It appears the rat problem in Greater Boston has reached a breaking point for the city council, which has decided to push forward three separate ordinances to discount with this worsening issue.
The actions include introducing rat-resistant trash bins, creating same-day trash put-out and pickup, and creating a pest control office, meaning the appointment of a rat czar — someone who would develop specific response plans for rat-heavy neighborhoods like Allston, and educate residents on pest prevention, including how to properly dispose of trash.
Councilors Ed Flynn and Erin Murphy are behind the rat czar ordinance. Flynn brought it up last year, as well, but it didn’t pass. There seems to be more support this time around.
“I think it’s that serious. District councilors know it’s getting worse with the calls we receive every day,” Flynn said.
A recent study linked warming temperatures from climate change to increases in rat populations in major cities.
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“Like most things in this city, as things get worse, we have to think of other ways to tackle it and I think it’s a good time to discuss if a rat czar would help focus in on the needs of the residents,” Murphy said.
Flynn and Murphy both went on to say this issue is today becoming a mental health risk.
These ordinances are still a ways away from being finalized. They’re currently under analysis by city committees.
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