Public Health and Public Safety Committee

October 30, 2025
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Public Health and Public Safety Committee Meeting Minutes

Meeting Date: June 9th, 2025 Governing Body: City Council Committee Type of Meeting: Remote Participation

Attendees:

  • Councilor J.T. Scott
  • Councilor Jesse Clingan
  • Councilor Matt McLaughlin
  • Councilor Lance Davis (Special Guest)
  • Liaison Hunter
  • Nikki Spencer, Chief of Staff
  • Andy Benvenuto, Community Health Worker Manager
  • Michael Potier, Licensing Operations Manager
  • Rachel Nancarney, Director of Economic Development
  • Dana Whiteside, Deputy Director

Executive Summary: The Public Health and Public Safety Committee meeting addressed several key issues including the approval of previous meeting minutes, a comprehensive discussion on homelessness in Davis Square and city-wide, an update on emergency notification protocols, and a review of outdoor seating policies for small businesses. The committee also briefly touched upon business permitting changes and fire department facility maintenance. Significant discussion revolved around the city's efforts to provide storage solutions for unhoused individuals, manage abandoned items in public spaces, and expand outreach efforts.

1. Approval of the Minutes of the Public Health and Public Safety Committee Meeting of June 9th, 2025 (Agenda Item 125-1109)

  • Discussion: Councilor Scott moved to approve the minutes.
  • Vote:
    • Councilor Scott: Yes
    • Councilor Clingan: Yes
  • Outcome: Approved.

2. Homelessness and Public Space Management in Davis Square and City-Wide (Agenda Items 225-1563, 325-1562, 425-1561, 525-1353)

This section combined discussion for the following agenda items:

  • Agenda Item 225-1563: Administration to provide data on needles found in and around Davis Square.
  • Agenda Item 325-1562: Administration to discuss the need for additional alternative locations for people to store belongings.
  • Agenda Item 425-1561: Administration to discuss the process for removing abandoned items from public spaces.
  • Agenda Item 525-1353: Administration to direct relevant departments to discuss an update on current unhoused outreach efforts.

2.1 Data on Needles Found in Davis Square (Agenda Item 225-1563)

  • Summary of Discussion: Liaison Hunter reported that a memo and spreadsheet detailing sharps and related paraphernalia collected by ISD had been submitted.
  • Outcome: Councilor Davis expressed satisfaction with the initial response but indicated a desire to review the data further offline. The item was marked work complete.

2.2 Need for Additional Alternative Locations for Belongings (Agenda Item 325-1562)

  • Summary of Discussion: Chief of Staff Nikki Spencer confirmed the need for additional storage solutions for unhoused residents.
    • Current Solutions:
      • Somerville Homeless Coalition (SHC) offers limited lockers.
      • DPW provides a small container for urgent item removal, requiring coordination with outreach workers and SHC for retrieval.
    • Short-Term Solution: DPW and HHS are brainstorming options for a larger storage solution for bulkier items, acknowledging it may not offer regular access.
    • Long-Term Solution: Research is underway on models from other cities, often involving contracting services to local non-profits. Key considerations include:
      • Sufficient space and facilities.
      • Staffing for supervision (24/7 or limited hours).
      • Clear expectations for storable items.
      • Management of safety hazards (perishable food, pests, sharps).
      • Policies for unclaimed property.
  • Councilor Davis's Comments: Emphasized the importance of finding solutions for coexistence between unhoused individuals and the broader community, avoiding inhumane approaches. He thanked the administration for their proactive approach.
  • Councilor Scott's Comments: Appreciated the focus on SHC's expertise in these discussions, highlighting their knowledge of individuals in the park and their role in facilitating solutions.
  • Discussion on White Church Building: Councilor Scott inquired about the potential use of the former church building in Davis Square for storage.
    • Councilor Davis noted it has been used for storage in the past and is part of ongoing discussions for future community use.
    • Chief of Staff Spencer stated that all options are being considered, but accessibility for staff to regularly access stored items is a key factor.
  • Outcome: The item was marked work complete.

