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Somerville, MA: Millions Wasted on Deficient Walkability Improvements

Posted by a 4:31 pm on November 2, 2011

Over 80% of Somerville’s new sidewalks and curb cuts, installed since 2004, are hazardous for people with various types of disabilities (one-in-five). These infrastructure improvements don’t even adhere to basic, standard building code. See a listing of the first 50 locations that the City of Somerville promises to re-do, equalling about $500K wasted the first time around- for starters.

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Posted in Accessibility, Civil and Human Rights, Development and Zoning, Environment and Open Space, Government Reform, Pedestrians, Public Health & Safety, Public Records / FOIA Requests, Schools and Youth, Seniors | 6 Comments »

Bicycle Public Safety Campaign Wimps Out

Posted by a 10:04 pm on October 26, 2011

On Thursday, 6 pm, November 3rd, at the VNA, 259 Lowell St., the Board of Aldermen’s Public Safety Committee will discuss the Administration’s disinclination to implement a promised Bicycle Safety Campaign for the city’s cyclists…

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Posted in Ball Square, Bicycles, Davis Square, East Somerville, Magoun Square, Pedestrians, Public Health & Safety, Seniors, Teele Square, Union Square | 1 Comment »

Great job, Joe!

Posted by a 5:06 pm on October 16, 2011

At Chester and Elm Streets in Davis Square, the brick curb cuts have been replaced with concrete, compliant ones. People using wheelchairs and other rolling mobility devices at this location can now rock and roll to the beat of the Ville, knowing that they don’t have to “pull the hill” at either end of the crosswalk. Keep up the good work, Mayor Joe!

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Posted in Accessibility, Civil and Human Rights, Davis Square, Environment and Open Space, Pedestrians, Public Health & Safety, Seniors, Traffic & Parking, Transportation, Transportation Projects, Ward 6 | 2 Comments »

Green

Posted by a 12:25 pm on September 16, 2011

The latest robocall announced the 4th Annual Riverfest, Saturday, 9/17, featuring “fireworks, entertainment, food and family activities” for Somerville residents. The familiar and friendly voice of Jackie Rossetti encouraged residents to participate. The latter part…

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Posted in Accessibility, Arts and Culture, Assembly Square, City Finances, Economy & Poverty, Environment and Open Space, MBTA, Pedestrians, Politics, Public Health & Safety, Seniors, Traffic & Parking, Transportation | No Comments »

Dilboy Tot Lot IS Deplorable. Thank You, Ward 7 Candidate Puglia!

Posted by a 1:10 pm on August 24, 2011

Ward 7 Alderperson Candidate Joan Whitney Puglia is proving to have a keen awareness of conditions around town.  Her mention of Dilboy Field‘s tot lot and baseball field has the Community Access Project members…

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Posted in Accessibility, Civil and Human Rights, Environment and Open Space, Housing, Pedestrians, Politics, Public Health & Safety, Schools and Youth, Seniors, Sports, Ward 7 | No Comments »

R.I.P. Joe Medeiros

Posted by a 7:39 pm on June 23, 2011

Joe Medeiros, man about town, disability rights activist, and wry humorist, died June 14.  He would have turned 91 on June 21, 2011.

 

The Somerville Home held a lovely Memorial Service for…

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Posted in Announcements, Civil and Human Rights, Seniors | 1 Comment »

When will Somerville get a PLAN?

Posted by a 1:18 pm on June 2, 2011

FCC Chair Genachowski says that, by next April, cities across the country will have access to a new technology just launched in New York City-to send critical emergency alerts to residents’ mobile phones when public safety is threatened. This new technology and service is called the Personal Localized Alerting Network, a.k.a., PLAN. Would it benefit Somerville?

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Posted in Accessibility, Health Care, Public Health & Safety, Seniors | 1 Comment »

Home Modification Loan Program

Posted by a 4:43 pm on June 1, 2011

The MRC recently redesigned their brochure for the Home Modification Loan Program (HMLP). This is a well-funded state low-interest loan program for projects to allow elders, adults with disAbilities, and families with children with disAbilities to keep living independently. Information for Somerville residents included in this post.

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Posted in Accessibility, Civil and Human Rights, Housing, Seniors | No Comments »

Brick and Brick Paver Pedestrian Surfaces Hurt

Posted by a 2:29 pm on December 2, 2010

On December 6 at 6 pm, Alderman White and the Public Safety Committee will hold a Special Hearing to understand the justification for using brick paver materials in the recently constructed Somerville Avenue crosswalks. The vibrations from such materials hurts wheelchair drivers, and causes additional discomfort for people with visual and balance impairments.

