A grateful city bids farewell to Paul Upton as he steps out of his role as Deputy Chief of Police of Somerville. ~Photo by Douglas Yu

By Douglas Yu

Paul Upton, Deputy Chief of the Somerville Police Department, stepped down on Monday. After serving the city for approximately 30 years, the native Somerville resident, born to Irish immigrants family, said his job was not going to stop from there.

Frustration is mounting as both residents and civic leaders share a perception that no progress is being made in the battle of rodent infestation in the city. – Photo by Harry Kane

By Harry Kane

Heat is building on guilt-ridden aldermen as the latest wave of rodent sightings has stirred resentment among residents in the City of Somerville. Rodents have been running rampant in East Somerville and in other areas of the city. The solution is nowhere in sight.

Join the Somerville Chamber of Commerce Thursday evening, October 3, for its monthly “Business After Hours.” This month it’s at Orleans, 65 Holland Street 5:30 to 7 p.m. Free Appetizers, excellent networking. Again, like always, bring your business cards to pass out and for the door prize. Members and their guests are welcome. Treat your colleagues and clients! RSVP to smackey@somervillechamber.org.

We salute Somerville Police Department Deputy Chief of Police Paul Upton as he begins his much-deserved retirement from the department.

Deputy Chief Upton proudly served the City of Somerville for three decades, achieving many great things and making a lot of friends and supporters along the way.

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

Over the last three years, our neighborhood has advocated for the Powder House Community School property to be reused in a way that will enhance our incredible neighborhood and city. Our neighbors agreed that more open space was the top priority and that there was some desire for office space or a mixed-use development. As the City moves forward in the reuse process, it is clear that our neighborhood input made an impact. Just a few weeks ago, a technical advisory committee consisting of neighbors, aldermen and members of the city’s planning staff made a recommendation to Mayor Curtatone that Tufts University be the chosen developer for the site. The Tufts proposal includes office space and a public park that is nearly two times larger than required of the site. The proposal also includes the possibility of adding up to 35 homes. Including housing on the site would be a big win for our neighborhood and for Somerville.

Eagle Feathers #36– West Meets East

By Bob (Monty) Doherty

Who was she, and why did they name a building after her? The building in question is the former Methodist Episcopal Church, now The Elizabeth Peabody House. It is located on Winter Hill on the corner of Broadway and Grant Street and stands opposite the Somerville Fire Department’s headquarters.

For the next 3 weeks, a piano will sit in Davis Square for all to play, as Somerville’s Jesse Cohen does, pictured here. – Photo by Bobbie Toner

The City of Somerville, the Somerville Arts Council and the Nave Gallery are pleased to host the Celebrity Series of Boston project called Play Me, I’m Yours! Through Oct. 14, a piano decorated by Somerville artist Fran McCormick will be in Statue Park, Davis Square.

Gloria Mindock is a staple of the Somerville small press and poetry scene. She co-edited the Boston Literary Review for many years, and she runs (With her partner William J. Kelle) the Cervena Barva Press, a well respected small literary press from her home in Somerville. Her poems have been published widely. Here is a review by guest columnist David P. Miller of Mindock’s latest collection of poetry. Miller is a librarian and faculty member at Curry College, and a member of the Somerville Bagel Bards.

Buses, trains, and planes. These modes of transport where we are suspended, in limbo from one point to the next are perfect environments for the poet. Poet Alexis Ivy proves the point with her frame of mind on the Greyhound Line.

Re: Historic Green Line Extension funding vote

The Green Line Extension took a monumental step forward last Wednesday when the MassDOT Board of Directors voted to approve a $393 million contract to fund the construction of the first three stations. Yes, you read that right: Phase II of the Green Line Extension is now on schedule for an early 2017 opening of the Lechmere, Union Square and Washington St. stations. To celebrate this truly momentous news, I’d like to thank everyone who made this possible.