Important Gilman Street Bridge Meeting

MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION – HIGHWAY DIVISION

NOTICE OF A PUBLIC INFORMATION MEETING

Project File No. 604645

A Design Informational Meeting will be held by MassDOT to discuss the proposed Route 28 (McGrath Highway) over Gilman Street Bridge replacement (also known as the Gilman Street Bridge) project in Somerville, MA.

WHERE:         Michael E. Capuano Early Childhood Center, Cafeteria

            150 Glen Street

            Somerville, MA 02145

WHEN:           Thursday, June 6 2013 at 6.30pm

PURPOSE:     The purpose of this hearing is to provide the public with the opportunity to become fully acquainted with the proposed Route 28 (McGrath Highway) over Gilman Street Bridge replacement project (also known as the Gilman Street Bridge). All views and comments made at the hearing will be reviewed and considered to the maximum extent possible.

PROPOSAL:  The proposed project consists of replacing the existing three span bridge carrying McGrath Highway over Gilman Street with a single span bridge. The proposed bridge will have two sidewalks and a section of Gilman Street will be reconstructed as part of this project.

A secure right-of-way is necessary for this project. Acquisitions in fee and permanent or temporary easements may be required. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is responsible for acquiring all needed rights in private or public lands. MassDOT’s policy concerning land acquisitions will be discussed at this hearing.

Written views received by MassDOT subsequent to the date of this notice and up to five (5) days prior to the date of the meeting shall be displayed for public inspection and copying at the time and date listed above.  Plans will be on display one-half hour before the meeting begins, with an engineer in attendance to answer questions regarding this project.  A project handout will be made available on the MassDOT website listed below.

Written statements and other exhibits in place of, or in addition to, oral statements made at the Informational Meeting regarding the proposed undertaking are to be submitted to Thomas F. Broderick, P.E., Chief Engineer, MassDOT, 10 Park Plaza, Boston, MA 02116, Attention.: Accelerated Bridge Program, Project File No. 604645). Such submissions will also be accepted at the hearing.  Mailed statements and exhibits intended for inclusion in the informational meeting transcript must be postmarked within ten (10) business days of Informational Meeting.  Project inquiries may be emailed to dot.feedback.highway@state.ma.us

This location is accessible to people with disabilities. MassDOT provides reasonable accommodations and/or language assistance free of charge upon request (including but not limited to interpreters in American Sign Language and languages other than English, open or closed captioning for videos, assistive listening devices and alternate material formats, such as audio tapes, Braille and large print), as available. For accommodation or language assistance, please contact MassDOT’s Chief Diversity and Civil Rights Officer by phone (857-368-8580), fax (857-368-0602), TTD/TTY (857-368-0603) or by email (MassDOT.CivilRights@dot.state.ma.us).  Requests should be made as soon as possible prior to the meeting, and for more difficult to arrange services including sign-language, CART or language translation or interpretation, requests should be made at least ten (10) business days before the meeting. 

In case of inclement weather, hearing cancellation announcements will be posted on the internet at http://www.massdot.state.ma.us/Highway/

FRANCIS A. DEPAOLA, P.E.                                                                            

THOMAS F. BRODERICK, P.E.

HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATOR                                                                                           

CHIEF ENGINEER

East Somerville Community School

Check out the new signage at the East Somerville Community School!  On time & on budget!  Can't wait for the Grand re-opening this September. 

East Somerville Community School 2-12-13 "Construction Tour #2" from Somerville Public Schools on Vimeo.

Carnaval @ SomerStreets

Campaign Finance Reports

Just click this link and it will bring you to everyone's Campaign Finance Reports.

Milk Row Cemetery

The City of Somerville and the Somerville Historic Preservation Commission announce that on Sunday, June 2, the historic Milk Row Cemetery on Somerville Avenue (adjacent to the Market Basket) will be open to the public from 1:30 to 4 p.m. This small historic site, established in 1804, is usually closed to the public except for two annual events in May and October. Volunteers dressed in Colonial period clothing will be on hand to educate visitors about the residents buried at Milk Row, as far back as Revolutionary times, and their history within the Somerville community. This volunteer docent program will open the Cemetery on a regular basis throughout the summer. The groups may also be appreciated as a peaceful repose for reading and contemplation.

If you are interested in becoming a Docent, joining a Friends of the Milk Row Cemetery  group, or need more information, Please contact Brandon Wilson at BWilson@somervillema.gov or 617-625-6600 x 2532, or Barbara Mangum at info@historicsomerville.org or 617-625-5609.

Tonight: (East) Somerville by Design; El Sistema Benefit Concert at the Somerville Theatre; School Committee Budget Public Hearing

It's that time of year where there are events and public meetings in Somerville every night!

Tonight at 6:30 at the Capuano School, Somerville By Design kicks off  in our neighborhood with an East Somerville brainstorming Session.  In additon, the School Committee will hold our public hearing on our FY 2014 budget   Last, but certainly far from least, El Sistema Somerville holds a fundraiser concert at the Somerville Theatre.

More information on the School Committee Budget Hearing and the El Sistema Concert at Steve's blog.

