While past contests have been won
by groups who focused on maximizing the energy-efficiency of their
designs, Tufts and the BAC are taking a broader approach, explained
Bill Moomaw, professor of international environmental policy at Tufts
and one of the project's leaders.

"What we need to do is bring
solar panels to everybody. We don't want to just build a solar house.
We want to build an affordable house," he said at the groundbreaking
ceremony.

By integrating the environmental and economic sides of
sustainability, the project will emphasize that "everything is
connected," said Jeff Stein, Dean of the BAC. "Today, there is only one
ecology, one big system of which we are all a part," he explained.
Architects and builders, he implied, must consider the sustainability,
not just the affordability, of their buildings.

The house will
be small-only 800 square feet, as stipulated by the contest rules-but
will contain many innovative and affordable features, said Kevin Horne
in a presentation following the groundbreaking. Horne, a BAC graduate
student, is one of the project's student directors.

He explained
that the roof of the house will be covered not only with solar panels
but also with "solar collectors," which use the sun's energy to produce
hot water. Rainwater will be collected and used to flush the toilets,
and the interior layout of the house will be easily reconfigurable. The
entrance will even have an airlock to reduce the energy loss associated
with entering and exiting the structure.

"Our vision," Horne
explained, "is to empower people to live sustainably. We don't want to
just build a house, we want to help people to build and live
sustainably."

Medford Mayor Michael McGlynn also attended the
ceremony, and emphasized Medford's longstanding commitment to
environmental education. In what appeared to be a surprise move, he
offered to provide space in Medford to permanently display the
completed Curio House. He expressed hope that by extending the
project's life beyond the end of the competition, the house might
spread public awareness of sustainability issues.

The project
will culminate in October with the exhibition of all 20 completed
structures in a "solar village" on the National Mall in Washington, DC.
The last competition, in 2007, drew over 1 million visitors to its
"solar village," and competition organizers are hoping for an even
higher turnout this year.

Fully funding the Curio house will
cost about $750,000, according to a press release. The project has
received a $100,000 grant from the Department of Energy, Horne said,
and organizers hope to raise the remaining amount through donations
from an array of local businesses and individuals.

More information about the project can be found on its website,

www.livecurio.us.

On
the one hand, I am grateful that the legislature has decided we can't
simply cut our way out of the fiscal crisis. If it ultimately becomes
law, Monday night's veto-proof vote in the House to boost the state
sales tax would mean less severe cuts in critical services at the state
and local level. New revenue must be part of a balanced solution to our
problems and – whatever their source – any and all new revenues will
help.

On the other hand, Governor Patrick was right when he
called the Legislature on its failure to focus on reform first. Reform
is what gives the public confidence that it's no longer business as
usual on Beacon Hill. Without reform, any revenue enhancements or
service cuts become much harder sells.

When you put aside all
the overheated talk-show rhetoric, it's pretty clear that the best
approach to ending this fiscal crisis is to come up with a balanced,
well-designed mix of structural reforms (including pension and benefit
reforms, agency consolidation, and greater managerial flexibility for
cities and towns), some targeted adjustments in revenue and some
difficult but inevitable budget-cutting. That's exactly what Governor
Patrick has proposed.

But what the Governor also understands is
that the various "reform" bills floating around Beacon Hill – on
transportation, ethics, and pensions – simply don't go far enough. He
also understands that his revenue proposals – such as his calls for an
increase in the gas tax, for closing the telecommunications tax
loophole, for local options meals and hotel taxes, and for ending the
sales tax exemptions for candy, soda, and alcohol – are more targeted
than a general hike in the sales tax. The revenues they would generate
would go straight to areas of greatest need; they would encourage
better public buying patterns while promoting healthier and more
energy-efficient lifestyles.

Don't get me wrong: Any new
revenues that allow the state to reduce its deep and painful cuts in
local aid will be very welcome, and we will accept them with thanks.
Under the circumstances, I think Representatives Provost and Sciortino
were right to support the sales tax increase and I appreciate their
continuing efforts on behalf of our community. I am also grateful to
Speaker DeLeo for his willingness to consider a wide range of revenue
options – and for his leadership in a difficult situation.

But
I also think this fiscal crisis should be seen as an opportunity to fix
long-standing structural problems in the way we collect and spend
public revenue – as well as an opportunity to push for much-needed
reforms in the ways that the legislature micromanages cities and towns,
and the way public retirement and benefit systems have fallen into
patterns of inefficiency and even abuse.

