Concerned residents, members of local advocacy groups, and public officials gathered on Saturday to discuss the Tufts PILOT arrangement. — Photo by Penelope Jennewein

By Dorothy DiMarzo

Members of Our Revolution Somerville, Our Revolution Medford, The West Somerville Neighborhood Association, community residents, Alderman for Ward 7 Katjana Ballantyne and Alderman-at-Large Mary Jo Rossetti joined together this past Saturday, March 24, to talk about how Tufts University could do better by paying its fair share to help offset costs for city services they benefit from and to make contributions to the city since they are tax exempt as a nonprofit.

By Peter Blaikie
Twenty-four-year homeowner

(The opinions and views expressed in the commentaries and letters to the Editor of The Somerville Times belong solely to the authors and do not reflect the views or opinions of The Somerville Times, its staff or publishers)

If you are a homeowner in Somerville and concerned about the transfer fee the city is looking to back room deal on you, you should make a point to be heard on April 4th at Somerville city hall. Here is a reply to one of the supporters of this plan. I had to copy and paste it as it will be deleted like other arguments I responded to about this issue. It seems that when someone makes a valid point and it doesn’t match their mission statement they would rather delete their post then host a counter argument that might make people think about the implications of what is being proposed. Here is my response to Katie Gradowski’s supporting the transfer fee:

The uproar continues as the date for the public hearing on the proposed real estate transfer fee draws nearer.

Advocates and naysayers alike have been actively pressing their cases in the public domain, and there seems to be little change of opinions on either side. Like so many other issues these days, whether local or national, this one seems to be a classic example of everybody knows best.

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It would be nothing without Somerville!
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By Kirk Etherton

OK, I’m exaggerating: this festival would still be very good.

But this is a Somerville paper, and I’m a Somerville resident (and on the board of the Festival). So, let’s take a minute to consider some of the Somerville talent in this year’s B.N.P.M.F. (It takes place April 4 and 6–9.)

*Sumaya Salat is part of Teen Voices Emerging (a writing and female empowerment program for Boston teen girls) because it has helped her open up to others and share her creative writing. Salat feels that she has developed a deeper confidence in herself and made authentic friendships while at the program. She is excited for her first publication.

Executive Director search open for Somerville Homeless Coalition

Mark Alston-Follansbee, our Executive Director for the last 18 years, will be retiring from Somerville Homeless Coalition on June 30 of this year. To read the full letter announcing his retirement, click here.

Cedar St. / Highland Ave. Intersection to Close for Approximately 3 Weeks for Construction. Closure to be in place 7 a.m. through 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Beginning on Monday, April 2, and lasting for approximately three weeks, City contractors will conduct work at the intersection of Cedar St. and Highland Ave. that will require the full closure of the intersection from 7 a.m. to approximately 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. The construction is an important part of the ongoing Cedar St. Water & Sewer project.

Arrests:
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Oscar Lopez, of 51 Marshall St., Fl. 3, March 20, 6:12 p.m., arrested at Fellsway West on charges of distribution of a class D drug, possession to sell electric stun gun, and drug possession to distribute.

William Pires, of 64 Derby St., March 20, 6:12 p.m., arrested at Fellsway West on charges of distribution of a class D drug, possession to sell electric stun gun, and drug possession to distribute.

A public information session regarding the temporary closure of Conway field and playground will be held on Thursday, March 29, at the Public Safety Building (Police Headquarters) on 220 Washington St. The consultants in charge of soil testing and city staff will be on hand to discuss the testing results and next steps as well as to answer questions.

Please join Somerville Commissioner of Veterans’ Services Bryan Bishop and project lead DJ Chagnon from CBA Landscape Architects on Monday, March 26, to discuss the redesign of Henry Hansen Park. The community meeting will begin at 6:00 p.m. in the third floor conference room of the Visiting Nurse Association, 259 Lowell Street. For more information, please contact Somerville Veterans’ Services at 617-625-660 x4700 or veterans@somervillema.gov.