[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6341316,"mediaKeyId","2257165-7445479fc674235144b71e0321207c1c","parentId",2257165,"title","Somerville inspectional services details sidewalk‑clearing enforcement after winter storm","audioSeconds",369,"startMs",2420000,"endMs",2789000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2257165-7445479fc674235144b71e0321207c1c&start=2420&end=2789","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2257165-7445479fc674235144b71e0321207c1c/thumbnail_2420000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6341316/Somerville-City/Middlesex-County/Massachusetts/Somerville-inspectional-services-details-sidewalkclearing-enforcement-after-winter-storm","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6341316-6dfc902d41fff16eac1fd8059f08347b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771170338&Signature=VNmIPcTMOPJttZhiKNky~g5xc3lxs0pfevRRZyBSfTUfpVAQjp2gzrlW2Fi~7qNflR-mkTBwNdPoq6Dv6tUjLsnOvpt0RQdxFcaTlI-nMqtZew3OoqV4JvfL70za2a0uodc01awMhncg6SXZqXCpxhal7bF2syWg0Oedb0LANVji8O7PApYjvphZYj8EAu~oxzDgjDsOMMmU5tIcAZv9cuSYVB7BZ50l0uZwURzImu6tTHkXcPKe4Nt7CVx1alAUn4JZzo5Let512FlWvb4nk7FvjYpHMMQaDg0fEEcPfZrcCP8wchBI3iteYCk2iNUvpnNID0t4KhvGzYsB-TYUSg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Somerville City, MA","date","2025-02-11T00:00:00Z","article","Director Antana Vittgo of Inspectional Services told the committee on Feb. 10 that the city enforces sidewalk clearing after snowstorms according to an ordinance that affords a six‑hour daylight grace period after accumulation. The department notifies 311, communications, DPW and the mayor's office when the grace period ends and then deploys inspectors.

Vittgo said inspectors prioritize vulnerable areas — assisted‑living facilities, hospitals and schools — then proceed to designated enhanced enforcement corridors such as Broadway and School Street before following up on 311 complaints. \"Once the storm finishes, we have 6 hours of daylight. The ordinance allows for 6 hours of daylight to clear as part of a grace period,\" Vittgo said.

The director said enforcement teams generally include seven to 10 staff on ticketing days; building and fire inspectors also check egress paths for places of assembly and multi‑unit residential buildings. Vittgo said approximately 100 tickets were issued for the most recent storm; residential fines start at $50 and commercial fines at $100, escalating on repeat violations.

Councilors asked about protections for seniors and residents with mobility limitations. Vittgo said the city runs a youth shoveling program and that tickets are appealable to ISD or to the city's hearing officer, who holds hearings twice monthly. The department mails tickets and leaves door hangers to notify occupants.

Councilors requested a written snow enforcement procedure describing routes, prioritization and staffing; Vittgo agreed to provide that to the committee.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Somerville City Public Utilities and Public Works - 2025-02-10","oneSentenceSummary","Inspectional Services described a six‑hour daylight grace period after snow events, prioritized enforcement (assisted‑living/hospitals, schools, enhanced enforcement corridors) and said staff issued about 100 tickets for the recent storm; tickets are appealable and a shoveling program exists for seniors.","taxTitle","Somerville City, Middlesex County, Massachusetts","taxId",4564,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6341321,"Somerville debates repairs, access and future use at 165 Broadway city building",1038,1484000,2522000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2257165-7445479fc674235144b71e0321207c1c&start=1484&end=2522","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2257165-7445479fc674235144b71e0321207c1c/thumbnail_1484000.jpg","/articles/6341321/Somerville-City/Middlesex-County/Massachusetts/Somerville-debates-repairs-access-and-future-use-at-165-Broadway-city-building","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6341321-82c30cf4b064e7075de7033772c3aea1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771170338&Signature=HhqC2Y1uzbJih0vI7mw7nrxKOrQYpu~6ltKpESzE977vz70dAQGnVqtkGOeJrPjZDGz~ZFc2e4XwbFnKu9REe-eU~NB2miWINBhO4aUUkPknuPYCNnkp5-QKMziL1I3~ZvJSJ6utiX~Iu7IbO7aNNx5AjI5m026CCP~9AOhe6v79LeccC2iDjteFoJkA8i3saViTqIWawqpgtMKM3F6S2GGzBuYzSw-J~uXJb~IHgCx8BqKL7pNwtv9OoIrcy4m1~CfTb2O7LJi4-G9ulwZzJr5lbtFXtiZXancBifpsKKgby7kES11--lEBtVGTO3ikR8wNTIf8IwAXcLRFW7mBlg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The committee held an extended discussion on multiple orders related to city‑owned 165 Broadway, a building housing youth programs, storage and several nonprofit tenants.

