On Monday, arguments for a new dog park for West Somerville were made at the Parks and Open Spaces Committee. Also discussed were two other hot topics for environmentally concerned members of the community: Whether to lower fees on green roof construction and raise fees on standard roof construction, and how the City can create incentives to increase de-paving activity in the city.

NEXT STEP TO CREATING DOG PARK DEBATED

The creation of a West Somerville dog park was discussed at Monday's meeting. Speaking in favor of the idea was Ward 6 Alderman Rebekah Gewirtz, who described the nearest off-leash area, Nunziato Dog Park just outside Union Square, as "overrun."

"It's important that the city look for something in West Somerville," said Gewirtz.

Adding heat to the discussion was that, earlier that same day, a man was bitten by a dog near Lexington Park in Somerville (the victim posted about it on Davis Square Live Journal here). Proponents argued the attack demonstrated the need for safe, contained, off-leash areas for dogs.

At issue was whether Somerville's Office of Strategic Planning and Community Development (OSPCD) will write a letter to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to seek funding for a West Somerville dog park. 

OSPCD is, however, concerned that the City does not control the locations currently under consideration for a new dog park. Most sites being considered are under the control of the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation. But the City would need to ensure that the park has proper drainage to avoid issues with dog waste.  The issue was tabled until the next meeting.

LOWER FEES ON GREEN ROOFS AND RAISE FEES ON STANDARD ROOFS?

Currently, when homeowners install green roofs on their homes, they are charged an extra $18 fee for every $1,000 of gross total construction cost of the roof. Proponents of reducing the fee argue the added cost can deter the addition of these environmentally friendly sod roofs.

Eddie Nuzzo, director of Inspectional Services for Somerville, discussed the possibility of reducing the fees. Nuzzo explained that green roofs are "intertwined with building codes in all aspects." 

The board indicated its support of this move, arguing that green roofs benefit Somerville by absorbing storm runoff and preventing drainage overflows. 

Solutions discussed included lowering the fee for green roofs while raising the fee for standard roofs an equivalent amount. The director was ordered to assemble a cost breakdown and make a recommendation on how to encourage green roof construction.

De-paving incentives discussed

Finally, George Proakis, Director of Planning, presented some solutions to the committee on how to reduce the amount of paved surfaces in Somerville.

De-paving proponents argue it would help alleviate one cause of flooding in the city, as well as offer other environmental benefits, such as cleaner air (more green space means more plants to clean the air).

Proakis drew on his previous experience reducing paving in Lowell and limiting runoff from one property to another. 

He stated that the solution will include a "combination of permitting plus some zoning" and discussed Lowell's permitting process, implemented during his tenure. The issue was "as much about landscape and driveways as permeable and impermeable [surfaces]," said Proakis. 

The Lowell process "definitely made people stop and think" about the impacts their projects would have on their neighbors and the local environment. He recommended the board use Lowell's solution as a template for its own work.

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Proponentes de Parque Canino Apresentam Idéia Para Governo Municipal

Nota: Esta matéria foi traduzida em partes do original em Inglês.

Na segunda-feira, proponentes de um novo parque canino na parte oeste de Somerville trouxeram algumas idéias para o Comitê de Parques e Espaços Abertos (Parks and Open Spaces Committee).

Um dos proponentes para a criação de um parque canino é Rebekah Gewirtz, vereadora do 6º distrito municipal. Gewirtz disse que o parque mais perto, Nunziato Dog Park em Union Square, já está transbordando com muitos cães.

"É importante que o governo municipal explore outras opções para o lado oeste da cidade," ela adicionou.

Na terça-feira, um homem foi mordido por uma cachorro perto de Lexington Park em Somerville. Proponentes do parque argumentaram que o ataque demonstra a necessidade de lugares onde cães possam correr e brincar livres—tudo dentro de uma área fechada.

O próximo passo seria do governo municipal, que teria que escrever para governo federal requerindo verba para construir o parque.

Mas representantes do governo disseram que estão preocupados porque Somerville não controla a área onde o parque seria localizado. Os parques sendo considerados, incluindo a área perto de Dilboy/Alewife Brook Reservation, são controlados pelo governo estadual.

O governo municipal teria que assumir controle da área e ao menos assegurar que a drenagem local é suficiente para evitar problemas com resíduos biológicos deixados pelos animais.

O assunto será discutido na próxima reunião do comitê.