The Somerville City Council has four candidates running for election to three open alderman seats at the upcoming May 2 election.
The available seats are those currently held by Jeff Schoppe, Carmen Stallions and Mayor Pro-tem Laura Hoover, with all three incumbents filing to retain their seats along with Cecily Young.
“I’m running because I care deeply about this community,” Hoover said of her decision to file for reelection.
She has served on the council since May 2024.
“I decided to run for council again because I have a compassion for watching this community continue to grow,” Stallings said.
She has served on the council since November 2025, when she was appointed by the council to fill the vacancy left by Mark Sager’s resignation until the completion of his term.
Young, the lone newcomer to the race, said she filed in hopes of helping manage the city’s growth.
“I’m running because Somerville is growing faster than ever, and we’re at a point where the decisions we make now about roads, water and development will shape our futures for decades,” Young said.
Council incumbent Schoppe has served as an alderman for over a decade.
Schoppe chose not to participate in the candidate forum.
Each of the candidates participating in the forum responded to four questions about their vision for the city’s future.
The first question posed to candidates was: as the city grows, what are our most pressing infrastructure project needs through the end of this decade (water, sewer, streets, drainage)? And, how you feel the city should pay for those?
“Our most pressing needs over the next several years are making sure our water and sewer systems can handle future growth, improving streets that have been neglected for years and addressing drainage issues that cause flooding after heavy rains,” Hoover said. “If we don’t stay ahead of those needs, growth can quickly put a strain on the systems we already have.”
She said the city should take a balanced approach to funding these projects, including “responsibly pursuing” state and federal grants, planning for capital improvement funds, and ensuring new developments contribute to infrastructure.
“Taxpayers shouldn’t have to shoulder the entire burden when growth is part of the equation,” Hoover said.
Stallings also cited infrastructure as a priority.
“There is a growing concern in our small community with the infrastructure as a whole,” she said.
“We need to reach out for help in funding these projects with organizations such as Community Development Block Grants (CDBG), USDA Rural Development and Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG).”
Young said she believes the most pressing needs lie in updating current infrastructure.
“Aging water lines, roads and sewer systems are something that we face everyday and it is a growing problem as the town grows and more strain is placed on those systems,” she said.
She also cited grants as an excellent option for funding, but acknowledged that they are not always available.
Candidates were also asked about specific street and drainage priorities for the next two years and how those goals should be funded.
Stallings said maintaining culverts was one of her top priorities.
“We need to continue with culvert maintenance on our ditches,” she said. “Keeping debris from filling them and slowing the water flow down.”
As a newcomer to the council, Young said she would like to see the need before making a decision.
“I would like to go into my term, if elected, with an open mind and see what is needed before deciding what I want to do,” she said.
“I don’t feel it is beneficial to go into something with uneducated ideas.”
Stallings said her list of street and drainage priorities for the next two years starts with the issues that most impact residents.
“That includes repairing roads that are showing serious wear and tear, improving ditches and culverts where water backs up during storms and making sure drainage systems are well cleaned and maintained regularly so we prevent problems before they start,” she said.
Stallings added the areas where residents consistently deal with standing water and damaged pavement should be prioritized.
“When roads and drainage are neglected too long, they become much more expensive to fix later,” she said.
Hoover said she would like to see these projects funded through a combination of budget planning, infrastructure grants and longterm planning.
The third question was: Do you feel the council and planning and zoning commission are approving too many Special Use Permits (SUPs) and zoning exceptions? If not, why? If so, what should be done differently?
Young said the council’s current approach to SUPs is a good one.
“I think they have a great system in place allowing the neighbors closest to the permit being requested to come and voice their concerns,” she said.
“It may not always be the outcome that the person requesting is wanting but the council has done a great job with checks and balances.”
Stallings said she was “not totally aware” of the number of SUPs being requested on a normal basis.
Hoover said she believes SUPs should “remain the exception, not the rule.”
“If too many exceptions are granted, it can create confusion and make residents feel like the rules are constantly changing,” she said.
“We need to make sure that any SUP is carefully considered, transparent, and truly beneficial to the community.”
Hoover added that she believes the council’s decisions should respect “both the city’s development goals and the people who already live here.”
The final question posed to candidates centered around the vacant city administrator position.
The Tribune asked: What needs to be done to fill the current vacant, city administrator position? Also, what qualities are you looking for in the next administrator?
Hoover said the council should continue their “thorough and professional” search to find the right fit for the community of Somerville.
“The next administrator should be someone who is transparent, organized, and experienced in municipal government,” she said.
“They should also be someone who understands the values of a small town community, communicates well with both the council and the public and is focused on responsible budgeting and longterm planning.”
Hoover said the most important quality required of the city’s next administrator is someone who will work for the people and “help move the city forward in a responsible way.”
Young mirrored her thoughts on the subject.
“The council needs to run a deliberate, transparent and competitive search, not just fill a vacancy quickly,” she said.
Young said the city’s next administrator needs to have technical competence, judgement and political awareness.
“A strong city manager isn’t just an administrator; they’re the person who turns council priorities into real-world results,” she said.
Stallings cited interim city administrator Marty Mangum as an excellent example of the position.
“I, for one, hate to see him leave,” she said.
“The replacement for this position needs to be someone that means business but also has a deep concern for the future of our community.”
Stallings reiterated that this regard for Somerville’s future is part of what motivated her to file for reelection -- “to encourage the residents to get involved with the city and to keep the dream alive,” she said.
Hoover agreed. “This town helped shape who I am, and I want to give back by helping ensure it remains a safe, strong, and welcoming place for families for years to come,” she said.
“Our city is growing, and with growth comes important decisions about infrastructure, development, and the future of our community,” Hoover said.
“I want to help make sure those decisions are made thoughtfully, responsibly, and with the best interests of our residents in mind.”
Young said the same. “I want to make sure we manage that growth responsibly,” she said. “Fix the everyday issues people are dealing with and keep Somerville a place people are proud to call home.”