By George P. Hassett

Three Somerville aldermen will serve on a national policy committee for the Washington-based National League of Cities.

Ward 7 Alderman Robert C. Trane will serve on the Steering Committee on Energy, Environment and National Resources, Ward 2 Alderman Maryann Heuston will become a member of  the Steering Committee on Community and Economic Development and Alderman-at-Large  John M. Connolly was appointed to the Policy Committee on Transportation Infrastructure and Service. 

The three aldermen will join Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone, who is on the NLC Board of Directors, at the organization’s March 2008 Congressional City Conference in Washington, D.C.

Curtatone said the appointments will strengthen Somerville’s voice on the national level.

“I am very pleased that Aldermen Trane, Heuston and Connolly will have the opportunity to join their fellow leaders at the conference and lend their experience and expertise to committees that are discussing important issues and challenges,” he said.

Trane said his appointment to the energy committee is an opportunity to further the work he started on municipal environmental issues as president of the board of aldermen last year.

“It will also give me the chance to work with other elected officials and to explore policies and practices that we may want to bring back to Somerville,” he said.

Heuston said serving on the economic development committee is an opportunity to learn new strategies that may help Somerville tap its “incredible” potential for smart development.

‚ÄúI am always looking for ways to serve my constituents more effectively,‚Äù she said. 

Connolly said he planned to bring his experiences serving Somerville to the Policy Committee on Transportation Infrastructure and Services. 

‚ÄúDuring my time serving as a ward alderman and as an alderman-at-large I have seen the benefits of public transportation as well as the need to continually invest in our infrastructure.  I look forward to sharing my experiences in Somerville and learning from my fellow leaders,‚Äù he said.

The appointment of the aldermen was sponsored by the Massachusetts Municipal Association (MMA).