Infurna Won't Act On Board's Brazil Street Resolution

MELROSE, MA — Mayor Gail Infurna will not act on the Board of Aldermen's resolution imploring the city to provide an independent environmental specialist to inspect the four Brazil Street homes impacted by June's sewage backup, leaving Alderman Shawn MacMaster's last-ditch effort to have the homes inspected looking bleak.

In a letter to the Board last week and obtained by Patch, Infurna cited the same reasons she has previously denied the request; namely, that there are no state standard of testing for unsafe levels in this instance, something the Department of Public Health has confirmed to Patch.

"While I carefully considered the resolution, what is being urged contraindicates the advice of State and National authorities, and undertaking such an exercise would deliver unsupported results," Infurna wrote in the letter.

Infurna's decision came after MacMaster met with members of her administration, including City Solicitor Robert Van Campen. Infurna was unable to attend but called in. MacMaster had previously denied meeting with Infurna until he was assured she would be open to providing the inspection.

>>>Read: Inside The Fractured Relationship At Core Of Brazil St. Impasse

"I am deeply disappointed in the Mayor’s decision to outright dismiss the resolution that was passed by the Board of Aldermen," MacMaster said in a statement. "I continue to feel strongly that home inspections can and should be based on established scientific standards, and that the precarious condition of the affected homes, coupled with the serious health and safety concerns held by the victims, warrant an independent, environmental inspection."

MacMaster said he will "explore alternative avenues" to secure an inspection for homes, but time is running out as repair and restoration work gets further along.

"These are my neighbors and my constituents," MacMaster said. "I have been proud to stand with them since the first day of this crisis, and will continue to do so until every resident feels safe to return to their homes."