These are just some of the municipal meetings and civic events for the coming week. More are on the City of Somerville website.
Missing crossing guard issue
City Council Traffic and Parking Committee, 6 p.m. Monday. This committee run by city councilor Naima Sait asks new police chief Shumeane Benford to explain the lack of officer or crossing guard help during school drop-off Oct. 23 at Curtis Street and Powderhouse Boulevard, near the West Somerville Neighborhood School. There’s a motion to ask the chief to work with other officials on a plan “to ensure that crossing guards are adequately stationed at critical intersections near schools during high-traffic hours and that, in the absence of crossing guards, police officers are deployed to ensure the safety of students and families.” Watchable by Zoom videoconferencing.
Racial and Social Justice head
City Council Confirmation of Appointments and Personnel Matters Committee, 7 p.m. Monday. This committee run by city councilor Judy Pineda Neufeld looks confirming the appointment of Amanda Nagim-Williams as director of Racial and Social Justice – a position previously held by Denise Molina Capers, who established the position when hired in March 2021 as part “of Somerville’s continued commitment in action to dismantle systemic racism and social inequities” but left the position quietly early this year. Nagim-Williams’ LinkedIn says she was promoted to the role in August, more than three months ago, after two years as department staff. Watchable by Zoom videoconferencing.
Christmas tree lighting event
Christmas tree lighting ceremony, 5 to 7 p.m. Dec. 5. Mayor Katjana Ballantyne launches the holidays with live entertainment, light refreshments and gifts for children at Somerville City Hall, 93 Highland Ave., Central Hill.
Proposal for Assembly Square
Planning Board, 6 p.m. Dec. 5. Greystar, a global real estate company, asks a special permit for a 1.3 million-square-foot lab, office, hospitality and park development at 20-23 Cummings St., Assembly Square. Greystar – also putting up a 16-story lab building a few blocks away at 74 Middlesex Ave. – says this project would go on the site of the La Quinta hotel and 99 restaurant. Watchable by Zoom videoconferencing.
Transit-oriented building, plus
Land Use Committee, 6:30 p.m. Dec. 5. This committee run by city councilor Matthew McLaughlin looks at several issues, including improving regulation of bicycle parking and easing the way for people to make homes more accessible to people who are aging or have disabilities; requiring all new construction to put electrical transformers belowground and how required electrical equipment can change plans for already-approved new developments; the possibility of getting more federal money for transit-oriented development and which Somerville projects could quality, and using the MBTA Communities Catalyst Fund to spur housing acquisition or production, especially in the Winter Hill, Gilman Square and East Somerville neighborhoods. There’s also a motion to reconsider the policy of allowing lot splits and mergers as administrative approvals rather than as special permits. Watchable by Zoom videoconferencing.
A stronger
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