By George P. Hassett

New board president

Ward Six Alderman Rebekah Gewirtz will be president of the Board of Aldermen next year, it was announced at Thursday’s meeting. Ward Three Alderman Tom Taylor will be vice president. 

Longtime Somerville sports announcers honored

Jim Munsey and Bob Calautti were honored Thursday after almost 20 years of announcing Somerville Lady Highlander basketball and varsity hockey games. The pair, known for bestowing creative nicknames on Somerville sports stars, originally came to Somerville with former girls basketball coach Brian Harris 19 years ago. Harris’ contract to coach the Lady Highlanders was not renewed after last year and now  Calautti and Munsey are moving on too.

Davis Square ‘showing its age’

Aldermen asked the city’s Public Works commissioner to identify and repair all loose or uplifted bricks in Davis Square walkways and sidewalks to avoid injuries as winter begins.

“Davis Square is starting to show its age,” Gewirtz said.

Alderman-at-Large Dennis Sullivan questioned whether the city should use brick sidewalks. “Seniors are falling, something has to be done before someone is seriously hurt.”