Wednesday, December 3, 2025 at 6 PM

Agenda 11 items

1. 1.
   25-0753 Committee Minutes Accepted

   Approval of the Minutes of the Open Space, Environment and Energy Committee Meeting of April 7, 2025.

   Roll call: 4 aye · 1 absent

   • Wilfred N. MbahAye
   • Naima SaitAbsent
   • Willie Burnley Jr.Aye
   • Jake WilsonAye
   • Jesse ClinganAye

   • 📎 Minutes - OSEE - 4-7-25 Full
2. 2.
   24-1552 Officer's Communication Recommended to be marked work completed

   Director of Sustainability and Environment conveying an overview of the Commonwealth’s Clean Energy Goals, Electric Sector Modernization Plan, demand growth in Somerville, and capital projects underway or planned.

   {\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0\deflang1033{\fonttbl{\f0\froman\fprq2\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}{\f1\fnil\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green0\blue0;} \viewkind4\uc1\pard\nowidctlpar\sl-284\slmult0\qj\tx2760\f0\fs24 Liaison Raddassi noted that this subject was discussed in 2024 and 2025 and that part of the conversation concerned long-term strategies for the next decade. There is no further update at this time.\par \pard\cf1\f1\par }

   • 📎 Eversource_Somerville_Council_Electrification_Slides_Nov 2024
3. 3.
   25-0917 Order Recommended to be marked work completed

   That the Director of Public Space and Urban Forestry discuss with this Council, opportunities to create a dog park in West Somerville.

   {\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0\deflang1033{\fonttbl{\f0\froman\fprq2\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}{\f1\fnil\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green0\blue0;} \viewkind4\uc1\pard\nowidctlpar\sl-284\slmult0\qj\tx2760\f0\fs24 Chair Mbah read an email from Councilor Davis into the record, (attached). Director Oliveira noted that a feasibility study was conducted in 2019, and although that study has some flaws, the fact remains that Somerville does not have dog parks in the western part of the city. Some locations were suggested but were determined to be unfeasible. Any area used as a dog park would need to be fenced and not located adjacent to residential property. One property that was suggested is owned by Eversource and the city can\rquote t tell them what to do with that private property. Director Oliveira commented that there is a need and she favors having a dog park in West Somerville. She cautioned that if an area is not provided, people will let their dogs onto Dilboy field, which would not be ideal. Councilor Wilson commented that it would be nice if Tufts would consider providing a solution by allowing some of its property to be used. Councilor Clingan noted that the state has a lot of open space in Somerville and Director Oliveira will try to find out the reasoning for the state not allowing some of its space to be used as a dog park.\par \pard\cf1\f1\par }

4. 4.
   25-1134 Order Recommended to be marked work completed

   That the Director of Public Space and Urban Forestry plant new trees and maintain existing trees in Magoun Square, on Medford Street and on Broadway.

   {\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0\deflang1033{\fonttbl{\f0\froman\fprq2\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}{\f1\fnil\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green0\blue0;} \viewkind4\uc1\pard\nowidctlpar\sl-284\slmult0\qj\tx2760\f0\fs24 Director Oliveira reported that trees have been planted on Broadway and that more will be planted on central Broadway. Wards 1 and 2 have been completed and work in ward 3 is underway. Tree planting in Magoun Square is a few years away. Director Oliveira noted that the city plants 350 street trees each year and that there are approximately 16,000 trees in the city. She commented that although some trees are lost in private spaces, the tree canopy in public spaces is fine.\par \pard\cf1\f1\par }

5. 5.
   25-1345 Order Kept in committee

   That the Director of Economic Development provide a report to this Council on the impact of Greentown Labs, including job creation, local economic activity, community engagement initiatives, climate and sustainability contributions, and equity and inclusion outcomes.