Commissioner Joe Lathan of the Department of Public Works told the committee DPW has responded to 311 maintenance requests for the building and removed hazards when identified. He described unsanitary conditions found in a shared kitchen — \"a box of literally rotted pumpkins...moldy coffee grinds\" — and said custodial staff handle routine cleaning but are not responsible for stewarding tenant spaces. Lathan said blocked fire‑escape stairs and prohibited portable heaters were removed when found.

Liaison Hunter and HHS staff told the committee a memo attached to the agenda documents an ongoing process to archive sensitive files and box staff personal effects; HHS must complete that work before DPW movers will relocate stored materials. HHS expects completion in early spring, after which DPW can move items and the space could be repurposed for Teen Empowerment programming.

Councilors raised questions about whether the nonprofits using parts of the building (including Teen Empowerment and Project Soup) have formal leases or memoranda of understanding. The committee requested follow‑up to identify any written occupancy agreements.

On arts programming, liaison Hunter said the Arts Council can help identify an artist to work with youth on murals, but DPW must first approve specific walls and paint/protection plans: \"painting on city walls...has to have some sort of approval,\" Hunter said.

On accessibility, the administration's infrastructure team cited a prior 2021 estimate of roughly $15,000,000 to install an elevator and make building mechanical and spatial changes required for full Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance. The administration said the building is on a list of city facilities that need improvements, but large capital funds are required and 165 Broadway will be considered alongside other older city buildings.

The committee left some items \"work complete\" (maintenance follow‑up and clearing by HHS) and retained the ADA accessibility orders in committee pending production of the 2021 estimate and additional details about costs and options.","Councilors and staff discussed maintenance, storage clearing, youth murals, ADA accessibility and occupancy arrangements at city‑owned 165 Broadway; DPW has addressed 311 requests but HHS must clear stored documents before space can be repurposed; a 2021 estimate to make the building fully ADA‑compliant was cited at $15 million.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6341325,"Somerville tests beet-juice additive in brine to reduce road salt use",602,706000,1308000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2257165-7445479fc674235144b71e0321207c1c&start=706&end=1308","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2257165-7445479fc674235144b71e0321207c1c/thumbnail_706000.jpg","/articles/6341325/Somerville-City/Middlesex-County/Massachusetts/Somerville-tests-beet-juice-additive-in-brine-to-reduce-road-salt-use","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6341325-69148030d54fc927ba15de1ff18951bf/orig.mp4?Expires=1771170338&Signature=bL-Z3GTKqFVQ1hF4bBTwEMGbTmHBpKlui92hM9r5gPLhIaMzKVrtbm0QujyPvTYRuzg7g~mcKNodtPZhFrdYxcGe1dZFk4qo8ODL17cnUl~Y9i7Pm9VdiU2u6rdFpSFgrcnW8-y7cqixGoYr8UOXYbzNAkbaKNYvuLpbkxUk3jKX3m1EeLouXoW~TEhOLzy9dIm8r2IoWGUr4ye2Ezgxlb7QgB2qledtkbSMzckWnkK4ERfmxefnLauZnPybJgnphC47Ujk-fMIAYo0ZHJz4oh4bdJHYJ97rJwlAybK54HrhLKYiaRZbMlM812KJ5lbZL4VTMgR~nRGGJH0~R4yVRA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Somerville's Department of Public Works has begun adding beet-juice byproduct to its salt‑brine pretreatment on main roads, Commissioner Joe Lathan told the Committee on Public Utilities and Public Works on Feb. 10.

