Somerville to Enlist Full-Time Health Inspector

The Somerville Board of Aldermen approved $45,000 Thursday night so the Inspectional Services Department could hire someone it doesn't currently have on payroll: a full-time health inspector.

Goran Smiljic, the new superintendent of Inspectional Services—who began duties over the summer—said the city has been using a contractor to conduct restaurant health inspections.

"Considering how many restaurants we have ... we need someone who is full time," he said.

The current contractor doesn't work normal Monday-through-Friday hours, Smiljic said, and the city is "lagging behind with our inspections."

Many aldermen agreed with the need to hire someone on a full-time basis.

Ward 2 Alderman Maryann Heuston said the health inspection for Kirkland Tap and Trotter, a new hotspot restaurant in her ward, was delayed due to the lack of manpower.

Ward 4 Alderman Tony Lafuente said, "We don't even have a full-time health inspector? What is that all about?"

"We seem to fund a lot of positions that aren't as important as these," he added.

At-Large Alderman Bruce Desmond said the city could also use building inspectors and rodent inspectors.

"If there were three more [inspection] positions on here, I'd vote for those," he said. Lafuente agreed.

Alderman At-Large John Connolly said, "I think we're seriously undermanned" in the Inspectional Services Department, adding, "I hope this is part of a complete restructuring of ISD."

Heuston said she hoped the health inspector would address rodent problems at restaurants, because rodents attracted to restaurants spill into residential areas.

Alderman At-Large Dennis Sullivan agreed, saying there was a "lack of urgency" about the rodent problem.