In response to weekend closures of the Davis Square Red Line station, the Somerville Board of Aldermen passed a resolution calling on the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) to discuss mitigation with Mayor Joe Curtatone, Alderman Rebekah Gewirtz and the Somerville Chamber of Commerce.

Citing bus shuttle service as not comparable to subway service and that the substitution causes a decline in economic activity, the Chamber proposed an MBTA a discount advertising and a Shop in Somerville campaign as mitigation for business interruptions.

“It is critical this year that people take a moment and consider their local merchants before spending those precious holiday dollars outside of the city,” said Chamber of Commerce Chair Ron Bonney, Jr..  “These local businesses are counted on for so many things, after school jobs, sponsorship of local youth sports, support of local not for profits and their events, these local merchants and their employees are counting on you to keep them in mind,” he said.

The weekend Davis Square T station closures are scheduled through March. The Chamber is launching shopinsomerville.com.