771 McGrath (Stop & Shop) Update

Polystyrene Ordinance

CITY OF SOMERVILLE 

ORDINANCE NO. 2013-____ 

IN THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN: ____________ 

 Be it ordained by the Board of Aldermen, in session assembled, that Chapter 8, 

Article XVI of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Somerville, is hereby inserted as 

follows:  

    

SECTION 8-351  PURPOSE 

This ordinance is enacted pursuant to the general police power in order to protect the 

health, safety and welfare of the inhabitants of the City. 

SECTION 8-352  FINDINGS 

SECTION 8-353 DEFINITIONS 

“City Facility” means any building, structure, land, or recreational area owned, leased, 

or operated by the City of Somerville. 

“Disposable Food Service Container” means single-use disposable products for serving 

or transporting prepared, ready-to-consume food or beverages, including without 

limitation, take-out foods and/or leftovers from partially consumed meals prepared by a 

food establishment. This includes, but is not limited to, plates, cups, bowls, trays, hinged 

or lidded containers, straws, cup lids, or utensils.  It does not include single-use 

disposable packaging for unprepared foods. 

“Food Establishment” means any operation that stores, prepares, packages, serves, 

vends, or otherwise provides food for human consumption, as further defined in 105 

CMR 590.002. Any establishment requiring a permit to operate in accordance with the 

State Food Code, 105 CMR 590.000, et. seq., shall be considered a food establishment 

for purposes of this ordinance. 

“Expanded Polystyrene” means blown polystyrene (polystyrene that has been expanded 

or “blown” using a gaseous blowing agent into a solid foam) and expanded and extruded 

forms, which are thermoplastic petrochemical materials utilizing a styrene monomer and 

processed by any number of techniques including, but not limited to, fusion of polymer 

spheres (expandable bead polystyrene), injection molding, form molding, and extrusion- 

blow molding (extruded foam polystyrene). 

“Prepared Food” means any food or beverage prepared on the food establishment’s 

premises, using any cooking or food preparation technique. Prepared food does not 

include any raw uncooked meat, fish or eggs unless provided for consumption without 

further food preparation.  Prepared food may be eaten on or off the food establishment’s 

premises. 

SECTION 8-354 PROHIBITION 

A.  Except as provided herein, on and after the date that is one (1) year from the 

enactment of this ordinance:  

(1) Food establishments are prohibited from dispensing prepared food to customers in 

disposable food service containers made from expanded polystyrene;  

(2) City departments or agencies shall not purchase or use disposable food service 

containers made from expanded polystyrene while in the performance of official city 

duties; and 

(3) Individuals, contractors, vendors, or other entities shall not use disposable food 

service containers made from expanded polystyrene in a City Facility while acting or 

performing under a city contract, lease, license, permit, grant, or other agreement. 

B.  Nothing in this section shall prohibit city employees from purchasing or using said 

containers for personal use. 

SECTION 8-355 LIST OF AVAILABLE ALTERNATIVES 

Not later than 30 days before the date set forth in section 8-354(a) of this ordinance, the 

Director of Environment and Sustainability shall adopt a list of available suitable 

affordable biodegradable/compostable or recyclable alternatives for each product type, 

which shall be updated regularly.  

SECTION 8-356 ENFORCEMENT; PENALTIES AND FINES 

A. The Health Department, Inspectional Services Department, or their designee shall 

have primary responsibility for enforcement of this provision and shall have authority to 

issue citations for violation(s). The Health Department or its designee is authorized to 

establish regulations or administrative procedures and to take any and all actions 

reasonable and necessary to further the purposes of this section or to obtain compliance 

with this section, including, but not limited to, inspecting any food establishment’s 

premises to verify compliance in accordance with applicable law.  The food service 

permit for any food establishment failing to comply with this ordinance may be 

suspended or revoked, upon notice and a hearing before the permitting authority, in 

accordance with applicable law.      

B. This ordinance may be enforced through any lawful process and the election of one 

remedy shall not preclude enforcement through any other lawful means.   

C. Any violation(s) of this section are subject to a penalty in accordance with Section 1- 

11 of the Code of Ordinances.  Multiple violations of this section on any one (1) calendar 

day shall constitute a single offense.   

Be it further ordained by the Board of Aldermen, Section 1-11(b) of the Code of 

Ordinances is hereby amended by inserting the following language providing for 

penalties: 

Offense Fine Enforcing Personnel 

Polystyrene Ban (Section 

8-354) 1 

st 

 Offense: Warning 

2nd Offense within 1 year: 

$100 

3rd & Subsequent Offense 

within 1 year: $300 

Health inspectors; 

Inspectional services 

division 

Approved: 

      ________________________ 

      President 

      Board of Aldermen 

I Know You Are a Leader

Are you or someone you know a leader in Somerville interested to help our community?  Participate and bring along a leader to this Thursday’s May 30^th one-hour info workshop on commissions.  We have awesome people working together on important projects. There’re vacancies available for qualified applicants.  Encourage a leader to attend this fast-paced and fun introductory session.