   {\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0\deflang1033{\fonttbl{\f0\froman\fprq2\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}{\f1\froman\fprq2\fcharset2 Symbol;}{\f2\fnil\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green0\blue0;} \viewkind4\uc1\pard\qj\f0\fs24 Director Oliveira spoke about Greentown Labs saying that it is the largest cleantech incubator in North America and provides technical assistance to more than 140 Somerville companies. The start-up results (for both Somerville and Houston) as of 2024 are as follows:\par \pard\fi-360\li720\sa160\sl276\slmult1\qj\kerning2\f1\'b7\tab\f0 575 Companies incubated\par \f1\'b7\tab\f0 200+ Current Members (140 in Somerville)\par \f1\'b7\tab\f0 89% Company Survival Rate\par \f1\'b7\tab\f0 $9.8B+ in Economic Impact (as of 2022)\par \f1\'b7\tab\f0 $8.2B+ Investment Capital Raised\par \f1\'b7\tab\f0 560+ Patents\par \f1\'b7\tab\f0 13,500+ Jobs Created\par \pard\qj\kerning0 Director Oliveira commented that Greentown has a \lquote sticky\rquote relationship with Somerville and the state, in that their relationship is strong and ongoing. For example, 89% of startups in the early years received $11 million of support from MassCEC, 71% of companies in the pre-Covid years had employees from local universities, 66% of alumni companies grew within Greater Boston between 2011-2019, and alumni companies regularly retain membership to be part of community programs.\par Examples of alumni companies and their local growth are:\par \pard\fi-360\li720\sa160\sl276\slmult1\qj\kerning2\f1\'b7\tab\f0 Form Energy - began with 5 employees and now employes over 350 workers in Somerville, alone\par \f1\'b7\tab\f0 Sublime Systems - launched 5 years ago and currently exploring opportunities to supply the city with their product for city projects,\par \f1\'b7\tab\f0 Transaera - next generation HVAC products\par \pard\cf1\kerning0\f2\par }

6. 6.
   25-1346 Order Recommended to be marked work completed

   That the Director of Parks and Recreation install a clock on top of the Dilboy Pool building.

   {\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0\deflang1033{\fonttbl{\f0\froman\fprq2\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}{\f1\fnil\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green0\blue0;} \viewkind4\uc1\pard\nowidctlpar\sl-284\slmult0\qj\tx2760\f0\fs24 Liaison Raddassi told the committee that any additional context that could be provided would be helpful while the department awaits the selection of a new director. Director Oliveira noted that the pool is owned by DCR.\par \pard\cf1\f1\par }

7. 7.
   25-1350 Order Recommended to be marked work completed

   That the Director of Health and Human Services create a summer job in the Mayor's Jobs Program by which youth can travel by bike to water public trees around the city.

   {\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0\deflang1033{\fonttbl{\f0\froman\fprq2\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}{\f1\fnil\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green0\blue0;} \viewkind4\uc1\pard\nowidctlpar\sl-284\slmult0\qj\tx2760\f0\fs24 Liaison Raddassi stated that the administration is having internal conversations about this matter and noted that the DPW has some concerns about contractual considerations.\par \pard\cf1\f1\par }

8. 8.
   25-1375 Order Recommended to be marked work completed

   That the Director of Infrastructure and Asset Management and the Director of Public Space and Urban Forestry update this Council on the status of ArtFarm and the funding for the project.

   {\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0\deflang1033{\fonttbl{\f0\froman\fprq2\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}{\f1\fnil\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}} {\colortbl ;\red255\green0\blue0;\red0\green0\blue0;} \viewkind4\uc1\pard\nowidctlpar\sl-284\slmult0\qj\tx2760\f0\fs24 Chair Mbah asked if the ArtFarm project is ever going to happen and Liaison Raddassi explained that a funding strategy is needed and that the project is tied to the CIP.\cf1\par \pard\cf2\f1\par }

9. 9.
   25-1427 Order Recommended to be marked work completed

   That the Director of Public Space and Urban Forestry discuss with this Council, a policy for use of open space on municipal property around city buildings for community gardens.

