There are many important upcoming meetings which I’d like to highlight in this email. Note “community meetings” (don’t appear on the city website), so I try to include those I believe are of interest to constituents based on their input. You’ll find many in this email, however not all.

For a full listing of all official “Aldermen meetings” which are typically held up at city hall, please check the city website for times and locations —http://www.somervillema.gov/

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1- Finance Committee – Committee of the Whole. Discussion about one item. The drafting of the “Conditions of Award” letter for Clarendon Hill/North St housing redevelopment project.

Previously I informed you that the Local Tenant Organization, known as CRU has supported the project, the city administration has submitted a Home Rule Petition (HRP) on behalf of developer team to the Board of Aldermen. The HRP has been referred to Legislative Matters for deliberation.

For further update the City of Somerville will contribute up to $10 million dollars to the project in the form of direct funds and other supports like technical support and waiving of permitting fees. Before the City disperses funds the developer team will need to satisfy certain conditions. In this committee meeting the list of those conditions will be discussed.

When:     Thu. May. 3, 6pm

Location: Aldermanic Chambers, Somerville City Hall

2- Legislative Matters – Committee of the Whole – discussion Clarendon Hill/North St housing redevelopment project.

This discussion is about the Home Rule Petition which was requested by the developer team through the administration. There is a possibility that this meeting may not happen depending on the outcome of the Finance Committee, listed about #1

When:     Thu. May. 3, 7:30pm

Location: Aldermanic Chambers, Somerville City Hall

3-

Legislative Matters – Public Hearing on Real Estate Transfer Tax Home Rule Petition

Information on the public earing click here –> https://www.somervillema.gov/events/2018/05/07/public-hearing-proposed-transfer-fee-home-rule-petition

Legislation draft – click here –> https://www.somervillema.gov/sites/default/files/Transfer%20Fee%20HRP%20-%204-26-18%20clean.pdf

This legislation (Home Rule Petition) comes from a proposal by the Mayor. The Home Rule Petition is a request from the local government, City of Somerville to the state legislature seeking permission from the state to create a local law (ordinance) to tax real estate transactions. The funds would be designate to create affordable housing. Aldermen are seeking input from the community through this public hearing about the latest draft. The current draft has some exclusions, one of them being owner occupied properties would not pay a tax, nor buyers who would be owner occupied. Developer, flippers of properties (non owner occupants) would have to pay a fee as high as 2%. Please share your fee back on this draft version by sharing your voice at the public hearing, emailing or calling me.

When:     Mon. May. 7, 6pm

Location: Aldermanic Chambers, City Hall

4-

Empty Lot Teele Sq. Hotel Project – Community meeting to discuss this project revolving around traffic, hotel flag, building design. Property owner, traffic consultant, hotelier, architect and Director of Planning will be in attendance to discuss the project.

When:      Wed, May 9, 6pm

Location:  West Somerville Neighborhood School, cafeteria

5-

501 Mystic Valley Pkwy Hotel Proposal (next to Waterworks building) – Community meeting discussion regarding proposed hotel project. The current property is zoned for residential. The developer would be seeking to change the zoning for this lot.

The developer, lawyer will be in attendance to discuss the project.

When:      Wed, May 9, 7:30pm

Location:  West Somerville Neighborhood School, cafeteria

6-

Ward 7 ResiStat Meeting – City of Somerville Staff & Mayor will be available to update us on projects, new initiatives, on going services etc. Ask questions about specific issues you have.

When:      Monday, May 14, 6pm

Location:  West Somerville Neighborhood School, cafeteria

7-

Community Meeting 395 Alewife Brook Parkway (ABP) Project- property owner of Sunoco/auto repairs want to develop site in a 24-26 unit residential building with ground floor commercial. The neighboring community seeks changes in this proposal. The developer will come back to the community with some revisions.

When:      Tuesday, May 29, 6:30pm

Location:  TBA

8-

Proposed Zoning Overhaul Public Hearing – come and let City Administration & Aldermen know what you think of the

More details can be found at www.SomervilleZoning.com  This Committee of Land Use will continue to meet on this item, however most of the discussion has been shifted into the fall 2018.

9-

Powderhouse Redevelopment Project Update –

MarKa is close to negotiating with their General Contractor (GC). There is primarily only paperwork between contracts and final schedule to resolve the GC and the bank. We anticipate construction to start mid June.

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RESCHEDULED — previously scheduled Thu 5/3 meetings are NOW rescheduled for Tue. May 8 for 6pm & 7:30pm

The Developer team has requested rescheduling the meetings so they could finish addressing labor discussions.

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1- Finance Committee – Committee of the Whole. Discussion about one item. The drafting of the “Conditions of Award” letter for Clarendon Hill/North St housing redevelopment project.

Previously I informed you that the Local Tenant Organization, known as CRU has supported the project, the city administration has submitted a Home Rule Petition (HRP) on behalf of developer team to the Board of Aldermen. The HRP has been referred to Legislative Matters for deliberation.

For further update the City of Somerville will contribute up to $10 million dollars to the project in the form of direct funds and other supports like technical support and waiving of permitting fees. Before the City disperses funds the developer team will need to satisfy certain conditions. In this committee meeting the list of those conditions will be discussed.

When:     Tue. May. 8, 6pm

Location: Aldermanic Chambers, Somerville City Hall

2- Legislative Matters – Committee of the Whole – discussion Clarendon Hill/North St housing redevelopment project.

This discussion is about the Home Rule Petition which was requested by the developer team through the administration. There is a possibility that this meeting may not happen depending on the outcome of the Finance Committee, listed about #1

When:     Tue. May. 8, 7:30pm

Location: Aldermanic Chambers, Somerville City Hall

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Kind regards,

Katjana Ballantyne

President, Board of Aldermen

Alderman Ward 7, Somerville

e: Katjana@Katjana.org

m: 617-440-4433

Committees:

-Finance

-Housing & Community Development

-Legislative Matters

-Open Space, Environment & Energy

-Youth Services