By Tom Nash

A group of residents disgruntled with the city's development process filed a package of ordinances this week that would strip the Zoning Board of Appeals of much of its power.

The group, working under the name Somerville Residents for Sensible Development (SOME SENSE), seeks to place special permit granting authority with the Board of Aldermen in addition to other changes to how the city evaluates zoning applications.

By William Tauro

Senate President Therese Murray has announced the date of a special election to fill the recently vacated seat of former State Senator Anthony Galluccio. The election will be held on April 13 with a general election to follow on May 11

The first Green Roof in Somerville was installed at St. Polycarp Village now many Somerville's residents are contemplating transforming its roofs into budding ecosystems.

By James Reddick

Hidden from the naked, street-level eye sits acres upon acres of potential green land in Somerville, a city remarkably lacking in its green spaces. In what is largely a concrete jungle, Somerville's residents, environmentalists and community leaders are contemplating transforming its roofs into budding ecosystems. The green roofs momentum has gone from the initial, trial phase – marked by the St. Polycarp Village roof installed this part summer – to a more comprehensive discussion regarding policy.

~Photo by Tom Nash

Mayor names interim chief

By Tom Nash

Police Chief Anthony Holloway accepted an offer to become the police chief in Clearwater, Fla. on Monday, ending months of speculation that the Florida native would leave Somerville for the city where he started his career.

Holloway, released from his five-year contract with Somerville, will remain until the end of January, marking two years since becoming the first police chief selected after a nationwide search. Holloway, 47, spent 22 years rising through the ranks of Clearwater's police department before retiring as a captain in 2007 to come to Somerville.

Martha Coakley or Scott Brown – who is the best choice for the vacant Senate seat? That's what we all will have to decide between now and Tuesday, January 19th. The unfortunate truth, regardless of which candidate you vote for, is that this elected office would have been best served by someone who has already sat as a member of Congress – that is a widely accepted fact, given the pure nature of the Senate as a body. Well, that doesn't matter anymore, so let's take a closer look at what we have to choose from.

Community Musical Chairs at Somervision.~Photo by Sanjeev Selvarajah

By Sanjeev Selvarajah

The tables in the hall were full – residents and Somerville enthusiasts sat as representatives of their neighborhoods. Monica R. Lamboy, the Executive Director of the Office of Strategic Planning and Community Development was gracious enough to find room for The Somerville News's reporting of the proceedings. "Would you like to sit at a table?" she asked. Somervision was open to all.