Knife play, extortion alleged at local school
By George P. Hassett

A West Somerville Neighborhood School (WSNS) student was threatened with a knife by a fellow classmate March 5 and school authorities are covering it up to protect the school’s reputation, said the mother of the victim.

By George P. Hassett

The 2002 City of Oakland’s employee of the year will take over Somerville’s top development post. Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone announced this week he appointed Monica Lamboy of Washington D.C. to head the Office of Strategic Planning and Community Development (OSPCD).

By George P. Hassett

Somerville police seized nearly two ounces of cocaine Monday afternoon from two Boston men seconds after they stepped into Good Time Emporium in Assembly Square.

By George P. Hassett

A West Somerville Neighborhood School (WSNS) student was allegedly threatened at knife point by a fellow student March 5. Capt. Paul Upton confirmed Somerville police have applied for a complaint against the juvenile in connection with the incident.

By David Taber

Two citizens groups filed petitions to amend a proposal for new zoning in Union Square at the Board of Aldermen’s meeting last Thursday, and a third sent the board a letter describing other concerns.

These concerns have inspired Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone to dump his original proposal, which was submitted last October, and draw up a new one that will take some of them into account.

Overall, Curtatone said this rezoning process has, so far, been the one of the least acrimonious he has ever participated in.  ‚ÄúThis has not been too bad,‚Äù he said.  And he hopes to have his new proposal before the board, which has final say in any rezoning, by April, he said.

But community members are concerned about gentrification, abutters rights, and even the way the zoning map was drawn, and there is at least one potential fight looming as the rezoning is reworked —- affordable housing.

The proposal would have allowed for construction up to 12 stories on lots over 25,000 square feet, but would require half of the gross floor area of the ground floor of any new development to be dedicated to commercial, industrial, institutional recreational or other non-residential use. It also required that a minimum of five percent of total floor space be dedicated to artist housing, gallery space, theater space, art studios or a craft-related retail store.

By John M. O’Hara Jr.

A candidate in the special election for alderman-at large discussed youth services, affordable housing, and open government at the Somerville News weekly contributor’s meeting March 1 at Davis Square’s Mr. Crepe.