By Joe Ruvido

At a special meeting on Thursday December 1, The Board of Aldermen heard the mayor’s in-depth financial analysis of the Green Line Extension (GLX) project. According to the facts presented, Somerville needs to approve a $50M contribution to the project by December 8.

Alderman at Large William A. White got to the core of constituent concerns with two questions to Chief Tax Assessor Marc Levye: when will taxes increase for homeowners and by how much? White requested an analysis showing the projected increase in property values for Somerville home owners so they understand more clearly the financial impacts city projects will have on them. “For a lot of people, their home is their biggest investment,” said White to Levye.

Brad Rawson of the Somerville Transportation Department started the financial presentation by recapping the benefits of the GLX project. Latent demand for public transit, not including population growth that would come from the new Green Line would equal 49,000 new riders upon the opening of Union Square station.

The project would decrease greenhouse gas emissions by reducing vehicle transit – one study showed that 35% of Somerville’s pollution comes from auto tailpipe emissions. The city has a goal of attaining net-zero carbon emissions that would prove difficult without GLX. Finally it would help Somerville flip the ratio of property taxes paid by the commercial sector relative to the residential sector.

Alderman White also asked about benefits for Somerville residents not near the first Somerville station in Union Square. Rawson stressed that GLX would benefit all of Somerville and not just the immediate areas surrounding the stations.

If seen through to completion the project would have six stops in Somerville in addition to Union Square, including Ball Square and Rt. 16 in Medford. The amount of residents within a 10-minute walk of a train station would increase from 20% to 80%, reducing congestion in the city. Growth in the commercial sector would bring new industry and jobs to parts of the city not necessarily located in the walkshed area.

Alderman Niedergang expressed his willingness to vote yes. “I’m almost certain to vote for the Green Line.” Alderman Lance Davis commented that he is undecided. The Board will one more chance to discuss and vote on GLX before the deadline, at the next Board of Aldermen regular meeting on December 8.