Cast a vote, get a shot

By Jack Nicas

Some voters at Somerville High School Tuesday voted once for the presidential election and once
against the flu.

Through the first-ever Somerville "Vote & Vax" program, voters from Ward 3, Precinct 2 had the opportunity to vote and get a flu vaccination all in one shot. "It's kind of one-stop shopping," said Maureen Monagle, the Somerville public health nursing manager. "You vote and get your vaccine."

The Somerville Public Health department elected to participate in the program after being contacted by the national initiative, which was featured in 30 states on Election Day.

The department hoped to administer 350 vaccinations on Tuesday, Monagle said. That turnout would top the 254 vaccinated at the Council of aging on Friday.

"Hopefully we get the younger people," Monagle said. "But the more we can immunize, the happier we are."

Surpassing the department's 350-person goal would pose no problem, said city spokesman Tom Champion. "No one will be turned away," he said. "There will be adequate supplies." The department had 500 vaccinations on hand, Monagle said.

Vaccinations were free to all who showed up, Somerville resident or not. But individuals over 65 were asked to bring their Medicare or HMO cards because those programs agreed to reimburse the city.

Voters came in through the school's atrium and into the gymnasium to vote. But for those looking for the clinic, signs led down a hallway into a separate room. "We have to make very sure we're separate from the voting and that we make no political statements," Monagle said. "We're just there for the flu vaccine."

Voters were not required to get a flu shot and those getting a flu shot were not required to vote.

The city health department would like to expand the program next year, said Monagle, but the problem is staffing. With two full-time and one part-time public health nurses the department enlisted the help of Barbara Carney, school nurse at the Kennedy School, for Election Day.

The program was one of the city's 10 free flu shot clinics this season. The next clinic is Thursday at the Weston Manor at 11 a.m.

City apologizes for early morning robo-call

George P. Hassett                                                                                                             
                                                                                                               

Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone is apologizing for a botched robo-call that went out to 24,000 residents
across the city at 3:37 Tuesday morning. The call, which notified residents of a three-alarm fire on Walnut Street that damaged two buildings and left six people homeless, was supposed to go out to less than 40 people.

"I want to offer a sincere apology to everyone who was awakened by this call," said Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone in a statement. "While there is no excuse for the aggravation and inconvenience caused by this call, I hope my fellow residents will understand that this is an isolated incident, and that the Connect CTY system remains a very valuable tool for getting the word out on time-sensitive messages."

Fire officials said the blaze started in a shed and spread to two homes at 79 and 81 Walnut St. The building at 81 Walnut St. is currently unoccupied. The cause of the fire is under investigation, fire officials said.

One occupant from the third story unit at 79 Walnut St. said he was awakened by the sound of flames crackling and at first thought it was rain, according to city officials. He saw the flames through his window and alerted the other occupants of the building, dialing 911 on his cell phone as he fled the house, officials said.

By the time fire companies arrived on the scene, the fire had extended into both buildings. Ladder 2's firefighters raised their aerial ladder and used water supplied by Engine 1 to knock down the fire in the garage and the exterior fire on the two adjacent houses.

One firefighter was treated at the scene for minor injuries. As many as 20 people from surrounding houses were temporarily evacuated to a shelter in the lobby of 25 Highland Ave., but were returned to their homes once the fire was brought under control at approximately 5 a.m.

The six people living at 79 Walnut St. can not return to their homes, and American Red Cross volunteers are now working with them to secure temporary shelter.

Connect CTY is a sort of reverse 311 that allows city departments to notify thousands of residents in a matter of minutes. The calls inform locals of public safety alerts, roadwork or emergencies in their neighborhood. Tuesday's mistake, Kelleher said, was out of the ordinary.

"We've been using this technology since August, and it's been helpful in speeding up the internal notification process for emergency responders," said Chief Kelleher. "This is the first time we have had any problems using the system, and you can be sure I'll be working hard to make certain that we never have this problem again."

Davis Square group pushes for a yes vote

By Patrick Connolly

Starz Voice, a 61-pound greyhound, sprinted out of the gates and into third place at the Raynham-Taunton Greyhound Park in Raynham. At the first turn, a dog bumped her, sending her and another dog flipping to the side of the track in a cloud of dust. Starz Voice fractured her elbow and was later euthanized at the trainer’s request.

Christine Dorchak, of the Davis Square-based Committee to Protect Dogs, would like to end such injuries with help from voters in November. Question 3 on the ballot will ask voters to phase out greyhound racing in Massachusetts, making it illegal by 2010. Greyhound racing is cruel for several reasons, Dorchak said, from poor food quality to bad living conditions.

City to sell air rights over proposed maintenance facility

By George P. Hassett

City officials would rather not have a Green Line maintenance facility in Somerville but if they must, they are prepared. Monica Lamboy, the city’s director of development, last week presented the Board of Aldermen with scenarios of how to develop the Inner Belt area if it is forced to host a 12-acre maintenance facility for Green Line trains.

By Miriam Valverde

East Somerville celebrated the opening of a new police substation at 81 Broadway on Monday; a move that city officials say will increase the reporting of neighborhood crime and make the area safer for residents and businesses.

Community residents stood outside the substation and listened to city leaders, including the mayor and police chief, detail the new policing methods they plan to bring to one of the city’s busiest neighborhoods.

“Today you have given our department a home in East Somerville,” said Police Chief Anthony Holloway. “And to a police officer, there is nothing more important than having a home in the community. This substation, and the one soon to open in West Somerville, will allow us to be even more effective at policing on a neighborhood level.”

By George P. Hassett

US Rep. Michael E. Capuano, D-Somerville, said his office got nearly 1,000 phone calls last week from constituents concerned about Congress’ estimated $700 billion economic bailout package.

Sentiment was mixed, he said: roughly 60 percent of callers “flat out said no,” while 40 percent “accepted the notion that something had to be done.”

Opinion was mixed on the street in Somerville too. Most people asked about the bailout by The Somerville News this week said they didn’t like it.

“The fat cats played the game. Let them cover their losses,” said one man, who would not give his name, on Broadway Monday.

By Jack Nicas

Girls Soccer

Somerville girls soccer strengthened its grip on first place in the Greater Boston League Friday with a 3-1 win over division-rival Medford. The win improved the team’s record to 8-1 overall and 6-1 in the GBL.

Somerville goalkeeper Molly Tyler allowed only her second goal all season with a penalty kick in the 23rd minute. Head coach Jason Lenicheck said following the goal “we adjusted our formation to a more attacking-and risky-style.”