By Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone

(The opinions and views expressed in the commentaries of The Somerville News belong solely to the authors of those commentaries and do not reflect the views or opinions of The Somerville News, its staff or publishers.)

As most of you know by now, the City is circulating an electronic petition to submit to state officials demonstrating the need and desire for the Green Line Extension through Somerville—and for adherence to the legally mandated timeline.   In just over two weeks, almost 2,500 residents, and other interested parties have signed on, with more adding their names to the list every day.  If that doesn’t send a clear message, let me assure you that we’re already taking additional steps to make the message even more clear.  Meetings with Congressman Capuano and our State Delegation, the first of many, are paving the way for firmer discussions with the Governor as well as MassDot and MBTA officials. We are seeking additional action and more transparency.  Working with the Conservation Law Foundation, we’re also reassessing the legal mandate for a 2014 deadline, and determining the next steps for holding the state to that binding decision.  In short, we won’t take this lying down.

In the meantime, I’m going to continue to stress the importance of and need for Somerville residents and businesses to get involved.  After years of tireless community advocacy, resulting only in more broken promises, it’s clear that this will not be resolved without a united approach.  More than negotiations and discussions by political and local leaders, we need the continued efforts of the entire Somerville community: we need you to make your voices heard.  Write to the Governor and demand an acceptable timeline for a project that is not only legally mandated for our city, but one that can and will improve the quality of life and health of our residents while reducing negative environmental impacts.  Remind him that we are a community of 4 square miles and that every day thousands of cars cut through and over our streets on their way to Boston, especially as I-93 carves a path directly through our city.  For this reason, the Green Line Extension is not only wanted in Somerville, it is needed. We can’t wait indefinitely to reduce the negative health effects this traffic has on our residents. In this time of fiscal uncertainty, we also need this promised transit to contribute to our local and regional economy by unlocking new development and spurring economic growth.

If anyone believes that this is only the “issue of the moment” and that our momentum will dwindle as the weeks continue, they are mistaken. .  I have no intention of slowing down, and I hope you don’t either.  We will stay on track (pun intended) and we will continue to hold those responsible for the 2014 deadline accountable.  We want answers, we need answers, we deserve answers and we will get answers.

Somerville is a City on the move.  Despite the fact that most surrounding cities and towns are laying off municipal employees, closing public buildings and eliminating services, Somerville is adding and improving services, and our development outlook is stronger than ever.  We have a new waterfront community under construction at Assembly Square.  Union Square development plans are in the works.  Businesses and developers are looking to Somerville as an up-and-coming urban community with a lot to offer.  And yet, we lack the necessary transit to bring in new consumers allowing us to grow our local economy and expand the tax base, which is beneficial not just for Somerville but for the Commonwealth. Somerville has been neglected by transit options as a result of failed policy, and we have waited patiently for the promise of six new stops under the Green Line Extension.  Continuing to extend the project deadline is not an option.  Broken promises will not be accepted.  We will not stop fighting until we see this project break ground.

Bottom line, the Governor made a commitment to our community, and he needs to keep it.  We continue to receive conflicting messages:  one that notes our state officials are “behind” the project and continue to place importance on the issue; another that has the City of Somerville endlessly frustrated with unmet deadlines and broken legal promises.  Let’s get this done.