Somerville Ward 4

Candidates

Sections

About the Candidates
Policy Proposals
Yes/No Questions

About the Candidates

Do you personally walk to destinations in your community? If yes, how often do you do so?

Omar Boukili	Jesse Clingan
Yes	Yes
At least once a week I walk to destinations, mostly for after work activities.	I walk to the Assembly sq station regularly in the Winter momths when not biking into work.

Do you personally travel by/ use public transit to get around? If yes, which trains and buses do you routinely use?

Omar Boukili	Jesse Clingan
Yes	Yes
The new Assembly Station on the Orange Line is walking distance from my apartment. I use it periodically to get to appointments in Boston.	I work in the South End of Boston. If I’m not commuting to work by bicycle I take public transit. I walk from my home in Ten Hills to the Assembly Sq. MBTA station and take the orange line to Tufts Medical Center. I do the reverse to come home. Since running for office I take the 89, 95, or 101 to various points in Ward 4 so I can Canvass.

Do you personally bike in your community or commute by bike to other communities? If no, would you be willing to give it a try periodically, e.g. once or twice per month?

Omar Boukili	Jesse Clingan
Yes	Yes
While I am not a frequent bicyclist, I understand the need for improved bicycle infrastructure within my community. In fact, as a past Senior Advisor to Mayor Curtatone of the city of Somerville, I worked hard to make sure that bicycle infrastructure improvements were included in all projects.	I bike to a variety of meetings or events in Somercille. I also commute to work in the South End via bicycle.

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Policy Proposals

How will you work to establish funding for the infrastructure changes needed to slow traffic on your community’s streets, and improve crosswalks and intersections to make them safer for people who are walking and using mobility assistive devices?

Omar Boukili	Jesse Clingan
I would first like to state that I am whole-heartedly supportive of Vision Zero policies. The ability to improve and implement these plans does center on needed capital improvements and maintenance. My policy position would be focused on the following two areas: 1. Funding – It is imperative that the City of Somerville create a dedicated revenue stream to fund a complete streets focused capital program. Options for funding this program would include a combination of state Chapter 91 funds, using more parking meter funds, a development impact infrastructure fee that would go into an infrastructure improvement fund. 2. Maintenance – no thorough program is complete without a maintenance plan. Just like our parks and open spaces need attention through the year, so do our streets. That is why I would work with the Somerville DPW department to create a streets maintenance plan to match the capital improvement plan. The maintenance plan would not only detail pci and traffic volume-based pavement improvements but also striping and signals. This would create greater transparency and allow people can see when crosswalks, bike lanes, crossing beacons, and other equipment will be updated in Ward 4.	As Alderman I will advocate for more funding for improved pedestrian and cyclist safety.

Omar Boukili

Jesse Clingan

I would first like to state that I am whole-heartedly supportive of Vision Zero policies. The ability to improve and implement these plans does center on needed capital improvements and maintenance. My policy position would be focused on the following two areas: 1. Funding – It is imperative that the City of Somerville create a dedicated revenue stream to fund a complete streets focused capital program. Options for funding this program would include a combination of state Chapter 91 funds, using more parking meter funds, a development impact infrastructure fee that would go into an infrastructure improvement fund. 2. Maintenance – no thorough program is complete without a maintenance plan. Just like our parks and open spaces need attention through the year, so do our streets. That is why I would work with the Somerville DPW department to create a streets maintenance plan to match the capital improvement plan. The maintenance plan would not only detail pci and traffic volume-based pavement improvements but also striping and signals. This would create greater transparency and allow people can see when crosswalks, bike lanes, crossing beacons, and other equipment will be updated in Ward 4.

As Alderman I will advocate for more funding for improved pedestrian and cyclist safety.

How will you improve the reach, frequency, and quality of public transit in your city/town?

Omar Boukili	Jesse Clingan
The City of Somerville has a good working relationship with leaders at MassDOT and the MBTA. Even though this is the case, if elected aldermen, I will work even harder with our state partners. It is imperative that the Green Line Extension is fully built, but also and as important that Somerville’s key bus routes be fully evaluated. Somerville may only be 4 square miles, but every inch of it should be within 1⁄4 mile of a subway station or bus route. Our advocacy for that goal will benefit greatly from an updated evaluation as well as inform the city’s own infrastructure improvement plans.	I will advocate for stronger public transit which includes north/south public transit option essentially linking Union Square to Winter Hill.