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Posted in Accessibility, Civil and Human Rights, Events, Pedestrians, Public Health & Safety, Seniors, Transportation | 7 Comments »

The Diary of a Wheelchair Experiment

Posted by a 2:08 pm on December 1, 2010

As someone who does not own a car, I am already accustomed to the life of a pedestrian living around the edges of a world designed for cars. But I was completely unprepared for how dramatically marginalized I would feel trying to navigate the streets by wheelchair.

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Posted in Accessibility, Civil and Human Rights, Public Health & Safety, Seniors | 16 Comments »

Disenfranchised in Somerville … Again.

Posted by a 2:51 pm on November 3, 2010

Somerville’s disability culture should also be celebrated as part of our rich multicultural diversity. But as we see, even voting is still not routinely made accessible and integrated for voters with physical disAbilities. How can we reverse Segregation in Somerville?

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Posted in Accessibility, Civil and Human Rights, Davis Square, Pedestrians, Seniors, Teele Square, Uncategorized, Ward 1, Ward 4, Ward 6, Ward 7 | 40 Comments »

Making Your Home Work for the Long Run

Posted by a 10:09 pm on September 9, 2010

A program and workshop on adapting your home to support your needs as you get older.

Wednesday, September 29th, 5:30-7:30

167 Holland St., 2nd floor, wheelchair accessible

If you or someone you…

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Posted in Accessibility, Events, Housing, Seniors | No Comments »

Street Reconstruction Project: Promises Never Kept

Posted by a 2:08 pm on August 7, 2010

Three years after the Somerville Avenue Reconstruction Project began, Union Square businesses are still hindered by lack of thoughtful pedestrian planning during construction; and Union Square residents, visitors and workers are still unable to walk these streets with confidence and comfort.

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Posted in Accessibility, Development and Zoning, Neighborhoods and Squares, Pedestrians, Public Health & Safety, Seniors, Traffic & Parking, Transportation, Transportation Projects, Union Square, Ward 2, Ward 3 | 7 Comments »

4/8/10 2010-2011 HUD Action Plan Public Hearing

Posted by a 9:41 pm on April 4, 2010

2010-2011 HUD Action Plan Public Hearing

Thurs. Apr. 8 6:30 PM

Ralph and Jenny Center
9 New Washington St.
Somerville MA

[Facility is near the corner of Inner Belt Rd…

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Posted in All Ages, Beat Reporter, Development and Zoning, Environment and Open Space, Events, Housing, Neighborhoods and Squares, Public Health & Safety, Seniors, Special | 8 Comments »

Demand for Affordable Family Housing is 4 Times Greater than Senior/Disabled Housing in the City

Posted by a 12:01 am on March 21, 2010

Through a question to the ResiStat blog, I recently learned this fact which makes one wonder why Mayor Curtatone has been pushing so hard for a new Senior Housing Ordinance

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Posted in Housing, Seniors | 2 Comments »

BOA Land Use Committee and Planning Board Joint Meeting

Posted by a 9:08 pm on February 28, 2010

BOA Land Use Committee and Planning Board Joint Meeting

Thurs. Mar. 4 6:00 PM

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

Agenda

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Posted in All Ages, Development and Zoning, Economy & Poverty, Events, Government Reform, Neighborhoods and Squares, Seniors, Special | No Comments »

BOA Land Use Committee Meeting

Posted by a 7:42 pm on

BOA Land Use Committee Meeting

Tues. Mar. 2 7:00 PM

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

Agenda (PDF)

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Posted in All Ages, Development and Zoning, Economy & Poverty, Events, Government Reform, Seniors, Special | No Comments »

Letter Against the Senior Housing Zoning Ordinance

Posted by a 9:44 pm on February 16, 2010

I believe that both the premise for the Ordinance and the approach that it takes are wrong.

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Posted in Development and Zoning, Housing, Seniors | 1 Comment »

MPO Access Advisory Committee to the MBTA Meeting

Posted by a 6:49 pm on February 14, 2010

MPO Access Advisory Committee to the MBTA Meeting

Wed. Feb. 24 1:00 PM

State Transportation Building
Conf. Rms. 2, 3
10 Park Plaza
Boston MA (map)…

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Posted in Accessibility, All Ages, Announcements, Buses, Civil and Human Rights, Development and Zoning, Environment and Open Space, Events, Pedestrians, Seniors, Special, Trains, Transportation, Transportation Projects | No Comments »

Petition to Oppose the Senior Housing Zoning Amendment

Posted by a 4:45 pm on February 7, 2010

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Posted in Civic Action, Development and Zoning, Housing, Seniors | 10 Comments »