   {\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0\deflang1033{\fonttbl{\f0\froman\fprq2\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}{\f1\fnil\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green0\blue0;} \viewkind4\uc1\pard\nowidctlpar\sl-284\slmult0\qj\tx722\tx2760\f0\fs24 Chair Mbah referenced an email sent to committee members by Eilish Brown, (attached).\par \par Director Oliveira told the members that she met with Ms. Brown to discuss her concerns. The director explained that there are a number of potential problems involved, e.g., being in an urban environment, some land may be contaminated and if the city tests land and finds it contaminated, the city must remediate it. Some of the suggested sites are city properties and if the city does not test them and something happens, the city is liable. The director commented that other opportunities available and that she doesn\rquote t know if the city has parcels that could be used.\par \pard\cf1\f1\par }

10. 10.
    25-1495 Officer's Communication Recommended to be marked work completed

    Director of Public Space and Urban Forestry conveying the Somerville Pollinator Action Plan and related updates.

    {\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0\deflang1033{\fonttbl{\f0\froman\fprq2\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}{\f1\fnil\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green0\blue0;} \viewkind4\uc1\pard\nowidctlpar\sl-284\slmult0\qj\tx722\tx2760\f0\fs24 Director Oliveira told the members that this is the first of its kind in the state and that it is being used by other communities. An advisory committee worked for a year and a half on producing this plan, which is hyper-local and heavy on science. \par \pard\cf1\f1\par }

    • 📎 2025_Final Somerville Pollinator Action Plan
11. 11.
    25-1531 Officer's Communication Recommended to be marked work completed

    Director of Public Space and Urban Forestry conveying the Somerville Open Space and Recreation Plan 2025-2035.

    {\rtf1\ansi\ansicpg1252\deff0\deflang1033{\fonttbl{\f0\froman\fprq2\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}{\f1\fnil\fcharset0 Times New Roman;}} {\colortbl ;\red0\green0\blue0;} \viewkind4\uc1\pard\nowidctlpar\sl-284\slmult0\qj\tx722\tx2760\f0\fs24 Director Oliveira addressed this topic and mentioned that the least amount of open space is in brickbottom, however, the walkshed (the area around a central point that is reachable on foot for an average person) is 10 minutes in Somerville. She commented that pocket parks being created and noted that roof gardens ae governed by ordinance and are not generally accessible to the public.\par \par Councilor Wilson noted the report\rquote s desire for unprogrammed open spaces and he would like to see community hours for turf athletic fields. Director Oliveira responded by saying that it wasn\rquote t part of the neighborhood discussions and that people wanted spaces to walk. She pointed out that the outreach isn\rquote t representative of the desires of those who actually use the fields. The Recreation Department handles permitting for the fields and she feels that the public should be allowed to use them, so maybe having community hours is an option.\par \par Councilor Wilson asked about community gardens and the director said there are 600 plots now and that there will be more of them. She explained that once someone gets a garden, it\rquote s theirs for life and that it\rquote s those people that hold the places together. Community gardens build community, yet some people feel they should be abolished as it privatizes those spaces, while some believe that the spaces could be better purposed.\par \par \pard\nowidctlpar\li1\sl-284\slmult0\qj\tx722\tx2760 Councilor Wilson asked about Lincoln Park saying that it can\rquote t support a full program of activities as intended and that more grass athletic fields are needed. Director Oliveira said that she has not been involved in that soccer field for some time but said that the city has enough synthetic fields to support sport growth, although she doesn\rquote t know the current status. \par \pard\nowidctlpar\sl-284\slmult0\qj\tx722\tx2760\par Councilor Clingan inquired about the Mystic River Outfall and Sewer Separation project\rquote s (MROS) effect on pollinator garden on the Mystic bank and the director said se is aware of it and that it can\rquote t be avoided due to infrastructure needs. Councilor Clingan asked about a MOU with the state regarding control of Foss Park and noted that the state has no desire to get involved with dog parks. The director said that DCR made a big investment at that park and it gets a lot of use. Trees have been planted there and she commented that it\rquote s difficult to get DCR to make changes. \par \pard\cf1\f1\par }

    • 📎 Open Space & Recreation Plan 2025-2035