Omar Boukili

Jesse Clingan

The City of Somerville has a good working relationship with leaders at MassDOT and the MBTA. Even though this is the case, if elected aldermen, I will work even harder with our state partners. It is imperative that the Green Line Extension is fully built, but also and as important that Somerville’s key bus routes be fully evaluated. Somerville may only be 4 square miles, but every inch of it should be within 1⁄4 mile of a subway station or bus route. Our advocacy for that goal will benefit greatly from an updated evaluation as well as inform the city’s own infrastructure improvement plans.

I will advocate for stronger public transit which includes north/south public transit option essentially linking Union Square to Winter Hill.

How will you ensure fast-tracked implementation of a city-/town-wide network of off-street paths and protected bike lanes* on major thoroughfares and connecting streets that are comfortable for people of all ages and abilities?

Omar Boukili	Jesse Clingan
If you look again at my statement on a 5-year capital program you will see that I lay out some ideas for a funding source. As a former executive administration employee in two municipalities, I know that the key to fast-tracking anything is funding.	I will assist in a signature drive to bring the Neigborways program tonWard 4.

How will you increase access to biking in every neighborhood equally? What do you see as the major obstacles to encouraging ridership, and how will you address them?

Omar Boukili	Jesse Clingan
This is a great question. Though I would argue that Somerville has done more for biking access than most municipalities in the Commonwealth, Ward 4 has lagged behind. I believe that at the core of this issue is a city-wide capital and maintenance plan for infrastructure. There is no quicker way to identify gaps in a plan than to have a city wide plan, and I will work hard with residents, transportation activists and policy experts as well as the administration to see this done.	Creating Somerville specific community biking routes from one Somerville location to another. I believe the major riding obstacle is safety. I will address the by creating safe bikes route awareness and encouraging biking safety classes with local organizations. Empowering citizens is key.

Omar Boukili

Jesse Clingan

This is a great question. Though I would argue that Somerville has done more for biking access than most municipalities in the Commonwealth, Ward 4 has lagged behind. I believe that at the core of this issue is a city-wide capital and maintenance plan for infrastructure. There is no quicker way to identify gaps in a plan than to have a city wide plan, and I will work hard with residents, transportation activists and policy experts as well as the administration to see this done.

Creating Somerville specific community biking routes from one Somerville location to another. I believe the major riding obstacle is safety. I will address the by creating safe bikes route awareness and encouraging biking safety classes with local organizations. Empowering citizens is key.

How will you increase funding for biking infrastructure?

Omar Boukili	Jesse Clingan
See policy proposal.	Advocacy and Grants

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Yes/No Questions

Do you support the adoption of Vision Zero* and funding for its rapid implementation? Vision Zero is an approach which aims to eliminate traffic fatalities and serious injuries by 2030 and has been adopted by several communities, including Boston and Cambridge.

Omar Boukili	Jesse Clingan
Yes	Yes
As you can see from my policy proposal, I have already given this some thought and have identified funding as an issue that I seek to solve. The Capital and Maintenance Plan that I envision could easily become a Vision Zero plan and I hope to work cooperatively with the administration on this.	It’s important to support walkabilty and bike ability throughout Somerville. Somerville is clearly A city that was not designed With the automobile in mind. It’s time to reenforce this notion by implementing cycletracks wherever possible and analyzing walkabilty and bikeabilty. We need to create a more pedestrian friendly Somerville and encourage alternative modes of tranist.

Do you support lowering design speeds* through traffic calming measures* on downtown and neighborhood streets as a means of enhancing the safety of people walking, using mobility assistive devices, biking, and driving? This may involve the expansion and enhancement of programs like Neighborhood Slow Streets* (Boston) and Neighborways* (Somerville).

Omar Boukili

Jesse Clingan

Yes

I think that the most effective way to reducing traffic speeds is through designed traffic calming measures. Heavy reliance on police enforcement of speed limits is not an efficient means of slowing down traffic. On the other hand, a design that incentivizes slower but more efficient traffic flow, promotes cyclist and pedestrian safety. Neighborways is also a great way to get a neighborhood and the community at large together to take “their streets back” and feel like they own them, therefore increasing involvement and appreciation of the goal that whatever design is implemented is meant to achieve.

I am already working on bringing neighborways to ward 4. I also think as a city we need to send the strong message that speeding down residential streets will result in a penalty/fine.

One key strategy that has been proven to effectively reduce speeding, improve safety, and remove racial bias in traffic enforcement in other states and countries is automated enforcement (i.e. speed cameras and red light cameras). Do you support state legislation that authorizes the use of automated enforcement in Massachusetts, per the July 2017 recommendation of the National Transportation Safety Board*?