That is why I hope that
the Governor sticks to his guns, and that we will see reform come back
to the forefront in our budget discussion. That is why I look forward
to working with our delegation to pass legislation that gives cities
and towns the choice of imposing modest local-option hotel and meals
taxes in order to reduce our dependence on a regressive property tax
system. That is why I hope cities and towns will also receive greater
freedom to develop health-care plans that help manage costs while
maintaining quality of care. All of these changes are part of the
governor's reform agenda, and all of them will contribute to long-term,
structural change.

We need to understand, however, that these
changes – as welcome as they are – will still leave us with hard
choices in next year's budget. Even if we get the reform we need, and
even if we get some restoration of local revenue either through the
governor's package or the sales tax hike – we will still have to find
ways to save money in FY2010.

So please don't think that the
House vote to increase the sales tax means there will be less pressure
on cities and towns to achieve structural reforms of their own. We will
need to scrutinize every program, every service, every revenue source
in order to come up with a plan to manage our way through this fiscal
crisis.

And while we're on the subject of scrutinizing every
cost and making hard choices: I announced on April 22nd that Janice
Delory, who has been working as an Aide to the Mayor, is taking over as
Chief of Staff from Mike Lambert, who has taken on a new role as the
City's Director of Transportation & Infrastructure. (Mike is
filling an existing and critical slot in the Office of Strategic
Planning and Development.) In view of the current fiscal situation, I
will not be back-filling Janice's prior position. Reducing the size of
the Mayor's Office in this way will mean more work for fewer people,
but cost control has to start at the top. This is by no means the first
or the last step we will be taking to manage costs across the face of
city government. As I've said before – and will continue to say no
matter what happens on Beacon Hill – all options, layoffs included,
remain on the table.

But for some, it was a reminder of the constraints of urban life.

Peter
Narsesian, a Somerville resident, feels frustrated at the downsides of
urban construction and development. "I've contacted the city in the
past about it, but it's hard to find even one person who knows what's
going on," he said. "It doesn't seem like anyone is in charge."

"There's
no reason to cut down every 2-foot wide tree; Somerville Ave is bleak
enough," he went on. "I'm sure a lot of people are frustrated."

Many
trees have been removed on Somerville Ave to make the sidewalks comply
with the Americans with Disabilities Act. State projects are required
by law to take down trees in order to make sidewalks sufficiently wide.

It
is because of concerned citizens like Narsesian that the Massachusetts
Youthbuild Coalition (Youthbuild) and Eagle Eye Institute (EEI) were
founded. EEI is based in Somerville and dedicated to its primary goal
of combating global warming. Arbor Day, of course, is their biggest day
of the year.

"The Massachusetts Arbor Day Celebration brings
together local youth, professional arborists, and government and
community leaders and it will demonstrate how important trees are for
the overall health of our communities," said Eagle Eye Institute
Executive Director Renee Toll-DuBois. "As active participants in the
plantings, the local youth gain valuable experience and training,
bringing to life our slogan that we are 'planting roots for our
future.'"

And this year was no exception, as the global warming
movement has gained legitimacy over the past several years. This may be
its current high-point.

EEI and Youthbuild coordinated a
statewide celebration of Arbor Day, and since EEI is based in
Somerville, the city played its own special part, planting trees to
improve the community's health.

Across the state, the groups planted more than 200 trees.

Through
this and other programs, Somerville's own EEI increases awareness and
knowledge about the environment and the value of urban and community
forestry through learning, stewardship and career-bridging programs.

"We're
extremely excited to be partnering with the Massachusetts YouthBuild
Coalition to coordinate this tree planting effort on a statewide level
for this year's Arbor Day," said Toll-DuBois. "In addition to improving
the health of the Commonwealth's residents, the Arbor Day tree
plantings will demonstrate the benefits of organizational partnerships
and individual community efforts, resulting in a positive impact on
direct community service."

Perhaps if EEI continues its success
story, Narsesian and others may finally get some relief. "I'm not a
tree-hugger or anything," Narsesian said. "I just live in the
neighborhood. Maybe we can learn our lesson before it comes time for
the next construction project."

