Ward 7 sounds off at ResiStat meeting

On May 20, 2015, in Latest News, by The Somerville Times
The Ward 7 Spring ResiStat meeting covered issues of interest including the future of Powder House Community School, the snow removal budget, and residential overcrowding. ~Photos Patrick McDonagh

The Ward 7 Spring ResiStat meeting covered issues of interest including the future of Powder House Community School, the snow removal budget, and residential overcrowding. —Photos Patrick McDonagh

By Patrick McDonagh

Florescent lights and the stiff synthetic lunchroom seats of West Somerville Neighborhood School were harsh contrast to the early evening sun beckoning through windows. Somerville Ward 7’s Spring ResiStat meeting hosted on May 13 in the public school building proved informative enough to capture the attention of attending residents; engaging attendees past sunset with city officials addressing looming budget concerns, community questions, and topics of interest in Somerville’s surrounding area.

“It is really about sharing information,” event coordinator Meghan Ackerman replied when asked about ResiStat’s goals for community meetings. “We want to try to get people the information they are interested in, try to answer as many questions as possible, and hopefully connect people with the city”

Ackerman notes ResiStat provides opportunity for residents to talk with city officials individually. With topics such as potential Powder House School redevelopment, apartment overcrowding, aircraft noise, a slew of car theft and fiscal recovery from an unprecedented winter snowfall, there is certainly a lot to talk about.

After rejection of all contending redevelopment proposals in the spring of 2014, what to do with the closed Powder House School was the topic of immediate interest; Sue Thomas, senior development planner under the Office of Strategic Planning and Development (OSPCD) addressed these issues. “We had 8 proposals this year compared to 6 last year,” says Sue. “Currently out of the 8 proposals all except one have some type of housing component, whether it be condos, townhouses, or apartments with affordable housing. We are currently going through the evaluations process. We hope to be doing interviews by June, but we want to be thorough and make sure we are not pushing through the evaluations.”

resistat_5_20_15_1_webCurrent proposals and submitted bids are available online. Bidders must commit to contract agreement of least 40% open, publicly accessible, green space for the new location. This is contract criteria established by community input; evidence of successful reciprocity between residents and city officials. Talk of redevelopment prompted emotionally charged conversation regarding initial reasons for closing the Powder House School.

Alderman at Large and former school committee member Mary Jo Rossetti quelled the uncertainty of the Powder House School’s closing. “I served on the school committee for 14 years, and I had the unfortunate experience of voting to keep the school open or to close it. I voted to keep it open but I was a minority. At that time the Superintendent recommended closing it because the city needed funding. There were problems with funding and it appeared as though the enrolment was declining in the school system. I didn’t see that and I didn’t agree with that. I was right, it has been 12+ years since the vote closed that building to help the city financially and what has happened?”

Rossetti’s observation was met with agreement from the crowd of community invested Somerville residents. Efforts to consolidate funding and remedy the city’s staggering snow removal budget deficit make monetizing this fiscally stagnant school closure a high priority.

Mayor Joseph Curtatone outlined the current city budget, allocation of tax money, projection of the city’s annual income, and later answered questions from community members. Curtatone was decisive when addressing deficits regarding the snow removal budget, which ran costs of more than nine million dollars over the one million allocated for the fiscal year of 2015. “We are not going to go backwards, we want to be conservative. We want to pay our debts off then move forward.”

Record spending for snow removal in Massachusetts was the necessary result of this winter’s relentless snowfall, according to the mayor. Getting every street in Somerville clear of snow was a priority for Curtatone; he commended the effort of public workers involved in this labor-intensive process. Labor and outsourcing contracts required for snow removal moved that city tab into the red, but Curtatone reassures, “We haven’t over-leveraged ourselves in terms of borrowing for the city; we haven’t borrowed more than we can pay for.”

Goran Smiljic, Superintendent of Inspectional Services, presented the intricate process of dealing with problem properties. Overcrowding residential buildings, housing significantly more persons than legally allowed, have residents and safety officials concerned. Instances of up to 25 students housed in single-family living conditions are nightmare scenarios Smiljic and observant neighbors are working to mitigate.

One attendee witnessed the problem inspectors and police face when dealing with unscrupulous landlords. “When the landlords have some notice they’ll run around and try to make things look good. When the inspection is finished they will move beds and things back in.” Tips provided from neighborhood witnesses are primary leads to investigation. Smilijic relies on awareness of neighbors and the often-arduous legal process to combat overcrowding.

Chief of Police David Fallon and Capt. Michael Cabral presented the city crime statistics, noting 80% of the recent car break-ins are attributed to one offender.

For those interested in in future ResiStat meetings or community involvement Community Engagement Specialist Meghan Ackerman answers. “If you are not sure where to start get touch with me. We love having residents involved.”

 

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