2.3 Process for Removing Abandoned Items from Public Spaces (Agenda Item 425-1561)

  • Summary of Discussion: Chief of Staff Nikki Spencer detailed the city's evolving protocol for unattended personal items, emphasizing a balance between public concerns and the well-being of unhoused individuals.
    • Protocol Steps:
      1. Triage: Assess for safety issues (biohazards, sharps, weapons, rotting perishables, fire starters).
      2. Immediate Removal: Items posing immediate safety hazards, blocking egress, or located in sensitive areas (schoolyards, playgrounds) are removed immediately.
      3. Storage: Salvageable belongings are stored, and efforts are made to identify and reunite them with owners.
      4. Abandonment Determination: If no immediate hazard, a process begins to determine if items are truly abandoned or temporarily unattended, often involving SHC.
    • Key Quote: "When Mayor Ballantyne first came into office, we found that sometimes the first instinct was to just remove things right away. And we know from a lot of public health research, there can be really dire consequences for unhoused people when personal items are discarded."
    • 311 System: Residents are encouraged to use 311 to report concerns, which initiates the protocol and can connect individuals with services.
  • Councilor Davis's Comments: Sought clarification on whether soiled or damaged items constituting a biohazard could be removed. Chief of Staff Spencer confirmed this is accurate and encouraged 311 reports.
  • Outcome: The item was marked work complete.

2.4 Update on Unhoused Outreach Efforts (Agenda Item 525-1353)

  • Summary of Discussion: Andy Benvenuto, Community Health Worker Manager, provided an update on the city's outreach efforts.
    • Team Structure: Four Community Health Workers (CHWs) plus manager. Two generalist CHWs, one focused on harm reduction, and one regional CHW in a clinical setting. All are involved in street outreach.
    • Client Encounters: Over 150 client encounters in September and October alone, including assistance with SNAP/MassHealth applications, referrals, and supply distribution.
    • Supplies Distributed: Winter gear (hats, underwear, socks, hand warmers, gloves), non-perishable food, water bottles, and harm reduction supplies (test strips, CPR barriers, naloxone/Narcan).
    • Outreach Schedule: Minimum of three days/week, with two days consistently in Davis Square (Statue Park, Seven Hills, Community Path) and East Somerville (Foss Park, Chuckie Harris Park, Broadway, Stop & Shop area).
    • Coordination: Staggers outreach with Somerville Homeless Coalition and Fenway Health to avoid duplication. Informs schedule based on weekly huddles with city leadership and 311 alerts (chw@SomervilleMA.gov).
    • Language Capacity: Team members speak English, Spanish, Portuguese, Haitian Creole, and Arabic.
    • Sharps Disposal: Distributes personal sharps disposals and stickers outlining public kiosk locations and safe disposal alternatives. "Be a good neighbor" campaign for messaging.
    • Funding for Harm Reduction Supplies: Councilor Scott inquired about the funding source. Liaison Hunter confirmed that opioid abatement funds and prevention office funds are used, noting recent requests to the Finance Committee for these expenditures.
    • East Somerville Update: Outreach is most effective in the mornings. Noted a decreased presence of unhoused individuals but strong engagement and trust with the team.
    • Holman Site: Councilor Clingan inquired about individuals at the temporary pocket park. Ms. Benvenuto stated SHC is the main point of contact and these individuals have been long-term clients.
  • Outcome: The item was marked work complete. Ms. Benvenuto was thanked for her informative presentation and invited to return for future discussions.

