Road improvements set to begin as part of beautification effort
Thirty Somerville streets will be resurfaced in the next few months, according to the Somerville Journal.
The city is planning a major enhancement to Somerville Avenue, which will include the construction of a bike lane, new signage and raised sidewalks. The project will cost an estimated $13.3 million, according to the Journal.
"The most exciting part to the public eye is the improvements to the streetscape," Lucy Warsh, spokesperson for Somerville Mayor Joseph Curtatone, said. "It's not just a matter of busting up a road and repaving it ... it will literally start from the ground up."
In addition to cosmetic and aesthetic improvements, the storm water drainage system will also be revamped in response to the ongoing flooding problems that the streets of Somerville currently experience. Although local businesses may suffer during construction due to reduction in traffic, the project should greatly enhance the area in the long-run, according to the Journal.
Another $1.7 million will be spent on the resurfacing of nearly 30 other city streets and the replacement of a bridge, all part of what Curtatone called his administration's "overall neighborhood cleanup and beautification effort."
Somerville Journal exposes 'devious' boat docking
Somerville city officials will be taking disciplinary action against an unidentified city employee who was discovered to have used a municipal building to store his private yacht, according to the Somerville Journal.
Officials initially said they knew of no boat in the Homan's Building, but Journal reporters took a brief tour and found a "sizable ship" inside.
According to the Massachusetts State Ethics Commission, public officials "may not use public resources for political or private purposes."
"The proper person is being dealt with at this point," Somerville Mayor Joseph Curtatone spokesman Mark Horan told the Journal.
Competition to fill late Senator Charles Shannon's seat
Somerville resident and Democratic State Representative Pat Jehlen has declared that she will campaign to win the State Senate seat departed by the late Senator Charles Shannon, who died of cancer earlier this month.
"I'm running," Jehlen said. "I feel pretty clear about it."
The date for the special election to fill Shannon's seat has not been set, but a year-and a half remains in his term, according to the Somerville Journal.
Several other local figures may also run, including Republican and current City Alderman Bill White.
"At this point, I would have to seriously consider entering the race because Somerville's economic future is going to be at stake in this Senate election," he said.
Other possible candidates include Medford City Councilor Robert Penta, Alderman Sean O'Donovan, and former Chief of Staff for Shannon, Stan Koty, according to the Journal.
--compiled by Bruce Hamilton from the Somerville Journal
