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Somerville council approves zoning and consent items, greenlights camera and service contracts
Summary
The council introduced and adopted zoning amendments and a pilot financial agreement for 100 Fairview Ave., approved a $99,209.74 camera contract tied into police systems, awarded a six‑month janitorial contract, and approved bills totaling $914,959.27.
At its Oct. 6 meeting the Somerville Borough Council introduced and adopted multiple ordinances and approved a consent agenda of resolutions covering grants, hires and contracts.
Ordinance action: The council read and adopted an ordinance amending chapter 102 (building and zoning permits) — including conversions of duplex/multi‑family to single‑family in certain districts — and approved a pilot financial agreement (ordinance/resolution numbers recited in the meeting) for a Foundry Urban Renewal LLC project at 100 Fairview Avenue (lots and block information read into the record). The public hearing was opened and closed with no comments, and roll call votes were recorded as affirmative.
Consent agenda and notable approvals: The council approved a package of consent resolutions including taxi license renewals, a lights parade permit for Dec. 6, change orders for pool repairs, grants (including a CDBG grant for youth services and an HDSRF supplemental application for the former ColorTech site at 60 Cornell Boulevard), hiring of full‑time laborers, and a Somerset County trails grant application ($1,720,000) for an elevated trail segment on the landfill redevelopment area.
Camera contract: The council approved a $99,209.74 contract with Millennium Communication Group for cameras at Carroll Pagier Walk and Division Street to tie into the police camera system. Council members discussed privacy, monitoring and coverage; roll call produced one recorded “No” vote (Andrew Conte) and the motion carried with five “Yes” votes.
Janitorial contract and bills: The council also approved a six‑month janitorial contract for the emergency services facility after discussion about cost and whether hiring a full‑time employee would be preferable. Finally, the council approved bills and vouchers totaling $914,959.27 by roll call.
Why it matters: The zoning amendments and the pilot agreement affect development approvals and potential tax‑abatement negotiations. The camera contract expands town surveillance capability and drew privacy questions; several grants and capital‑project approvals may affect future construction and restoration work in town.
Next steps: Several planning‑board items (tree ordinance and stormwater rules) were scheduled for future hearings; council and staff will continue to implement the awarded contracts and grants.
