By Jeremy F. van der Heiden

In what has been a busy few weeks for the City of Somerville, the Board of Aldermen gathered for a regular meeting this past Thursday, June 12, 2014 to discuss general goings on. After an approval of the minutes for the Regular Meeting that took place on May 8, the BOA covered a citation that was issued by the entire board to commend Richard Knibbs, a long-time mentor of, and advocate for, the youth community in the city.

The board then moved into the first agenda item which called for the Chief of Police to enforce the no biking on sidewalk ordinance citywide in efforts to curb those cyclists who are violating the rules, especially in central business districts. Although the board members recognized that certain areas do not provide any alternative to riding on the sidewalks, the busier areas which do were at the center of the discussion.

In the end, the BOA approved this, while the Chief of Police will be asked to attend the next meeting held by the Public Health and Safety Committee to converse about the various implications this might have.

Several items related to cleanups and fixes around the city to be completed by the Department of Public Works, as well as a few that called for baiting in a few areas to gauge the rodent problem. One resolution submitted by Ward Five Alderman Mark Niedergang asked that the board request the Administration to attend a meeting and explain the proper procedures involved in deciding which street repaving projects take priority.

The board approved, then moved on to an item regarding the support of Mayor Curtatone’s May 22, 2014 Executive Order regarding the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Secure Communities Program. This was introduced by BOA Vice President Jack Connolly and two others, and related back to a relatively controversial federal statute that has been causing a stir in communities across the nation.

In several cities, local governments have passed legislation to refuse detainer requests made by ICE when the individual in question does not pose a risk to the community. Mayor Curtatone’s Executive Order was similar in this sense, working to join a push to launch the TRUST Act, which would help to protect immigrants with the same level of judicial rights as others.

Alderman Connolly noted that Somerville is a diverse community, made up of roughly 25 percent immigrants and speaking 51 languages throughout local schools, and the ICE activities have damaged the trust these families have in the people that are meant to protect them.

After the in-depth description of the key points between the ICE Secure Communities Program and the actions listed under the Executive Order, BOA President William White called upon Mayor Curtatone to speak about the matter in front of the board.

“This is about protecting families, this is about earning trust,” Mayor Curtatone affirmed. “Somerville has always been at the forefront, Somerville has always been a city of hope, and if we’re going to work to build a better community and … if we truly want everyone’s help to solve issues on public health and public safety, then we need to gain people’s trust … we have to help people get out of the shadows and away from the margins and engage with us.”

After he finished, Alderman White noted that he felt it would be necessary to hold a public hearing on this matter in front of the entire board because it has been such a hotly debated topic, moving to discuss it in September.

The board carried on into a discussion regarding the item, and Ward 4 Alderman Tony Lafuente stated that he had mixed feelings regarding the process that has taken form. After explaining that he does stand behind reforms to protect immigrants and improve the intelligence of law enforcement across the country, he did note that he was disappointed in the Executive Summary.

“Where was the community on this?” he asked. “We have experts among us who I would have liked to see be a part of this process. Why wasn’t the board of alderman consulted and involved in the process from the beginning?”

Alderman Lafuente asked to move this matter to the file, respectfully, and that the processes behind these types of decisions involve more collaboration within the community. He acknowledged his frustrations with the malfunctioning federal laws in place, but asserted that the procedures taken must be adjusted.

“If we are going to make any headway on immigration, it has to be done in a different way,” he added. “Not by bringing attention to something that might lead to negative situations, but by working together with the community.”

As a procedural note, if an item is moved to file, it is essentially taken off the board.

Ward 2 Alderman Maryann Heuston asserted that while she stands behind many of the sentiments, the board needs the opportunity to fully evaluate and discuss this matter, which is an important one for the community. Alderman Niedergang noted that he would not be able to support the motion to file the matter away, but he agreed with the majority of Alderman Lafuente’s argument.

Alderman White stated that the lack of public involvement has caused somewhat of a stir in the wake of the Executive Decision, and that he would support the motion to file because the discussion was largely circumvented.

After all involved gave their opinions, Alderman Lafuente withdrew his motion so that the conversation could continue, and the public discussion will take place in the fall.

Notably, the fossil fuel divestment program was pushed back two weeks, and more items on the budget plan were directed toward the Finance Committee.