BOS:311

**Complaint and Request for Board of Health Hearing Regarding Rental Housing Inspection** **Property:** 146 Everett St., Apt. 2, East Boston, MA 02128 **Tenant:** Rachel (Rae) Ettenger **Phone:** 443-752-3794 I am submitting this complaint to request a hearing regarding the handling of my request for a rental housing inspection at 146 Everett St., Apt. 2, East Boston. On September 1, 2026, I contacted the City of Boston Inspectional Services Department to request an inspection of my rental unit. I also copied Carlos Garcia, who is listed on the City of Boston's website as the neighborhood liaison for East Boston. Shortly after I sent my request, Mr. Garcia called me from his personal cell phone number and informed me that he is also my upstairs neighbor. During that conversation, he indicated that he was willing to help move my inspection request forward. I subsequently followed up with Mr. Garcia regarding the inspection request. He responded to my communications, confirming receipt of the request and indicating that he was looking into it. Based on these communications, I understood that my request had been received and was being processed by the City. However, after I did not receive confirmation that an inspection had actually been scheduled, I contacted Taschetta Weston, Assistant Director of Inspectional Services, directly on September 14. During that conversation, Ms. Weston informed me that she could see communications from Mr. Garcia and an individual named Jesus acknowledging receipt of my request, but that there was no inspection request on record for my unit or address. I ultimately had to submit/schedule the inspection directly through the City. I was able to obtain an inspection appointment for September 24, which Ms. Weston indicated was the earliest available date. I am requesting a Board of Health hearing because I am concerned about the handling and apparent failure to process my original inspection request. In particular: I submitted my inspection request to the appropriate City department on September 1. A City neighborhood liaison acknowledged the request and indicated that he was looking into it. I followed up regarding the request and received further confirmation from him. Despite those communications, Inspectional Services subsequently indicated that there was no inspection request on record for my unit or address. I therefore had to contact Inspectional Services directly and initiate the process again, resulting in a significant delay in obtaining an inspection. I am especially concerned about the fact that Mr. Garcia is also my upstairs neighbor. I do not want to speculate about why my original request was not processed, and I am not alleging that it was intentionally withheld. However, because the City employee who became involved in my inspection request has a direct personal connection to the property, I believe the circumstances warrant review and transparency. I respectfully request that the Board of Health: 1. Hold a hearing regarding the handling of my rental housing inspection request; 2. Review the City's records and communications concerning my original September 1 inspection request, including communications involving Carlos Garcia and ISD 3. Clarify what happened to my original request and why it did not appear in the Inspectional Services record when I followed up on September 14; 4. Review whether the involvement of a City employee who is also a tenant/resident of the same property created an actual or perceived conflict of interest in the handling of my request; and 5. Confirm that my housing inspection and any resulting enforcement or follow-up will be handled independently and in accordance with the City's applicable procedures. I have documentation that I’m happy to submit of all communications.

City Tree is getting really top heavy and splitting. It’s been swaying and bending. The weekend storm really impacted it