For more information on the
2007 Massachusetts Arbor Day celebration, including sponsorship
information, please contact Renée Toll-DuBois or Emma Lathan at Eagle
Eye Institute at (617) 666-5222 or elathan@eagleeyei.org or visit Eagle
Eye Institute's website at www.eagleeyeinstitute.org

Not to be outdone, however, the city has got involved in fighting global warming by planting trees.

In
response to complaints of those such as Narsesian, Somerville's
Executive Director of Communication, Tom Champion, underscores the
city's unflagging commitment to the environment. "The Mayor has
committed to increasing the total number of trees in the city by 20% in
the next few years. In order to do that we must start with an
inventory."

"We are bound by state laws, but under no other circumstances would we take down a tree in the city," he added.

Friday,
May 1st, the Mayor will celebrate Arbor Day from 9:30 am to 11 am at
the West Somerville Neighbor School, where he will plant trees with
participating schoolchildren, and Somerville will be named Tree City
USA by the Arbor Day Foundation.

"We really do have a very
strong commitment to enhancing and expanding the tree canopy over the
city. We have a strong record in this area," Mr. Champion said.

Taking place at the Elizabeth Peabody House,
located at 277 Broadway, the meeting space was filled with explanatory
pamphlets and alignment sheets conveying the street plans for the
construction. Ward Four Alderman Walter Pero opened the meeting by
stressing how important this project is for Somerville. "It is a very
big project that is coming right through Ward Four," Pero explained,
"but it is going to be a major upgrade for the city."

A
representative from Algonquin Gas Transmissions LLC, John Bonsol,
explained the development and the nature of the project itself. Waltham
based Algonquin Gas Transmissions LLC, a subsidiary of Spectra Energy,
filed an application for this project with the Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission (FERC) in April of 2008. FERC is an independent
agency employed by the US Congress to regulate the interstate
transmission of natural gas. Throughout the United States, every
project of this nature must go through FERC before going ahead.

On
April 14th 2008, the first community meeting to discuss the project was
hosted by Algonquin. "We've tried to be very proactive in communicating
with the public throughout every step of this project," Bonsol said.
Since last April there have been numerous meetings for community
members to voice their concerns.

The J-2 pipeline will connect
with existing natural gas lines at two points, creating a loop of
natural gas pipes throughout Somerville. The benefits of such a loop
are many.

"This will be a more reliable supply of natural gas,"
explained David Neal, the project manager for the J-2 Loop. "It will
become a redundant pipeline which will increase capacity. We'll also be
able to do some integrity work on the existing line."

Currently
there is no simple way to perform integrity work on existing pipelines
without shutting off gas temporarily. With the J-2 Loop in place, the
older parts of the pipeline could be shut down for repairs while the
newer pipeline would continue the regular supply of gas to the
community.

The new pipeline will start in Medford and continue
down parts of Mystic Avenue, Temple Street, Broadway, School Street,
Medford Street and eventually end at the McGrath Bridge. Construction
will take place along sections of all these streets. But residents
should not worry – the entire construction process will be in the
streets and shoulders. "There will be no construction on anybody's
property," Neal reassured concerned citizens.

Construction of
the pipeline will follow "The Stovepipe Construction Technique," which
involves excavating 40 ft long trenches, lowering the pipe into the
trench, soldering the pipes, and then backfilling the trench. Neal
expects they will be able to install 40 ft of piping per day.

When
asked about the hours of construction, Neal explained that construction
will take place from 7am to 7pm on weekdays and 8am to 7pm on
Saturdays. "If you hear noise before 7 o clock, call your Alderman or
call City Hall," added Alderman Pero. If any resident has a question or
complaint about construction, they can call the IRC Landowner Hotline
at 1-800-470-9333.

***************

The
Lions Breakfast last Sunday was a success with a large crowd turning
out as usual, the Lions members want to thank everyone for coming out.

***************

Welcome
home to Marisa Tauro, wife of our own Billy Tauro, who spent some 45
days back home in Brazil visiting with her family while Billy was here
in the 'Ville going to all the political parties to eat – by the way,
they just celebrated their wedding anniversary quietly here in the
'Ville as well this past week, here's to many more years!

***************

The
Somerville High School Art Fair – with musical performances by the
Somerville High Music Dept. – opening ceremony will be tonight,
Wednesday, April 29th from 6 pm to 8 pm in the Somerville High Atrium.
Other dates and times for the exhibit are: Thursday, April 30th from
8am to 2pm and Friday, May 1st from 8:30 am to Noon.

