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By Jack Connolly

Planning Board candidate Tim Talun, a Prospect Hill resident, certified architect, school parent, and long-time neighborhood and community activist, was not approved last Monday night, March 18, by the Somerville City Council‘s Confirmation of Appointments Committee with a six to four Recommendation ‘Not to Approve’ Talun as a new member of the Somerville Planning Board.

In a marathon session of the City Council Committee, Talun was grilled extensively regarding his opinions on affordable housing, a key topic long championed by the democratic socialist organization Our Revolution, who were influential in the elections all of the now-elected candidates (now Councilors) who voted Talun down. The City Council will formally take up the matter to accept the committee vote at their next regular meeting on March 28, 7:00 p.m. at City Hall.

Many Union Square area residents and politically active individuals are outraged, disappointed, and disheartened by the callous hypothetical scenarios asked of Talun about affordable housing in his quest for appointment to the Planning Board.

Ward 3 Councilor Ben Ewen-Campen (who represents a significant section of the Union Square area currently planned for redevelopment around the soon to be constructed Green Line T stop) was singled out by critics for his remarks about Talun, especially since he had so often sung the praises of Mr. Talun in Union Sq. community affairs over the years. Of particular significance in this rebuff of Talun is that many voting against him have been openly critical of prior mayoral appointments for not being as professionally credentialed as they (Council members would prefer). One look at Talun’s resume refutes those concerns entirely. Why ‘no’ voting Councilors, the change in attitude now?

Certainly the mayor and OSPCD Director George Proakis (until recently, the Somerville City Planner) and their team were not thrilled about this denial of a respected long-term community activist with especially significant architectural planning and design talent for a position that will decide upon dozens of recommendations as outlined in Somerville’s Master Planning document, SomerVision.

Undoubtedly, Mayor Joe will be working hard to try and turn a couple of those ‘no’ votes into favorable ones. If unsuccessful, he must encourage Joe Favaloro (who, by the way, was also not re-appointed last year by this same Committee) to remain on the Planning Board as a holdover member, since his term is not up until 2021.

As a long-time member of the Somerville City Council predecessor Board of Aldermen, it is my humble opinion that the “No to Talun” vote is indicative of political motivations first, and professional qualifications second. Where else are you likely to find an active community member with impeccable credentials and years of architectural experience in planning and design, who has spent years advocating for the neighborhood that he and his family live in already?

The Ward 3 Councilor and his opposing colleagues are missing a major opportunity to confirm one of the most capable and qualified individuals (who happens to live in the midst of the Union Sq. redevelopment) with the technical knowledge to add to the negotiations for the Community Benefits Agreement, slogging along now at glacial speed.

The City Council likely takes up this recommended Committee matter for final approval tomorrow night, Thursday, March 28.

It is not too late to contact the ‘no’ voting Council Members, McLaughlin, Scott, Ewen-Campen, Clingan, Davis, Ballantyne, and Mbah, since a member could change their mind and vote while the matter of Mr. Talun’s appointment status is being discussed during the meeting.

Let all the Councilors know how you feel about this missed opportunity to confirm the mayor’s recommended candidate Tim Talun by sending an email message to: citycouncil@somervillema.gov. All Members will receive your message. While you’re at it, let the mayor’s office know by copying his office at: Mayor@somervillema.gov.

The future of Union Sq. and surrounding neighborhoods are at stake, so don’t let it pass by. Oh, and don’t forget it is an election year for all City Councilors. The Tim Talun vote matters.

Born, raised, and lifetime resident of Somerville. St. Clement High School graduate; BA (Cum Laude) and M. Ed from Boston College; Attended Tufts Univ. and Harvard Univ. JFK School of Government; Licensed Insurance Broker and award-winning Small Business Owner (WCC Insurance Agency Inc.) 19 College Ave. Davis Sq. Somerville MA since 1996. Ward Six Alderman eleven terms 1984-2005, Alderman At-Large; 1 special election and five terms 2007-2017, and the distinction of being the longest serving Alderman in Somerville History.