[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6641731,"mediaKeyId","3657054-2a6b2fd01ab439fe788c763c40c69cee","parentId",3657054,"title","Councilors press for clarity on ADA upgrades at 165 Broadway; staff cite $15 million plan, elevator would trigger more work","audioSeconds",1424,"startMs",698000,"endMs",2122000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3657054-2a6b2fd01ab439fe788c763c40c69cee&start=698&end=2122","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3657054-2a6b2fd01ab439fe788c763c40c69cee/thumbnail_698000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6641731/Somerville-City/Middlesex-County/Massachusetts/Councilors-press-for-clarity-on-ADA-upgrades-at-165-Broadway-staff-cite-15-million-plan-elevator-would-trigger-more-work","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6641731-8f3bacecefeec7af561c2e4b755823f6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771190349&Signature=IStz1KxEb5yPh~V-P65SCbi38E2BSDc9svlgtsuok2wiopVk7gif-xAqz7hj68LrCwXksle6KMoZBAlN4URdQ0pcYQEcIqRSLqTi0Dyhx7WdB6jQW4VoEhC4RXxbMscmM07f91fDrWhyR5DtjUmLzJbOh2QAoRtVnkhPJQiqd8A7dW28IaSG6RN6Rvr8pb3w2rBXcYf~Csb1Cg5Id5TdyMNMP6BRKwPaI2a6g~vm3OIsoknPvcT4ChQgrWtStvPjhR2e470BpvvZG0lKzkP~SE~~Gg3c0bbctLcfKEpVBb6FED-KCzA-XFXHqyVL4TA1dzx~EPfp1ZVVJAOLeE8UNA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Somerville City, MA","date","2025-06-04T10:59:00Z","article","Somerville councilors on the Public Utility & Public Works Committee pressed staff on May 20 for clearer cost estimates and prioritization for ADA upgrades at 165 Broadway, a city-owned building used by Team Empowerment for youth programming.

Councilor McLaughlin introduced two orders (25-0089 and 25-0088) asking the city to provide an estimate for ADA work at 165 Broadway and to prioritize the building for accessibility upgrades so youth programs can fully use the space. Committee members and staff discussed a prior facility analysis and differing dollar figures for a full renovation.

\"My understanding...the total number for renovating this entire building will be $15,000,000,\" Councilor McLaughlin said. Earlier figures discussed by staff in previous meetings included a lower estimate (around $6,000,000) for a broad set of improvements; staff said the most recent analysis they had available was completed in 2021 and that line items for an elevator and associated mechanical upgrades are included in that breakdown.

City liaison staff said adding an elevator would likely trigger additional accessibility and mechanical work, increasing the cost beyond the price of an elevator shaft alone. Staff noted that producing a new, elevator-only cost analysis would require funding for an engineering assessment.

Team Empowerment's director, Aaliyah (spelled in the record as Aliyah) Yuan, told the committee representatives of the CPA (Community Preservation Act) had emailed earlier in the year to ask whether CPA funds could be used; she said she had not received a substantive response. Staff said CPA funds are being solicited for applications now and that portions of a project (for example mechanical work) might be eligible, but CPA would not likely cover the full renovation cost.

Stanley Pollock, a long-time Team Empowerment supporter, suggested exploring a stair lift as a lower-cost interim option to provide access to the second floor.

Committee members asked staff to identify which departments are involved in prioritizing the project within the city's capital investment plan (CIP) and where 165 Broadway sits in that list. Staff said they are discussing 165 Broadway as part of the CIP but did not have a finalized prioritization or release date for the CIP at the meeting; staff agreed to follow up with the committee and to provide requested cost breakdowns and a status update before the June 12 full council meeting if possible.

Committee members also raised contract questions: the Team Empowerment contract with the city was included in the meeting materials and appears to end in June; councilors asked staff to examine contract flexibility so Team Empowerment could count programming toward its contract if the building cannot be used for public events because of accessibility limits.

