The Somerville News Blog

Galluccio denied parole

Board: Ex-senator 'a public safety concern' By George P. Hassett Disgraced state senator Anthony Galluccio will stay in the slammer a little longer after a parole board hearing on May 14 denied him an early release from Billerica House of Correction. Galluccio was sentenced to one year in jail in January after violating the terms of his probation in connection with a hit and run accident that left a 13-year-old boy injured. He resigned from his senate seat, which includes two precincts in Somerville and parts of Cambridge, shortly after going to jail. In four months of jail time Galluccio has made "progress in addressing his substance abuse issues," according to parole records. That was not enough to get him out from behind bars.

Somerville struggles with $8 million shortfall

By George P. Hassett Expect layoffs and fee increases as city officials grapple with an $8.1 million budget gap, said Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone last week. Curtatone said some city departments will have full time staff reduced to part time and some work will be outsourced to save money as the city deals with rising health care costs and diminishing state aid. "This is not a spending issue, this is a revenue issue," Curtatone said at a press conference last week in his office.

Detail cop nabs alleged assault suspect

~Photo by William Tauro By William Tauro Somerville Police Officer Warren Chaille, while doing a detail on Medford Street early Monday morning, noticed a male walking by that fit the description of the suspect from last week's two assaults on two women. The suspect was arrested on two outstanding warrants. He was alleged to be wearing the same brown sweater victims described the suspect as wearing. Somerville Police detectives are investigating to see if the man in custody on the warrant charges is the assault suspect.

Somerville Masons volunteer C.H.I.P.S in Somerville

Interview video recording and fingerprint stations being operated by Linda and Donald Coutoumas, Robin and Jenna Raymond, Somerville Police Officer William Rymill and Police Chief Michael Cabral. Photo by William Tauro Dentist Gary Stiller and his assistant Marcela Montora take dental impressions of a child's teeth at the event. ~Photos by William Tauro By William Tauro Somerville Masons hosted a Child Identification Program (CHIPS) at the Boy's and Girl's Club on Washington Street Saturday morning. The CHIPS program consist of the child accompanied by parents stopping at several stations within the workshop. The first station is the registration desk where the child's personal information is gathered. Station number two is where the dental impressions and DNA swabs of the child are taken. Station three is where a video taped interview of the child is recorded while asking the child a series of relevant questions . Station four is where police volunteer their time at the event to take finger prints impressions of the child for identification purposes. Then at the final station, all this information is combined into a package including a disk that parents keep one copy and another copy for the child's school to keep on file. The program is designed that in the event of a missing child, information gathered from the CHIPS program could provide police with valuable information and leads that could possibly assist them in finding the child and returning him or her back home again. The event was conducted by volunteers from Somerville Masonic Lodge and it's Master Skip Trahey, King Solomon's Masonic Lodge, Eastern Star members, Gary Stiller DDS office of Cambridge and the Somerville Police Department.

Pols ask Somerville residents for tax ideas

State Representative Jay Kaufman dispelled the myth of “Taxachusetts” at Monday night's meeting. Lauren C. Ostberg State legislators came to Somerville Monday to kick off a discussion about taxes in the state. "I want to see if we, as a Commonwealth, can have an adult conversation about taxes," said State Representative Jay Kaufman, a Democrat. He opened the meeting at Somerville City Hall with several broad strokes. "I think our tax system is broken, and I don't think we can fix what's wrong with our tax system as is," he said. "We have to peel back some of our thinking and go from there."

Somerville Planning Board has few options in Benton Road development

Condos could be coming to this spot whether alderman like it or not. ~Photo by Bobbie Toner Blogger leads activism against more density By Tom Nash The Planning Board recently learned it has little say in whether a developer can add three condos on the site of a Victorian era home known as the Giobbe house, despite opposition from both city officials and neighbors. MLM Realty's plan to subdivide a property at 1 Benton Road faced a storm of criticism last month, with aldermen and abutters saying the historic structure has been marred and an already crowded neighborhood will face more strain.

Uncertain local reaction to Arizona immigration bill

Somerville immigrant advocates have begun protesting Arizona's tough new immigration law.~Photo by William Tauro Alli Carlisle Somerville is far from Arizona, but its high immigrant population keeps it close to the immigration debate. In the wake of the passage of the Arizona immigration bill, the city's immigrants and activists are reacting with fear, anger and uncertainty, and yet some are questioning whether the bill have much effect on Somerville. The Arizona bill was signed into law on April 23, and has made national news for being the boldest piece of legislation regarding immigration the country has seen. The bill mandates that police stop anyone suspected of being an undocumented immigrant to the U.S., and requires all immigrants to carry documentation on their persons.

