As the MaxPac site is suspected of being the source of recent rodent sitings in the area, officials are demanding that the developer, KSS Realty, lead the effort to take control of the situation. - Photo by Ashley Taylor

By Andrew Firestone

In Somerville, the daily rat race sometimes takes on a more literal meaning. In this case, it is the increased number of rat sightings in Ward 4, seemingly coming from the MaxPac construction site. Currently being prepared by KSS Realty, some residents say that recent holes being dug have displaced a host of vermin, and they mean to do something about it.

Which is why on Monday, June 27, Aldermen Bruce Desmond and Sean O’Donovan were joined by George Landers, Superintendent of Buildings and Grounds for the DPW, for a meeting at Albion Park, where rats had recently been seen. There, they spoke with members of the community and unveiled their game plan.

“[KSS subcontractors], are causing a nuisance,” said Landers. “They cannot cause a nuisance in the city without addressing it correctly.”

In a statement, Frank Bucca, an 80-year resident of the neighborhood, said that the sewage preparation being done for the long bemoaned site apparently displaced the rats living in the pipes. He said that he had never seen any rats in the neighborhood for as long as he could remember.

While baiting was required for KSS, the aldermen let it be known that they were taking this seriously, and were even thinking of asking KSS to foot the bill for the eradication.

“If you see four or five rats running across an open area, like a park, you’ve got a problem,” said Desmond.

Landers led the discussion and urged the residents to continue to cover their trash and report sightings of rats. “We’re seeing a lot of rats around here and the main cause of it is the MaxPac site.”

He said that, having lived there for almost 30 years, he had never seen so much as a mouse. “I was director of [the Inspectional Services Division] for five years, and I never had a complaint about rats in this neighborhood.”

He added, “I think Bruce and Sean are going to beat [KSS] up.”

“If they were raccoons, I could just whack ‘em,” said Bob Serrano. He said he sees rats while walking his dog and has caught them rummaging around in his trash. “I worry about them getting in the house, especially with the grandchildren.”

Desmond and O’Donovan said they would look into what baiting had been done, and see if KSS was cooperating responsibly. They also said that they would see if Best Pest Control, whom KSS uses for the baiting, could be used with half the costs being shared between residents and MaxPac in case of there being infestations on home properties.

“Now being here and being part of it, I will make sure and continue to call and make sure that they looking into it and checking and making sure the baiting is being done,” said resident Debbie Burdulis. Burdulis said she was satisfied that the aldermen and the City had shown their devotion to the neighborhood and their concern over the problem.