City Finances

[ September 20, 2010; 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm. ] This is the regular monthly meeting of the Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee. The Strategic Planning staff is drafting the Comprehensive Plan. Somerville’s citywide development for the next twenty years will be shaped by the comprehensive plan.

[ September 2, 2010; 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm. ] This is the regular meeting of the Somerville Planning Board. This meeting will deal with an ongoing and sometimes controversial Somerville development, Ocean State Job Lot at 299 Broadway. The Planning Board holds public hearings and grants permits for special districts, such as Planned Unit Developments.

This meeting was devoted entirely to passing the proposed modifications to the Preliminary Master Plan for Assembly Square. The Planning Staff had asked Federal Realty to generalize the use mix from Office and R&D because Somerville zoning has a very narrow definition of Office use. Federal Realty widened the definition to include all Somerville uses under special permit. The Planning Board stated that in the absence of any opposition, they would waive the reading of the 70 conditions and voted to approve the changes to the PUD. Some citizens present had expected to have a period for written comment before the vote.

[ July 13, 2010; 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm. ] At this meeting we will be discussing the policies and actions derived from the comprehensive plan goals. This meeting is important because Somerville’s citywide development for the next twenty years will be shaped by the comprehensive plan.

[ August 11, 2010; 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm. ] At this meeting we will discuss the progress of the infrastructure improvements, Ch 91 licenses, and a proposed amendment to the Assembly Square Master Plan. This meeting is important because it provides a last chance to weigh into the development process at Assembly Square.

There was some good news tonight for school custodians, at the city budget hearing at City Hall. It was announced that the mayor and the custodians’ union is in negotiations, and so it’s possible that the layoff of 49 custodians and outsourcing of their jobs may be avoided.

“In budget-cutting season, politics can be brutal,” wrote the author of a recent View from Prospect Hill column in the Somerville News.  With an $8.1 million budget gap, it is imperative that the city cut costs.  However, the current, shortsighted approach, with its focus on outsourcing hourly jobs, will sow the seeds of discord for [...]

[ June 22, 2010; 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm. ] All hearings on the City Budget are important, because the Budget decides where the money goes.

The Mayor of Somerville has yet again stolen another idea from Cambridge: road races. He should be spending time and energy to help get us out of this financial crush.

I am a school custodian for the City of Somerville.  I see a Boston Herald article that Boston is cutting 83 school custodians.
Reading the comments ( there are 249 comments so far!) I see that many of what these other people are saying is true; however,  one thing that is not [...]

Dear Friends of Somerville Schools,
I want to let folks know that documents relevant to the budget planning process for our schools for the next fiscal year are now available on the School Department website. I have pasted the link here and at the bottom of this email.
Update, Read Slight Change in School Budgeting Timeline
http://www.somerville.k12.ma.us/education/components/docmgr/default.php?sectiondetailid=14074&catfilter=1183#showDoc
Please note [...]

On May 25, 2010 my union received a letter that stated that as of the new fiscal year the school custodians would be privatized out… The mayor mentions that he does not want to cut public safety or education but this mayor has packed the police and fire with all his friends…

[ June 2, 2010; 6:30 pm; ] This meeting is important because it provides an early opportunity to influence future plans for Davis Square.

[ June 14, 2010; 6:15 pm; ] This meeting is important because it gives citizens a chance to provide feedback to the City on how things are going in their neighborhoods.

[ June 1, 2010; 6:30 pm; ] This meeting is important because Somerville’s citywide development for the next twenty years will be shaped by the comprehensive plan. This meeting is open to the public.

[ May 26, 2010; 6:45 pm; ] This meeting is important because it gives citizens a chance to provide feedback to the City on how things are going in their neighborhoods.

[ May 24, 2010; 6:15 pm; ] This meeting is important because it gives citizens a chance to provide feedback to the City on how things are going in their neighborhoods.

[ May 12, 2010; 6:00 pm; May 18, 2010; 7:00 pm; June 2, 2010; 7:00 pm; June 10, 2010; 7:00 pm; June 14, 2010; 6:00 pm; ] Dear Friends, As you probably know, in May and June the School Committee enters the height of the budget season as we make plans for the next fiscal year, which begins on July 1. This is always a complicated process and one best conducted with the public fully informed of the process.