\"Beet juice kinda helps lower the freezing temperature of the salt brine,\" Commissioner Lathan said. He said the additive helps the brine adhere and stay on pavement longer so melting begins when snow hits the road, potentially reducing long‑term salt use.

Lathan described the operational limits: brining (with or without beet juice) is most effective when storms do not begin with heavy rain or freezing rain that would wash the pretreatment away. The city currently uses two dedicated brine trucks and treats mains and cross streets; early tests showed better results on roads with traffic because the treatment activates when driven on.

Councilors asked about environmental and pest impacts. Lathan said the goal is environmental — to reduce road salt runoff — and that the department is collecting data to measure whether brining with beet juice reduces total salt tonnage per storm. He said DPW has not observed increased rodent activity related to beet juice and described the product as a salt‑water mixture with an added sugar component.

DPW staff said the treatment may leave a pinkish tint on pavement and noted it has been tested on some residential streets but has been concentrated on mains because activation depends on vehicle traffic. The committee did not take formal action; DPW will continue data collection and targeted use.","DPW reported the city has added beet juice to a brine pretreatment mix on main roads to lower freezing point and reduce salt use; use is situational and limited to mains and cross streets.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6341330,"Somerville probes new water meters after residents report false leak readings",495,160000,655000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2257165-7445479fc674235144b71e0321207c1c&start=160&end=655","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2257165-7445479fc674235144b71e0321207c1c/thumbnail_160000.jpg","/articles/6341330/Somerville-City/Middlesex-County/Massachusetts/Somerville-probes-new-water-meters-after-residents-report-false-leak-readings","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6341330-3d1cca5d61a2715b2eccae274b871f09/orig.mp4?Expires=1771170338&Signature=c2z2z~UUH0Ekp-atv7d8CNEESgFL3DCxLPw4z5mIrk31wk3PGpIuN9Kq08GHv1~geDzASXm6yeN9OsxjtbUPwm7Kvl~YkpxIrDG9Qo4wCws3SYOmAV5kmsuLDfq2IullwvTFUzdmt1BKGUySUjlv2scj5UeIVSK~SBpOIoYCaLllOEjOeJqMf7h59svc9CYqz01crXgPjwi8x1kHyxQqCXiyteTZRPDxbEOTRbIzIufqYOzFP-sp4qOup03PYZdR1SPL2A3rUEAT2~3sguiqs773stpBZpGAtKE6wvlH21PK2BpP4xa5u84eoR5vTAsJMEOkLhhO3G-26u73FOn9Pw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Chair Jesse Klingen convened the Somerville City Council Committee on Public Utilities and Public Works on Feb. 10 and opened discussion of an order asking the director of water and sewer to address resident claims that newly installed water meters were falsely recording air pockets as leaks.

The committee heard from Liaison Hutter, who said the administration is \"investigating this very seriously\" and working with city staff and the vendor that installed the meters. \"We are...working throughout our department and with the vendor that's involved in the installation...to make sure we were fully assessing the situation,\" Hutter said.

Councilor Matt McLaughlin and Councilor Scott pressed the administration on whether the problem might be widespread. Councilor Scott said constituents reported similar symptoms and described an earlier, unsatisfactory phone response from frontline water department staff: residents were told there were no problems and that meter inspections would not occur until spring and would cost $150. \"That sounds a little different than what I'm hearing tonight,\" Scott said, asking that the committee retain the item for follow-up.

Hutter said staff are determining whether complaints reflect isolated installation errors or a more systemic problem visible in remote meter reporting traces. Hutter told the committee they expect to report back after internal review and work with technical experts. The committee agreed to keep the order in committee for a future update.

No formal corrective action or credit policy for affected bills was announced at the meeting. The committee did not vote on any ordinance or contract related to the meters during the session.

The matter remains under technical review, with the administration and vendor asked to return to a future meeting with findings or proposed remedies.","City staff and vendors are investigating resident complaints that newly installed cold-water meters register air bubbles as leaks, driving up bills; committee kept the item in committee pending a more detailed update.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Somerville inspectional services details sidewalk‑clearing enforcement after winter storm

Somerville debates repairs, access and future use at 165 Broadway city building

Somerville tests beet-juice additive in brine to reduce road salt use

Somerville probes new water meters after residents report false leak readings