–
As part of his Massachusetts Recovery Plan to secure the state's
economic future, Governor Deval Patrick today announced an additional
$764 million in federal recovery funds to secure jobs, maintain health
care reform and protect key safety net services.

"These
additional FMAP funds are critically important to Massachusetts during
these challenging economic times," said Governor Patrick. "Through
thoughtful and strategic investments, we will protect and assist
Massachusetts residents who will rely on the state for key services and
supports now more than ever."

The federal American Recovery
& Reinvestment Act provides a temporary boost in the Federal
Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP), increasing federal matching
dollars for Massachusetts' Medicaid program from 50 percent to between
56.2 percent and 61.6 percent, depending on unemployment levels in the
state during the stimulus period.

Approximately $764 million
in additional FMAP funding will be available to Massachusetts in FY09
and FY10, which supplements the $1.2 billion announced in January as
part of the Governor's Emergency Recovery Plan for FY09 and FY10.

Securing Jobs and Supporting Health Care Services: $255million in FY10.

Ensuring
the stability of essential health providers and ongoing strategic
initiatives is critical to maintaining jobs in the health sector and
preserving key services.

The Governor's FY10 budget priorities provide $255 million for:

Hospitals: $160 million

Nursing homes: $45 million

Community mental health: $15 million

Community health centers: $10 million

"Community First" initiative: $20 million

Other health care providers: $5 million

Maintaining Health Care Reform: $222 million in FY10

The
Governor's plan for FY10 provides $222 million to maintain coverage and
eligibility for all existing MassHealth and Commonwealth Care members,
allowing for anticipated increases in caseloads with the creation of a
caseload mitigation reserve fund.

Protecting the Safety Net: $97 million in FY10.

The Governor's funding priorities for protecting safety net services in FY10 include:

Department of Mental Health: 14 million

Support additional rental subsidies for people with mental illness living in the community.

Provide adequate funding to maintain inpatient capacities.

Department
of Mental Retardation / Department of Developmental Disabilities: $31.6
million Renovate community group homes as part of the "Community First"
initiative.

Restore funding for family supports.

Disability Commissions and Veterans:$5.73 million.

Restore after-hour interpreter services for the deaf and hard of hearing.

Fund
supports for people with disabilities in the workforce (Massachusetts
Rehabilitation Commission, Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing,
Commission for the Blind).

Invest in veterans.

Department of Children and Families: $10.2 million.

Preserve 82 social work positions.

Increase rates for foster care families.

Department of Youth Services: $3.4 million.

Address substance abuse for detained and committed youth.

Institute transitional placements.

Department of Public Health: $7.4 million.

Support Department's Bureau of Health Care Safety and Quality.

Maintain access to family planning services.

MassHealth – Children's Behavior Health Initiative: $25 million.

"Safety
net services are critically important during times of economic
uncertainty, and the Governor's commitment to securing jobs,
maintaining health care reform and protecting needed supports will make
Massachusetts communities stronger," added Secretary of Health and
Human Services Dr. JudyAnn Bigby. "By making these key investments now,
we are continuing to preserve insurance coverage and eligibility for
vulnerable populations to avoid capping program enrollment and
eliminating services just when they are needed most."

"Unlike
in previous fiscal emergencies, where administrations balanced their
budgets by reducing safety net services and Capping enrollment in
health programs, Governor Patrick is making the prudent and
compassionate choice to use these federal funds to prevent more
devastating cuts in our safety net," said Leslie Kirwan, Secretary of
Administration and Finance."This is a fiscally responsible use of the
recovery funds and will ensure that those in need get the help they
deserve."

"These actions by Governor Patrick are just what the
doctor ordered. This vital funding for health care in Massachusetts is
an important element in President Obama's economic recovery plan that
we fought for so hard in the Congress," said Senator Edward Kennedy. "I
commend Governor Patrick's plan to use the federal recovery funds to
shore up safety net services. His plan provides desperately needed
money for essential health services, and will stem the tide of job
layoffs in the health sector."

"We are facing challenging
economic times and this additional federal funding will help ease some
of the pressure on health care safety net programs. It is an effective
use of stimulus funds and will have a direct impact on many
Massachusetts residents," said Congressman Mike Capuano.

