By Gabriela C. Martinez

On January 22, the Somerville Board of Aldermen held its weekly meeting to discuss a variety of upcoming projects and resolutions, many focused infrastructural improvements, maintenance issues, and educational initiatives.

At the meeting’s public hearing, John Melliacco, a representative from Kleinfelder in Cambridge brought forth three plans, all of them proposing the construction of flood infrastructure as part of the Green Line extension.

The first item submitted seeks to construct two new catch basins, a new manhole, and 76 feet of pipe in the North End of Horace Street. Maryann Heuston, Alderman from Ward 2, praised the project, as it could help alleviate flooding in the area.

“They need to make sure there is no possibility of flooding in the area. I actually think this is a good thing. On the MBTA’s dime, we get to have additional catch basins and replacement of pipes in the area that we wouldn’t normally be able to foot the bill on. I think it is a precautionary measure and I think they have observed some rain in events in the area that could potentially affect the extension of the green line there,” Heuston noted.

Although the project raised no significant concerns from the side of constituents, a resident from Horace Street, said he was not aware of any previous flooding in the area and requested more detailed information about the construction plans.

“We are adding two new catch basins at the end of the road. We understand that there’s a little bit of flooding at the end of the street and it’s not for any new storm water generated. It’s just some new work that’s going to happen with a new retaining wall and we just want to make sure there is drainage in place, just to sort of appease an existing condition,” clarified Melliacco.

One of MBTA’s main projects, which seeks to construct 6 new catch basins, 4 new manholes, 370 feet of drainage pipe, 40 feet of sewer line, and 50 feet of water line in Washington Street, also as a part of the Green Line’s extension, is aimed at eliminating the flooding that often occurs under the railroad bridge Washington Street.