The MaxPac site is suspected of being the source of recent rodent sitings in the area. - Photo by Ashley Taylor

By Andrew Firestone

While rumors swirled regarding the possibility that rats seen in Ward 4 were due to demolition activity on the MaxPac site, Davis Square Partners, a subsidiary of KSS Realty, has claimed that they have done all they can, and the MaxPac site is not a source of infestation. Their claims were backed this last week by their contractor Rod Kreimeyer, a 40-year veteran of the pest control industry and owner of local business Best Pest Control, also known as the home to the world’s largest ant.

Residents had voiced concern that the construction might have disturbed sewer rats living in the pipes under the MaxPac site, leading to the new sightings in Ward 4. However, Kreimeyer says that this simply cannot be the case.

“Everybody wants to point their finger at MaxPac because it’s a big project, but there’s no food at the MaxPac project to support a rat population,” said Kreimeyer. “It’s not a rat haven there.”

Kreimeyer was put to the task after a community meeting between aldermen and residents took place on June 27.

“We have checked the neighborhood, the abutting neighbors, for two blocks. No one has reported any rat incidents,” said Kreimeyer.

There were reports of rodent sightings three blocks away, however, and Kreimeyer said he inspected the area as a courtesy.
“We found there’s some neighbors in the area that have conditions conducive to rats and there’s some other construction projects going on on Albion St. across from the park.”

Kreimeyer is responsible for baiting for rats once a month, and has done so for nearly four years said KSS spokesman Cosmo Macero.

“Since September 2007, Davis Square Partners has employed Best Pest…to help address this type of issue commonly associated with the first phase of project site work,” said Macero in a statement.  “To ensure that all activity is kept at a minimum, Davis Square Partners – the developer of Maxwell’s Green – supports monthly activity checks on and around the site.”

“Best Pest has maintained a high level of inspection on our site and on the surrounding properties,” said KSS executive Ted Tobin. “We will continue to work together to resolve any issues that might arise as completely and quickly as possible.”

Fears of rodent infestation seem to have reached a fever pitch over the last few months, with increased vigilance in Ward 2 and the City as a whole. Aldermen have discussed a resolution that would require residents who harbor a rodent infestation to deal with the problem personally, or risk fines.

The MaxPac site, formerly a paper factory, is being developed for 184 condominium units, called “Maxwell’s Green” by the developers.