City Manager Letter

In response to Awaiting Report Item Number 09-126, regarding a report on exploring the possibility of requiring multiple trash pick-ups in buildings with over six units, and the rationale for not implementing rodent control programs similar to those in New York City, including requiring metal collectors in larger buildings, Public Works Commissioner Lisa Peterson reports the following:

Over the past several years, the city has taken several steps to address rodent issues and help deter the further spread of rodent populations.  Some of the most significant of these measures have been amendments to Chapter 8.24 of the Cambridge Municipal Code on Refuse and Litter, as well as the establishment of a new ordinance Chapter 8.25 on Dumpster Licenses.

In 2006 Chapter 8.24 was amended to help assure that trash placed on the curb overnight was in rodent resistant containers and further time and preparation restrictions were put in the place.  These amendments were the first steps in addressing the need to control food sources for rodents while trash was in the public right of way. In conjunction with these changes an educational campaign began which included: community meetings, development of a rodent control brochure, and establishment of a new rodent reporting hotline, a new rodent website, and the forming of an Interdepartmental Rodent Task Force.

Following the amendments to the ordinance, the Task Force worked together to gather information regarding rodent activity dating back to 2004.  A database was created to easily track calls and information, and the information was mapped electronically.    Enforcement efforts were increased both through the inspectional services department and the public works department, and in 2008 the Interdepartmental Rodent Task Force expanded to include community and institutional partners who had a shared interest and concern about rodent activity in Cambridge.  The group includes three residents and managers from Harvard and the Cambridge Housing Authority who joined staff from Inspectional Services, Public Health and DPW.  This group examined and evaluated activities and changes in local oversight authority, public outreach efforts, pilot-testing of specific interventions, evaluation of regulations, and municipal campaigns. From this process they arrived at a list of activities that the task force felt should constitute the focus of the City's efforts going forward. The top priority was the improvement to site cleanliness and sanitation through the regulation of dumpsters. (Priority #5 below)

Through the recommendations and work of this committee and other city departments, in April of 2009 Amendments were once again added to chapter 8.24 of the Municipal Code.  These amendments give more explicit control of refuse container use by multi-family dwellings to the DPW, including the ability of the DPW to refuse service due to the volume of the refuse and the capacity of the DPW to collect or Dump such refuse, and require private collection (e.g. dumpster service and/or more frequent pickup) which provisions are already in effect with respect to commercial and non-profit establishments.  Additionally Chapter 8.25 was added to the Municipal code.  The ordinance outlines a process for the licensing of all dumpsters by the Inspectional Services Department.  It requires, as of January 2010 that property owners or designated responsible parties submit an application to the city with information that will allow the city to better regulate the proper use of the dumpster.

The Task Force and its members also continue to move forward on other identified priorities related to rodent control.  Through review of publicly available information, by direct contact with counterparts in the New York City rodent control program, and by inviting Public Health Department staff with experience in social marketing to participate in strategy sessions, members have looked to make improvements in areas of education, outreach and programming needed to improve resident knowledge and responsibility.  They also seek to produce a single, well-designed web-based platform for all related rodent control resources.

In particular, Task Force members reviewed aspects of their approach that emphasized resident participation, used explanatory graphics to teach property owners and tenants how to prevent conditions that often promote rodent activity, and used GIS mapping resources to educate and serve as a "dashboard" for the progress being made across their communities.  Additionally this joint city staff/citizen committee continued to consider the possibility of training for owners, property managers and tenants to identify and control rodents with a training program that has been set up as part of the New York City program

Finally, in evaluating its progress and refining its mission the Task Force developed a list of 10 major priorities that the members feel should be accomplished in order to make significant progress on controlling rodent activity in Cambridge.  This outline of the work that still remains will provide a blueprint for efforts going forward and serve as a reminder to the Task Force members of the many parts and pieces that must be considered as they continue their work.

Public education to include: Preferred or required containers; Methods to minimize access to rodent food sources; Identification and control of harborage and burrows; Heavy use of photographs to illustrate; Send out with resident parking stickers

water bill (owners/tenants); Translate materials into Spanish and Portuguese; Develop rat portal/website like NYC; and use social marketing techniques

Resident responsibility campaign:  Identify block captains; Put together a "kit" to help residents approach their neighbors; Public recognition for residents who get involved

Assemble site clean-up assistance resources for property owners. Media campaign to highlight problem

Training academy for Property Managers and Owners, Pest Control Contractors, Homeowners, and neighborhood groups.  This could be modeled after the NYC Rodent Control course.

Dumpster Ordinance to enable the City to control improper maintenance, use, and type of dumpster by residential and commercial property owners and managers. (COMPLETED)

Clarify existing powers needed to allow the City to hire third-party contractors to clean-up properties.  This would require some explanation of which conditions or past violations will trigger this intervention.  How will financially at-risk homeowners be identified and treated?

Consider use of city resources to bait private property in certain circumstances.

Have minimum standards for pest control contractors and perhaps a list of city recommended contractors

Address problem addresses (e.g. repeated offenses related to trash) through increased/creative enforcement.  These could include requiring include multi week pick-up, and use of approved containers for storage to avoid additional pick-up mandate.  Penalties could include suspension of City collection. Publicize long-time offenders by address and use photos in newspaper and on-line.

Pilot study area to test best management practices for use of containers, aggressive enforcement, community engagement, and heightened inspection efforts.  Develop better metrics to show progress across the City and to raise the profile of the issue.  This could be made public by using maps, scorecard by area, numbers of tickets given and violations cited.