By Carlie Lombardi

On March 27, the Somerville City Council convened for a four-hour session addressing several critical issues, including racial disparities in city contracts, accessibility failures, affordable housing, and the approval of a new city charter. The meeting focused on the city’s ongoing efforts to create a more accountable, inclusive, and responsive local government.

Council condemns detainment of Tufts student

Early in the meeting, councilors delivered forceful statements condemning the recent ICE detainment of Rumeysa Ozturk, a Tufts student who had written an op-ed in support of Palestine. Councilors described the action as a violation of free speech and warned of the chilling effect on immigrants’ rights and civic participation. The Council called for immediate support and solidarity from elected officials at the state and federal levels.

Disparity study reveals contracting inequities

A newly released Disparity Study found that minority and women-owned businesses received less than 2% of city contracts from 2017 to 2022, despite making up over 26% of the available vendor pool. Consultants from Griffin & Strong recommended systemic reforms, including targeted programs and better data tracking. Councilors expressed outrage, emphasizing the urgent need for accountability, structural change, and immediate implementation of the study’s recommendations to ensure there is equity in the city.

Disability Commission incident sparks backlash

Councilors also responded to a March 18 incident where a city staffer abruptly ended a meeting of the Commission for Persons with Disabilities and removed attendees from City Hall. Commissioners detailed a history of limited access and disrespect. The Council referred the matter to the Committee on Appointments and Personnel Matters, stressing the need for urgent mediation and accountability.

City Council pushes for justice in cold cases

Councilors introduced and passed a resolution calling for renewed investigative efforts into the unsolved murders of Deanna Cremin and Charlene Rosemond, two young women from Somerville whose killings remain unsolved decades later. March 30 marks the 30th anniversary of Cremin’s murder, which continues to weigh heavily on the city.

Councilor Jesse Clingan, who represents the neighborhood where Deanna lived, gave a powerful speech urging the city and the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office to be more transparent and aggressive in their pursuit of justice.

“These were Somerville kids,” Clingan said. “We need to be the squeaky wheel. We cannot let these cases be forgotten.”

Members of both families spoke during the meeting, sharing the emotional toll of decades without answers and asking for renewed forensic testing and cooperation with national databases and labs. Deanna’s aunt, Sandy MacAuliffe, urged the city and state officials to send the DNA to labs in Texas that specialize in cold case analysis.

The Council confirmed that the District Attorney’s Office has agreed to attend the April 9 meeting to provide a public update, within the limits of the active investigations.

Housing, zoning, and charter reform

The Council reviewed public testimony on a proposed seven-story affordable housing development at 297 Medford Street, as well as zoning amendments related to the Somernova redevelopment. While opinions varied, many residents urged a strong community benefits agreement.

Later, the Council unanimously approved a Home Rule Petition for a new city charter, which now awaits review by the mayor and state legislature before potentially appearing on the ballot.

Other Highlights

• Councilors voiced frustration with the unannounced closure of the Ginny Smithers Pool and demanded better communication from Parks & Recreation.
• Councilor Willie Burnley Jr. requested overdue reports on the city’s Welcoming Communities Ordinance compliance.
• The Council backed a resolution in support of permanent daylight saving time, aligning with a national movement to end biannual clock changes.