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December 8 deadline for approval
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On Thursday, the Somerville Board of Alderman will convene to deliberate the appropriation of City funds to close budget gaps in the long-anticipated Green Line Extension project. The meeting is scheduled on the eve of the deadline to notify state authorities as to whether the City of Somerville will dedicate $50 million towards the project. The commitment that the Board will vote on is critical to closing the project budget gap and to receiving affirmation from the Federal Transit Administration that the project will receive $1 billion from a New Starts grant.
The appropriation of funds has received the support of Somerville Mayor Joseph Curtatone, who stated that future fiscal benefits arising from the Green Line Extension far outweigh the City’s investment. According to the City, less than 20 percent of Somerville residents are currently within walking distance of a rail station, a number that will increase to over 70 percent with the Green Line Extension. The project is also projected to reduce public transit times in the Somerville region by up to 75%, as existing bus transit infrastructure is slowed significantly due to traffic in the area.
If the appropriation is approved by the Board of Alderman, the City of Somerville will sign a project participation agreement with the MBTA, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, and the City of Cambridge. Cambridge has already committed $25 million of City funds towards the extension. The total project is projected to cost $2.3 billion.
The Green Line Extension project is a commitment under the United States Clean Air Act State Implementation Plan. Advocates have noted that failure to implement the project may result in the United States withholding federal transportation funding.
Proponents of the project have touted the immense economic benefits that the Green Line would bring to the Somerville community by allowing for transit-oriented development, new jobs and commercial investments, and increased access. Some opponents have argued that the plan as currently written omits a critical community biking path. Others have expressed reluctance to commit City funds towards the project, noting that it could lead to future tax increases.
The meeting is on Thursday, December 8 at 7:00 p.m. at Somerville City Hall, located at 93 Highland Avenue.
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just like we are benefiting from the tax relief from assembly row, that no one seen, except the builder fric that we paid for a train station for
Exactly JAMES. The tax bills from all these developments to help finance the city are just forcing many of us out of here. I am one of many in this city who not only has to pay for it but will never use it. Any more help from this city we will be at the soup kitchen.
you muppets better rubber stamp this after dumping 250 million on a high school
When it comes to these large amount of spending projects the voters should have the chance to make that decision. Although it may be that it would still be voted for we as the taxpayers should have the chance to make these decisions as it affects our lives. Too many of us just do not have the funds to take on any more increases. The powers that be have shown that dragging their feet for many years and don’t have the expertise to run these projects which results in way too many increases that multiply the costs. Over and over again that is how it is done here. The burden should be put on the people who use this. Many of us taxpayers cannot take it anymore.
UK and US showed how to stop the madness – votes matter.
Return the same Board, with the same limp Board President who huffs and puffs but never votes against the Mayor and you will get the same thing.
Was it really a coincidence this Board and Mayor voted themselves a huge raise, then unanimously approved a record budget, then A $252 Million school, now $50 million for GLX, on top of water increase and usual tax jump?
Send the same people back and you get same results – budget and taxes will double every 7 years or so. Bet you salary doesn’t grow like that, but Aldermen and Mayor’s does.
Jeff – I’m with you! Overall I would like to be able to see the 5 year budget outlook for the city so that we can at least know what to expect and where the money is going (as well as where the pork is piling up.) I haven’t seen a strategic plan that lists our budgets – if anyone has I wold appreciate the link
I’m not against the GLX but I am against any more property taxes being increased to pay for it.its local business that should put up the 50 million dollars because they will benefit most from it. We have already been hit hard with the tax increase to pay for the high school and an added water bill surcharge and now the green line.
Another delay thus will result in unforeseen hidden costs.
Colorado stopped the project when funding increased and the businesses and college could not contribute their cost share. Thus the existing trolley line extended 2 stations (stops) and ends there.
Somerville’s present transient population (who demands this and more schools), will have moved long before this project is half completed and is another “Big Dig” fiasco. The city will be in bankruptcy and “GLX” will mean “GONE LIKE XPRESSWAY”
Bring the high school, bring the GLX, bring the community path. Invest in this amazing community and make it even more amazing. Stop thinking small people.