The committee marked the orders work complete for now with staff follow-up requested. No formal vote on funding or project approval took place at the meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Somerville City, MA - Public Utilities and Public Works - 2025-06-02 - Jun 04, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Somerville councilors pressed staff on May 20 for clearer cost estimates and prioritization for ADA upgrades at 165 Broadway, a city-owned building used by Team Empowerment for youth programming.","taxTitle","Somerville City, Middlesex County, Massachusetts","taxId",4564,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6641735,"Committee receives memo laying out downed-wire response: 311/SFD to notify Eversource for electrical hazards",118,430000,548000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3657054-2a6b2fd01ab439fe788c763c40c69cee&start=430&end=548","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3657054-2a6b2fd01ab439fe788c763c40c69cee/thumbnail_430000.jpg","/articles/6641735/Somerville-City/Middlesex-County/Massachusetts/Committee-receives-memo-laying-out-downed-wire-response-311SFD-to-notify-Eversource-for-electrical-hazards","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6641735-7764cf24e8013b3c190973df68231f6e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771190349&Signature=Ew0-N6IpWkSxeAIf-KHYODlYvWU6iJsGxWKyaNoeU~QQyhMMeuWCahx2Oozsy~5aFFjHIeawe0JlGhqIKAJgy66uNbEPuosBIw2GHIynzJWUvn1vVuYqBz8FsJMs4d05HhRcD7KGeOqkEwbzfQnxqrtHXJmZt~88-ZOm4mKoY2Dhe5HZXGjBLGgXk1TdV2JIqxK1SJQDMc3BMa4UYVjdjB291ax8JU-p9PrzP~TKKmdvntbnKBmjVuEjoLPdNCREjEzElgscsw4n6GuP8fPKcHaf76fObSO5JLgu-o~w2f1JRywcOBhIToGPiLAgjEBmXcKH2hRHqGhWLW3q2-0LjQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Public Utility & Public Works Committee reviewed a memo attached to the May 20 agenda that summarizes Somerville's protocol for handling reports of downed wires.

Committee members and staff said the memo outlines that residents should call 311 or 911 for reports, that Somerville Fire Department (SFD) will respond or be routed the report from 311, and that the city will notify Eversource when a wire is electrical. The memo also noted that if a wire is communications-only (non-electrical), the responding staff will attempt to identify the responsible contractor.

\"Some of the fire department responds to all down wire reports, whether those calls are made directly to SFD, Fire alarm 911 or 311,\" a committee member read into the record. \"When a call is made to 311 staff will connect the caller with SFD fire alarm line. If electrical, Eversource is notified to respond, since there is only one electrical provider in the city.\"

Councilors said the memo clarifies previous constituent confusion about whether 311 was expected to stay open and whether callers were being redirected to private utilities. The committee accepted the memo as placed on file and marked the item work complete; staff will maintain the procedures and answer follow-up inquiries if the issue resurfaces.","A memo attached to the agenda summarized Somerville's protocol for downed wires: callers should report through 311 or 911 so the Somerville Fire Department can assess and, if electrical, notify Eversource. The committee accepted the memorandum and recorded the item as complete.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6641739,"Public works says storage container at 533–535 Medford St. will remain; arts council may paint it",326,106000,432000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3657054-2a6b2fd01ab439fe788c763c40c69cee&start=106&end=432","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3657054-2a6b2fd01ab439fe788c763c40c69cee/thumbnail_106000.jpg","/articles/6641739/Somerville-City/Middlesex-County/Massachusetts/Public-works-says-storage-container-at-533535-Medford-St-will-remain-arts-council-may-paint-it","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6641739-4ff46132066c0ce9f81f7dbd37e435f9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771190349&Signature=CDc4EDDIoV3qV7rS2s8Qo1NN0vIxr8SD5GYL3jOZ1I0eUTG6AGHKmdVey7YHA8VjgcU2V1aPIss1Vyr~v7Wp2EkiFXH7S~6u8ml4PWufWXn2ux7WY9pa0TrLAEmZAipVi-RZRoLkFE1nZSuOzseF6dgKg9m-QnnF180PhoUOVRUwq3z7srKvUEymVIfv4m62Pqd3PzBOENS-YyqpmonnXKfE0A-YALJQOzzIL9CVf3CpOguB1fN-HiD7wh5gepFYgIRgQQHHR7-zy~AJUShdc75qOR36PURX7xJxSdvE34VJBgK06fko3r9lxyrhqfsT5h3BYhwudUA2OhKX8BAcYw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Somerville Department of Public Works told the Public Utility & Public Works Committee on May 20 that a storage container or box on the sidewalk at 533–535 Medford Street in Magoun Square will remain in place because it houses city storage and provides access to a service pipe.