"The
economic recovery bill was designed to save jobs and prevent the most
vulnerable kids and senior citizens from falling through the cracks in
the toughest economic times since the Great Depression," said Senator
John Kerry. "This investment will guarantee that the kids and
low-income folks hurting the most continue to get desperately needed
health care services. I applaud Governor Patrick for distributing these
funds in a way that protects thousands of people across Massachusetts."

"Maintaining high quality health care services is absolutely
critical – especially in these tough economic times," Congressman Jim
McGovern said. "I'm pleased that the Governor is ensuring that a wide
range of services will receive this federal funding."

Congressman
John Olver said, "Shoring up our health care system is a responsible
and proper use of stimulus funds. This extra infusion of capital will
help to ensure that modest income people have access to health care in
these difficult economic times. In addition, these funds will directly
contribute toward maintaining high-paying jobs in the health sector."

"I
am pleased to see that the $764 million in FMAP dollars provided to the
state via the Economic Stimulus bill will be used to address some of
Massachusetts most urgent health care needs," Congressman Stephen F.
Lynch said.

"These funds will secure jobs, lead to the
stabilization of our safety-net hospitals and community health centers,
provide for the continuation of health care reform and ensure essential
services to those in need. With the economic downturn taking its toll
on health care, the funds could not have come at a better time."

"I'm
pleased that these federal funds will help Massachusetts maintain its
role as a leader in health reform, while making certain that our
hospitals and health centers have the resources to provide access to
the quality, preventive care that so many of our most vulnerable
citizens urgently need," said Congressman John Tierney.

"These
needed funds will ensure that medical providers in our state are able
to maintain essential health services, will sustain the Commonwealth's
historic commitment to universal health care, and protect our most
vulnerable residents all while creating local jobs," said Congresswoman
Niki Tsongas. "I want to thank Governor Patrick and Lt. Governor Murray
for their ongoing commitment to health care, as well as for their
efforts to ensure that the funds from the American Recovery and
Reinvestment Act are used to create jobs and make much needed
investments in our communities."

"These federal funds will
provide critical support for those across the state who need it the
most," said Congressman Edward J. Markey. "The money will support the
young, the old, the disabled, and the veterans who have served our
country so honorably. Our health is our first wealth, and this will
provide a vital safety-net for our families and communities."

Investments
in safety net services are a critical component of Governor Patrick's
Massachusetts Recovery Plan, which combines state, federal and, where
possible,private efforts to provide immediate and long-term relief and
position the Commonwealth for recovery in the following ways:

Deliver
immediate relief by investing in the road, bridge and rail projects
that put people to work today and providing safety net services that
sustain people who are especially vulnerable during an economic crisis:
build a better tomorrow through education and infrastructure
investments that strengthen our economic competitiveness, prepare
workers for the jobs of the future and support clean energy, broadband
and technology projects that cut costs while growing the economy; and
reform state government by eliminating the pension and ethics loopholes
that discredit the work of government and revitalize the transportation
networks that have suffered from decades of neglect and inaction.

For more information about what the federal recovery law means for Massachusetts, please visit www.mass.gov/recovery.

This pervasiveness
seems to have found its way to certain local print and online outlets
in a really distracting manner. Not distracting to us, we get why they
bang their drum, but distracting to the people who matter – the readers
– the average, every day people on the street that look to these very
print and online information sources for some insight on what is going
on.

"Over 125 people were in
attendance and it was success," said coach Charles O'Rourke in regards
to the banquet. "We had a lot of people there, and I think it just goes
to show how much support there is for the program. We had a great
season, and we couldn't have ended it on a higher note. We had a lot of
girls step up and contribute and they all did a great job."

As
for the awards, Nicole Genard captured the team's high scorer award.
Gerard, who qualified for the all-states in the high hurdles, emerged
as one of the top highlights of the Highlanders season. Other
impressive accomplishments included Jessica Lopes, who was named as the
team's unsung hero. Junior Jessica Masse, who qualified for all-states
in the shotput, was also named as the team's most improved athlete.

"(Masse) had a wonderful season and she took our throwers to a whole another level," said O'Rourke. "She did a fabulous job."

