Green Line Extension (GLX) meeting with Design and Construction Team

On Monday, March 24th, more than 50 residents of Ward 5 joined me to share with GLX decision-makers their concerns about how the GLX project will affect their homes. Ten groups or individuals spoke out about noise and noise walls, vibration, lighting, and safety. While there was good dialogue, and the GLX Team listened well, I was disappointed that the GLX Team was not more accommodating of the many legitimate concerns, especially about noise in certain areas along the tracks.

The GLX Team did commit to meeting with and continuing to dialogue with abutters about their concerns. Hopefully they will be more flexible in individual cases than they were in public. (Construction on the Lowell Street and Ball Square stations and tracks will not begin until 2017 at the earliest). Abutters with concerns or questions can reach them directly at [email protected]. Senator Pat Jehlen and Rep. Denise Provost attended, and their offices can also be helpful. Feel free to contact me also for help with addressing your concerns about the GLX project.

Housing and Community Development

I am the Chair of this Committee which has jurisdiction over affordable housing, real estate development, planning, economic development and the Inspectional Services Department. The next meeting is this Monday March 31st at 6 PM in City Hall. This is a public meeting and you are invited! There are a number of items regarding developing more affordable housing on the agenda, as well as several items about the implementation of the City's comprehensive Somervision plan. [agenda]

In April, I’ll be Chairing a meeting of the entire Board of Aldermen to discuss a proposal by the Administration for a $500,000 bond to fund a revised Assembly Square urban renewal plan. Also at that meeting, we’ll have a report on the Union Square redevelopment plan and progress in selection of a master developer for Union Square. I will let you know when that meeting is scheduled.

Murdock Street issues

Murdock Street runs from Cedar Street to behind the Maxwell’s Green and Clyde Street condo developments. It looks like the street that time forgot – no sidewalks and no trees, and not even sewer drains. Many residents of the street would like to see infrastructure improvements. I submitted a Board order for the Planning Department to look into developing a plan for sidewalks and trees. An initial analysis was done, and I will be sharing that with the neighbors and discussing next steps with them.

There were complaints for many months from neighbors about noise and diesel fumes from heavy machinery being operated at all hours by a landscaping company in a large undeveloped double lot at the end of the street. I worked with the Director of Inspectional Services to shut the operation down, and while it took too long – over a month -- all the heavy machinery is gone from the site and the owner is cleaning it up.

Mark Niedergang

Ward 5 Alderman

617-629-8033

[email protected]