“I hope you all get some power someday, so you’ll know what it’s like to have to satisfy your constituents’ demands with a limited budget.”

[ May 10, 2010; 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm. ]

The Massachusetts Legislature’s Joint Committee on Revenue has been traveling the state on a Listening Tour to hear from the public their thoughts on tax policy in Massachusetts. The Somerville stop of the Listening Tour will be held Monday, May 10, from 7 to 9 p.m. in the [...]

Attended meeting. Ald. Gewirtz, Heuston, Pero, Sullivan present. Staff including Monica Lamboy and representative of City Solicitor present. Also Joe Grafton of Somerville Local First, Tom Bent of Chamber of Commerce.

[ April 6, 2010; 6:30 pm; ] Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee Planning Meeting

Tues. Apr. 6 6:30 PM

Upper Hall
Greek Orthodox Church
29 Central St.
Somerville MA (map)

This is the third planning meeting of the Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee. At this meeting, the group will continue specifying goals, policies and actions to implement the vision statement.

This meeting is important because Somerville’s citywide [...]

The City of Somerville was one of 10 cities honored as an All America City by the National League of Cities in 2009. During the announcement, the audience was informed that, “this is a community that uses information to improve the lives of its residents.” Here’s some information about the inaccessible DPW facility.

A town cannot set its tax rate until it has received the Cherry Sheet. But what does it mean?

[ March 25, 2010; 11:00 am; ] Mass Development Financing Programs

Thurs. Mar. 25 11:00 AM

Somerville City Hall
Aldermen’s Chamber
93 Highland Ave.
Somerville MA (map)

This workshop consists of a presentation by MassDevelopment vice president Bonnie Sullivan on financing programs available for municipalities, businesses, and nonprofits. This workshop is sponsored by Mayor Curtatone and the Office of Strategic Planning and Community Development [...]

[ March 22, 2010; 8:00 pm; ] BOA Committee on Parks and Open Space Meeting

Mon. Mar. 22 8:00 PM

Somerville City Hall
2nd Fl. Comm. Rm.
93 Highland Ave.
Somerville MA (map)

Agenda (PDF)

This is the regular meeting of the Somerville Aldermanic Committee on Parks and Open Space. On the agenda is extending the 2008-2013 Open Space and Recreation Plan to 2015, among other [...]

[ March 31, 2010; 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm. ] What’s Next For the Powder House Community School?

WHY :       The City is moving ahead with plans to rezone and sell the Powder House School property.

WHAT :    Join your neighbors to learn about the City’s planning process, discuss how redevelopment might impact the neighborhood, and find out how we can ensure [...]

Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick spoke in the inaccessible Somerville High School auditorium this past Monday March 8, 2010, celebrating the fact that Somerville, MA was named one of the 10 All America Cities, 2009, by the National League of Cities.
A week later, the Somerville Arts Council- which enjoys American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA) funding, [...]

[ March 9, 2010; 6:30 pm; ] Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee Planning Meeting

Tues., Mar. 9, 6:30 PM

Upper Hall
Greek Orthodox Church
29 Central St.
Somerville MA (map)

This is the second phase 3 planning meeting of the Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee. At this meeting, the group will continue specifying goals, policies and actions to implement the vision statement.

The goal of the comprehensive plan [...]

The New England Center for Investigative Reporting at Boston University has taken an interest in our (Somerville Voices) proposed investigation of parking fines and has offered to analyze the ticket data for the amount of $500.
With this analysis, we’ll know how much revenue the city is getting from the 48-hour limit on parking in one [...]

[ February 18, 2010; 6:30 pm; ] This hearing is important because it is a key step toward getting Federal money for improving Somerville.

Banks and Verizon need to be held to the kind of standards they use to torture their customers.

[ February 9, 2010; 7:00 pm; ] Committee on Legislative Matters

Tues. Feb. 9 7:00 PM

Aldermen’s Chamber
Somerville City Hall
93 Highland Ave.
Somerville MA (map)

Agenda (PDF)

This is a special meeting of Committee on Legislative Matters, meeting as a whole. The Committee does the final review of ordinances to be passed by the Board of Aldermen.

This meeting is important because it is taking up a [...]