\"The storage container actually needs to stay. We did storage in that container and it has a service pipe that we need access to,\" Commissioner Joe Latham said. He also said Director Greg Jenkins is looking into having the Arts Council paint the container.

Councilors said they had assumed the box was private utility equipment and asked DPW to clarify which of two adjacent boxes was the one under discussion. Committee members requested additional follow-up from Councilor Saeed to identify the precise box and said staff would continue to investigate on-site and report back if further action is needed.

The chair said the committee would mark the item \"work complete\" for now and that Councilor Saeed should submit a more specific request if she wants removal or other action.

No formal vote was recorded. Committee discussion focused on clarifying ownership and function of the adjacent boxes, whether one contains a utility meter, and the department's operational need to keep the container for access to the pipe and storage.","The Department of Public Works told the Public Utility & Public Works Committee the container at 533–535 Medford Street in Magoun Square must stay because it stores holiday lighting and provides access to a service pipe; staff said the Arts Council may paint the container.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6641725,"Committee asks staff to explore lighting options at Chuckie Harris Park; residents now seek more light for safety",240,2550000,2790000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3657054-2a6b2fd01ab439fe788c763c40c69cee&start=2550&end=2790","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3657054-2a6b2fd01ab439fe788c763c40c69cee/thumbnail_2550000.jpg","/articles/6641725/Somerville-City/Middlesex-County/Massachusetts/Committee-asks-staff-to-explore-lighting-options-at-Chuckie-Harris-Park-residents-now-seek-more-light-for-safety","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6641725-4bd447af8817c4daade8e71893750139/orig.mp4?Expires=1771190349&Signature=bkZcZxs-xf7ioEftuGwxlUKJw0LRa4CdSVTQUijurHaIuY28yMzp7lE9Jn91WstCgODBpRSd2NnfE8I1y1y5wH9SW1Bd0MDRtw6rkIS3wFwIQ-U5eIsPFxUvWHDW6OKPrjQHGn~NOnOIwSCm6TACcOU8oz4graMheF1Ri6ZPeK7Rg2WfWl5TVc6d6V3CDJOXwRU49SkD-saMOyZ~eBQ157nduyMbQJUW~RX1gz29fh4bZuCX5i5rQ622E2WCOGOgPXfaoaay9Y3sxdje~Mn8zF9KectiFGy3oR~nffiD9qa2gtb7W5AC9AdkXnVwAkPqkD9UCt9qvXqpbYlPAoaZeQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Public Utility & Public Works Committee discussed a request to increase lighting along the fence at Chuckie Harris Park, adjacent to properties on Minnesota Avenue, during its May 20 meeting.

Councilor McLaughlin said she held a community meeting and that residents most affected by the rear of the park now support additional lighting for safety. City liaison staff said they were investigating whether electrical hookups exist in the park and whether alternatives — such as solar-powered fixtures or motion-activated lights — would be appropriate.

\"They're thinking about what...logistically what needs to happen and investigating what sort of electrical hookups exist in the park or if there are other options like a solar powered light,\" a liaison said. Committee members noted earlier neighborhood opposition to park lighting and emphasized the need to involve neighbors in design choices so lighting does not create unintended impacts. Councilor Scott suggested motion-detection lighting as a compromise to limit constant illumination while providing visibility when needed.

Staff agreed to continue the conversation with neighbors and to report back with options and a timeline. The chair asked for a staff update by the next full council meeting and said he would mark the item work complete if the liaison could provide that update in time.","Councilors asked staff to investigate electrical hookups and alternatives (including solar or motion-activated lights) to increase lighting along the fence at Chuckie Harris Park near Minnesota Avenue after neighbors requested improved nighttime visibility; staff will follow up with an update to the committee.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Councilors press for clarity on ADA upgrades at 165 Broadway; staff cite $15 million plan, elevator would trigger more work

Committee receives memo laying out downed-wire response: 311/SFD to notify Eversource for electrical hazards

Public works says storage container at 533–535 Medford St. will remain; arts council may paint it

Committee asks staff to explore lighting options at Chuckie Harris Park; residents now seek more light for safety