Earning rookie of the year honors for the Highlanders were the freshmen duo of Genard and Tayla Plett.

In
receiving the coaches' award, Justine Homsi guided the Highlanders in
several track events while Michelle Meranda also picked up the
assistant coaches' award.

Receiving captains' plaques were the tandem of Homsi, Esther Sainterling, Rose Mathieu and Jessica LeBrun.

Establishing
school records was the sophomore sensation of Sasha Garczynski, who
recorded an astounding time of 1:42.54 in the 600 meters, along with a
time of 3:10.53 in the 1000 meters.

Highlanders who earned
Greater Boston League All-Star status were Genard, Thethe Selenga,
Mathieu, Garczynski, Casse Marsden and Masse.

As for next year's captains, the Highlanders will be guided by Sabrina Ozit, Masse and Conde.

"The
girls did a great job this season," said O'Rourke. "They were indeed a
special group to coach and hopefully, we'll be able to continue it this
spring."

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

Ward
5 Alderman Sean O'Donovan is having a "Spring Fling"
celebration-fundraiser this Friday evening, the 27th, at the Dante Club
on Craigie Street from 6pm to 10pm, tickets are $25.00 – should be a
good turnout, as Sean has proven in the past on election year he can
attract a lot of fans and support.

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

Veterans
Services Department Director Frank Senesi is still looking for
donations to help defray the cost of the Memorial Day Parade. He has
done a wonderful job here in Somerville since being appointed by Mayor
Joe. Every year the parade gets better and better and brings a lot of
pride to our city, please send any donation you can to "The City of
Somerville Parade and Memorial Restoration Fund" and mail to: The CSPF
Parade Committee, c/o The Somerville Veterans Services Department, 50
Evergreen Ave. Somerville MA 02145 or call Frank at 617 625-6600 x
4700.

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

Cafe Lola is the new name of the
great coffee place across from East Cambridge Savings on Highland
Avenue. Lola Riveras has taken over the café and has some great ideas
for the future. We wish her well. Mention this note in Newstalk and get
a muffin for $1.00, they're the best around.

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

Nice
to see our Friend and former Publisher Bob Publicover back as the emcee
on the Mayor's Report. He and Mayor Joe recently had the Police Chief
Anthony Holloway on as their guest and will soon be joined by the Fire
Chief and DPW Commissioner in the near future. Doesn't Bob look great,
since he put on a few pounds, he is the best.

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

Don't forget to renew your dog license. You can be fined if your dog isn't licensed every year!

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

Shout
out to Dave Bolger down at the Housing Authority who continues to help
people to find housing in a caring, professional way. We often hear
good things about how Dave treats his clients.

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

Get
well wishes to City Assessor Dick Bressia – get back up and around
soon. Dick does a great job and Somerville is lucky to have such an
honest, experienced man in that job.

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

Newly
elected Register of Probate Tara DeCristofaro is having a birthday
breakfast Saturday, April 4th at the Hilton Hotel in Burlington, cost
is $35.00 per person 9:30am. to 11:30am.

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

And
finally our own Congressman Mike Capuano is having fundraiser at the
Hotel Marlowe on Monday, April 6th, from 5:30pm to 7:30pm. Great time
to come and talk to him about the stimulus money given by congress
lately. Mike is always a good listener and he has always been all about
service to his district.

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

Somerville Pop
Warner at 66 Sycamore Street is seeking donations to help run their
programs for the nearly 300 kids here in Somerville from ages 5 to 15.
In these economic hard times, they are reaching out to the public for
more donations to keep the programs alive. Contact President Roger
Desrouchers for how you can help or want more information about the
programs they offer.

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

The Somerville
Chamber of Commerce's next Business After Hours gathering on the first
Thursday of the month is coming up on April 2nd at The Burren in Davis
Sq. Great opportunity for local businesses to get to know one another
and networking at its best.

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

Nice to see
that the Somerville Police Officer out of work due to and auto accident
in January is up and around raking and blowing his leaves around his
yard on one of the nice warm days last week – we are looking forward to
seeing him back to work soon!

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

Funny how
several teenagers who were recently on the front page of the Farm Team
paper were accusing the Police Department of abuse, how is that they
found the Farm Team office and not the Somerville Police Station where
they could have filed the complaint directly – or was it a slow news
day at the Farm Team?

