The Somerville Redevelopment Authority is making plans for snow storge in advance of the winter months ahead.

By Maeve Lawler

The Somerville Redevelopment Authority (SRA) unanimously approved 90 Washington Street to be used for temporary snow storage this winter at their meeting on November 16.

90 Washington Street, a paved lot between a sidewalk and a grassy area, is currently the only vacant and unused property that the Somerville Department of Public Works can use for snow storage this season. The property is currently owned by the SRA. The temporary plan to store removed snow from city property allows for it to be dropped efficiently and cheaply to the site, compared to paying for off-site snow storage. The location will mostly be used for snow storage, as well as temporary storage for DPW equipment and other equipment from city municipalities.

DPW Commissioner Jill Lathan gave a presentation about the plan to the Board Members and explained why it’s necessary for the city to have a place to store snow this winter.

“When we have significant snow events there is literally nowhere to put the snow,” Lathan said.

Dedicating 90 Washington Street for snow storage allows the DPW to ensure schools can stay open, streets are cleared without snow banks blocking lines of sight, and residents can access public walkways.

Lathan acknowledged the public’s feedback on snow removal last year, with some residents citing snow piling on sidewalks and trucks creating too much noise. With this in mind, Lathan proposed limiting the hours of operation for plows to stop after 8:00 p.m., granting this may change depending on the heaviness of snowfall. She also said the DPW will ensure sidewalks are clear and break up snow banks to help them melt faster.

Pending approval from the City Council for funding, a new fence will also be built at 90 Washington Street to replace the current temporary one. This fence will be decorated with artwork from Somerville Public Schools. Lathan said the new fence will help retain the snow and block unsightly views of snow piles.

Lathan emphasized this snow storage plan is only a temporary solution while the DPW looks for other spaces to store snow.

“We need time at DPW to be able to actually find another alternative for snow,” Lathan said. 

SRA Board Member, Christine Stone, suggested amending the proposal to include that the DPW will discuss with the SRA the effectiveness of snow storage at 90 Washington Street by July 1. All Board Members voted in favor of the snow storage proposal and this amendment.

The Board Members also discussed:

• The selection process of a development partner for the 90 Washington Street redevelopment project ^[1]. Ted Fields, the senior economic development planner for the Office of Strategic Planning and Community Development, presented the plan ^[2]. The development partner will be selected by the SRA in December 2023.
• A review of the SRA’s drafted annual reports from 2018-2021. All Board Members unanimously accepted the reports with an amendment, proposed by Board Member Patrick McCormick, to clarify in the 2021 report that the Union Square Station elevators were scheduled to open with the rest of the station, but did not.
• Advisory letter from Just A Start. Just A Start ^[3], a local nonprofit community development organization, owns 24 Webster Street and plans to renovate this building into affordable housing. Construction would start in January 2024 at the earliest.
• Advisory letter from Eversource. Eversource proposes several construction projects in Somerville, Cambridge, Allston, and Brighton. Eversource wants to install eight underground transmission lines, a new substation between Broadway and Binney Streets in Cambridge, and a modification to existing substations in all four locations. Board Member, William Gage, raised concerns about the potential negative health effects caused by electromagnetic fields from the substation upgrades. All Board Members supported the proposal to write a letter on behalf of the SRA expressing these concerns. The letter, drafted by Gage, awaits the Board’s approval.

The next SRA meeting is on December 21. To view a recording of the November 16 meeting, go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y15KnBtvy4k.