By Danny LeBlanc

(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)

On Thursday night, May 18, 2017, the Somerville Planning Board voted to approve a waiver to the City’s 20% Inclusionary Housing requirement for Federal Realty Investment Trust’s (FRIT) new 500-unit housing development at Assembly Square. The Planning Board accepted a proposed alternative to the former 12.5% Inclusionary Housing requirement, presented in writing by Planning Staff two days before the May 18th meeting, and in person on Thursday evening.

By Donald Norton

The Ward 1 ResiStat meeting held at the East Somerville Community School on Tuesday, May 23, was attended by approximately 100 residents, along with a lot of politicians and some want-to-be politicians.

This Thursday, June 1, at the Cantina La Mexicana in Union Square, the very popular Alderman At-Large Bill White will be holding his campaign kickoff/fundraiser. Bill has been known as one of the smartest alderman on the board, even by his fellow alderman. He’s been elected and re-elected as President of the Board now for a few years. We think Bill has been a good alderman for the people here in the city for many years and hope he continues. So come out and show your support for him.

— Photo by Donald Norton

By Rebecca Danvers

The Somerville Youth Hockey Pee Wee A team is this years Valley League Champions in the Pee Wee A Northeast American Division.

The team began the season struggling with a 1-10 record.  After a team meeting the team decided to redouble their efforts, coaches added additional practices and the team came together, lead by team leaders Ilsa Weinert, Peter Launsberry, Lucca Alcaraz, and Andy Bonney the team began a 16 game winning streak.

Eagle Feathers #130 – Historic Numbers

By Bob (Monty) Doherty

Both numbers 13 and 76 strike a historical cord with the City of Somerville. Putting triskaidekaphobia or the fear of the number thirteen aside, we can explore why.

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Friend of Somerville Artists and Poets Needs Your Help!
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The mission of Out of the Blue Gallery is to organize, support, and present to the public at large the creative efforts of local artists, musicians, and more from our community.

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Lillian Freedman states, “I am a nonagenarian who has been interested in poetry all my life. My favorite poem is The Chambered Nautilus by Oliver Wendell Holmes. It was in 1978 that I wrote my first poem, while on flight to a wedding ceremony, and now I’m still at it!”

Arrests:

Liliana Araujo, of 275 Roxbury St., Roxbury, May 23, 6:20 p.m., arrested at Canal St. on a charge of larceny over $250.

Daniela Romania, of 20 Orchard St., Medford, May 27, 3:15 a.m., arrested at Cedar Ave. on a charge of operation of a motor vehicle under the influence of liquor.

Tufts President Anthony Monaco presented his research on Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) to more than a hundred students at Somerville High School last week.

President Monaco identified the gene for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy as a doctoral student. Duchenne is one of nine types of muscular dystrophy and is a genetic disorder characterized by progressive muscle degeneration and weakness. President Monaco urged students to consider careers in scientific research because there is still so much to learn. His lecture was connected to genetics topics covered in freshman and AP biology at Somerville High School.

Due to forecasts of inclement weather, Somerville’s Memorial on the Mystic Concert originally scheduled for Monday, May 29, at Baxter Park, has been moved indoors to the Somerville High School auditorium beginning at 7:30 p.m. The fireworks have been cancelled. The indoor concert is free of charge.