By Anna Schaeffer

The Somerville City Council gathered on Thursday night, January 23, for its usual meeting to discuss matters of legislative and public concern.

The meeting began with a moment of silence in remembrance of Catherine B. Canaan who passed away on January 18. A math teacher who was deeply involved in the Somerville community, Canaan used her retirement to actively pursue the Somerville Math Fund and manage state education assessment examinations.

Requests to confirm two individuals to the position of firefighter were both approved and the two were sworn in shortly thereafter. Randy Oliver will be bringing tech repair skills to the Somerville Fire Department. He has worked as a service repair technician at Toyota since 2005, is a graduate of Minuteman Regional High School in Lexington, and is a father of two. He will be following the path of his uncle, who was a Cambridge firefighter. He will begin his duties effective February third.

The other candidate approved for the position of firefighter was Daniel Roach, who has an associate’s degree in criminal justice and is an active volunteer in the Somerville community. Roach was inspired by his high school coach who was also a firefighter and followed in his footsteps by pursuing his career with the fire department.

In other business, the Council approved a grant of location submitted by Eversource Energy to install ten feet of conduit on Ivaloo Street. Concerns about the unstable state of the utility pole raised by Ward 2 Councilor J.T. Scott were acknowledged by Stephanie Hirsch, who affirmed that the leaning pole would be replaced and overhanging branches will be trimmed appropriately.

In response to concerns about public participation, Ward 6 Councilor Lance Davis proposed that childcare services be provided for members of the Somerville community who wish to attend meetings. Meetings of the City Council normally take place in the evenings, which makes attendance difficult for people with children. The item was approved in hopes of stimulating public engagement with the city council and municipal government.

In Somerville, seniors who wish to qualify for tax exemption must meet the $60,000 threshold of assets to be approved. Ward 1 Councilor and Council President Mathew McLaughlin proposed that the limit on assets for seniors be raised. Citing a conversation he had with a community member, McLaughlin argued that “The $60,000 threshold of assets that a senior must have to qualify for tax exemption is basically a medical bill away from being broke.” The proposal was approved.

The Council also approved a measure stating that January 31, 2020, shall be proclaimed Volunteer Income Tax Assistance and Earned Income Tax Credit Day.

Also approved was a request to add “Not a thru street” signage on Chester Avenue while construction takes place.

The Tenant Notification Act, which was approved earlier this year, requires landlords to provide information about legal rights to their tenants. However, the efficacy of this was questioned and a request to send a citywide mailer about the act to Somerville residents was made by Ward 3 Councilor Ben Ewen-Campen. This request was approved.

Other proposals regarding pedestrian safety infrastructure, public space enrichment, and worker-owned co-ops were also approved.