Alderman at Large Sullivan decried the lack of baby changing facilities at an Assembly Square restaurant.

By Jim Clark

Some of the challenges of parenting were brought up during the latest regular meeting of the Somerville Board of Alderman last week.

Alderman at Large Dennis M. Sullivan sponsored a resolution requesting that the management of Earl’s Kitchen and Bar at Assembly Square install a baby changing station.

Sullivan addressed the Board on the matter and related an experience he had at the restaurant saying, “After the Spring Cleanup I took my wife and daughter down to Earl’s for an early lunch. When we walked in there were literally 15 baby carriages in a row.”

Sullivan went on to say that his wife asked him if he would change their baby daughter. “I said, ‘No problem.’ I went into the men’s room and saw that there was no changing table, so my wife said it must be in the lady’s room. So my wife went into the lady’s room and asked, ‘Where is the changing station?’”

Sullivan said that the lady’s room attendant told his wife that there was a chair in the corner where she could change her baby.

“I embrace my job of being a dad,” said Sullivan. “I love it. But it’s just mind boggling that we don’t have a changing table in a new restaurant. Several restaurants down there all have them.”

Sullivan said that his wife mentioned it to the manager, who said that they were working on it and the issue would be resolved within a week.

“I think it’s unacceptable. How are you going to raise a family without a changing table in a restaurant,” Sullivan asked.

Alderman at Large and Board President William A. White Jr. said that he would refer the matter to committee to see if regulation could be put in place to require changing tables in such establishments.

Ward 6 Alderman Rebekah L. Gewirtz added her thoughts on the matter, suggesting that if private institutions are to be subject to such regulations then public ones ought to be accountable for them as well. “We need to make sure that we’re setting a good example,” said Gewirtz. “I can also tell you that there are a lack of places for breast feeding mothers to pump, and that’s an issue as well.”

Gewirtz affirmed her support for universal access to changing tables throughout the city.