[ February 16, 2010; 6:30 pm; ] Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee Planning Meeting

Tues., Feb. 16, 6:30 PM

Upper Hall
Greek Orthodox Church
29 Central St.
Somerville MA (map)

This is the rescheduling of the Feb. 9 Phase 3 planning meeting of the Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee. At this meeting, the group will begin specifying goals, policies and actions to implement the vision statement. A guest speaker is [...]

As the City prepares to sell the closed Powder House School building to private developers, the Office of Strategic Planning and Community Development (OSPCD) just posted an Aug 24, 2009 real estate analysis report (pdf) to its website .
According to a Dec 31, 2009 article in the Somerville Journal [Somerville's Powder House school building set [...]

[ January 26, 2010; 6:30 pm; ] Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee Visioning Meeting

Tues., Jan. 26, 6:30 PM

Upper Hall
Greek Orthodox Church
29 Central St.
Somerville MA (map)

This is the last Visioning meeting of the Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee. At this meeting, the group will finish the vision statement.

The goal of the comprehensive plan is to improve the quality of life for Somerville’s residents and workers [...]

[ January 12, 2010; 6:30 pm; ] This is the second Visioning meeting of the Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee. At this meeting, the group will review the citizen inputs from the earlier SomerVision meetings and pull them together into the beginning of a vision statement.

[ January 13, 2010; 7:00 pm; ] BOA Committee on Finance

Wed. Jan. 13, 7:00 PM

2nd Floor Comm. Room
Somerville City Hall
93 Highland Ave.
Somerville MA (map)

This is the first 2010 meeting of the Finance Committee.

Finance Committee meetings are always important, because this is where decisions are made about city money.

For background and matters of interest, see:

Infrastructure Investment Incentive (I-Cubed) Program
Assembly Square Mixed-Use Development Project

WITI?

[ December 7, 2009; 7:30 pm; ] Ward 1 ResiStat Meeting

Mon. Dec. 7, 7:30 PM

Cafeteria
Capuano Early Childhood Center
150 Glen St.
Somerville MA (map)

This meeting, sponsored by Mayor Curtatone and Ward 1 Alderman Roche, deals with statistical data and issues relating to Ward 1. Similar meetings are held in all other wards of the city. Citizen input from these meetings are compiled into yearly [...]

[ December 8, 2009; 7:00 pm; ] Ward 4 ResiStat Meeting

Tues. Dec. 8, 7:00 PM

Cafeterium
Arthur D. Healey School
5 Meacham St.
Somerville MA (map)

This meeting, sponsored by Mayor Curtatone and Ward 4 Alderman Pero, deals with statistical data and issues relating to Ward 4. Similar meetings are held in all other wards of the city. Citizen input from these meetings are compiled into yearly [...]

[ December 9, 2009; 7:00 pm; ] BOA Committee on Finance

Wed. Dec. 9, 7:00 PM

2nd Floor Comm. Room
Somerville City Hall
93 Highland Ave.
Somerville MA (map)

Agenda (PDF)

This is a special meeting of the Somerville Aldermen’s Committee on Finance to discuss retiree health coverage under Medicare and municipal Medicare insurance plans, along with other business. All the Aldermen will be present, meeting as a [...]

[ December 10, 2009; 5:30 pm; ] Ward 7 ResiStat Meeting

Thurs. Dec. 10, 5:30 PM

Tufts Admin. Building (TAB)
167 Holland St.
Somerville MA (map)

This meeting, sponsored by Mayor Curtatone and Ward 7 Alderman Trane, deals with statistical data and issues relating to Ward 7. Similar meetings are held in all other wards of the city. Citizen input from these meetings are compiled into yearly [...]

[ December 1, 2009; 6:00 pm; ] BOA Committee on Finance

Tues. Dec. 1, 6:00 PM

2nd Floor Comm. Room
Somerville City Hall
93 Highland Ave.
Somerville MA (map)

Agenda (PDF)

This is a special meeting of the Somerville Aldermen’s Committee on Finance to discuss retiree health coverage under Medicare and municipal Medicare insurance plans, along with other business. All the Aldermen will be present, meeting as a [...]

[ December 1, 2009; 7:00 pm; ] Ward 5 ResiStat Meeting

Tues. Dec. 1, 7:00 PM

Cafeterium
John F. Kennedy School
5 Cherry St.
Somerville MA (map)

This meeting, sponsored by Mayor Curtatone and Ward 5 Alderman O’Donovan, deals with statistical data and issues relating to Ward 5. Similar meetings are held in all other wards of the city. Citizen input from these meetings are compiled into yearly [...]