Somerville Seniors and green thumbs at city growing center

By Cathleen Twardzik Beginning on May 15, Somerville seniors can test their green thumbs by exploring the garden at the Somerville Community Growing Center at 22 Vinal Avenue. The weekly Saturday event, which is in collaboration with Somerville-Cambridge Elder Services, will be open from now through October from 9 a.m. to noon for "Open Garden Saturdays." "Open Garden Saturdays have been in place for over ten years, as an offering for the community to come visit, pitch in or just enjoy a natural space in Somerville," said Lisa Brukilacchio, Clerk of the Board of Directors for the Friends of the Community at the Growing Center. "The Friends" is the volunteer organization that maintains the Growing Center.

Today is Election Day

Today is Election Day in the Special State Senate race where Sal  DiDomenico recently won the Democratic nomination. We at the Somerville News support him and urge the residents in Ward 1, Precinct 1 and Ward 2 Precinct 1 here in Somerville to please go out and vote today for Sal DiDomenico. Polls are open from 7:00 A.M. to 8:00 P.M. Sample ballot Click here to view the Elections Department Web site.

Somerville Mayor shares optimism at business town hall

By Tom Nash Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone faced around 100 business owners at the Somerville Theater last Wednesday, putting forward his goals for the city's infrastructure as a benefit to entrepreneurs operating in a still-struggling economy. The meeting, hosted by the Somerville Chamber of Commerce, saw business owners asking the city for relief on parking, recycling rates and assistance in negotiating health insurance premiums.

Major construction begins this month in Somerville at Assembly Square

~Photos courtesy of Dewey Square Group State adds $10 million to project By George P. Hassett Assembly Square development has been delayed by lawsuits and political scandal in the past. But not even the recession could stop Somerville's biggest development opportunity this time around. Don Briggs of Federal Realty Investment Trust, the developers of Assembly Square, said this week that construction on Assembly Square Drive - "the spine of the project" - will begin this month and be completed by early next year. Construction of an Orange Line train station begins next year, he said. On Tuesday, state officials released $10 million in funding to support roadway improvements that will facilitate the construction of an IKEA store. "We're moving forward in the worst of economic times and in the depths of a recession we're working to deliver a final product when the market does come back," Briggs told the Somerville News as he toured the construction site last week.

'Aquapocalypse' hits Somerville

City employees give out bottled water to thirsty residents Monday. ~Photo by Bobbie Toner Before ban lifted, city distributes water to kids, seniors and families By George P. Hassett By the end of   'Aquapocalypse', the name given to the three day ban on tap water after a water main break in Weston, Somerville officials had handed out almost 6,000 gallons of water. On Monday, one day before Governor Deval Patrick declared the water safe to drink again, 1,828 cases of bottled water were distributed from two locations in the city, the Department of Public Works yard and the East Somerville Community School site.

Somerville arrest log for the week of April 27-May 2

Tuesday, April 27 Sean Niles, 34, of 83 Freemont St., 9:10 a.m., arrested and charged with resisting arrest, assault and battery on a police officer and disorderly conduct. Goralda Freitas, 45, of 2 First St., 6:52 p.m., arrested on warrant charges of unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle.

Despite water boil order, Lions charity breakfast a success

~Photos By William Tauro Lion's Club members Rosie Hoffman and Neal Litson on the keyboard and flute as well as the saxophone, kept the breakfast crowds lively throughout the day. By William Tauro With an MWRA water boil order in place and over 2 million bay state residents without drinkable water, Sunday's Somerville Lions Club Annual Charity Breakfast was a complete success despite a few hurdles. With live musical entertainment inside and outside temperatures soaring in the 90's, hundreds of the club supporters gathered in the air conditioned hall and enjoyed a complete breakfast buffet and most of all a fresh clean cup of hot coffee. Dunkin Donuts an annual sponsor that donates the coffee for the charity event, was unable to do so this year due the water boil order which restricted the coffee giant to serve coffee to the public and in some locations even open their doors for the day. That's when Bret Henry of the Mount Vernon in Somerville sprang into action at the last minute to save the day. Henry's restaurant, a major Lions Club supporter boiled hundreds of gallons of bottled spring water at the Somerville restaurant to make the coffee for the local charity event and delivered the fresh hot brew throughout the day to their front door.

