Kelsey K. Heebink, a City Analyst, welcomed the crowd of
about 50 residents. Heebink began the meeting with a note of good news
– Somerville has been named an All-American City for the year 2009. The
city has not been awarded this title since 1972. "We won it for a lot
of specific things," Heebink explained "For our Shape-Up Health
programs battling obesity and for city maintenance, putting up so many
more trees."

After this announcement the meeting turned to more
dubious matters concerning Somerville's $12.1 million budget shortfall
and how the city plans to cope with this gap for fiscal year 2010. "A
lot of spending reductions come off the backs of the city employees,"
said Heebink.

City spending reductions will come from cutbacks
in state employee health insurance. Pension relocation, hiring freezes,
and employ furloughs will also help reduce spending.

"We are
also being very aggressive about people who are not paying their bills"
Heebkin said. Extra enforcement for paying parking fines and meters is
predicted to bring in approximately $1.9 million in revenue this year.

"The
silver lining here is the federal stimulus funding" explained Heebkin.
"When they said 'who has a shovel ready project ready to go' we said we
had a lot."

Somerville will receive over $21.9 million in
federal stimulus funding. Approximately 91% of this stimulus money will
be used towards transportation and infrastructure projects. Over one
million dollars will be used for foreclosure prevention. Even $25,000
has been allotted for the arts.

Alderman Heuston spoke briefly
at the meeting, saying, "Somerville has managed to keep moving forward.
In this city, I say we leave no stone unturned. We've come through this
financial crisis without firings. We said its better for all of us to
take furloughs than reduce city resources."

The meeting then
broke into Discussion Groups where City Project Managers and Department
Heads were available to answer any questions. Representatives from
Traffic & Parking, Strategic Planning & Community Development,
Community Policing, and City Services & Quality of Life Issues were
all in attendance.

Traffic & Parking representatives
explained that on January 4th 2010, the City of Somerville will expand
permit parking to the remaining 1/3 of the city currently excluded from
the program. This will ensure that street parking is reserved for
residents and their guests.

Community Policing was happy to
report that crime is down 20% from last year. The Police have also
instituted several plans to keep crime rates low including a new
anonymous "Tip" line whereby concerned residents can notify police of
suspicious activity by texting their concern to "TIP411" (847411).

The
Police have also been involved in an operation entitled "Project Jingle
Bells," where officers tail known criminals throughout the day. In a
recent incident, an officer followed one known burglar as he tried to
open 22 locked doors. Upon finding an unlocked door and trying to
enter, the suspect was arrested.

The police reminded everyone
that while Somerville is a safer community each year, everyone should
always lock their doors and windows.

Mayor Curtatone concluded
the meeting by encouraging the residents of Somerville to stay involved
with these ResiStat meetings throughout the year. "You are driving
these meetings. It is not a static format. This agenda is driven by
your comments."