As of September 1, 2016, the Somerville Housing Authority will adopt smoke-free policies to protect residents from secondhand smoke. Because smoke drifts between units and cannot be contained, the only viable solution to the issue of secondhand smoke is for buildings to go entirely smokefree.

By Josie Grove

Somerville residents were briefed on the latest developments in the SomerVision Union Square neighborhood plan at a public meeting held last week at the Argenziano School. ~Photo by Josie Grove

The plan for the Union Square neighborhood’s redevelopment is far from finished, but residents are getting impatient. At a meeting last Thursday in the Dr. Albert F. Argenziano cafeteria, Somerville’s Director of Planning George Proakis presented updates and clarifications on the Union Square neighborhood plan.

By Jim Clark

Police responded to a report of a possible breaking and entering at a Summer St. location last Wednesday evening.

The responding officer was reportedly told by the dispatcher that a neighbor had phoned in a report of two men entering a construction site, lighting their way with flashlights. The witness also stated that he saw the men removing what appeared to be pipes from the building and tossing them onto a nearby resident’s yard.

Or why buses and subway should be free to all*

By Charles J. Chisholm

(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)

Most public transit systems charge fares, but there are exceptions. A look at Tallin, the capital of Estonia, sheds some light on what it would be like to travel our T for free.

Today, some 600,000 riders have monthly bus/subway passes. At $75 per month, that adds up to about $540 million a year. Low and moderate-income workers travelling on the T can spend up to $1,500 a year in pre-tax income just to get to work. With today’s high cost of living in the metro Boston area, with high rents and precious little affordable housing, saving transportation costs is the most progressive way to advantage these workers.

— Photos by Claudia Ferro

Kids ages 4 and older are regularly invited to join in for Lego Club at the Central, East and West Branch Library on the first Thursday of every month. 3:30 – 4:30 p.m.! Legos are supplied, but donations are always welcome. For more information and to learn about other events at the library visit www.somervillepubliclibrary.org.

By Tom Bannister

According to travel website Lonely Planet, the City of Somerville has come in at sixth place in its list of the best U.S. places to visit in 2016.

The cities were chosen by the website’s U.S.-based editors and authors.

The MBTA’s Green Line Extension working group presented an update on the status of the project and emphasized the importance of frugal budgeting as the plan moves forward.

By Josie Grove

“We’ve designed a project that we can’t afford to build,” said Frank DePaola, the general manager Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority. At last Friday’s meeting of the Green Line Extension working group, MBTA officials made it clear that the project, as it was envisioned, is no longer feasible. If the extension is to have a future, there will need to be drastic cuts to just about everything.

By Margaux Maxwell

They may beautify our neighborhoods, but some tree’s roots can cause serious problems for homeowners.

As old Somerville city trees are spreading their roots into private homeowners foundations and pipes, the city seems to be lacking a consistent policy on how to deal with the rights of private citizens versus public property.

At a meeting on Thursday, January 28 of the Board of Aldermen, members voiced disagreement about whether homeowners are allowed to cut invasive tree roots crossing into their property lines, costing residents hefty fines to fix ruined pipes and basement foundations.

It’s Valentine’s Day this Sunday, so no excuses – don’t forget. It’s also the beginning of school vacation week here and on Monday we celebrate Presidents Day, both George Washington and Abraham Lincoln.

The High School Building Committee is weighing options and looking for an answer to the question of which choice is best, continuing repairs and renovations of the present structure or building anew.

By Sal Ghamo

On February 3, The High School Building Committee gathered at Argenziano School to discuss future plans and meetings that will potentially disseminate information to the public regarding the next steps in their building assessment process.