3. Emergency Notification Protocols (Agenda Item 625-1340)

  • Agenda Item 625-1340: That the Director of Emergency Management and Mayor notify City Councilors in real-time when emergency events are occurring.
  • Summary of Discussion: Liaison Hunter provided an update.
    • Current Procedure: Ward Councilors are notified via IGA when an emergency occurs in their ward.
    • Feedback: At-Large Councilors have requested more notification.
    • Ongoing Work: The administration is working on streamlining internal processes to ensure appropriate notification without adding to the chaos of an emergency situation.
  • Councilor McLaughlin's Comments: Acknowledged the impracticality of real-time notification for all councilors during an emergency, stating that he receives updates from IGA and other sources.
  • Outcome: The item was marked work complete.

4. Outdoor Seating Policies for Small Businesses (Agenda Item 725-1180)

  • Agenda Item 725-1180: That the Director of Economic Development and City Clerk discuss with this council policies regarding outdoor seating and how the city may make it easier and less expensive for small businesses.
  • Summary of Discussion: Michael Potier, Licensing Operations Manager, and Rachel Nancarney, Director of Economic Development, presented.
    • Making it Easier:
      • Standardized initial application with detailed instructions and required materials.
      • Streamlined renewal process implemented this week, involving ISD and Fire departments.
      • 20% of renewals already submitted in the first week, a significant improvement.
    • Making it Less Expensive:
      • Current fee structure was established in 2023 after comprehensive public outreach led by Economic Development.
      • Fees were set for reevaluation in Fiscal Year 2027.
      • Discussions for potential changes will begin in early 2026 to align with the annual budget review and allow participation from the new administration.
    • Revenue: Annual revenue from outdoor seating using public space for FY2025 is approximately $105,000.
    • Fee Structure:
      • First 450 square feet: $3 per square foot.
      • Above 450 square feet: $6 per square foot.
      • This fee is applied uniformly across all public spaces used for outdoor dining, regardless of whether it displaces parking or uses existing sidewalk space.
      • The fee aims to balance the cost of providing the space with the benefit to businesses, acknowledging that the true cost to the city exceeds the fee.
  • Councilor McLaughlin's Comments: Expressed support for outdoor seating, noting that some businesses have opted out due to fees. Suggested considering regional or block-specific plans, especially for areas like East Broadway with generous sidewalks. Emphasized the desire to expand outdoor seating and walkability, potentially prioritizing it over direct revenue from fees, hoping for increased overall revenue.
  • Outcome: The item was marked work complete, with an understanding that further discussions will occur in early 2026.

5. Business Permitting Changes and Risk Categorization (Agenda Item 825-0923)

  • Agenda Item 825-0923: That the Director of Inspectional Services appear before this Council to discuss recent changes to business permitting in relation to risk categorization and the impact they may have on businesses.
  • Summary of Discussion: ISD was not present.
  • Outcome: The item was left in committee.

6. Fire Department Facilities Maintenance (Agenda Item 1025-0064)

  • Agenda Item 1025-0064: The Chief Fire Engineer and the Commissioner of Public Works discuss with this council how to ensure fire department facilities are well maintained.
  • Summary of Discussion: Liaison Hunter presented a memo outlining shared responsibilities between the Fire Department and DPW.
    • DPW Responsibilities: General maintenance, including sheetrock repairs, flooring tiles.
    • Fire Department Responsibilities: Staff identify needs quickly due to 24/7 staffing and channel requests through 311.
  • Councilor Scott's Comments: Raised concerns about long-standing complaints from firefighters regarding facility conditions. Inquired about tracking 311 tickets for facility repairs, including turnaround times. Acknowledged the complexity of tracking and the potential for offline follow-up.
  • Liaison Hunter's Response: Confirmed that 311 records can provide data on ticket submission and closure times. Offered to gather this data for the past one to two years.
  • Outcome: The item was marked work complete, with Councilor Scott indicating he would explore the issue further offline and potentially bring a targeted item back to the committee if needed.

Adjournment:

  • Motion: Councilor Scott moved to adjourn.
  • Vote:
    • Councilor Scott: Yes
    • Councilor Clingan: Yes
    • Councilor McLaughlin: Yes
  • Outcome: The meeting was adjourned.

Last updated: Nov 5, 2025

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