[ November 30, 2009; 7:30 pm; ] Ward 2 ResiStat Meeting

Mon. Nov. 30, 7:30 PM

Argenziano School
290 Washington Street
Somerville MA (map)

This meeting, sponsored by Mayor Curtatone and Ward 2 Alderman Heuston, deals with statistical data and issues relating to Ward 2. Similar meetings are held in all other wards of the city. Citizen input from these meetings are compiled into yearly reports on [...]

Pittsburgh floats a sales tax on college tuition!

[ November 17, 2009; 6:30 pm; ] Comprehensive Plan Visioning Meeting

Tues. Nov. 17, 6:30 PM

Argenziano School
290 Washington Street
Somerville MA (map)

This is the November meeting of the Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee. The Visioning Discussion begins with this meeting and will continue with four public input meetings in December. The Steering Committee itself will resume meeting in January.

This committee is intended to provide input [...]

[ November 15, 2009; 7:00 pm to 9:30 pm. ] Somerville Voices will sponsor a public forum on Sunday, Nov 15th, 7-9:30 pm about our city’s changing parking regulations and how they will affect residents, visitors, businesses, and the city budget.

Courtney Koslow, director of the Somerville Parking Advocacy and Reform Coalition (SPARC) and member of the City’s Parking Solutions Task Force will address your questions [...]

[ November 9, 2009; 6:00 pm; ] BOA Committee on Finance

Mon. Nov. 9, 6:00 PM

2nd Floor Comm. Room
Somerville City Hall
93 Highland Ave.
Somerville MA (map)

Agenda (PDF)

This is a rescheduling of the Nov. 4 meeting of the Finance Committee, which was cancelled on November 2. It is important because it addresses the final requirements of the iCubed program just approved by the Aldermen for [...]

[ November 5, 2009; 7:00 pm; ] BOA Committee on Housing and Community Development

Thurs. Nov. 5, 7:00 PM

2nd Floor Conference Room
Somerville City Hall
93 Highland Ave.
Somerville MA (map)

This is meeting of the Aldermanic Committee on Housing and Community Development is important because the Committee will discuss the proposed MBTA maintenance facility and the Green [...]

[ November 4, 2009; 6:00 pm; ] BOA Committee on Finance

Wed. Nov. 4, 6:00 PM

2nd Floor Comm. Room
Somerville City Hall
93 Highland Ave.
Somerville MA (map)

This is the regular meeting of the Finance Committee. It is important because it addresses the final requirements of the iCubed program just approved by the Aldermen for Assembly Square infrastructure. In particular easements and land acquisitions for the [...]

[ October 27, 2009; 6:30 pm; ] Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee Meeting

Tues. Oct. 27, 6:30 PM

Community Room
Visiting Nurses Association
259 Lowell St.
Somerville MA (map)

This is the second October meeting of the Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee. The subcommittees will meet and the committee as a whole will review the Land Use Trends report.

This committee is intended to provide input to a comprehensive plan for [...]

[ October 14, 2009; 6:30 pm; ] BOA Finance Committee Meeting and Hearing

Wed. Oct. 14 6:30 PM

Aldermanic Chamber
Somerville City Hall
93 Highland Ave.
Somerville MA (map)

This is a continuation of the Sep. 16 public hearing on the iCubed funding proposal before the Board of Aldermen, which would provide $50 million in tax incentive financing for developing [...]

[ October 13, 2009; 6:30 pm; ] Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee Meeting

Tues. Oct. 13, 6:30 PM

Community Room
Visiting Nurses Association
259 Lowell St.
Somerville MA (map)

This is the first October meeting of the Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee. The subcommittees will meet and the committee as a whole will review the Housing Trends and Transportation Trends reports.

This committee is intended to provide input to a comprehensive [...]

[ September 22, 2009; 6:00 pm; September 23, 2009; 6:00 pm; ] BOA Committee on Finance Meetings

Tues. Sep. 22, 6:00 PM
Wed. Sep. 23, 6:00 PM

2nd Floor Comm. Room
Somerville City Hall
93 Highland Ave.
Somerville MA (map)

Tues. Agenda (MS DOC)
Wed. Agenda (MS DOC)

These are back-to-back special meetings of the Somerville Aldermen’s Committee on Finance.

