Committees

The Davis Square Neighborhood Council has a number of committees (some are called Action or Working Groups) to perform specific functions for the organization or do work on ongoing or one-time projects. All committees have at least one board member (who need not be the chair), and are created by a vote of the DSNC or the board. Unless otherwise noted, committees are open to any DSNC member and also interested non-members.

Most committees have a folder in our Google Drive with more information and useful materials.

You can email any board member from our contact page.

Active Committees

Outreach Committee

• Duties specified in Section 5.2 of DSNC Bylaws - publicize meetings, ensure accessibility and inclusivity, act as a conduit to community members and groups

• dsnc-outreach@googlegroups.com

• 2026 convener: Marilyn

• Board members: Elaine

• Social media manager: TBD

• Web site maintainer: TBD

• New logo / branding guide: Elaine

• Tufts outreach: PJ, Zev, and Rebecca

• 8th grade outreach: Rebecca

• Mailers: Chris, Rebecca; Michèle and Emily B from USNC

• Posters and tabling: Everyone

• Meeting announcements: Duties are allocated on the DSNC Publicity Checklist

• Next Outreach Committee meeting: Monday May 11, 6-8pm Somerville Public Library West Library basement, and Zoom. 

Community Benefits Committee - Copper Mill

• Will negotiate a Community Benefits Agreement with Copper Mill for the proposed building at the intersection of Elm Street and Grove Street (from The Burren to Dragon Pizza) - more details at 231-249 Elm St. & 6-8 + 12 Grove St. 

• Currently recruiting members. Members must be appointed by the board, must be verified DSNC members, and meet the conflict of interest requirements specified in Section 5.3 of DSNC Bylaws. 

• Board members: PJ, Chris (alternate)

• Other members: Jason Zube (from 2025-6 board)

Elmway Action Group

• elmway-action-group@googlegroups.com

• Advocating for short- and long-term improvements to Elm Street between Davis Square and Cutter Ave, including potential creation a full-time or part-time pedestrian-priority zone. Lots more info on the Elmway Action Group page.

• Board members: Chris

• Short-Term Quick-Build Improvement Proposal author: Zachary Yaro

Little White Church Working Group

• Reactivation or redevelopment of the building at 45 College Ave (formerly Sion Seventh-Day Adventist Church, currently owned by the City of Somerville), possibly including community meeting space and housing.

• Board members: Paul, Michael (and Frank and Alex)

Davis Square Neighborhood Plan Committee

• City website: https://voice.somervillema.gov/davis-square-plan

• Older drafts (not all of which are still published on the city web sites) are on our Links page

• Board members: Frank and Louisa 

Election Committee (2026 retrospective)

• Looking back at how the 2026 board election went, and suggesting improvements to bylaws, election policy, or practices for next year and CBA votes

• Board members: Alex, Elaine

• 2026 retrospective document 

Bylaws Committee

• Wordsmithing and sequencing bylaw amendment proposals in cooperation with a variety of proponents. A number of proposals are still waiting for both DSNC membership and committee action as of May 2026.

• Drafting Google Doc for 2026 

• Board members: Alex, Michael

Zoning Committee and Eyes on Development

• Exploring amendments to the Somerville Zoning Ordinance to allow more homeless shelters and housing in general to be constructed

• Board members: PJ, Paul, Michael

• Attending meetings of the Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals: PJ, Rebecca, Philip Higonnet

Greening Davis

• (vote pending as to whether make this an official committee or stay a friendly but independent group)

• Greening Davis homepage 

• Greening Davis Google Group which can also be reached at greening-davis@googlegroups.com

• Hands-on planting at various locations around Davis Square, including the Somerville Public Library West Branch and Somerville Community Path. Coordinating with the City of Somerville regarding planters on Elm Street, in Davis Square plazas, and maybe Morrison Ave

• Board members: Louisa

• Chair: Alyssa W

Board Activities

Some responsibilities have not yet been devolved from the board of directors, but specific board members are working on them.

• Recognition by the Somerville City Council: PJ

• Member list update: Elaine

• Member verification: All board members; Paul setting walk-in hours at Davis Squared

• Programming (social events, fundraisers, merch, neighborhood yard sale): Louisa, Kendra, Paul

  • Previous community-building ideas 

• ADA Transition Task Force update: Chris

• Inspectional Services Department enforcement of vacant storefront ordinance: Paul

  • Mayor Wilson is working on reforming ISD and staffing up

  • City power to fine businesses is limited by state law

• Davis Square Oral History: Frank (was suggested to Louisa)

• Sewage system update: Chris (with research from DSNC member Lee Auspitz)

• The President, Secretary, and Treasurer also have official duties as specified in the DSNC Bylaws. 

Projects Seeking Volunteers

With the above commitments, Board members don't have enough time to work on these projects at the moment, but would be excited to have motivated DSNC members take them on:

• Mural(s) on MBTA Davis Square headhouse(s) and improved wayfinding signage for the Community Path discontinuity

  • Background: Community Path Wayfinding & Art 

  • For more info on the last attempt to get MBTA permission, talk to Elaine Almquist or Zachary Yaro

• Davis Square Community Fridge - seeking host property owner

• Advocacy on the Morrison Avenue Flood Relief Project (Louisa getting info from city for Alyssa).

• Organize an event that takes place on Elm Street while closed to cars.

• Advocate for improved bus service - enforcement and effectiveness of new bus lanes, transit priority at traffic lights, better bus shelters, transit arrival time displays. (Chris has contacts at the MBTA.)

Seasonal Committees

Nominating Committee

• Recruits a diverse range of candidates for the annual DSNC board election, formulates prompts for official candidate statements. Required by Section 4.5 of the DSNC Bylaws. 

• Elected by DSNC members at each February monthly meeting. Candidates for election cannot participate.

• Operates as part of the Election Committee

• 2026 members: Madeleine Werner, Ed Woll

Election Committee (operational)

• Recruited each year in February. Runs the Board election, including OpaVote ballots, polling station, tallying, publicity with assistance from the Outreach Committee, setting policy, adjudicating disputes, and ensuring the bylaws are followed. (Candidates for re-election can help to some degree, but don't work the polls, don't tally, and don't set the rules.) The Board chooses the voting platform and STV tallying method ahead of time.

• 2026 chair: Rebecca Roberts