By Jim Clark

During the Somerville Board of Alderman meeting of November 20, a resolution was put forward that the City of Somerville’s Office of Strategic Planning and Community Development consider alternative plans to deal with the public safety and traffic concerns of pedestrians, business owners, residents and cyclists regarding the Beacon Street reconstruction project, specific to the proposed “cycletrak” installation detailed at the November 13, 2012 community meeting.

Speaking on behalf of the resolution, Ward Two Alderman Maryann M. Heuston said at the BOA meeting, “Everyone wants to see bicycle safety in the city. No one would argue with that. We need to make our streets safer for our cyclists. On the other hand, the residents and business owners of Beacon Street do have a legitimate concern. A good chunk of parking is being removed.”

The currently proposed “cycletrak” would eliminate some 111 parking spaces that residents and merchants maintain are needed in the area.

The resolution, sponsored by Aldermen Connolly, Heuston, Taylor, White, Sullivan, and Desmond, was adopted by the Board without opposition.