Vol. 4, No. 13
September 15, 2004
Contents
1) NEIGHBORHOOD MEETING ON ARMORY
There will be a Neighborhood Meeting on Wednesday, September 15, 2004, to discuss the
proposed redevelopment of the former armory at 191 Highland Avenue. The purchasers of the
armory, Joseph and Nabil Sater, will be present. The meeting will be held at Anthony's Function
Hall, 156 Highland Ave., at 7 pm.
For the record, I was not involved or consulted in the scheduling of this meeting for Rosh
Hashanah.
2) CONSULTANT CHOSEN FOR SUPERINTENDENT SEARCH
Last Wednesday, September 8, the School Committee chose the Glenview, Illinois based firm
of Hazard, Young, Attea, and Associates to assist in the search for a new Superintendent.
Committee members reviewed and rated proposals from this firm and NESDEC, the only other
bidder, and spoke with individuals in other communities where these firms had assisted in such
searches. Hazard, Young was my preference between the two bidders.
In my research, I spoke to a 12-year School Committee member in Framingham who spoke
glowingly of this firm's "phenomenal" community process. It had been a high priority for
Framingham to find out what the public was looking for in a superintendent, and to seek out
candidates that fit the community's 'profile.' The Somerville School Committee has so far had
little discussion of public input into our process.
On Tuesday, Sept. 21, at 6 pm, the School Committee will meet with lead consultant John
Connolly to discuss the search. This open meeting will be held in the 3rd floor conference room
at the Administration Building, 181 Washington Street Rear (Boys and Girls Club building, near
the intersection with McGrath Highway). There is limited parking in back, street parking on
Washington Street, and bus access on the 87 and 88 lines, and any others that go through Union
Square.
3) HAVE A SOMERVILLE SATURDAY:
This coming Saturday September 18 is one of those days that we have a full menu of exciting events brought
to us by some of our fantastic community groups.
A) THE GARDEN CLUB'S ANNUAL PLANT SALE
In Davis Square, just opposite the Somerville Theater, from 9 am until 1 pm, choose from a big
selection of reasonably priced perennials and house plants, all to benefit the Somerville Garden
Club, which has done so much to make our city's public spaces so much more green and
beautiful. The good advice comes free.
B) WINDOWS ART PROJECT RECEPTION
What event transforms Union Square into a giant outdoor art gallery? Where can one go for art
tours, performance art, and live music this Saturday afternoon? Drop by Union Square from 3
to 6 pm on the 18th, and see what the Windows Art Project has to offer this year.
C) NINTH ANNUAL DUHAMEL FALL SUPPER
The Duhamel Education Initiative is aimed at keeping kids interested in school, so they'll stay
in school. The group raises funds for after school programming, and grants to teachers to carry
out innovative ideas. They also are pretty excellent cooks, and you'll be well fed if you come
to their spread of ham, beans, and vegetarian dishes, this Saturday evening at 6:30, at the
College Avenue Congregational Church, 89 College Avenue (enter at the Francesca Ave. door).
4) PUBLIC HEARING ON CITY'S USE OF FEDERAL GRANTS
The City of Somerville will be holding the first of two public hearings on three HUD funded
programs, the Community Development Block Grant Program, the Emergency Shelter Grant
Program, and the HOME program. Public comment is invited. The first hearing will be held
Wednesday, September 22, 2004, at 7 pm.
It will be held in the Healey School, 5 Meachum Street. Questions about the hearing? Call
Carlene Campbell, 617-625-6600, x2517. Persons with disabilities should contact Bonnie Carroll
at x2414 to request accommodation.
5) PUBLIC HEARING ON LINKAGE FEE INCREASE
The Somerville Planning Board and Board of Aldermen will hold a joint public hearing on
Thursday, September 30, on increasing Somerville's linkage fee (which is part of the Zoning
Ordinance) from $2.60 per square foot to $3.91 per square foot. The hearing will be held at 7
pm, in the Aldermen's Chambers at City Hall. Documentation may be viewed at City Hall
during regular business hours.
Linkage fees are monies paid by large commercial developers, which are calculated to offset the
increased demand for affordable housing generated by the development. These fees are paid into
the Somerville Affordable Housing Trust Fund, and spent on affordable housing projects in the
city. Such fees are standard in metropolitan areas, and Somerville has the lowest rate in the
Greater Boston area.
copyright 2004 Denise Provost
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