Ward Six Alderman Rebekah Gewirtz has expressed interest in finding locations for an off-leash recreation area in West Somerville. Gewirtz put in an order at the Board of Aldermen (BOA) Meeting on November 24 "that this Board requests that the Administration work with the Ward 6 Alderman on locations for an Off Leash Recreation Area for dogs and if necessary, to create a Task Force to advise the city" (item 16 on the agenda). The order was approved by the Board.

The Somerville Journal covered the Aldermen's discussion of off-leash recreation: "Somerville: for the dogs?"

There are three things you can do to take advantage of this opportunity:

First: Contact the Aldermen, in care of the City Clerk, and thank them for approving Alderman Gewirtz's order. Do it by Wednesday, December 9, and it will be docketed for the BOA meeting on Thursday, December 10. Documentation of people's need for places where they can exercise and socialize their dogs off-leash is an important first step!

Please reference the file number of Alderman Gewirtz's order, #188468, and include your name and street address in correspondence to the Board of Aldermen.

The address for letters to the Board of Aldermen is:

Board of Aldermen
c/o John Long, City Clerk
93 Highland Avenue
Somerville, MA 02143

You can also send your letter as file attachment by e-mail to John Long. If you send an e-mail to John, please be sure to express your appreciation: John is great, and he is very conscientious in addressing citizens' business and inquiries.

Second: Come to the City's Dog Owners Task Force Meeting on Thursday evening, December 10, at 6:30 at City Hall in the conference room on the third floor. The Dog Owners Task Force meets every month on the second Thursday (mark your calendar!). All are welcome.

Third: The Somerville Dog Owners Group will hold a meeting early next year for dog owners interested in off-leash recreation in West Somerville. If you are interested, please contact Michèle Biscoe.