill Ballfield at McConnell– new fencing has been installed along the highway. The old fencing still needs to be removed.
- Walgreens
- There is a new manager, who has been responsive.
- There are new barrels with secure locks.
- Trash pick-up will be daily under a new vendor.
- There is no information about the future of the property under the new owner.
- Trash along Morrissey Boulevard
- There is significant trash along Morrissey.
- Dianne will check in with Representative Dan Hunt to address the issue.
- Fox Point Road Collapsed Guardrail
- The old guardrail collapsed and is holding back the dirt that has eroded over the years.
- DCR and the city are looking into who is responsible for its replacement.
- In the meantime, it continues to be an accident waiting to happen as residents there have reported screeching brakes in the middle of the night as confused drivers suddenly realize it is not a through street.
- Littering Along Major Roadways
- Dianne will ask Representative Hunt if there is any state initiative to address littering along our roadways.
- Litter finds its way off the highway into our waterways and onto our beaches putting health and wildlife at risk.
- Suggestions to address litter include:
- A sound wall (litter wall) along the highway would help to contain the litter and keep our beaches cleaner.
- The state should resurrect PSA’s to educate people on proper litter disposal.
- Signs about littering and fines should be placed along roadways.
- Litter laws need to be enforced.
- Standing Water in a Private Skating Rink on Savin Hill Lane
- As temperatures climb to be steadily above 50 degrees, mosquitoes will start to breed in stagnant water creating a potential health problem.
- A neighbor reached out to Councilor Baker last week to address this issue as he is a relative of the person who lives there but has seen no effort to remove the rink.
- Dianne will also reach out to Councilor Baker to try to get this issue resolved quickly.