DATE:   May 30 (Thursday)

TIME:   6:00pm to 7:00pm

PLACE: 50 Evergreen Avenue (Annex) 

Call the Office of Commissions today to register at 617-625-6600 (x2400) or email commissions@somervillema.gov.

Regulating Campaign Finance

The following is a press release sent out by the City today. 

MAYOR, ALDERMEN Connolly, Cuff-Bastardi, Desmond, Heuston, O’Keefe, Sullivan, Trane PROPOSE ORDINANCE REGULATING CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS IN CITY OF SOMERVILLE

Ordinance proposes $250 limit on campaign contributions by developers, contractors, lobbyists, City employees and others seeking to do business with the City including grants, loans, tax incentives or various city contracts.

SOMERVILLE – At the regular Board of Aldermen meeting on Thursday, May 23, Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone and Aldermen Connolly, Cuff-Bastardi, Desmond, Heuston, O’Keefe, Sullivan and Trane introduced an ordinance that would set limits for campaign contributions made to any candidate or incumbent for public office in the City of Somerville by developers, contractors, lobbyists or individuals and organizations seeking to do business with the City including, financial assistance such as grants, loans or tax incentives from the City, or City contracts not awarded to the lowest bidder.

The ordinance proposes that applicants who made contributions in excess of $250 in the calendar year of an application or year prior would be ineligible for any such contract or financial assistance unless contributions were refunded in full. Any applicant, anyone attributed to the applicant, and any subcontractor used on any contract—with the exception of lowest bidder contracts—shall not make any contribution to any incumbent or to any candidate in excess of $250 per year for the following four calendar years or for the duration of the term of any contract, whichever is longer. Those found to be in violation of the ordinance would be subject to a $300 fine.

The ordinance also addresses the direct solicitation of contributions by any candidate to municipal employees, in addition to existing state campaign finance laws.  Lobbyists and municipal agents would now be required to file annual disclosure statements and give notice as to any matter pending before the city.

“The City of Somerville, particularly under this administration, holds a firm commitment to transparency, through government management and through public processes. Campaign finances and contributions, especially as they relate to potential municipal partners or employees, should be subject to the same careful scrutiny by members of the general public,” said Mayor Curtatone. “This proposal allows for more accountability and more reassurance for community members that we are fulfilling the duties incumbent on us as elected officials fully in the public interest.”

The ordinance applies to any person and their family members, and to a corporation, partnership or limited liability corporation, including officers, directors, members, managers, principles and shareholders in excess of 10% or any of its employees who have filed an application with the City of Somerville or any City-related agency in any of the following situations: (i) seeking to enter into a Contract, except where that contract is required by law to be awarded to the lowest bidder; (ii) seeking to acquire real estate from the City or any City-related agency; (iii) seeking financial assistance from the City; or (iv) seeking employment with the City, by contract or otherwise, union or non-union, civil service or non-civil service, as well as those currently employed by the City.

The ordinance was referred to the committee on legislative matters for further discussion. 

CITY RELEASES FIRST-EVER COMPREHENSIVE ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORT

SOMERVILLE – Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone announced today the newest addition to the City of Somerville’s open government and cost-saving initiatives. The City has compiled its first-ever Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR), which presents a complete accounting of all government funds, investments, and operating activities. The CAFR complements the annual City budget by providing more detailed demographic and statistical information, as well as annual budget comparisons to help the reader better understand the financial condition of the City. The CAFR also has the potential to improve the City’s bond rating, which would reduce the cost of interest payments for the City over time.

The development of the CAFR is a significant continuation of Mayor Curtatone’s ongoing efforts to maintain open, transparent government. It contains information on real property and other fixed assets, long-term obligations, and investments held outside the government treasury. The CAFR also provides information that is used by investment companies such as Moody's Investors Services and Standard and Poor’s Corporation to determine the City’s fiscal integrity and set bond rates. By developing a CAFR, the potential for the City to improve its already high bond rating will increase. Currently, Somerville’s bond rating as determined by Moody’s is Aa2, the third highest rating. Moving to a higher bond rating would reduce borrowing costs for the City, which would eventually create savings on interest payments.

The 120-page City document, available at www.somervillema.gov/departments/finance, includes three sections: (1) Introduction, including a summary and transmittal letter; (2) Financial, including an independent auditor’s report, management discussion and analysis, financial statements and notes; and (3) Statistical, including additional financial, economic, and demographic information.

“We need more transparency and accountability in government so that people know how their money is being spent,” said Mayor Curtatone. “The CAFR is a thorough accounting to the citizens of Somerville on the use of public resources and funds. It assists users in assessing the level of services the government can provide and its ability to meet its obligations. At the same time, I’ve made smart cost savings and efficient delivery of services a central goal of my administration, and if an open government initiative also has the potential to reduce costs, this is a true win-win for the City.”

The CAFR also highlights interesting trends within City finances, displaying increases in the City’s fund equity, as well as detailing debt financing. The City’s fund equity, the difference between the City’s assets and liabilities, has been increasing dramatically over the last decade, going from just over $10 million in 2002 to over $40 million in 2013.  This is the key indicator that financial and lending institutions measure when determining the financial strength of a City.