On the beam for emergencies

Selectmen returned to business as usual last week, approving $12,000 in funding on a mass notification system that Bill McGroarty, the town's emergency preparedness coordinator, said could alert every household and business in about two hours during an emergency. NextG Networks, a California-based telecommunications company that designs and builds wireless networks, was approved to install fiber-optic cables and other equipment on utility poles and streetlights. The Board of Selectmen also voted to issue a request for proposals on the Fisher Hill development plan, which calls for 24 affordable housing units and several market-rate homes to be built on a town-owned 4.8-acre site.

Brookline resident and community activist Pamela Julian will square off with incumbent state Representative Mike Rush in the Democratic primary Tuesday, but not after a debate on issues affecting West Roxbury, Roslindale, and Brookline. Julian's campaign issued a statement last week saying that Rush had refused to commit to a debate and "does not support a participatory democracy." Rush aide Matt Fitzgerald acknowledged that he received calls from Julian's campaign about setting up a debate, but said that when he pressed for details about its sponsor, format, questioners, and the like, "they had nothing for us." Rush, who's raised more than $41,000 in political contributions, compared with just over $3,000 for Julian, said in an interview he'd be happy to discuss his record and accomplishments "in absolutely any forum." He has not faced a challenger in the primary since he was elected in 2003.

Starting Thursday, Brookline officials will be holding seven household hazardous-waste collection days before the recycling drop-off center closes for the season. Items that will be accepted include oil-based paints, paint strippers, chemical fertilizers, motor oil, pool chemicals, car batteries, aerosol cans, and brake and transmission fluid. Not accepted will be regular trash, ammunition, fireworks, explosives, construction materials, and compressed gas cylinders. The drop-off is for Brookline residents only, with proof of residency required. Weather permitting, the center will be open Thursdays from 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., through Oct. 30. Residents with large carloads must make an appointment by calling Ed Gilbert, the town's solid waste manager, at 617-646-2700.

Richard Thompson wrote this week's briefs. E-mail Brookline news to Andreae Downs at andreaedowns@yahoo.com.

The City Council voted, 8-1, Monday to amend the zoning ordinance, allowing for hotel plans to go through at the current Kaya-Ka restaurant location in Porter Square. Meehn Su Gim, the owner of Kaya-Ka at 1924 Massachusetts Ave., can now build a hotel with a new restaurant, underground parking garage, and landscaped open space. The meeting was dominated by the topic of the proposed plans, with dozens of abutters on both sides of the issue showing up. Chief among the concerns were additional traffic and noise, while backers said they envisioned support for local businesses and revitalization of the square.

The International School of Boston says it's the first school in the country to install synthetic turf with an all-natural infill material made of coconut shells and cork. The new surface, supplied by New York-based Geo Safe Play, is said to produce far less rainwater runoff because it is natural and absorbs water. It also reduces injuries, according to the school. Said head of school John Larner: "We have transformed a dirt field that was never capable of growing grass into a lush play area."

Calorie counting in Cambridge could get a lot easier. The City Council has asked the chief public health officer, Claude-Alix Jacob, to "look into the possibility of instituting programs similar to New York City and San Francisco which involve posting calorie counts and nutritional information on menus and menu boards in Cambridge." Posting nutritional information in these cities has been limited to chains; independent restaurants are exempt. The Cambridge Public Health Department intends to speak with health departments in other cities and states with similar policies, as well as the local restaurant community, to develop recommendations, said Jacob.

Got a news item from Cambridge? E-mail Jennifer Schwartz at jensch72@gmail.com.

The Somerville Community Corporation broke ground Sept. 3 for its largest housing development project in six years. A four-story building, actually under construction for two months, on the former St. Polycarp parish site will have 24 apartments for low-income renters plus commercial spaces on the ground level. Longtime tenant Just-a-Start, a nonprofit group, bought the rectory and will rent part of the new building's storefront space; the Missionary Church of the Haitian Community is renting and may buy a building on the site. Danny LeBlanc, the community corporation's CEO, said he hopes tenants can move in next summer. Those interested in a hands-on role can apply for a construction job on the project Friday.

You can root out the sweet peas that never bloomed and the basil plant that wilted: The Somerville Garden Club is holding its annual plant sale Saturday. In traditional "pass-along" style, club members divide the hardiest and most successful plants from their own gardens to donate to the cause. So if they don't flourish in your garden, well, we don't know what to tell you. The sale takes place in the Davis Square plaza, rain or shine. Proceeds support the club's newsletters as well as public flower beds tended by club members.

Lush summer greenery will be gone sooner than you thought: Following complaints about safety on the Community Path, the Board of Aldermen Tuesday ordered the city to trim trees and shrubs along the path to improve safety. City officials will ask property owners to trim hedges abutting the path, particularly between Willow and Cedar streets. The board also authorized money to improve Grimmons, Hodgkins, and Albion parks, and ordered police patrols of the new Edward Leathers Park, which has already attracted vandals, Alderman Bill White said.

Got a news item from Somerville? E-mail Danielle Dreilinger at djdreilinger@comcast.net.