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By Jack Connolly
Jackconnolly422@gmail.com

Somerville City officials attended a meeting called for by Davis Sq. merchants last week to discuss the unhoused people, addicts frequenting Davis Sq. on a daily basis, and their open drug use and drug dealing happening in area parks, including the plaza next to 7/11. Much mention was made about disturbances apparently arising from patrons of the Brightview clinic on Highland Avenue, acting up throughout Davis Sq. Before and after visits to the Brightview office.

In addition, some merchants mentioned issues with people overdosing, or being generally incapacitated in front of, or in bathrooms of Davis Sq. businesses, causing extra distress for already busy staff.

West Somerville born Somerville Police Capt. Jim Donovan and Somerville Police community outreach worker Patty Contente we’re very sympathetic to the concerns of Davis Sq merchants; Donovan though very understanding, couldn’t offer any additional police presence in Davis Sq, but could only increase daily patrols. He said budget cuts and fewer sworn police officers on the force were the primary reasons for not adding a Davis area patrol.

Ms. Contente offered to engage with the Somerville Homeless Coalition and Bright View staff regarding client behavior in and around Davis Sq. Somerville Police, Somerville Homeless Coalition, and the BrightView addiction treatment office on Highland Ave., all have to coordinate with other local non-profits, especially those dealing with mental health issues, to get a handle on this growing problem.

Not exactly the news that the Davis Sq. merchants wanted to hear; To their credit, at least City staff and City police officials were there and we’re both empathetic and sympathetic.

What was most upsetting to Davis Sq. merchants was what WASN’T said at the meeting: The pilot plan to remove more metered parking in Davis Sq.

Thanks to a vigilant Davis Sq. merchant who noticed the City’s online Traffic Commission agenda for Thursday, April 11, (a few days after the April 8 meeting; The info was shared with fellow Davis Sq merchants) that was to introduce a 12-month pilot program for Elm Street in the heart of Davis Sq. that would remove much of the existing metered parking spaces on Elm St. in the heart of Davis Sq. for new loading zones.

Why is it that the Davis Sq. merchants and Davis Sq. neighbors living nearby were not involved in this planning process?

Shop owners immediately emailed Ward Six Councilor Lance Davis, and requested that this agenda item for Elm Street be tabled since the Davis Sq. merchants and the neighborhood have not been involved in any of that planning.

It’s clear that the Somerville bureaucrats in the planning department, mobility department, and traffic department somehow failed to mention this Elm St. pilot project several weeks earlier when well over 80 individuals crowded into the Somerville West branch library to hear about the so-called Davis Sq. plan.

If we’re not for the vigilance of a Davis Sq. merchant, the Traffic Commission could have voted to implement this pilot plan with virtually no public hearings or public meetings with Davis Sq. merchants and nearby neighbors.

Why?

Because technically they don’t have to; Public hearings are not required to be held under Somerville Traffic Commission rules.

Davis Sq merchants’ and the neighborhood residents have been shortchanged; Two city meetings in the last few months without mentioning this plan, borders on the bounds of neglect for community input and a total disregard for public process; Davis Sq. neighbors and businesses deserve better.

Let’s hope the Mayor and the City Council take a good look at what isn’t happening in Davis Sq. Someone needs to.

Jack Connolly is a native Somervillian, a Davis Sq. resident and insurance agent: He is also a former Somerville Ward Six and At Large Alderman (known now as City Councilor).