Support a "Big Belly" Trash Compactor at the Nunziato OLRA

The Somerville Dog Owners Group thanks Ward Three Alderman Tom Taylor for his recent order, at the regular meeting of the Board of Aldermen on August 27, 2009, "that the Commissioner of Public Works install a "Big Belly" solar barrel at the OLRA Dog Park at Nunziato Field."

Please join us in thanking Alderman Taylor and send a him quick note of appreciation.

Open Air Circus Performances This Weekend

The Big Top is up at Nunziato Field, and the Open Air Circus has performances Friday evening at 7:00, Saturday afternoon at 2:00, Saturday evening at 7:00 and Sunday afternoon at 2:00.

A lot of people who do not regularly visit Nunziato Field will be coming to the performances; they may not know they cannot get to the main area of the field from the entrances to the Off-Leash Recreational Area on Putnam Street and Summer Street.

Please be neighborly and help spectators find their way to the Circus so that everyone has a great time at our favorite park.

Community Bulletin Board at Nunziato Field

A community bulletin board has been installed at Nunziato Field in the double-gated entrance to the off-leash recreational area on Summer Street! Community bulletin boards are also being installed at Perry Park, Trum Field, Seven Hills Park, Conway Park, Lexington Park, Lincoln Park, and Hodgkins-Curtin Park.

The City of Somerville has established the following policy for posting notices on the new community bulletin boards:

COMMUNITY BULLETIN BOARD POSTING POLICY

SIGN REQUIREMENTS:

• Posting date printed or written onto all signs, oldest signs will be removed as new ones are added


• All notices should be professional in appearance


• Sign size not to exceed 8 ½ “ x 11”

ALLOWED:

• City and school officials can use boards to promote school and/or City-sponsored events/programs


• Residents and community organizations publicizing, advertising, or promoting non-city sponsored community activities that serve a cultural, social, or educational purpose by strengthening personal or community life in Somerville


• Non-profit and/or for-profit organizations publicizing, advertising, or promoting non-city sponsored activities or services that serve a cultural, social, or educational purpose by strengthening personal or community life in Somerville


• Advertising services/events (babysitting, dog walking, yard sales, music lessons, etc.) are allowed but should be as localized and community-specific as possible

PROHIBITED:

• Advertising or promoting businesses, group fundraisers or events that do not serve a cultural, social, or educational purpose and strengthen personal or community life.


• Blatantly commercial postings


• Political notices/petitions


• Personal notices


• Offensive language and images

The City of Somerville does not, by approving a posting, authorize or endorse any non-City event or activity. All similarly situated entities will receive similar treatment under this policy.

To have a notice posted on the community bulletin board at Nunziato Field, send a copy of the notice by e-mail to nunziatobulletinboard - AT - somervillema.gov.

Enforcement of Rules at OLRA

Thank you, Alderman Tom Taylor (Ward 3), for two orders relating to the Nunziato Off-Leash Recreational Area on the agenda for the regular meeting of the Board of Aldermen yesterday evening:

42. That the City Solicitor and Animal Control Officer comment on the ability of private, for profit dog walking businesses to utilize the Off Leash Recreation Area at Nunziato Field without violating any city ordinances or obtaining any permits.

43. That the City Solicitor and the Animal Control Officer comment on why the posted Rules and Regulations at the Off Leash Recreation Area at Nunziato Field are not being enforced.

These orders are in response to reports that on weekdays at midday, individual dog owners are unable to enjoy the OLRA together with their pets because the park is taken over by professional dog walkers violating the three-dog limit.

I, myself, asked Alderman Taylor whether there is any ordinance prohibiting for-profit business on public property, or requiring a special permit to do so, after I received an e-mail last weekend from a woman who had gone to the dog park on a beautiful day only to find three dog walkers there with their packs of dogs. One of the dogs jumped on her and the dog walker told her that she had to prevent the dog from jumping on her by doing such and such! She told the dog walker, rightly, that no, HE had to control the dog.

In addition to Alderman Taylor's orders, the Board of Aldermen also received a communication from a Somerville resident re: dog walkers in dog parks (item # 165 on the agenda).

Arliss the Pug and Friends

[via the somdog-discussion group]

Loren, who owns Arliss the Pug, has started a blog to post pictures taken at Nunziato Field. If you have taken pictures at Nunziato Field, you can send them to Loren (lorenbryand * AT * gmail.com).