Public Health and Public Safety Committee – Nov 10, 2026

City of Somerville, Massachusetts Public Health and Public Safety Committee

Regular Meeting Agenda

Tuesday, November 10, 2026

6:30 PM

Virtual

https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_clRQUjFoQ7OUIY6iAf_bgQ

(Posted online: 10/23/26 at 9:30 AM)

Pursuant to Chapter 2 of the Acts of 2025, this meeting of a City Council Committee will be conducted via remote participation. We will post an audio recording, audio-video recording, transcript, or other comprehensive record of these proceedings as soon as possible after the meeting on the City of Somerville website and local cable access government channels.

Copy & paste the following link into your internet browser to view this meeting live: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_clRQUjFoQ7OUIY6iAf_bgQ

Persons with disabilities who need auxiliary aids and services for effective communication (i.e., CART, ASL), written materials in alternative formats, or reasonable modifications in policies and procedures in order to access the programs, activities, and meetings of the City of Somerville should contact the ADA Coordinator in advance at 617-625-6600 x 2059 or ADA@somervillema.gov.

Roll Call

1. Committee

Agenda Ready: Approval of the Minutes of the Public

Minutes

Health and Public Safety Committee Meeting of (ID # 26-1516 ) September 30, 2026.

2. Resolution

Sent for Discussion: By Councilor Link and Councilor

(ID # 26-1500 ) McLaughlin

In support of meeting spaces for Alcoholics Anonymous.

3. Public

Sent for Discussion: Barbara Phillips submitting

Communication comments re: Warming Center.

(ID # 26-1478 )

Public Health and Public Safety

Regular Meeting Agenda

November 10, 2026

Committee

4. Order

Sent for Discussion: By Councilor Wheeler, Councilor

(ID # 26-1421 ) Hardt and Councilor Sait

That, in view of the proliferation of rats in the city, the Director of Public Health and/or designees update this

Council on the status of dumpster license registration and enforcement, including: estimates of the numbers of licensed and unlicensed dumpsters in the city which

regularly contain discarded food; procedures for identifying unlicensed dumpsters and encouraging

licensing; criteria for approval of dumpsters; staff capacity for dumpster inspection and enforcement; and current methods and best practices for excluding rodents

• from dumpsters.

5. Officer's

Sent for Discussion: Director of Emergency

• Communication Management conveying the 2025-2026 Cummings
• (ID # 26-1339 ) School Winter Warming Center After Action Report and

Improvement Plan.

6. Resolution

Sent for Discussion: By Councilor Strezo

(ID # 26-1305 ) That the Director of Health and Human Services discuss

• the street harassment reported by abutters and pedestrians

on Prescott Street, School Street and the area surrounding the Warming Center (when it is open) and what steps are being taken to address this going forward.

7. Public

Referred for Recommendation: Gilman Square

Communication Neighborhood Council submitting comments re:

(ID # 26-0493 ) McGrath Boulevard.

8. Resolution

Sent for Discussion: By Councilor McLaughlin and (ID # 26-0106 ) Councilor Davis

That the Administration provide monthly updates to the Committee on Public Health and Public Safety on

• progress towards addressing homelessness in Somerville.