Five from Somerville injured in Mass Pike

By George P. Hassett

Five Somerville residents were hurt in a crash on the Mass Pike in Milbury this morning, State Police said.

A 1984 RAM Wagon carrying 10 people and on its way to New York had its rear tire blown out at 5:55 a.m., according to police. Two people were ejected from the vehicle, according to authorities. The van then rolled over at least twice.

School ready

Dr. Jayanthi Mistry, Chair of Tufts University’s Department of Early Childhood Education and the event’s keynote speaker. Somerville discusses its educational culture Lauren C. Ostberg Most communities have heard it by now: it takes a village to raise a child. But Somerville's youngsters have an entire city, and an active educational community, to get them ready for school. The Third Annual Community Conversation on Getting School-Ready united community-based childcare agencies, education-based non-profits, parents, teachers, and two local health groups on Wednesday. The conversation focused on "The Many Cultures in Our Lives." Organizers broadened the definition of culture beyond the usual national origin, linguistic and urban-rural divides to include classroom culture. "A classroom is a cultural community with shared practices," asserted Dr. Jayanthi Mistry, Chair of Tufts University's Department of Early Childhood Education and the event's keynote speaker.

Somerville Open Studios happens May 1 and 2

Jeremy Ogunsky's pottery will be on view during Somerville Open Studios. Francisco de la Barra is known for his innovation of painting with spices. ~Photos courtesy of Jeremy Ogunsky and Francisco de la Barra. By Julia Fairclough Jerry Ogunsky likes to create a home setting when showing his pottery so that people can visualize what his ceramic stoneware would look like in their own home. He decided to showcase his art by turning his home into a gallery, where visitors can select what they like from the kitchen table or a shelf. Like 360 other artists throughout the city, Ogunsky is preparing for the big annual event: Somerville Open Studios (SOS), which runs May 1 and 2 from noon to 6 p.m. In its 12th year, SOS has grown and improved in numerous ways. But most important of all, is the sense of community. "What better way to let my neighbors know what I like to do, to show them my pottery, and get to know other people in the community," said Ogunsky, who is a newbie to the event. Ogunsky moved to Somerville two years ago. He has never participated in a Somerville artist event before and thinks that showing off his utilitarian pots will help him break into the artist community here. SOS has a 60 percent turnover of artists each year, with the bulk being new artists, said SOS event coordinator Peter Belford. This year's theme focuses on the perceptions, history, contradictions, and diversity of Somerville. Two long-time SOS venues at either end of town anchor the 101 studio sites-the Nave Gallery in Teele Square and the Brickbottom Gallery off Washington Street heading into East Somerville.

Dead rats haunt cramped Somerville firehouse

Trailers used by Somerville firefighters are infested with dead rodents. ~Photo by Tom Nash By Tom Nash Nearly 12 years after a flood forced firefighters into a trailer adjacent to the Union Square firehouse, sharing living space with rodents had become a fact of life there. It was when the rodents crawled into the ceiling and died that the situation became unbearable.

The hazards of substance abuse a lesson in healthy living for local youths

Middlesex County District Attorney Gerry Leone spoke to a crowd of nearly 400 high school students about the hazards of substance abuse, and the importance of not becoming a statistic. ~Photo by David Lombino David Lombino Car accidents are the leading cause of teenage deaths. This statistic is what prompted Middlesex County District Attorney Gerry Leone, Interim Somerville Chief of Police Mike Cabral, School Superintendent Tony Pierantozzi, and probation officer Linda Donovan to lecture a crowd of nearly 400 high school students about the hazards of substance abuse, and the importance of not becoming a statistic. "We don't expect you to be perfect," Leone addressed the students, "but we expect you to be really good."

Run & Walk for cancer research

The Run & Walk will take place on Sunday, May 9, 2010 at 9:45 AM. Registration will begin at 8 AM at the Dilboy V.F.W. Post in Davis Square. Ashley Troutman Help the fight against cancer by participating in the 8th Annual Mary O'Brien Memorial (M.O.M.) 5k Run & Walk. Registration is now open online for the Mother's Day event. Get fit for a good cause. Mary Pilotte O'Brien, Somerville resident and active community member, lost her battle with cancer in 2002. O'Brien's son, Gordon Pilotte, and his siblings, have been coordinating the event ever since. "It's in memory of my mom," Pilotte said. "I really like to see everyone lined up at the starting line. You never know who'll show up. It's nice to see how many people support it."