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

Masonic Open
House is once again this coming Saturday from 9am to 3pm at 125
Highland Avenue "Rear" – two long time Masonic Lodges meet there and
both are very active lodges as well. They contribute to many local
charities and community programs. Ever wanted to know what Masons do
and what its all about – the public is welcomed this Saturday. King
Solomon's Lodge (just celebrated its 225th Anniversary) and Somerville
Lodge members will be on hand to answer your questions. Go up the
driveway to the large parking lot and then to the double doors. Any
male over the age of 18 is eligible to join.

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

Enjoy
laughing with others who like to laugh! Socialize, uplift your spirits
and improve your health! Every 1st and 3rd Saturday of each month. 11
a.m. till 12 noon at 6 William Street(Unity Church of God) $5 per
person or per family. Walter Ness leads group laughter exercises to
enhance the enjoyment of laughter and show the value of different ways
to laugh. For information go to www.SomervilleLaughterClub.com

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

Finally,
our condolences to family and friends of Raymond Izzo, who was a school
department employee for over 38 years, he was a nice guy and will be
missed.

Okay,
so where is Spring? As I am starting to write this article on Monday,
the temperature is in the 30's . I thought it was supposed to be
spring? We had some very nice teases there over the last couple of
weeks.

We hit the bike trail and peddled to Spy pond in
Arlington. The playground was packed, and we heard the words "good job"
over and over from affirming parents. Little Johnny actually found his
mouth with a granola bar! But these little spurts of warm weather is
like dangling a dog biscuit in front of a pup. And who can you complain
to? Each other, that's all. I'm tired of telling my kids to zip up
their sweatshirts, or to put their coats on. The crocuses have croaked
– so why am I still freezing my butt off?

Again, who can you
complain to? Shelby Scott? Don Kent? Dick Albert just retired, so count
him out. We did our time this winter for sure. It was like the movie
Groundhog Day. As soon as we cleared one snow storm away, another one
came. You couldn't keep enough rock salt and snow melt on hand. I want
to wear my spring Red Sox jackets. My gas bill was the highest it's
been ever. I am not on that budget plan but I made my own plan. I send
them what I can each month, and they can like it or lump it.

We want warm weather. We are ready for warm weather. We deserve warm weather. This winter is like a pimple that won't go away.

When
we have nice day, I open a few windows to get the smell of dog out.
Then the next morning I am sitting watching TV, drinking my morning
coffee shivering from the arctic blast coming from the open window I
forgot to close.

The kids don't care if it's still cold out.
They took off for Davis Square Saturday with just sweatshirts on. The
kids can take it, I can't. Now I know why people work hard their whole
lives and so that they can spend winters in Florida.

When we
were kids weather didn't seem to bother us. We would go outside if was
raining, snowing or if there was a monsoon. God forbid we stayed in the
house. For crying out loud, what fun was that? Who the heck wanted to
get up and go over to the TV every time you wanted to change the
channel? Either that or you could watch Candlepins For Cash with your
dad. My mother always used to ask me "where are you going?" And I'd say
something like "I'm going over to (unintelligible mumble)'s." She knew
it was baloney because no parent wanted 12 teenagers in their house
listening to Led Zeppelin. We only did that when they weren't home.

We
would go hang around at the corner of Bay State and Kidder for hours,
under the tree that isn't there anymore and lean up against Teddy
Bates' fence. He doesn't live there anymore either. If Ted's dad went
out, we went in! Sometimes,there would be about 20 of us just hanging
around. I guess back then our long hair helped keep us warm. The day my
parents drove by on their way home from church and surprised me I had
something else to supply a little heat. I had to stick a lit butt in my
pocket until they finished their little visit and drove off. That
warmed me up a little. We had no cell phones or Ipods either.

When
we spoke, we spoke to each other face to face . If we were going to be
late we had to go to a store and use a dime to call home. We wore army
surplus green army jackets or blue navy pea coats. Our hands stayed in
our pockets. Some of us conned our parents into buying us a leather
jacket. I got one and loved it. I still remember the smell of that coat
when it was new. It was the coolest article of clothing I ever got. It
never left my sight at the Western Junior High School. It was stylish,
but it didn't keep me warm while hanging on that corner.

