Committees
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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
Active Committees
All members are invited to join a DSNC committee to help execute our work. This page serves as an overview of active committees. Read more about the organization and activities of each committee in our Google Drive, or on the “Projects and Priorities” page on this website. Please reach out to the contacts below to get involved!
Each active DSNC committee requires the involvement of at least one Board member as a liaison, to facilitate open channels of communication between committee, board, and general membership.
Bylaws Committee
Bylaws Committee
Drafting and sequencing bylaw amendment proposals. See open proposals awaiting DSNC membership and committee action as of May 2026 here: Drafting Google Doc for 2026 💬 Contact Email: dsnc-bylaws@googlegroups.com
👤 Participating Board Members: Alex Dehnert, Michael Chiu
Community Benefits Committee - 231-249 Elm St. & 6-8 + 12 Grove St. (Copper Mill)
Community Benefits Committee - 231-249 Elm St. & 6-8 + 12 Grove St. (Copper Mill)
Responsible for negotiating 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.
Responsible for negotiating 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.
💬 Contact Email: dsnc-copper-mill-cbc@googlegroups.com
👤 Chair: PJ Kim-Santos
👤 Participating Board Members: PJ Kim-Santos, Chris Beland
Davis Square Neighborhood Plan Committee
Davis Square Neighborhood Plan Committee
The City of Somerville has committed to developing a Neighborhood Plan for Davis Square. The DSNC Committee will work to gather community input for the plan. Although never finalized, the 2019 draft Davis Square Neighborhood Plan and 2023 draft Davis Square Commercial Area Plan can be read online. The new city site for this project is https://voice.somervillema.gov/davis-square-plan.
💬 Contact Email: dsnc-neighborhood-plan@googlegroups.com
👤 Participating Board Members: Frank Malsbenden and Louisa Bissett
Elmway Action Group
Elmway Action Group
Advocating for short- and long-term improvements to Elm Street between Davis Square and Cutter Avenue, including potential creation of a full-time or part-time pedestrian-priority zone. Lots more info on the Elmway Action Group page.
Advocating for short- and long-term improvements to Elm Street between Davis Square and Cutter Avenue, including potential creation of a full-time or part-time pedestrian-priority zone. Lots more info on the Elmway Action Group page.
💬 Contact Email: elmway-action-group@googlegroups.com (archives)
👤 Chair and Board member: Chris Beland
Greening Davis
Greening Davis
Hands-on planting and green space revitalization at various locations around Davis Square, including the Somerville Public Library West Branch and Somerville Community Path. Learn more at Greening Davis’ separate web page and google group here: Greening Davis homepage Greening Davis Google Group
Hands-on planting and green space revitalization at various locations around Davis Square, including the Somerville Public Library West Branch and Somerville Community Path. Learn more at Greening Davis’ separate web page and google group here: Greening Davis homepage Greening Davis Google Group
💬 Contact Email: greening-davis@googlegroups.com
👤 Committee Chair: Alyssa Wilk
👤 Participating Board Members: Louisa Bissett
Little White Church Working Group
Little White Church Working Group
Reactivation or redevelopment of the building at 45 College Avenue (formerly Sion Seventh-Day Adventist Church, currently owned by the City of Somerville), possibly including community meeting space and housing.
Reactivation or redevelopment of the building at 45 College Avenue (formerly Sion Seventh-Day Adventist Church, currently owned by the City of Somerville), possibly including community meeting space and housing.
💬 Contact Email: (created by Michael, to fill in here)
👤 Participating Board Members: Paul Christie, Michael Chiu (and Frank Malsbenden and Alex Dehnert)
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. Outreach oversees the DSNC website and social media, branding, and specific outreach events and community engagement activities.
💬 Contact Email: dsnc-outreach@googlegroups.com
💬 Web and social media contact: dsnc-web@googlegroups.com
👤 Participating Board Member and Chair: Elaine Almquist
👤 Vice-Chair: Marilyn Schachter
Programs Committee
Programs Committee
Planning social events, fundraisers with local community businesses, and community events such as a Davis Square yard sale.
Planning social events, fundraisers with local community businesses, and community events such as a Davis Square yard sale.
💬 Contact Email: dsnc-programming@googlegroups.com
👤 Committee Chair: Louisa Bissett, Kendra Fox, Paul Christie
Zoning Committee
Zoning Committee
Exploring amendments to the Somerville Zoning Ordinance to allow for the construction of supportive, affordable, and all kinds of housing to meet the needs of our community.
💬 Contact Email: dsnc-zoning@googlegroups.com
👤 Participating Board Members: PJ Kim-Santos, Paul Christie, Michael Chiu
👤 Subcommittee reporting on Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals meetings: PJ Kim Santos, Rebecca Rogers and Philip Higonnet
Seasonal Committees
Seasonal Committees
Election Committee (seasonal)
Election Committee (seasonal)
Coordinating and running the annual election of DSNC board members, performing a subsequent review of election processes, adjudicating disputes, suggesting improvements to bylaws, election policy, or practices for future board elections and Community Benefits Agreement votes. See the 2026 retrospective document and further details about election processes in our DSNC Bylaws.
💬 Contact Email: TBD
👤 Chair: Rebecca Rogers (2026)
👤 Participating Board Members: Alex Dehnert, Elaine Almquist
Nominating Committee (seasonal)
Nominating Committee (seasonal)
Coordinating the nomination process for the annual DSNC board member election, including recruiting candidates to ensure all four classes of Board members (homeowner, renter, business owner, and worker) are covered.
💬 Contact Email: TBD
👤 Co-Chairs: Edward Woll, Madeleine Werner (2026)
Board Activities
Board Activities
Beyond the activities our committees are currently working on, here are some of the other projects being done by our Board, as well as some ongoing projects of the City. This list is not organized by priority level. The President, Secretary, and Treasurer also have official duties as specified in the DSNC Bylaws.
DSNC official recognition by the Somerville City Council: PJ Kim Santos
ADA Transition Task Force update: Chris Beland
Inspectional Services Department enforcement of vacant storefront ordinance: Paul Christie
Davis Square Oral History: Frank Malsbenden
Sewage system update: Chris Beland
Projects Seeking Volunteers
Projects Seeking Volunteers
With the above commitments, board members aren’t able to prioritize the following projects at the moment, but would be excited to have motivated DSNC members take them on. Please reach out to the listed point person or any board member if interested in participating.
Mural(s) on MBTA Davis Square headhouse(s) and improved wayfinding signage for the Community Path discontinuity
Background: Community Path Wayfinding & Art
💬 Contact: Elaine Almquist or Zachary Yaro
Davis Square Community Fridge
Seeking host property owner
💬 Contact: Louisa Bissett
Advocacy to increase plants as part of the Morrison Avenue Flood Relief Project
💬 Contact: Alyssa Wilk
Advocate for improved bus service, including enforcement and effectiveness of new bus lanes, transit priority at traffic lights, better bus shelters, transit arrival time displays.
💬 Contact: Chris Beland
Organize an event that takes place on Elm Street while closed to cars.
💬 Contact: Elmway Action Group
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