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City manager reports on group‑home call volume and false‑alarm fines at Robinson Towers
Summary
The city manager reported on first-responder call trends at a group home on 1st Avenue and described notices of violation assessing fines for repeated false alarms at Robinson Towers; staff said they will contact operators and pursue enforcement where needed.
During his report the city manager provided updates on several community and public-safety issues the administration said resulted from recent public comments.
On 309 1st Avenue, identified as a group home, the manager said the property is no longer subject to DCA guidelines and that staff have identified the party operating the site. He provided response-count data showing higher first‑responder demand in 2024 (about 60 fire/EMS and 68 police responses) compared with fewer EMS calls in 2025 (police responses about 23). Through April 2026 the manager said there were 26 calls, averaging about 6.5 calls per month, with 16 police responses. The manager said staff will reach out to the operator to better understand needs and potentially reduce first-responder deployments.
The manager also addressed complaints about a temporary green fence (Johnny Mack) and said the planning board granted a temporary approval extension through November 2026. On street maintenance, the manager said the director of transportation will bring an ordinance to add Hack Street to the regular sweeping schedule (Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9–11 a.m.).
On Robinson Towers, the manager said the city issued a notice of violation on April 17, 2026 totaling $21,350 covering 45 alarm occurrences from Jan. 1–Apr. 17, 2026. A second notice covering 13 occurrences (Apr. 18–May 27) totaling $6,500 was also issued. Fire officials and the fire chief have attempted to meet with housing-authority representatives without success; summonses have been issued where required. Nina Sumlin, chairperson of the Ezra Park Housing Authority, told the council the authority had lacked an executive director until recently and asked that all enforcement notices be copied to her office to ensure an appropriate response.
What happens next: the manager said staff will try to coordinate with operators and the housing authority to address recurring calls and alarms; ordinance language to include Hack Street on the sweeping schedule will be introduced at the next council meeting.
Sources and attribution: city manager's presentation and public comments from Nina Sumlin were recorded in the meeting transcript.
