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(The opinions and views expressed in the commentaries and letters to the Editor of The Somerville Times belong solely to the authors and do not reflect the views or opinions of The Somerville Times, its staff or publishers)
By Jack Connolly
Jackconnolly422@gmail.com
Somerville City officials attended a meeting called for by Davis Sq. merchants last week to discuss the unhoused people, addicts frequenting Davis Sq. on a daily basis, and their open drug use and drug dealing happening in area parks, including the plaza next to 7/11. Much mention was made about disturbances apparently arising from patrons of the Brightview clinic on Highland Avenue, acting up throughout Davis Sq. Before and after visits to the Brightview office.
In addition, some merchants mentioned issues with people overdosing, or being generally incapacitated in front of, or in bathrooms of Davis Sq. businesses, causing extra distress for already busy staff.
West Somerville born Somerville Police Capt. Jim Donovan and Somerville Police community outreach worker Patty Contente we’re very sympathetic to the concerns of Davis Sq merchants; Donovan though very understanding, couldn’t offer any additional police presence in Davis Sq, but could only increase daily patrols. He said budget cuts and fewer sworn police officers on the force were the primary reasons for not adding a Davis area patrol.
Ms. Contente offered to engage with the Somerville Homeless Coalition and Bright View staff regarding client behavior in and around Davis Sq. Somerville Police, Somerville Homeless Coalition, and the BrightView addiction treatment office on Highland Ave., all have to coordinate with other local non-profits, especially those dealing with mental health issues, to get a handle on this growing problem.
Not exactly the news that the Davis Sq. merchants wanted to hear; To their credit, at least City staff and City police officials were there and we’re both empathetic and sympathetic.
What was most upsetting to Davis Sq. merchants was what WASN’T said at the meeting: The pilot plan to remove more metered parking in Davis Sq.
Thanks to a vigilant Davis Sq. merchant who noticed the City’s online Traffic Commission agenda for Thursday, April 11, (a few days after the April 8 meeting; The info was shared with fellow Davis Sq merchants) that was to introduce a 12-month pilot program for Elm Street in the heart of Davis Sq. that would remove much of the existing metered parking spaces on Elm St. in the heart of Davis Sq. for new loading zones.
Why is it that the Davis Sq. merchants and Davis Sq. neighbors living nearby were not involved in this planning process?
Shop owners immediately emailed Ward Six Councilor Lance Davis, and requested that this agenda item for Elm Street be tabled since the Davis Sq. merchants and the neighborhood have not been involved in any of that planning.
It’s clear that the Somerville bureaucrats in the planning department, mobility department, and traffic department somehow failed to mention this Elm St. pilot project several weeks earlier when well over 80 individuals crowded into the Somerville West branch library to hear about the so-called Davis Sq. plan.
If we’re not for the vigilance of a Davis Sq. merchant, the Traffic Commission could have voted to implement this pilot plan with virtually no public hearings or public meetings with Davis Sq. merchants and nearby neighbors.
Why?
Because technically they don’t have to; Public hearings are not required to be held under Somerville Traffic Commission rules.
Davis Sq merchants’ and the neighborhood residents have been shortchanged; Two city meetings in the last few months without mentioning this plan, borders on the bounds of neglect for community input and a total disregard for public process; Davis Sq. neighbors and businesses deserve better.
Let’s hope the Mayor and the City Council take a good look at what isn’t happening in Davis Sq. Someone needs to.
Jack Connolly is a native Somervillian, a Davis Sq. resident and insurance agent: He is also a former Somerville Ward Six and At Large Alderman (known now as City Councilor).
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Gotta vote these scumbags out of office
Dear Jack,
Thank you for your clear commentary. Sadly, Brad Rawson and other officials in the Mobility Division, Office of Strategic Planning and Community Development (OSPCD) are purposefully leaving the community out of their planning with multiple various, really underhanded methods, really to not to give notice of plans, post the plans prior to meetings so community has time to study plans and ask k kwledgeable questions, include the community in their plans,purposefully discourage community involvement, and squelch any and all opposition.
