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About the City Council

The City Council is the City’s legislative branch. Members are elected every two years on the odd-numbered years. Four members serve at large, and seven members represent individual wards. The Council passes ordinances on a broad range of issues, from setting zoning laws to creating boards and commissions. It also has the power to approve or disapprove the Mayor's budget appropriations. 

Contact Information

Message the Council via the City Clerk:
publiccomments@somervillema.gov

Message All Councilors Directly:
citycouncil@somervillema.gov

Address

93 Highland Ave.
Somerville, MA 02143
United States

Employee Directory

Members

(Scroll down for member list)

Somerville Mayor Katjana Ballantyne and the City Council during a 2022 meeting held via Zoom.

Above: Somerville Mayor Katjana Ballantyne and the City Council during a 2022 meeting held via Zoom.

Look up your ward number and Councilor with MySomerville.

Councilor

Position

Ben Ewen-CampenPresident and Ward 3 Councilor
Judy Pineda NeufeldVice President and Ward 7 Councilor
Kristen StrezoAt-Large
Willie Burnley, Jr.At-Large
Charlotte KellyAt-Large
Jake WilsonAt-Large
Matthew McLaughlinWard 1
Jefferson Thomas (“J.T.”) ScottWard 2
Ben Ewen-CampenWard 3
Jesse ClinganWard 4
Beatriz Gomez MouakadWard 5
Lance DavisWard 6
Judy Pineda NeufeldWard 7

 

Meeting Schedules & Streaming

Visit the City's Legistar Meeting Portal to:

  • See a calendar of City Council and committee meetings
  • Download meeting agendas and minutes
  • Stream meetings live or from our archives
  • And more

somervillema.legistar.com

City Codes & Ordinances
 

Ordinances are written laws adopted by the City of Somerville that serve as permanent, enforceable laws (unless amended or repealed through the adoption of a new ordinance). 

Visit Municode.com to:

  • Browse City codes
  • View City ordinances
  • And more

Somerville Code of Ordinances ― Municode  
 

A zoning ordinance is a rule that defines how property in specific geographic zones can be used. Zoning ordinances detail whether specific geographic zones are acceptable for residential, commercial or industrial purposes.

Visit Municode.com to:

  • Browse City codes
  • View City ordinances
  • And more

Somerville Zoning Ordinance on Municode 

 

Committees & Commissions

Standing CommitteesSpecial CommitteesCommissions

 

Standing Committees

Confirmation of Appointments and Personnel MattersJudy Pineda Neufeld (Chair), Jesse Clingan (Vice Chair), Willie Burnley, Jr., Kristen Strezo, Jake Wilson
Equity, Gender, Seniors, Families, and Vulnerable PopulationsBeatriz Gomez Mouakad (Chair), Judy Pineda Neufeld (Vice Chair), Kristen Strezo
FinanceJake Wilson (Chair), J.T. Scott (Vice Chair), Charlotte Kelly, Jesse Clingan, Judy Pineda Neufeld
Housing and Community DevelopmentKristen Strezo (Chair), Judy Pineda Neufeld (Vice Chair), Jesse Clingan
Land UseMatthew McLaughlin (Chair), Lance Davis (Vice Chair), Ben Ewen-Campen, Beatriz Gomez Mouakad, Jake Wilson
Legislative MattersLance Davis (Chair), Charlotte Kelly (Vice Chair), Willie Burnley, Jr., Matthew McLaughlin, J.T. Scott
Licenses and PermitsWillie Burnley, Jr. (Chair), Jesse Clingan (Vice Chair), Ben Ewen-Campen
Open Space, Environment, and EnergyWillie Burnley, Jr. (Chair), J.T. Scott (Vice Chair), Beatriz Gomez Mouakad, Jake Wilson, Judy Pineda Neufeld
Public Health and Public SafetyCharlotte Kelly (Chair), Lance Davis (Vice Chair), Matthew McLaughlin
Public Utilities and Public WorksJesse Clingan (Chair), Beatriz Gomez Mouakad (Vice Chair), Charlotte Kelly
Traffic and ParkingBeatriz Gomez Mouakad (Chair), Jake Wilson (Vice Chair), Ben Ewen-Campen

Special Committees

Charter ReviewJ.T. Scott (Chair), Kristen Strezo (Vice Chair), Willie Burnley, Jr.
Rodent IssuesCharlotte Kelly (Chair), Jake Wilson (Vice Chair), Matthew McLaughlin
RulesWillie Burnley, Jr (Chair), Lance Davis (Vice Chair), Ben Ewen-Campen
School Building Facilities and Maintenance Special CommitteeBeatriz Gomez Mouakad (Chair), Jesse Clingan (Vice Chair), Lance Davis

Commissions and Committees

Affordable Housing TrustCharlotte Kelly
ARPA Advisory CommitteeJudy Pineda Neufeld
Bicycle Advisory CommitteeWillie Burnley, Jr.
Community CabinetKristen Strezo
High School Building CommitteeLance Davis
Memorialization CommitteeWillie Burnley, Jr.
Municipal Job Creation and Retention TrustMatthew McLaughlin
Parking study task force and working groupJudy Pineda Neufeld
Pedestrian and Transit Advisory CommitteeBeatriz Gomez Mouakad
PILOT Advisory Task ForceKristen Strezo
Police Chief Selection CommitteeJesse Clingan
Public Safety Building CommitteeMatthew McLaughlin
Safe Consumption Site Task ForceWillie Burnley, Jr.
Somerville Redevelopment AuthorityBen Ewen-Campen
Traffic CommissionBeatriz Gomez Mouakad
Wage Theft Advisory CommitteeBeatriz Gomez Mouakad

 

 

Meeting Minutes

July 2022–Present

View City Councilor and Committee meeting minutes from July 2022 to present day on the City's Legistar Meeting Portal.

July 2022–Present


2010–July 2022

View City Councilor and Committee meeting minutes from 2010 to July 2022 on the City's IQM2 Meeting Portal.

2010–July 2022


1872–2021

View City Council (formerly the Board of Aldermen) meeting minutes from 1872 to 2021 as annual PDFs in our archive.

1872–2021

Forms & Information

Programs & Initiatives

Reporting Airplane Noise
The City of Somerville urges residents to report airplane noise to both Massport and the City.

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