Resolution Dated: January 21,1964
At a meeting of the Board of Health of the Department of Health held January 21, 1964, the following resolution was adopted:
Whereas, the Board of Health has taken and filed among its records reports from the Department of Health indicating that there are some 43,000 residence buildings in New York City which are in such poor structural condition as to readily provide rat harborages throughout such buildings, and Whereas, such reports disclose that in addition to such structural condition many such buildings lack adequate facilities for handling and removing of garbage, refuse and waste material and as a result garbage, refuse and waste material does in fact accumulate therein, and
Whereas, such reports further indicate that such conditions are conducive to and result in rat infestation in such buildings, and
Whereas, rats are a menace to public health in that they cause the spread of disease, attack children and cause serious injury to them, start fires and create insanitary conditions, and
Whereas, such reports indicate that such buildings are located and that such conditions exist throughout the City, and
Whereas, the Board of Health regards the aforesaid reports as sufficient proof to authorize the declaration that such rat-infested buildings by reason of the aforesaid circumstances are in a condition and in effect dangerous to life and health and constitute a public nuisance, and
Whereas, personal service or service pursuant to subdivisions (a) or (b) of § 564-21.0 [§ 17-148] of the Administrative Code of The City of New York of orders requiring the abatement of such nuisance and conditions in effect dangerous to life and health upon each of the persons who, pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 22 [Chapter 17] of the Administrative Code of the City of New York, has a duty or liability to abate such nuisance and conditions, would result in delay prejudicial to the public health, welfare and safety, now, therefore, be it
Resolved, that the Board of Health is of the opinion that the said rat-infested buildings are in a condition in effect dangerous to life and health and constitute a public nuisance and such buildings be and they hereby are declared, in each instance, a public nuisance and in a condition in effect dangerous to life and health, and be it further
Resolved, that the Board of Health hereby declares that the aforesaid nuisance and conditions are widespread throughout the entire City, and be it further
Resolved, that all persons who, pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 22 [Chapter 17] of the Administrative Code of the City of New York and such other chapters, sections, laws and rules as are applicable thereto, have the duty or liability to abate such nuisance and conditions in effect dangerous to life and health, are hereby ordered forthwith to abate such nuisance and conditions by:
1. Applying rodenticides in those areas of the buildings which are rat harborages, in a manner which will effectively exterminate rats in such buildings, and
2. By promptly removing garbage, refuse and waste material from all public parts of the building and by keeping such building free from garbage, refuse and waste material at all times, and
3. By sealing all holes in floors, walls and ceilings throughout the entire building and keeping such floors, walls and ceilings free from holes which permit rat infestation, and be it further
Resolved, that in the event that such persons or any of them shall fail to comply with this order within five (5) days after service thereof pursuant to subdivision (c) of § 564-21.0 [§ 17-148] of the Administrative Code of the City of New York, the Department of Health be and is hereby authorized and directed to take all necessary steps to secure the abatement of said nuisance and conditions in effect dangerous to life and health.
A true copy.
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George James, M.D., Chairman, Board of Health
William J. McCleary, Jr., Secretary