***************

A
Happy Birthday to Ed Ciampa, former City Assessor and City Treasurer,
and all around popular man about town, who recently celebrated his 82nd
birthday, he still looks 39, best wishes to Eddie from us here at the
News!

***************

Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone, the
Somerville Chamber of Commerce, and GoGreen Somerville will host a
"B2Green" Exhibition and Networking event on Thursday, May 7th at the
Holiday Inn, 30 Washington Street. Beginning at 4:00 p.m., the event
features a 90-minute exhibition-style presentation from over 25 local
businesses, followed by a networking event hosted by the Chamber of
Commerce. All interested community members are invited to attend, and
to learn about ways the Somerville business community uses green
practices in their businesses, in addition to energy-saving
opportunities for residents and businesses.

***************

Condolences
to Helen Connolly's family and friends on her recent passing, she was
the mother of Alderman Jack Connolly and was 86 years old, we send our
sympathies to her family. Also passing recently was Celia Femino who is
the mother of SPD Capt Charlie Femino, our condolences to both families
for their loss.

***************

Sparks flew last
Thursday night at the Board of Aldermen meeting between Princess
Rebekah (with her version of transparency) and Alderman Bill Roche, who
was livid over the recent emails that Princess Rebekah released to her
special haters list of PDSers recently. She seemed very upset and
flustered to say the least when confronted on her version of
transparency compared to everyone else. Again, the PDSers want
transparency but only their version – never mind that Princess Rebekah
has called secret meetings herself and even the boss of the PDSers has
called secret meetings. Remember the old saying…"Don't throw rocks at
glass houses."

***************

Speaking of PDSers…the
news received a mysterious hand written letter that was slid under the
door of the office one night last week from one of their spokesmen,
which appears to be a threatening type of letter. We handed it over to
our attorneys for further action, and to the person who sent it, thank
you for signing it, but you might want to seek council. Talk about a
group of haters, it's amazing how negative they can be.

***************

A
community meeting on the Green Line extensions is being held on
Wednesday, April 29th at the Argenziano School from 6-8:30 PM. The
meeting is jointly sponsored by Groundwork Somerville GWS), the
Somerville Transportation Equity Partnership (STEP), Somerville
Community Corporation SCC) and the Somerville Health Agenda (SHA) who
are partners in the Community Corridor Planning (CCP). The meeting is
being held to provide an opportunity for Somerville residents and
business owners to share their ideas about how the Green Line will
affect their neighborhood, local businesses, transportation decisions,
rent and property taxes.

***************

Som' Girls Move
– FREE health promotion afterschool program for 6th-8th grade girls
starts May 1st for 8 weeks – Fridays from 3 pm to 5 pm at the Family
Center in Union Square at 366 Somerville Avenue. Sponsored by Community
Affairs of Cambridge Health Alliance. There will be dance activity
(Hip-hop, Soca, Zumba, Latin) and Nutrition (cooking and healthy
eating). Registration is required, so contact Lisa at 617-591-6940, or
lbrukilacchio@challiance.org.

***************

Last week
we told you about that Sovereign Bank employee that allegedly
threatened to release personal information on a bank customer and
well-known businessman here in Somerville? Well in court today there
was sufficient evidence to grant a trial, a date to be set up soon. The
bank employee allegedly threatened this customer with bodily harm and
to expose personal bank information if the customer didn't give him
tickets for the U2 concert last month. We'll keep an eye on this one.

***************

We
heard through the grapevine that a certain elected official had his
utilities shut off for lack of payment recently. Now we could name the
person, but in these economic times everyone is having problems and so
aren't certain elected officials. We can only let you know that he's a
PDSer!

***************

Happy Birthday to Mayor Joe and
Nancy Curtatone's son, Joe Jr., who turned 4 years old Saturday! We
hear Nana Mama Curtatone cooked up a huge feast to go along with the
birthday cake.

***************

On Saturday, May 2nd from
9 am to Noon, the Somerville Community Growing Center – at 22 Vinal
Avenue – is having their Spring Garden Day. Free seeds, pots, plant
exchange – get your family growing healthy food! Get moving with hula
hooping for adults and kids till 11am, when the Morris Dancers and
Maypole Dance start. Contact, Lisa at 617-666-2969 or
info@thegrowingcenter.org or visit www.thegrowingcenter.org and click
on "calendar" for all their events.

