Lowering of speed limits in residential areas of the city was one of the topics discussed by the mayor and other participants at last week’s Ward 7 ResiStat meeting.

By Joe Ruvido

The fall series of bi-annual ResiStat meetings kicked off last Wednesday at the Neighborhood School on Powderhouse Boulevard in Ward 7. Over complimentary pizza and snacks residents listened in to a slide-show presentation from and asked questions directly to Ward 7 Alderman Katjana Ballantyne and Somerville Mayor Joe Curtatone.

The meetings allow residents to ask questions directly to the mayor, alderman and other elected representatives and public officials who attend each meeting. Several Somerville Police officers were present to answer questions regarding crime and traffic. Mark Lawhorne of the Water and Sewer Department attended to answer any questions regarding the recent increase to Water and Sewer rates in the city. Alderman Ballantyne praised the meeting as good for democracy. “They’re important for open and transparent government.”

Much of the Mayor’s presentation concerned the renovations and ballot question proposed for Somerville High School. A yes vote on question 5 will override Massachusetts Proposition 2 ½, allowing Somerville to raise property taxes to fund the renovations. The plan includes a new high school building, renovations to the existing buildings, and upgrades to the field and parking facilities. Increased property taxes would help the city raise the $130 million it needs to contribute for the project.

According to the proposal to the Board of Alderman in July, Somerville High School is the oldest unrenovated school in New England and risks losing accreditation if not improved. Furthermore, the school’s population will increase an estimated 27% in the next decade. Wings of the school that were built in the late 19th and early 20th centuries are in need of repair, and the current cost to bring them up to Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) code would be over $100m.

The city is considering some mitigating options for servicing the debt including the sale of unused or redundant town buildings and diverting permit revenue to the project. Though interest rates are historically low, the project still faces a possible $7-8.5million in debt payments per year over the lifetime of the bond. Homeowners could expect a triple-digit gain in property taxes if the plan were to move forward.

Public safety was also a topic at the meeting. Mayor Curtatone talked about the importance of lowering the speed limit to 25mph, citing statistics on the life saving and injury preventing effects of a 5mph reduction in the default speed limit. The mayor also talked about “traffic calming” measures that could be taken in the city such as reducing one-way streets. Curtatone talked about a future of transportation in Somerville in which a majority of residents will commute by public transit, bicycle or foot. Nonetheless, “automobiles will have a role, one way or another,” said the mayor.

Crime is down in Ward 7, in line with the nationwide trend. Residents should still be aware of package thefts and automobile break-ins. ResiStat meetings will be held in each ward over the coming weeks. The full schedule is as follows:

Spanish-Language ResiStat: Thursday, October 6, East Somerville Community School, 50 Cross St.

Ward 5 (Magoun Sq., NE Ball Sq., Cedar and Lowell St. areas, NW Porter Sq.): Wednesday, October 19, Kennedy School, 5 Cherry St.

Ward 4 (Winter Hill, Ten Hills): Tuesday, October 20, Healey School, 5 Meacham St.

Ward 1 (East Somerville, Assembly Sq.): Tuesday, Nov. 1, East Somerville Community School, 50 Cross St.

Ward 3 (N. Union Sq., Prospect Hill, Spring Hill, Central Hill): Wednesday, November 2, Somerville High School cafeteria, 81 Highland Ave.

Ward 2 (S. Union Sq., Perry and Lincoln Park neighborhoods, Beacon St. area): Thursday, November 3, Argenziano School, 290 Washington St.