It's Reading vs. Rats As Board Of Health Talks Strategy

They're disgusting, disease carrying, and when we see them on our property we feel a mixture of anger and guilt. Rats have been our neighbors in Reading since long before the town was first incorporated in 1644. But for reasons no one understands, it's an increasing problem in 2018 and Tuesday night at the Parker Middle School the Board of Health met to discuss their options and hear from residents.

Thirty-six reports of rat sightings to Reading Health Agent Laura Vlasuk since July 30 may not seem like much but don't say that to the roughly 50 residents in attendance. Bob LeLacheur was one of those residents and introduced himself as "Town Manager and a victim." As a resident of County Road, like many of his neighbors, he's seen the problem first-hand.

"The vast majority [of sightings] have been in the Southwest corner of town," said LeLacheur, who added the town is still in the investigative stage. "We can't fix it until we know the cause. Why has this all of a sudden become more of an issue?"

Many had their own theories. The Mobil Station on West Street near the Woburn line was mentioned by more than one resident as a place where garbage existed by a dumpster and where rats had been seen. But Vlasuk said the area was inspected and nothing was found. Still, managers of the property, which also includes a Dunkin Donuts, were made aware of the concerns.

Archstone property Reading Commons, next to the Mobil Station, was also mentioned as a place where garbage was an issue. But as a 40B property, Reading has little control over the area.

While many tried to point at specific areas, Colonial Drive resident David Pinette said the problem is far more difficult than just cleaning up garbage. Pinette, who worked on similar issues during Boston's Big Dig, said among other things, rats eat seeds and nuts, making every Reading yard filled with acorns a virtual rat buffet table. And this time of year trees everywhere are dropping seeds. Add in all the Reading gardens with vegetables and the homes with bird feeders, and it's a near impossible war to win. Rats need food, water, and a place to live, and as Board of Health member Kevin Sexton said, "you'd be surprised where they set up shop."

Not that rats needed any more help, but the state's Open Meeting Law is rodent friendly because it prevented the three-member Board of Health from discussing a plan of attack once they left Parker. No two members can chat about the issue over coffee this morning because it would violate the Open Meeting Law.

But that doesn't mean Reading officials hands are tied. The board plans to send residents in the Southwest corner of town a letter in the coming weeks, alerting all to the issue. They will ask residents to call the town when they see a rat. And they will direct residents to information currently on the City of Cambridge website that all agreed contained great tips on rodent control. The exact content of that letter can't be finalized until the board meets again, hopefully next week.

While board chair John Costigan said it will take "a community effort" to deal with the issue, he also said the town can step up efforts to enforce the state sanitary code where needed. He added that the public can remove sources of food and harbor for rats. "Every member of the public can do that," said Costigan.

LeLacheur noted that one area outside the Southwest corner with rat sightings is Washington Park. Because it's town-owned land, he said, "we have a right to close it down and call an exterminator. That is an option the town can have without any permission."

In addition to envelops and stamps, the town may have to spend more to get ahead of the problem. "We're going to need outside resources," said Assistant Town Manager Jean Delios.

Whatever it takes, all agreed the neighbors have got to go.

Photo by Bob Holmes