Building community in Somerville and beyond
Top Three Priorities
Community-centered housing
Automatic residential property tax exemption applied at time of purchase for eligible home owners
Investors, flippers, and corporations banned from purchasing single-family or multi-family homes without meaningful plans for increased density
Ease criteria for subsidized home purchasing so middle class residents can own
Increase property tax on non-owner-occupied rentals that charge “market rate”
Reduce property tax on non-owner-occupied rentals that charge below “market rate”
Implement vacancy tax on residential and business real estate to reduce speculation and increase use
Safe roads for people, bikes, and cars
No right-on-red implemented throughout the entire city
More protected bike lanes
Longer pedestrian crossing times at applicable intersections
City-wide program to shovel and de-ice sidewalks either through city services or third-party contractors who can bid for neighborhoods
Increase number of crosswalks between Boston Ave and Dilboy Stadium
Reduce and simplify permitting
Identify and eliminate extraneous permits that make constructing new homes slow and expensive
Reduce permitting so that homeowners can remodel their properties
Simplify the permitting and licensing process for cottage and small business owners so that Somerville has a more vibrant business community
Hire more Inspectional Services Department (ISD) staff
Ensure union contracts for city workers are fair and signed quickly
About Ari Iaccarino
Ari has been building community in Somerville and beyond for more than a decade.
He is a licensed Massachusetts English educator and has taught in Somerville and Chelsea public schools.
He co-founded Ridj-it, an outdoor recreation website that has helped people without cars access the White Mountains and more for hiking, biking, and other activities. He’s also brought tens of thousands of dollars in business to outdoor guides and rental providers through Ridj-it.
He is a former lecturer at Boston University, Tufts, Suffolk, and Northeastern. He also tutored and taught at Roxbury and Bunker Hill Community Colleges, YMCA International Learning Center, Kaplan International Colleges, and elsewhere.
Ari has worked at large companies and startups in marketing and content roles.
In the news
Donate to the campaign
Your contribution helps to fund union-made yard signs, community events, and fair wages for graphic designers and others whose work makes this campaign possible.
If you don't have money but feel like you have time, feel free to reach out to ariatlarge@gmail.com to talk about other ways to contribute to the campaign.
Contact Ari
Hopes, fears, or dreams for Somerville? Contact Ari to let him know! He’s dedicated to making Somerville a place where people, workers, and businesses can thrive rather than just survive.