Snow Removal
Last week’s blizzard brought on a big discussion on how Somerville plows, shovels, and removes snow. The current snow removal ordinance, specifies different times of day or night
that snow must be cleared by depending on when the snow stops falling. These deadlines are hard for a lot of folks. As your Alderman I pushed to rework it and now the ordinance on snow and ice is up for reconsideration. I’m suggesting a more gracious window of time to remove snow in residential areas while keeping a strict removal policy for commercial zones.
Please let me know how things went during these last few storms and how we can improve our services and ordinance. I will be taking the feedback to the Legislative Committee meeting as well as the Public Hearing.
Board of Alderman Legislative Matters Committee
February 2, at 6:15 p.m. at City Hall – The snow removal ordinance is the only agenda item.
Snow Removal Ordinance Public Hearing
February 3, at 7 p.m. at City Hall – All are welcome to give their thoughts. If you can’t make it, contact me and I will represent your concerns.
Citywide Zoning Overhaul
The Mayor’s office has submitted a revised zoning ordinance for consideration and approval. Theses changes will guide the development and preservation of our neighborhoods for decades to come. If you haven’t already, explore the Somerville zoning site to learn more about the plan.
Even though there was a very well attended citywide meeting at the Armory there is a lot of detail and concepts to delve into. That’s why I requested Ward meetings be scheduled so residents can see how the new zoning may affect their neighborhood, their block, and the houses they live in. There will be a Ward 2 meeting on February 23, to provide a forum for a more focused ward-based discussion of the zoning. The time and location are still to be determined, but please save the date and I’ll send out details as they are finalized.
Zoning Ordinance Overhaul Hearing
February 10, at 6 p.m. at City Hall – Offer your opinions, suggestions, and concerns on the zoning overhaul.
Beacon Street Neighborhood Association
A Beacon Street resident and I are spearheading a new initiative. We have begun reaching out to businesses in the area and hope to build on that outreach to include interested residents who live in the Beacon street neighborhood. Our mission statement reads:
Beacon is both culturally and economically diverse and is a destination for all people looking for a place to live, work, play, and stay. But Beacon is a neighborhood without a singular identity. To be sure that Beacon can leverage its new look and keep up with the rest of Somerville’s rapid evolution, we are looking to develop that missing sense of self. To achieve that end we would like you to join us in building a true neighborhood association, one that is equal parts commercial and residential. One that works to sustain the rising tide for all of us that call Beacon home. One that engages residents and businesses to work collaboratively towards developing a strong identity for Beacon Street. An identity that promotes the area not only as a unique and diverse business district but also as a united community and enhances social connectedness throughout the corridor.
Let me know if you’re interested in learning more, participating, or just curious. We hope to have generated enough interest in the next few months have a kickoff event in the spring.
Stay warm!
Be sure to get engaged on my website and follow me on Twitter for up to date news on all the issues and events in Ward 2.
Until soon,
Maryann Heuston