That
was a good spring. Thankfully, one by one we stared getting our drivers
licenses, which meant now we parked on the corner and listened to Led
Zeppelin. But when the nice weather arrived, we were out and about. All
the hangouts started becoming more densely populated with kids. You
know the ones I'm talking about.

Yes, I am ready for spring,
even if it doesn't mean hanging around on a corner full of friends any
more. It means walking the dog without shivering and not having to warm
the truck up for 20 minutes. It means no more shoveling, no scarves and
no hats to mess up our hair. Somerville is ready for spring, so bring
it on!

Speaking of simpler times, a wonderful little radio
station is in need of our help. It is WJIB, the memory station, and it
plays great laid back music with no annoying commercials. That means it
is listener supported. Right now they are having a donation drive,
asking for contributions to meet their skyrocketing operating costs.
The donation is, however, not tax deductible.

Bob Bittner is the
owner and operator and here is the address: WJIB, 443 Concord Ave.,
Cambridge MA 02138. Their website is www.wjib740.com – so if you want
great music without commercials and talk, WJIB 740 am is for you! Where
else can you hear the Ballad of the Green Berets, The Singing Nun, Tom
Jones, the Beatles, Sinatra, Glenn Miller and other adult standards
without a car ad in between each song? You can email Jimmy directly at
jimmydel@rcn.com.

Earning Greater Boston
League all star status was senior Kyler Evitt, who competed in the mile
run, while Verly Jean delivered in the hurdles. Other all-stars
included Keenan Augusts in the shotput, Nathaniel Evers in the 600 and
Marcello Ciampa in the dash.

"Keenan and John won at the GBL
Championships," said coach Dave Dickerson. "And the others owned the
top time in their events during the season."

Emerging as the
outstanding field event athlete event award was sophomore John Thomas
at the high jump. Thomas who cruised to a victory in the freshman and
sophomore championships, also captured the top spot in the league meet,
clearing the bar with a state qualifying score of 5'10".

Sophomore
Edward Chen, who won the both the league and freshman/sophomore meet in
the hurdles, qualified for the Division 1 state championships, also
placed third in the dash at the freshman/sophomore meet.

Recording
the outstanding distance award was sophomore Tim Sullivan, who captured
the two mile at the freshman/sophomore meet. In addition, he posted a
time of 4:46, to grab fourth place at the league championship meet.

After
suffering a quad injury playing baseball in the off-season, Augustus
earned comeback of the year honors, while winning the shotput at the
league championships.

"He was hurt in the baseball season with
an ugly looking injury to his right quad," said Dickerson. He won the
shotput with a league best throw at the GBL Championships."

Earning
the most improved award was senior Scott Fitzgerald in the two-mile,
who was the fourth leading scorer on the team. While placing second in
the league championships, Fitzgerald earned a 12th place result with a
time of 4:40.

Senior Bendhjy Naziare and freshman Andryc Evich
received rookies of the year award while leading the Highlanders to
several strong finishes in a number of events.

"A first season
impact athlete, (Nazjare) improved as the season progressed in the 600
and 300 meter run and then moved up to the 4x800m relay at the Division
1 State Championships," said Dickerson. "We'll get him for one more
season outdoor before he heads off to college next year.

(Evich)
started inconspicuously but just kept on building up to being a
competitive athlete in the GBL. Not afraid to practice on Saturdays, he
ran his best at the end of the season with a strong 1000 yard run at
the GBL Junior Varsity meet."

Notching the unsung hero award was senior Robby Lyons, who emerged as the fifth leading scorer on the team.

"Robby
has great leadership and practice habits," said Dickerson. "He
constantly reminded everyone what was needed in practice and at meets,
placed third in the 1000 meters at the GBL Championships in qualifying
for the D1 State meet. He was the 5th leading scorer on a team of
all-stars."

Emerging as a proud recipient of the coaches' award
was senior standout Kyler Evitt, who delivered one of the school's top
times at 4:32 in a meet against league champions Cambridge.

