By David R. Smith

Ward 7 Alderman Katjana Ballantyne, in what was first listed as an order but subsequently changed to a resolution, requested the city explore changing the snow-emergency policy regarding parking, In particular, she would like to see the rules alternate from one year to the next so that emergency parking is not always required to be on the odd-numbered side of the street, which is the current policy. Instead, she would like to see odd-numbered one year and even-numbered the next.

“I have just gotten nonstop calls about parking,” she said, “and I think there’s a lot of good suggestions out there from the community.”

BOA President Bill White said that idea, as well as other changes to the policy, have been discussed in the past.

“It’s pretty much been the view of the administration and the folks at the Traffic Commission that they don’t intend to change it,” he said. “Now that doesn’t mean we can’t explore it again and have the issue re-looked at.”

Ward 5 Alderman Mark Niedergang agreed with Ballantyne and asked to have his name added to the resolution.

“I think this is a good idea and have for a long time,” he said.

And while Alderman At Large Dennis Sullivan also supported the idea, he pointed out that there were reasons it hadn’t already been changed.

“For my entire adult life in Somerville, I have lived on the even side and had to deal with this, and I totally agree,” he said. He added, though, that part of the past concern was such changes would make the policy too confusing for residents. He also said he believed there was a study conducted that showed there were more parking spots available on the odd side of the city’s streets overall.

“I’d like to revisit it again,” he said, “and if we can alternate it, I think that would be fair.”

The resolution was approved and will be taken up with the Traffic Commission.