By Joseph A. Curtatone

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

The October 9th vote by our Board of Aldermen to approve the Union Square Revitalization Plan was both historic and courageous. We can now move ahead quickly to submit the plan for state approval, which means we can maintain momentum toward the goal of a Green Line station at Union Square by (according to our July agreement with MassDOT and the MBTA) “late 2016-early 2017.” It means that the City now has the tools to shape development in Union Square to reflect the goals and principles laid out in our citywide Comprehensive Plan: new business opportunities, new jobs, and new housing all supported by transit-oriented development strategies.

On the COA’s recent trip on the Turkey Train in Meredith, NH, Rose and Tony Sarno received best wishes before walking down the aisle, celebrating their 60th anniversary.

Somerville High School Headmaster, John Oteri announced last week that SHS senior, Ruth Grossman has been named a Commended Student in the 2013 National Merit Scholarship Program. Ruth was presented with a Letter of Commendation from Somerville High School and National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC), which conducts the program.

By Jim Clark
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When Mike Cann read about the recent meeting at the Cross Street Senior Center, where the Massachusetts Medical Marijuana Initiative – Question 3 – was discussed, in last week’s edition of The Somerville News, he knew that he wanted to respond with his own point of view on the matter.

Be sure to watch the Board of Alderman meeting this Thursday evening. They just might be discussing the new proposed salaries for many of the city’s non-union workers, including the Board of Alderman themselves.

The Somerville Fire Department respond to a fire at 130 Sycamore Street. – Photo by Ryan Epps.

On October 8, at 2:26 a.m., the Somerville Fire Department responded to a fire at 130 Sycamore Street.

By Jim Clark

A special meeting of the Board of Aldermen was held last week to work out details of the proposed Union Square Revitalization Plan.

The Somerville News Person of the Week, Eugene A. Ferraro.

Meet Eugene A. Ferraro. “Gene” to his many friends here in the ‘Ville. Gene is a lifelong resident who grew up near Prospect Hill, went to school here and got married. He is a grandfather now, still living in Somerville.

There sure are a lot of bicycles buzzing around Somerville these days. More so than ever, it seems. People are opting to utilize them as either a supplemental or primary means of transportation like never before.

The Streetscape Project continues its efforts to improve Davis Square.

By Emmanuel Vincent

One more meeting was held for the Davis Square Streetscape project at the Tab Building. It was an opportunity for the public to see where the city was headed with the project to and offer there own opinions regarding the information that was presented to them.