The Tuesday meeting is to discuss the Argenziano School Project and the iCubed program proposed [...]

[ September 16, 2009; 6:00 pm; ] BOA Finance Committee Meeting and Hearing

Wed. Sep. 16 6:00 PM

Aldermanic Chamber
Somerville City Hall
93 Highland Ave.
Somerville MA (map)

Agenda (MS Word)

This important meeting of the Somerville Aldermen’s Committee on Finance will include a Public Hearing on the State I-Cube program, which would provide $50 million incentive for developing Assembly [...]

Almost half of the Aug 27th BOA mtg agenda (pdf) basically consists of 311 service requests like orders to fix potholes and sidewalks. The other half contains some interesting items including these highlights (emphasis added by me):
Note that Ward 7 Alderman Bob Trane was the only member to not have sponsored any items. The Aldermen [...]

On Aug 27th, the Board of Aldermen raised taxes on meals by 0.75% and on hotels by 2% effective Oct 1st, according to Danielle Dreilinger’s report today on Boston.com. These taxes will generate an estimated $620,715 in revenue. One wonders why this item did not appear on the meeting agenda (pdf) and also how the [...]

So I get a trash violation citation in the mail — all but illegible & addressed to a misconception of my name — dunning me for $50 for putting out trash too early and in paper bags.  Now, I’m all for clean streets and garbage in containers and doing my part.   Only problem is [...]

Traffic Board Meeting and Hearing
Thurs. Aug. 13, 6 PM
Aldermanic Chamber
Somerville City Hall
93 Highland Ave.
Somerville MA (map)
Agenda (PDF)
This is a special meeting of the Traffic Board. It includes a public hearing on petitions challenging the decision to extend parking meter hours, increase parking meter rates, and extend residents-only parking throughout Somerville.
For background [...]

[ August 13, 2009; 6:00 pm; ] This public hearing will be convened by the Traffic Board in the Aldemanic Chamber at City Hall. I initially noticed this in Deb Filcman’s Aug 7 SJ blog post.  For background about the parking changes, visit the SPARC blog , check out the just-posted video of the 7/27 interview on SCAT’s Progressive Voices of SPARC-co-founder Courtney Koslow,  or [...]

[ August 4, 2009; 6:30 pm; ] Special Meeting, Somerville Board of Aldermen

Tues. Aug. 4 6:30 PM

Aldermanic Chamber
Somerville City Hall
93 Highland Ave.
Somerville MA (map)

This special meeting of the Board of Aldermen is being held to discuss economic proposals for the Assembly Square development project, and other financial issues.

For background and issues to monitor, see:

Assembly [...]

[ July 29, 2009; 7:00 pm; ] Somerville Housing and Land Use Joint Committee Meeting

Wed. July 29, 7 PM

Aldermanic Chamber
Somerville City Hall
93 Highland Ave.
Somerville  MA (map)

Agenda (MS DOC)

This is a joint meeting of the Housing and Community Development and Land Use Committees. On the agenda is to continue work on a new comprehensive plan for the City of Somerville. Issues of [...]

[ July 20, 2009; 10:30 am; ] This important press conference will be held Monday morning at Assembly Square with Governor Patrick, Senator Kerry and Congressman Capuano. The event will focus on I-Cubed funding, GDI funding and stimulus funding for the Assembly on the Mystic project. Issues of interest: * Assembly Square long term vision * Assembly Square Orange Line T-Stop funding

[ July 20, 2009; 6:00 pm; ] Assembly Square Public Advisory Committee Meeting

Mon. July 20, 6:00 PM

Federal Realty Investment Trust
5 Middlesex Ave. Suite 401
Somerville MA (map)

This important event is sponsored by Federal Realty, the chief developer of the new Assembly Square mixed use development. Matters of interest:

Urban design and site plan for 10 M s.f. Long Term Vision for Assembly Square
Implications for [...]

I have a new idea as to how Somerville can raise revenue: ticket jaywalkers.  I drive through Davis Square daily to drop my son off at daycare and DAILY come across pedestrians who think it is OK to cross the street wherever they want.   Sometimes the pedestrians look and sometimes they feel no need to [...]

