V O L U M E - City of Somerville

36
Thursday, February 12,
Help us to preserve this little beauty spot with its historic
interest and charming features. Thank you!
The Honorable John M* Lynch
Mayor of Somerville
Somerville, Mass.
My dear Mayor:
Very sincerely,
Howard C- Whitcomb
Reverend David Fraser
26 Powder House Boulevard
Somerville, Massachusetts
Pardon me for writing you at this time, but a matter has
arisen in our community that is far reaching in its influence. I refer to the
changing of the zoning law on Broadway at Powder House Blvd. - a beautiful"
place that has been set apart In memory of the late Prof. Reynolds of our
city.
The people of this section have appealed to me to write you
in their behalf. They are disturbed and displeased that this beautiful section
of our city should be changed simply for commercial interests.
The traffic at this section is very heavy and even with the
Rotary Circle and the assistance of police a child returning from the Parochial
School on Warner Street last week was Injured. With a gasoline station at the
corner of Powder House Blvd- and Broadway the traffic would be much more and
the danger to human life, especially the boys and girls would be largely Increased.
I unite with the people of this community in the request that
you veto such a measure and do whatever you can to keep intact the only remaining
beautiful section of our city.
With best wishes,
The Honorable John Lynch
City Hall
Somerville, Mass.
Dear Mayor Lynch:
Yours sincerely
(Rev.) David Fraser
St. Clement Rectory
71 Warner Street
West Soraerville, Mass.
February
Ninth
It has been brought to my attention that the Board of Aldermen has voted
to rezone the property at the corner of Powder House Boulevard and Broadway
to make it a business section. I understand that the Planning Board has not
approved this plan and that the residents of that area vigorously oppose it.
Inasmuch as that area is in the parish of St. Clement's, I am interested.
It seems to me that -it is very poor social planning to make a business
district out of that area. There appears no public need for any business
there. It is a residential section.
Further, the Powder House Circle constitutes one of the most hazardous
crossings in the city. Only last week one of my little school children was hit
by an automobile, even with a traffic officer on duty. It was no fault of his
but is Indicative of the danger of that crossing. To increase the hazard,
doesn't seem good judgment or good planning.
I am at a loss to understand the thinking of the Board of Aldermen In
voting to rezone this area. I do hope you will do what you can not only to
veto the plan but see to it that the veto Is effective.
Very sincerely yours,
Robert p. Barry