Medford Council Considers Solutions To City's Rat Problem

MEDFORD, MA — City councilors are considering workarounds to current limitations in curbing Medford's rodent problem. At a Committee of the Whole meeting Tuesday, the City Council discussed the proposed rodent control ordinance in light of a recent uptick in rat sightings across Medford.

Health Director MaryAnn O'Connor said she began drafting the ordinance in January, but it has become especially relevant amid numerous complaints from residents over the summer. The Health Department is working on developing new protocols, including emphasizing education for homeowners.

"We really can't walk on people's property without permission," O'Connor said. "But we start talking to people about, do you have pet food out, do you have a pet in the backyard that's creating potentially a food source for rodents, do you have a bird feeder, do you have a water supply out there?"

Health officials not being able to operate on private property became a common refrain toward residents who reported rat sightings. O'Connor told Patch last month that the city cannot place bait on private property, and she cited budgetary and liability concerns at Tuesday's meeting.

Councilor Michael Marks introduced a motion to amend the proposed ordinance, giving the city greater leeway in assisting property owners with rodent issues. Marks said rodent testing done near his home isolated a piece of property as the source of an infestation.

"We were told that's private property – we're able to see nests from the street – but that's private property, "Marks said. "As far as I know, nothing else was done."

Marks's motion added language that "in the event that the city determines that rat infestation or nesting exists on private property, the city work with homeowners to mitigate the rodent control, as long as the homeowner signs a waiver of liability." He also asked that the city use its revolving account or other associated funding to help address the issue.

"I would hate to say if we know there's a huge rodent concern on a particular parcel of land that we turn it down because we can't afford five, six hundred dollars to assist in resolving a whole neighborhood issue," Marks said.

The motion passed 7-0. Councilors also unanimously approved the paper as amended.

O'Connor said the Health Department has had some success with baiting sewers in neighborhoods where they have received multiple complaints. The City Council also discussed other mitigation efforts, such as reproduction control, which has been successful in Somerville and Boston's North End.

"This is going to be something that, if we don't get ahead of it, you know as well as I do we're just going to be throwing money out the window for little stops," Councilor George Scarpelli said.

Previously: 'Afraid To Go Out There': Rats Plague Medford Neighborhoods