This Somerville ARRA Funding Watch is gleaned from the Massachusetts Area Planning Council’s Municipal Resource Guide on the Federal Economic Stimulus,
Pending all final approvals, Somerville is in line for $30,196,052 in American Recovery & Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds. (The above-linked MAPC document was updated on May 13, 2009. )

1.  COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG-R) [...]

In spite of the overwhelming cupidity of the Board of Aldermen, one or more may ask why or how the Mayor connects “access” to higher tickets across the board? … The obvious conclusion is that he cares nothing about access, and everything about money. While that may be good for his budget, it is at real cost to citizens and businesses, and, ultimately, to the management system that justifies – or rationalizes – that cost.

[ June 23, 2009; 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm. ] Come out to the next Progressive Democrats of Somerville Meeting!
When: Tuesday, June 23rd, 6:30pm to 8:30pm
Where: VNA, 259 Lowell Street, Community Room

The message below was sent by Richard Saunders, Director of Music for the Somerville Public Schools. He is rightfully outraged by a bill currently being considered by the House of Representatives, (Bill H111)which would require school music department to sterilize instruments. Here’s a Globe article about it. The problem is that there’s no [...]

I thought Somerville Voices readers might be interested in my recent newsletter about the state budget.  If you’d like to receive future newsletters, you can sign up at www.patjehlen.org

Dear Neighbors,
REFORM BEFORE REVENUE
SHOCK AND AWE BUDGET
REVENUE
RESTORATIONS
MUNICIPAL RELIEF
What’s Next?

Dear Neighbors,
With all the discussion of the budget, it’s easy to get lost in the talk of billions of [...]

[ June 3, 2009; 7:00 pm; June 10, 2009; 7:30 pm; June 16, 2009; 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. 9:00 pm; June 18, 2009; 7:00 pm; ] From the SPS homepage, entitled “A message from Tony Pierantozzi, Superintendent of Schools”
… The extent of the impact of the current financial crisis on fiscal year 2010 remains unclear. We do know that the impact of the revenue decrease at the State level will require creative solutions and difficulty in maintaining our services. We are [...]

[ June 3, 2009; 7:00 pm; ] You are invited to attend a public budget hearing on Wednesday, June 3rd at 7:00 PM in the Somerville High School Library (81 Highland Avenue) to discuss the proposed FY10 budget for the Somerville Public Schools.

Information about the budget development process is on the Public Schools website. Please visit www.somerville.k12.ma.us. Click on “About [...]

[ May 19, 2009; 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm. ] As announced in the Somerville Journal : What should happen with the former Powder House Community School?

Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone and Ward 7 Alderman Robert Trane invite all interested community members to a public meeting to discuss the Powder House Community School site at 1060 Broadway.

The meeting will take place from 7 p.m. to 8:30 [...]

[ May 19, 2009; 6:30 pm; ] According to the Somerville Journal:
Somerville Democrats will meet Tuesday, May 19, at 6:30 p.m. in the community room at the Visiting Nurses Association at 259 Lowell St.

Mayor Joe Curtatone will speak on “The Economic Challenges Facing Somerville.”
Note : this location is wheelchair accessible

The City of Somerville, as an Entitlement Community, receives millions of Federal dollars from HUD each year from the Community Development Block Grant, Emergency Shelter Grant, and HOME programs.  These monies must be spent on activities that primarily benefit low and moderate income Somerville residents in three areas:  
Provide decent affordable housing;
Eliminate slums and blight;
Enhance [...]

[ April 28, 2009; 7:00 pm; ] The following was posted by Ward 5 School Committee member Mark Niedergang to the list of the Progressive Democrats of Somerville (PDS) on Apr 24th.

How do you think Somerville should respond to the budget cuts?

-Barry

————————————–

Dear friends at PDS,

The Board of Aldermen and School Committee together will be holding a public forum on the FY 2010 [...]

[ April 28, 2009; 7:00 pm; ] from Mark Niedergang

Dear friends,

The Board of Aldermen and School Committee together will be holding a public forum on the FY 2010 budget this Tuesday, April 28th, at 7 PM in the Aldermen’s Chambers in City Hall.

This is an opportunity to get an update from the Mayor and the Superintendent of Schools on the City and [...]