"There
was quite an over the top write up about all this guy has accomplished
in his years at SHS," said Dickerson. "The real truth is that Kyler
shows up every day because he wants to; not because he has to. He is
the real deal and he did everything from organizing the team warm-up to
putting away the equipment at the end of meets and practice. He always
had a few encouraging and commanding comments prior to meets. Pushed
the Highlanders to the lead against Cambridge with two events remaining
while running one of the top 3 times ever run on the SHS indoor Track
(4:32 equivalent of a sub 4:26 mile on a 200 meter track), while
defeating the eventual Division 1 two-mile State Champion in our house.
It would have been great to see him display the fruits of all the hard
work at the GBL & State meet, but the Flu won out at an inopportune
time. Anyone else would be devastated, but Kyler will be back."

After
leading the Highlanders in points, Jean received the honors as the
team's Most Valuable Player, posting solid and consistent performances
in both the hurdles and the high jump.

"(Jean) picked up the
mantle as the GBL's best hurdler in only his second full year on the
team, went undefeated during the season in the hurdles and scored key
points in the high jump. He was the top seed at the GBL Championships
with the best time in the preliminary round but caught the penultimate
hurdle in the final allowing an Everett running to sneak by."

Also
picking up the Donald Kirton Memorial Award was senior Israel
Rodriguez, who not only shined in the spotlight on the track, but off
of it with his tireless commitment of community service at the YMCA.

"The winner of this award encompasses many great characteristics that
we look for in our athletes and he has worked through some obstacles to
be where he is today (accepted to attend Salem State next fall)," said
Dickerson. "He'll run any event asked and actually wishes we had a
three-mile run in high school track."

Following a team vote, next year's senior captains will be John Thomas, Augustus, Tim Sullivan and Chen.

On
the boys side, Winter Hill posted a team score of 77, followed by East
Somerville who notched 53. Other participants included the Argenziano
(19), the Healey (12) and the Kennedy Elementary Schools (eight).

Earning
Most Valuable Player honors was Phoenix Huertas of Winter Hill, who
captured both the 50-yard hurdles and high jump while Josue Rubio of
East Somerville finished with honorable mention.

In the mile
run, Winter Hill's Andre Rolim won his second consecutive race in the
mile, posting a time of 6:15, while Huertas captured the 50-yard
hurdles (8.4). Leading the way in the dash was Troy Martini of the
Kennedy, who also posted his second consecutive win in with a time of
6.2, followed by Shyheem Silvia's victory in the 220 yard dash (33.0).

Leading
the way in the 300 yards was Rubio, who cruised to a win in the 300
yards (44.0), followed by Carlos Guerra of East Somerville, who won the
600 yards (1:56).

In the high jump, Huertas, Rubio and Guerra
all finished in a three way tie for first, clearing the bar at 4'6",
while Christian Colon of Winter Hill rolled to a victory in the shotput
(32'8").

For the girls, the Healey cruised to a win with a
score of 57 points, followed by the Winter Hill (38), Kennedy (36) and
the Argenziano (14).

Recording Most Valuable Player honors was
Jennifer DiPersio of Winter Hill, who finished first in the high jump
and second in the 600 yard race, while Jucline Felix earned honorable
mention.

In the mile run, Melissa Baptista cruised to a win,
finishing with a time of 7:31, while Brianna Dell'Isola captured the
50-yard hurdles. In the dash, Felix rolled to a win in with a time of
7.03, followed by Melissa Sanon in the 220 yard race (34.7). Leading
the way in the 300 yards was Melinda Haley of the Healey, who finished
in a tie for first with Winter Hill's Gelynne Berger, who posted a time
of 51.1.

In the 600 yards, Shykela McAndrew of the Healey earned
a victory with a time of 2:15.9, followed by DiPerserio's win in the
high jump (3'4"). Also posting a strong performance in the shotput was
Roselie Preval of the Kennedy, who finished with a first place toss of
30'3", while the 4×160 relay team of Julie Melgar, Jasmine Bejarano,
Preval and Felix emerged victorious with a time of 1:45.

As Anne-Marie Desmarais, a consultant hired with a
grant by the Friends & Neighbors of Glen Park, explained in a March
10th informational session, "contamination occurred by dribs-and-drabs,
over many years." The toxins released then slowly spread out through
the groundwater.

