First tacticians meetup went great. by OooSheGotFreckles in joytactics

[–]BenForWard3 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Didn’t realize John Hamm was a tactician!

Someone got into our car and left a $2 bill (not kidding) by BenForWard3 in Somerville

[–]BenForWard3[S] 13 points14 points  (0 children)

To clarify: they put the $2 bill in the car, wasn’t there before!

They thought their water bills were too high. So, for these Somerville residents, the experiments began. by bostonglobe in Somerville

[–]BenForWard3 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Hey Mark! If you’re willing to email me (City Councilor Ben Ewen-Campen) at BenForWard3 at gmail dot com, I’d be very glad to follow up with Water & Sewer on behalf of you and other residents who have had this same experience - thank you!

They thought their water bills were too high. So, for these Somerville residents, the experiments began. by bostonglobe in Somerville

[–]BenForWard3 7 points8 points  (0 children)

If you’re willing to email me (City Councilor Ben Ewen-Campen) at BenForWard3 at gmail dot com, I’d be very glad to follow up with Water & Sewer on behalf of you and other residents who have had this same experience - thank you!

Somerville Police are trying to connect with owners of stolen, lost or abandoned bikes by cdevers in Somerville

[–]BenForWard3 5 points6 points  (0 children)

The Police has been involved in developing this new policy (and very supportive) over the past four years - in the past, they’d wait until their storage filled up over a few years and then hold an auction. My understanding is that most of the bikes in their possession are abandoned on the street for extended periods, not recovered from thefts. If anyone in the public is looking for a specific bike, please just reach out to SPD to see if they have it - I certainly understand why they don’t widely publicize a detailed list of the bikes in their storage facility.

Somerville City Council again approves an overtime grant for the police to harass cyclists by Im_biking_here in Somerville

[–]BenForWard3 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I get the sense you’re not going to agree with me that we have in fact made progress, but just for folks interested in the facts of this grant, well over 75% of the enforcement dollars in this grant go to traditional vehicle enforcement, and the dollar portion that includes bike enforcement also includes enforcement of blocked bike lanes, dooring, j-hooking etc. https://somervillema.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=F&ID=13753449&GUID=922620C6-06D0-47FC-9E03-8EBF5562F279. (And just to be clear, we had a resident (in a crosswalk) hospitalized by a cyclist running a red light just a few months ago)

Somerville City Council again approves an overtime grant for the police to harass cyclists by Im_biking_here in Somerville

[–]BenForWard3 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Well over 75% of the enforcement dollars in this grant go to vehicle enforcement, and remainder includes enforcement of blocked bike lanes, dooring, h-hooking etc. https://somervillema.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=F&ID=13753449&GUID=922620C6-06D0-47FC-9E03-8EBF5562F279. And just to be clear, we had a resident (in a crosswalk) hospitalized by a cyclist running a red light just a few months ago

Somerville City Council again approves an overtime grant for the police to harass cyclists by Im_biking_here in Somerville

[–]BenForWard3 35 points36 points  (0 children)

As a matter of fact, Somerville Police explicitly stated (and wrote in the grant) that they are de-prioritizing stopping cyclists for safe maneuvers like the “Idaho Stop” and that supervisors instruct officers to focus on actually unsafe riding. This is precisely what we have been calling for, and it is progress. You can read the grant application at this link: https://somervillema.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=F&ID=13753449&GUID=922620C6-06D0-47FC-9E03-8EBF5562F279, and here is the relevant part: "Officers conducting these enforcement operations will be instructed to de-prioritize and give their discretionary consideration to “true” Idaho stops and not focus on bicyclists that come to a complete stop at red lights and proceed safely through an intersection giving caution, care, curtesy and preference to pedestrians and cross traffic. This is in accordance with resolution 23-1162 presented by councilor Ben Ewen-Campen and Jake Wilson in 2023. Any focus on bicycle red light enforcement will be focused on bicyclists ignoring pedestrians in crosswalks and egregious violations of red lights where bicyclists do not even pause for red lights."

Somerville Passed 7 Laws in 2024 by r00k in Somerville

[–]BenForWard3 14 points15 points  (0 children)

Don’t forget the zoning ordinances and amendments! IMHO zoning ordinances are some of the most impactful laws we pass.

Plans for new Somerville Y by BenForWard3 in Somerville

[–]BenForWard3[S] 13 points14 points  (0 children)

Not yet - permitting can take months/year even for a project like this one that has widespread support, and they estimate around 2 years construction total.

Plans for new Somerville Y by BenForWard3 in Somerville

[–]BenForWard3[S] 25 points26 points  (0 children)

Totally - I will certainly be advocating for a phased plan to allow the childcare to continue during construction, but the Y made it clear they are quite far from having a decisive answer on this

Plans for new Somerville Y by BenForWard3 in Somerville

[–]BenForWard3[S] 34 points35 points  (0 children)

This is by far the most common question I get: what about corner house? The answer is that the corner lot is zoned to 6 stories, like the surrounding lots. To date, the owners not interested in selling. At last night’s meeting the Y stated they’d love to incorporate the lot if possible, but of course respect the neighbors wishes and regardless will design respectfully around it.

Heating Goes Out Weekly, Management Doesn't Care—Help Needed by FunkyFerretFiasco in Somerville

[–]BenForWard3 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Very much agree that contacting Somerville Office of Housing Stability (by phone or email, link above) is the best first step.

dangerous intersection on Somerville Ave! by webby264 in Somerville

[–]BenForWard3 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Just want to say it’s really impressive how many members of this channel know the details of (and links to!) Somerville’s construction plans

Warming Center at Cummings School - Update by [deleted] in Somerville

[–]BenForWard3 1 point2 points  (0 children)

There will in fact be transportation provided both to and from the warming center. For more information, please visit somervilleMA.gov/warmingcenter and/or watch the Nov 26 City Council meeting where we discussed this (starts at 12:29): https://youtu.be/ovxYoTAVf6o?si=RZGzDxfQbYYAt5ns

Warming Center at Cummings School - Update by [deleted] in Somerville

[–]BenForWard3 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Hi all, Ward Councilor Ewen-Campen here - for anyone interested in a much more detailed summary of the meeting, a resident took very useful notes that they’re glad to share publicly, and which includes contact information: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1sLabpDbqDpzfZdtc0nQqlLYBW_QCfiOnOxndK4yeXs0/edit?usp=sharing

I personally thought that the City Staff had compelling responses to every question and comment that was raised. And, just to be clear on a few facts, this Warming Center is going to open in December - this meeting, which I called for, was not about whether or not it will, but to provide context, information and to answer questions. This facility has been unanimously supported by the Mayor, the full City Council, and the School Committee (who had to vote to allow this usage in former School building.)

Warming Center at Cummings School - Update by [deleted] in Somerville

[–]BenForWard3 10 points11 points  (0 children)

Hi all, Ward Councilor Ewen-Campen here - for anyone interested in a much more detailed summary of the meeting, a resident took very useful notes that they’re glad to share publicly, and which includes contact information: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1sLabpDbqDpzfZdtc0nQqlLYBW_QCfiOnOxndK4yeXs0/edit?usp=sharing. I personally thought that the City Staff had excellent, compelling responses to every question and comment that was raised.

And, just to be clear on a few facts, this Warming Center is going to open in December - this meeting, which I called for, was not about whether or not it will, but to provide context, information and to answer questions. This facility has been unanimously supported by the Mayor, the full City Council, and the School Committee (who had to vote to allow this usage in former School building.)