By Ana Celerier Salcedo

Following the formal recognition of the Gilman Square Neighborhood Council, members and community members of the Union Square Neighborhood Council voiced their concerns regarding transparency in the city planning and development department.

Michele Hansen, a Union Square Neighborhood Council member, was the first to speak on the petition. Hansen expressed frustration and anger. She said that planning by the administration has not been for or by the people. She asked for a more inclusive and less performative development process. A process that would represent and respect community members’ inputs.

During the public hearing, several members of the public and concerned citizens elected to speak. One of them being Alison Shultz, who said, “Somerville’s process silences residents.” The Union Square Neighborhood Council co-chairs Tori Antonino, and Andy Greenspoon were among the speakers.

Antonino stepped up the podium and opened with the line, “These are my protest wings; I’m deadly serious right now.” She carried on to discuss what had happened during the urban planning of Union Square and how she and her community members had shared their hopes and dreams for the planning of the area but were ultimately disappointed when they were not implemented or taken into consideration at all.

Antonino continued on to discuss the emotional toll this has had on her. Attributing her strength to her wings which “were holding her up.” She recalled the development of the Assembly area, saying, “Oh, maybe this will be different this time, and I believed that a year and a half ago, and now I’m just like I don’t want any more charetes that are just charades; I want real community profit.” Later adding “I’m not sure how we get that if the planners that we have now are the ones who have betrayed us in the first place.”

Andy Greenspoon lamented that he was no longer a resident of Union Square but was there to support the cause all the same. “The planning staff are clearly overwhelmed with everything that’s going on, but that doesn’t give them the right to gaslight this community. If anything, they should be relying on the amazing experiences, wide expertise, and diversity of experiences of this community,” Greenspoon said.

City Councilors were then given their chance to comment. Ward 4 Councilor Jesse Clingan stated, “I think that we should be hearing these folks loud and clear. I hope the mayor is hearing them loud and clear.” Councilor Scott added, “It’s important to come together and share those stories publicly because the movement is not dying. It is building, and I want to thank you all for your work on it.”

Ward 1 Councilor Matthew Mclaughlin voted against the Union Square zoning ordinance a few years ago and commented that to know that people refused to quit and that the movement is even stronger makes him happy.

The issue was marked as placed on file by the end of the city council meeting.