Recently, Tufts Medical School interviewed
residents from 39 different households within the affected area and
found no health effects clearly linked to the pollution. The results
were encouraging, said Pirie, but the sample size much too small to be
definitive.

GEI, a firm hired by Unifirst, the company
responsible for the pollution, is currently working at the site to
extract contaminants.

Unfortunately, there is a limit to what
can be accomplished mechanically in such a densely populated area. GEI
looked into possible methods of "cleaning up", like the installation of
a miniature purification plant. They found, however, that the
contamination itself is irreversible, explained Desmarais. "It took 50
years to spread out," she said, "and it could take even longer to be
cleaned up naturally." What is not left up to time, however, is the
action that can be taken by residents.

According to an
investigation undertaken by GEI and the Massachusetts Department of
Environmental Protection, the only remedy that can guarantee the safety
of residents would be an installation within the basement of each
building in question. Exposure can only occur through the air, after
evaporation, as noxious fumes enter the house through the cellar. At
the cost of Unifirst, the cellar can either be sealed, or a pipe that
pumps toxins out of the basement could be installed. This method has
already been used at the Capuano Center, where four classrooms were
found with traces of the pollutants.

A handful of landlords and
tenants, however, have not been cooperative with GEI and MDEP's
investigation. "They aren't sure what do with people with high levels
of toxins who either won't have their houses tested or who won't allow
for remediation," Alex Pirie, Coordinator of Immigrant Service Projects
and Health. Such landlords are not required by law to notify their
residents of the possible health risks and may fear that doing so will
scare them away. As Desmarais emphasized, such a "head in the sand"
approach is potentially very dangerous. "Based on what we know," she
said, "there shouldn't be alarm, but there should be caution."

In response to a
lawsuit filed against the Zoning Board of Appeals by three abutters of
a property slated to become 14 condos on the 300 block of Summer
Street, the board voted March 18 to file an order in the Middlesex
Superior Court asking the case to be brought back within its
jurisdiction.

The property, owned by the Dakota Partners, has remained empty as a seven-year legal battle has

unfolded
among abutters, the developer and the city. With the construction
permit on the brink of lapsing, the ZBA's unanimously approved
extension at its Feb. 18 meeting.

In effect, the remand order filed in the court acknowledges that Assistant City Solicitor David Shapiro

gave
information to the board after the Feb. 18 vote granting a one year
permit extension to Dakota that could have changed the vote.

The
plaintiffs in the lawsuit against the ZBA say Shapiro made a critical
mistake when he told the board at its Feb. 4 meeting that the Dakota
Partners could apply for an extension only once – a fact which several
members cited in justifying their votes at a meeting two weeks later.

A
day after the meeting, Shapiro sent an e-mail to the ZBA explaining
that Somerville's one-year limit was susceptible to legal challenges
based on a 2002 decision by the Massachusetts Attorney General's

rejection of a similar ordinance proposed in Swansea.

The order voted on at the March 18 meeting, drafted by Shapiro, asks for the case to be remanded from

the
Middlesex Superior Court back before the ZBA "for the limited purpose
of considering whether to reopen the proceedings in light of additional
legal guidance received after the decision was rendered."

Tom Bok, an abutter to the Summer Street property, filed the request to re-open the case. He and

lawsuit
plaintiff George O'Shea waited outside a closed-door executive session
held at the March 18 meeting as Shapiro briefed the board on its
options.

While Bok sees the remand order as a positive step, he said it was unfair that a 20-day limit on

requesting a case to be re-opened forced them to pursue both a request through the ZBA and a legal appeal at the same time.

"The part of this process that frustrates me is that there are two paths, one just says 'Are you

sure?' and another that is more costly," Bok said.

If
the court decides to allow the ZBA to reconsider the permit extension,
a new pubic hearing process will be required – giving residents another
chance to protest the permit extension.

Attorney Rich
DiGirolamo, who has represented Dakota before the ZBA, said he doesn't
expect a new hearing to take place. "We don't believe the appeal is
meritorious," he said. "We think the board gave due regard to the
hardship arguments presented and I don't think (the abutters) will
prevail."