Boston gearing up for student move-in weekend

The city of Boston is geared up for the arrival of college and university students this weekend, deploying more 50 inspectors that will be canvassing neighborhoods in the city to make sure safety and sanitary standards are met.

The inspectors will be in Allston, Brighton, Fenway-Kenmore and Mission Hill, starting Thursday until Sunday, according to Inspectional Services Commissioner Tania Del Rio, who said they will conduct on the spot inspects at the request of tenants.

"We're going to be providing property owners and tenants with information about effective rodent control, which is a big focus of the city this year and into the future," she said.

Del Rio says the city is suspending construction permits for this weekend in those neighborhoods.

"We will not be doing after hours permits on Fridays or weekend permits in these neighborhoods, so that we can make room for all the moving trucks," said Del Rio.

As for Allston Christmas, which she says she thinks is almost as "beloved as getting 'Storrowed,'" Del Rio says they don't encourage anyone from picking up used or discarded furniture on the streets.

"The reason for that is that it can have bed bugs, and you cannot only get your own unit infested, you could get your neighbor's unit infested, so fair warning. It's not a good idea," she said.

"Whether you're going to make it your home for the next few years or forever, like I did, please enjoy everything that this wonderful city has to offer and have a wonderful time during Allston Christmas," said Del Rio.

The influx of moving trucks typically causes traffic headaches across the city.

Nicholas Gove, deputy chief of transportation, says residents and visitors should be mindful of parking regulations, which he says were put in place to keep the streets "clear and safe."

"Please do not stop at a fire lane, park in front of a fire hydrant or block access to a street. We need to keep these spaces clear for emergency vehicles, if needed," he said. "We also don't want to create obstacles or barriers for pedestrians, cyclists, transit users and people with a mobility impairment."

He says as of Wednesday, the city has issued over 3,400 permits this month.

"These areas are posted with temporary parking restrictions to keep space clear for moving trucks," said Gove. "The posted areas include streets with a high volume of student residents."

He says anyone using one of these spaces during move-in day, should load and unload as quickly as possible, so others who need it can use it, too.

Boston police's enforcement team will be deployed citywide to help keep things moving this weekend, he said.

"We don't want to ticket or tow, so please pay attention to posted sign and do not double park or block streets or intersections," said Gove.

Anyone with questions can contact 311.

Sept. 1 — which falls on Sunday this year— is traditionally the move-in date for Boston university and college students.