Joint statement of Somerville Mayor Curtatone and Cambridge City Manager Rossi regarding the GLX

[mem-winterhill.livejournal.com]

Full statement: http://www.thesomervilletimes.com/archives/67215

Snippet:

....It is our understanding that the new cost estimate for the GLX will retain core program elements including seven light rail transit stations including a spur to Union Square, a Vehicle Maintenance Facility, a Community Path, and related utility upgrades. With that clear understanding, it is our intention as Mayor of the City of Somerville and City Manager of Cambridge to recommend to the Somerville Board of Aldermen and the Cambridge City Council that our cities commit to underwriting project costs for specific, tangible elements that would deliver meaningful public safety and quality-of-life benefits for our residents.

After discussions with the state, the needed value of new financial participation in the GLX for the City of Somerville is projected to be $50 million and the value of the City of Cambridge’s contribution is projected at $25 million, including financial contributions from the North Point developers, to close the funding gap. Again, any contribution will be subject to Board and City Council approvals....

The page also has a link to a letter from our state legislators who are miffed that tonight's final GLX meeting was cancelled.

Update on Sunday's Lowell Street shooting incident, from Alderman Mark Niedergang

[ron_newman]

Ward 5 Alderman Mark Niedergang sent me this and said I could repost it here (and on NextDoor). It's a response to this earlier post.

Over the past few days, I've spoken with a bunch of people including the Chief of Police Dave Fallon (daily), Mayor's aide, and several of the owners of properties right near the site of the shooting and other neighbors who live right in the area.

Here is what I can tell you at this point.

First, and foremost, I understand neighbors' concern about safety in the area and share their concern. But I do not believe that concerns about safety in the Lowell Street area going forward are warrented.

The Somerville Police Department has said that this was not a random act. The parties involved were known to each other. They are not from Somerville, do not hang out here, and are no longer here.

Chief of Police Dave Fallon assured me that there will be a heightened police presence in the area going forward.

I am asking the SPD to have an active presence at the Albion Street playground in that are for at least the rest of May to talk with parents and address any concerns they have. I have also asked for a communication from the City to the neighborhood.

The police will be sharing more information with the public once an arrest is made.

Yours,

Mark
( Mark Niedergang's contact info )