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Thursday, June 13, 2013

Last Weeks Updates


I have been experiencing problems with my email account.  I apologize for the inconvenience this might be causing.  Comcast tells me they are working on clearing up the problem.  
 
Meetings

Regarding:  625 McGrath Highway (Highland Auto Parts)
When:  Tuesday, June 18th from 5 - 8 p.m.
Where:  Cross Street Community Center - 165 Broadway

This will be an "Open House" type meeting with no formal presentation.  This will allow more time for people to drop in as their schedules allow, review the changes made by the developers, give input and voice their concerns.  Representatives from the City, the Developers as well as their attorney will be in attendance.  I am told many changes have been made.  They will no longer be seeking a variance on parking and design issues have been addressed.   I am looking forward to seeing the new plans and hearing from the neighbors.  

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Regarding:  2,4,6, & 8 Broadway
When:  Monday, July 1st from 6:30 - 8:00 p.m.
Where:  Cross Street Community Center - 165 Broadway

This will be the first neighborhood meeting regarding this proposed new development.  Representatives from the City, the Developers as well as their attorney will be in attendance.  A formal presentation will be made followed by a discussion period. 
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Democratic Committee Meetings
Tomorrow is both the Ward 1 & City Wide Democratic Meetings.  Click here for more information.

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Happenings & Upcoming Events

A date for the Grand Opening of the newly reconstructed Chuckie Harris park is still up in the air.  We are now leaning toward the end of June.   I will keep everyone updated.   You can click here for a fly through video and click here for a PDF file that outlines what the process was. 

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Mark your calendars for Thursday, July 27th for the City's Annual July 4th Celebration including one of the best fireworks displays around.  To see a complete list of Summer events just click here.  Lots of great things happening in our City this Summer.

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The Recreation Department has just come out with their Summer 2013 brochure.  Though it is not online yet there are some pretty amazing things being offered - if you click here it will bring you to the activities page which shows most of it - Kidstop, Parks Programs, Soccer, Tennis, Yoga in the Park, Golf, Boxing, Swimming Lessons and so much more. 

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Don't forget Tuesday, June 25th is the Special Senate Election.

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Updates

The Somerville Commission for Women has released their 2013 Somerville Status of Women Report.  For more information and a link to the full report click here.

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Finance
The City's Budget process is in full swing.  The Mayor presented the Fiscal Year 2014 budget to the Board of Aldermen this past Tuesday.  Click here to see what the Mayor presented to the Board of Aldermen.  The following is a list of departments that have come or will be coming before the Board to present their departments budget. 
 
6-4-13
Fire Department
Police Department
Traffic & Parking
Information Technology
 
6-5-13
School Department
SomerPromise
Library
Recreation
Finance
 
6-6-13
Mayor's Office
ADA
SomerStat
Communications
311

6-10-13
Personnel
Health Department
City Clerks Office
Council on Aging
Department of Public Works
OSPCD (Office of Strategic Planning & Community Development)
Elections Department

6-11-13
Law Department
OSE (Office of Sustainability & Environment)
Arts Council
Veterans Services
Capital Planning
7:00 p.m. Public Hearing = When we get to listen to what you have to say.

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6-20-13
Another Finance Committee of the Whole will take place and this is when the Board will discuss the budget, make recommended cuts and vote on the budget.

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Gilman Street Bridge 

Last night a design Informational Meeting was held by MassDOT to discuss the proposed Route 28 (McGrath Highway) over Gilman Street Bridge replacement (also known as the Gilman Street Bridge) project.  

I was shocked when I walked in the meeting and did not see residents of Ward 1 or residents who would be most affected by this project.  I expressed my dismay to MassDOT for not doing a good job of community outreach and for not communicating well to inform residents.

The agenda included the following:

Accelerated Bridge Program Overview
Project Description
Construction Staging
Traffic Management
Anticipated Schedule

The bridge has been deemed "structurally deficient."  Actual construction dates will be established on an integrated schedule that includes all adjacent projects but as on last night construction is due to start is the Spring of 2014 and will last in upwards of 18 months.  All residents who utilize this bridge (pedestrian, bicyclists & motorist) will be greatly affected.  What concerns me the most is how it will affect the residents of Gilman, Aldrich and Auburn Streets to just name a few.  

I highly encourage residents who have concerns to contact Tracy Osimboni at Tracy.osimboni@State.ma.us.  Tracy is the MassDOT Highway Division Project Manager.  Additional sites that might be helpful are herehere & here (just click "here" for each one.)  I am told that the presentation that was given last night is not online yet but will be soon.

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Information


RECYCLE YOUR STYROFOAM TOMORROW: This Saturday June 8th, from 9-Noon at the Somerville DPW, 1 Franey Road.  This will be coinciding with the City's monthly Hazardous Waste drop off day.  For more information just click here.   Household hazardous waste includes but not limited to batteries, brake fluid, paint, pool chemicals & propane tanks.   For more information on what is hazardous waste materials the City accepts please contact 311.

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Happy App
The H(app)athon Project (www.happathon.com), an organization that is using cutting-edge technology to measure and increase happiness. Starting with a pilot in City Hall, they plan to collect data from residents’ smartphones and use it to connect people to services that will help them flourish.  To read the complete press release just click here.

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Please make sure to check my blog frequently as it usually contains more information than I can include in an email. 
I hope everyone has a great weekend and GO BRUINS!!!

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