Omar Boukili

Jesse Clingan

Yes

My affirmative answer contains a significant caveat. Although I am supportive of all opportunities to design and implement safer streets, I do not know that I am comfortable with the privacy issues around red light cameras. I would have to do some real investigation and have assurances (through written policies or even legislation) about how the camera data is used and shared before being 100% supportive.

If offenders decide to break the law and create an unsafe environment for all then we should use technology to crack down on them whenever possible.

Do you support redesigning space on the street in order to improve safety for people biking by creating protected bike lanes?

Omar Boukili	Jesse Clingan
Yes	Yes
The safety improvements gained by protected bicycle lanes is worth the work to re- design streets. In addition, those improvements also help to drive mode shift from cars to other modes. This shift is very important as a driver of capital plan and infrastructure improvement funding decisions.

Do you support the increased use of curb extensions* to improve safety and visibility at intersections, even if it requires the removal of one to two parking spaces?

Omar Boukili	Jesse Clingan
Yes	Yes

Do you commit to implementation of improved bike facilities identified in your community’s Bike Network Plan or do you commit to the creation of a Bike Network Plan if none already exists?

Omar Boukili	Jesse Clingan
Yes	Yes
I am supportive of improved bicycle infrastructure.

Do you support the creation of the joint biking-pedestrian Grand Junction Path and Somerville Community Path through mandates, resolutions or zoning ordinances targeted at adjacent property owners?

Omar Boukili	Jesse Clingan
Yes	Yes
I do also believe that it is also important that the Grand Junction Path include transit.

Will you address age-friendly walking in your community – an issue raised by many seniors as critical to their ability to “age in community”? If yes, how?

Omar Boukili

Jesse Clingan

Yes

Somerville is already one of the most walkable cities in the Commonwealth, however, maintenance of city sidewalks and other walking infrastructure is needed to keep it that way. As I have stated, a combined capital and maintenance plan will help outline these improvements and help us have a conversation as a community about ways to execute those plans (funding etc…). Understanding our shared values and acting on them (through a plan) will help us achieve our safety, walkability and inclusionary goals.

Do you support the restriction of on-street parking during rush hour on major thoroughfares in order to provide lanes for the exclusive use of buses?

Omar Boukili	Jesse Clingan
Not specified	Yes
I cannot mark yes or no on this question. Each individual corridor is unique and without more specific information on the street, I don’t feel I can fully answer. However, I believe that one of the main tools to reduce congestion, incentivize mode shift away from cars and improve safety is by improving bus service and creating “rapid bus lanes” wherever possible.

Do you support exploring new ways of raising revenue to provide the City of Somerville with more tools to improve conditions for people walking, using mobility assistive devices, and biking (e.g. congestion pricing)? If yes, please give examples that interest you.

Omar Boukili	Jesse Clingan
Yes	Yes
I am open to new ideas regarding revenue streams. That being said, I do not think that Somerville’s unique geography (no one central business district) or its land use (mostly residential) lends itself to a congestion tax.

Do you support raising the annual fee for residential parking permits?

Omar Boukili	Jesse Clingan
Yes	No
Within reason, yes, and those funds could be used for infrastructure improvements.	I get the idea that residential parking is in place to discourage folks from leaving transient cars registered in their hometowns, ultimately skirting excise tax. It also reduce non residents from coming into Somerville, parking and taking public transit, but I’m not sure it needs to be so pricey. The poor will suffer most with punitive revenue stream mechanisms suck as high priced permit parking and visitor parking passes.

Omar Boukili

Jesse Clingan

Yes

Within reason, yes, and those funds could be used for infrastructure improvements.

I get the idea that residential parking is in place to discourage folks from leaving transient cars registered in their hometowns, ultimately skirting excise tax. It also reduce non residents from coming into Somerville, parking and taking public transit, but I’m not sure it needs to be so pricey. The poor will suffer most with punitive revenue stream mechanisms suck as high priced permit parking and visitor parking passes.

Do you support the rollout of dynamic parking meter pricing* (i.e. increasing meter rates during periods of increased demand) in business districts to free up on-street parking and reduce cars “cruising” for open spaces?

Omar Boukili	Jesse Clingan
Yes	Yes
Variable rate pricing is a useful tool, in some areas. The more utilized squares that lend themselves to this type of pricing structure are out of my ward and I would differ to those ward aldermen on this issue.

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