Brad Rawson’s goal is to eliminate the vehicles of Somerville Residents. He is using many tactics to deter residents from the desire to even drive a vehicle.
Briefly, bike lanes on both sides of narrow streets add to street congestion, time-consuming bottlenecks, popped-tires and vehicle frame damage from accidental contact with speed bumps. Brad’s erroneous contention is speedbumps calm car speed; no, speed bumps in the middle of narrow streets, also hidden by snow, cause accidents.
In addition to my prior comments, the city has stated the goal of this administration is to transform Davis Sq.into a Pedestrian Only walkway…no vehicles…hence, no parking meters.
Last Saturday’s meeting at The West Somerville Neighborhood School was, again, another nefarious example of the purposeful, underhanded techniques employed by The Mobility Division to lull the few attendees into affirmation of their project goals. No prior posting on city or mobility websites of the complex, complicated
2025 reconstruction plans for West Somerville, Broadway area toward Rt.16. Residents take a cursury glance of these charts and then offer opinions with no real time to do in-depth study and prior review of plans before meeting. No.podium, no recording of meeting…Residents asked to submit comments, etc.on post it notes.
…these people are insulting to the intelligence of the Somerville Community. These people were voted in by 14,000 votes out of 80,000 + citizens, so much unfortunate apathy from non-voters. Nevertheless, 14,000 votes is NOT a mandate to relegate Somerville into a no vehicle city!
I’ve been a Somerville resident and property owner since 2010.
The metered parking in Davis Square is a disaster, and I enthusiastically agree with the efforts of city planners to remove it.
It is easy for any Somerville resident to get a parking sticker for their vehicle(s), and there is plenty of off-street parking in the immediate vicinity of Davis Square. The existing lots in Davis Square always have empty spaces for those without stickers.
The complaints in these replies are not representative of Somerville residents.
There is a total lack of transparency within the Mobility Division, Office of Strategic Planning and Community Development (OSPCD). Essentially no published agendas, invitations, or minutes from their meetings, no community engagement, no prior notifications sent out until after a decision is made. Perhaps we need to make them electable officers and give the public a voice in holding them accountable.
There are ongoing public processes about these street scape changes. The people opposed to street safety in favor of (basically) free storage of private vehicles in public space, are simply upset that in these processes they are significantly outnumbered by those wanting safer and more human centered streets.
Since these newly built out empires in the City are immune to such annoyances as the open meeting laws, etc., perhaps it’s time for aggrieved parties to gather together, hire an attorney, and file a class action suit against the City to cease and desist with this subterfuge and mis-allocation of taxpayer funds. Something needs to be done.
Contrary to the statement that “there are ongoing public processes” the opposite is true. All that one needs to do is go on the Somerville web site and attempt to find much to support that this is a public process. Holding a meeting in a bike shop does not constitute being engaged with the public. Also, the claim that those who oppose the changes are opposed to safety disingenuous and not supported by fact.
Finally, hearing the argument that parking is free storage of private vehicles in public space is meritless. Should sidewalks be considered free pathways for private travel to destinations? Shall park benches be considered free body storage rental for people? For over 100 years parking has helped stimulate the economies of towns, states, and the nation, by facilitating the convenience of conducting commerce. Before cars that same parking was used for parking horses and wagons.
Ideally this exchange would be conducted in a publicly open government forum. Unfortunately, the City of Somerille has opted to cloak the decision-making process from the citizenry and allow a small handful of zealots to dictate policy.
I have lived in Somerville for over twenty years and I am frequently disappointed in what I see is unfortunately not a public process. The City of Somerville claims that it is taking a “data driven approach” but I think that there is data that the city commonly collects is from only the population that they see will put forth their agenda. I love Somerville and as a military veteran & proud resident I am disappointed in the city elected officials as what I see as not a democratic process that goes on with changes to our city. We should go back to the days of meeting at city hall in person for these proposals. I have spoken with many long time residents and if you don’t have a social media account you don’t or can’t participate. Where are the mailers to residences. Sadly I think the city has a PR & team of strategists to by design keep certain people out of the democratic process.