***************

Congratulations
to Ward 1 School Committee member (and Chairwoman) Maureen Bastardi –
whose daughter just completed her first parachute jump out of an
airplane. As a few of you may recall when Maureen made her first jump a
just a few years back on camera.

***************

The Cambridge Health
Alliance's Somerville Hospital, in particular, cares for many needy
people, the homeless or about to become homeless. Since many of these
needy patients use Medicaid, the hospital has been steadily losing
money, asserting they are not getting accurate reimbursement for their
services from the federal government. So Somerville Hospital, along
with the rest of the CHA hospitals, will together cut their use of
Medicaid by $94 million in the coming fiscal year. "Even with these
changes, CHA is one of the largest psychiatric services providers,"
says Allison Bayer, Chief Operating Officer of CHA, at the start of the
public hearing. Faulkner Hospital and St. Elizabeth's Medical Center,
according to Dennis D. Keefe, the CEO of Cambridge Health Alliance, are
able to provide detox services for Somerville residents requiring it.
These hospitals, however, do not accept MassHealth, which many
Somerville Detox inpatients use. In all, 26 detox beds and 35
psychiatric beds are planned to be eliminated.

"Reducing
services is clearly the wrong way to go," says John Sharp of the
regional Cambridge/Middlesex National Alliance on Mental Illness
chapter. Sharp has personal experience with the effects of psychiatric
disease, his son is suffering from schizoaffective disorder. He holds
up a print-out of Governor Patrick's press release detailing the
administration's economic recovery plan for health care and safety net
services, allocating $14 million for mental health care in the
Commonwealth. "I thought we'd be okay," he says.

Other speakers
from social action organizations came to testify. Maryanne Frangules,
of Massachusetts Organization for Addiction Recovery, pressed the Mass
DPH to hold off on closing the detox unit in Somerville. "Physical
recovery is the first recovery – before psychological and spiritual –
and that needs to happen in a detox." Frangules also mentions that
eliminating and reducing services might save money now, but the cost,
she argues, will be duplicated or made greater by the added use of
emergency services, and will crowd emergency rooms, putting unnecessary
pressure on doctors and nurses. "We should be looking to make things
easier; not harder," says Lee Polk, a recovering alcoholic.

The
hearing became heated when Lawrence Paolella, a Somerville resident and
recovering addict, talked directly to the three person panel from the
Mass DPH, instead of, like others, who addressed the crowd in the
auditorium. He hotly asked the panel, "Are we just whistling in the
wind?" inquiring if all the testimonies the committee heard that day
would matter in the ultimate decision to reduce and/or eliminate care.
Paolella was able to get the committee's Chair, Paul Dryer, to respond.
"Our purpose here is to listen to you folks," Dryer commented, also
adding that neither he nor his committee has the authority to stop the
reconfiguration plans already put in process by CHA. That would take
persons above Dryer in the Mass DPH and ultimately the Governor
himself. Dryer did say, however, that Paolella was on a good start.

Many
people from Somerville will be without their supports. Stephanie Grace,
a young Somervillian with addiction problems, testified about her
positive experience with Somerville Detox. She comments that the detox
got her off the streets and cleaned up and helped her to get a steady
full time job where she proudly states, she does pays taxes. "And the
only reason I can do this today is because I got my start at Somerville
Detox. Please don't close it."

The issue began in March
when Roche proposed a resolution commending the Somerville Police
Department in response to accusations of police brutality that appeared
in the Somerville Journal.

Gewirtz, concerned about language in
the resolution that appeared to exclude non-citizens from police
protection, distributed it on her e-mail list. The strong reaction that
followed upset Roche, who earlier in April asked the city solicitor to
find out if resolutions and citations could be kept from public view
until they appear on the agenda.

Meanwhile, Police Chief Anthony
Holloway investigated the incident reported in the Journal in March
that alleged Officer Michael Silva used excessive force when he stopped
six teenagers after a fistfight and accused them of being gang members.

Holloway,
presenting his findings at the April 23 meeting, said Silva used
appropriate force with the teens because he was alone and "had
knowledge of three subjects" related to the Latin Kings gang.

All
denied having gang activity or criminal pasts to the Journal, while
Holloway countered that one later admitted he had once been a member.
Given the nature of the department's gang intelligence file, Holloway
said Silva did not know of the status change.

Holloway said he
found allegations of inappropriate language sustained, and that he had
"verbally counseled" Silva. Department policy has also been changed so
that officers cannot refer to suspects as gang members without
verification.

Holloway stressed that in situations like the one Silva faced, he considered officers' safety a priority.

"I want these officers to go home every night safe," Holloway said.

Returning
to the resolution commending the police, Roche dismissed the situation
as having been provoked unnecessarily by the Journal.

"They were more interested in a fast story than a factual story," Roche said, "and I think they should be ashamed of themselves.

"It's
OK if a newspaper sensationalizes a story and spins it for conflict,
because that's how they sell papers," he added. "You don't expect it
from your colleagues on this board."

Thursday's exchange became
so heated that Alderman at Large Jack Connolly declared a recess,
although the fight loudly continued.

"You're trying to make it about me," Gewirtz told Roche.

Roche
later circulated a spreadsheet of legislative activity since 2008,
noting Gewirtz had submitted 19 resolutions as the sole sponsor in the
last 12 months – without sharing them before the meeting.

"The numbers speak for themselves," Roche said. "People should practice what they preach."

"If
ever I have passed out or sent out a resolution to other members of the
board or put it on the agenda, I would have every expectation that that
would be public," Gewirtz responded.

Ward 5 Alderman Sean
O'Donovan later joined the fray, sharply criticizing Gewirtz and
suggesting she should be left out of the loop on resolutions.

"The
collegiality that I experienced on this board as of late is now gone,"
O'Donovan said. "I think a new day is upon us, where we have to be
careful discussing issues that maybe haven't been finalized in a
member's mind."

"What you're going to have to do now is exclude certain members when you do that," he added.

Following
the fighting, the resolution wound up being sent to the Committee on
Public Health and Public Safety after Alderman at Large Bill White
expressed concern that it could open the city to civil rights lawsuits
if it were implied that complaints against the police would not be
investigated thoroughly.

The issue of whether e-mail
communications among board members can be kept secret will be addressed
at the May 18 Rules Committee meeting.

This
year the situation is very fluid, as the Mayor has stated, and the
circumstances change on a daily basis. Monday it looked like a 12+
million dollar budget gap, Tuesday it looked like a 6.5 million dollar
budget gap. Next week it could look completely different.

City
officials said the rezoning, in the works for three years and often
marked by disagreements between neighbors and the city, would restore
the square's place as a commercial center and better position it to
capitalize on a proposed Green Line station.

"Union Square is
a hidden gem and we need to pay attention to it," Mayor Joseph
Curtatone said at the meeting. "Union Square is going to change."

The
new zoning would create three new areas: a commercial district that
would span Washington Street and Somerville Avenue, a transit district
around the proposed T stop and an arts overlay district that would
encourage artists to take up residence.

Taylor, who stressed
he is not against the rezoning as a whole, proposed an amendment that
would keep building height limits in an area between Warren Avenue and
Stone Avenue at 44 feet instead of the proposed 55 feet, roughly six
stories. He also asked that below-ground development be reserved for
parking and storage.

In explaining the requests, Taylor, whose
ward includes Union Square, expressed concern that laws allowing taller
buildings would leave the square's "quaint charm" endangered. "I don't
want Manhattan," he said. "I want a Greenwich Village."

"My fear is, decades to come our children's children will say, 'Who made this decision?'" Taylor added.

Monica
Lamboy, executive director of the Office of Strategic Planning and
Community Development, countered that buildings in Union Square were
once taller than they stand now, and that reducing the height limit
wasn't possible.

"I think we wouldn't agree to (the amendment)
because it wouldn't be consistent with what was there before," Lamboy
said. She also rebuffed Taylor's underground use amendment by saying it
would be a mistake to restrict possible uses that could develop in the
future.

Both amendments were rejected.

Aside from
concerns about the changing density, an ongoing criticism of the
proposal was that the property value increase could price many
residents out of the neighborhood. Save Our Somerville, a community
organization that promotes affordable housing, has lobbied the city to
make the rezoning more inclusive.

After the April 23 hearing,
Save Our Somerville member Adam Rich said city officials should make
more of an effort to keep Union Square and the city at-large
affordable. The rezoning proposal approved by the Aldermen would
increase the affordable housing percentage from 12.5 percent to between
15 and 17 percent depending on the area.

"Most people are
resigned to the fact that Somerville is going to be more expensive, and
there's going to be a lot of displacement," Rich said. "As a city, we
have to take on these issues in a comprehensive and serious way."