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City FY22 Budget Meetings to Continue in Virtual Format

Wednesday, June 16, 2021
 On June 16, Governor Charlie Baker signed legislation allowing cities and towns to continue holding meetings virtually. The Somerville City Council will continue to hold ongoing Finance Committee and full City Council meetings on the fiscal year 2022 budget virtually. All planned budget meetings begin at 6 p.m. and can be viewed by visiting the “Meeting Schedules and Streaming” tab at www.somervillema.gov/citycouncil or tuning into GovTV (channel 13 on RCN and 22 on Comcast). The schedule for the remaining budget meetings is as follows:

City Buildings Reopening to the Public July 12, Many City Services Still Available Online

Monday, June 14, 2021
 All City buildings will reopen to the public on Monday, July 12 with limited staffing. Both visitors to City buildings as well as staff will be required to wear face coverings while inside the buildings. Staff will be available on a walk-in basis in all departments for quick transactions like paying a bill or picking up a document. For matters that will take longer, residents will need to schedule an appointment with City staff. Many City services are also available online and, whenever possible, residents are encouraged to continue to use online services.  

Help Stop Black Swallow-Wort in Somerville

Tuesday, June 8, 2021
 The City of Somerville is partnering with community groups to raise awareness about black swallow-wort (BSW), a very aggressive and invasive, non-native weed that can be found throughout Somerville. It displaces native plants and habitats, threatens butterflies and songbirds, and is toxic to deer and livestock. BSW is especially harmful to the monarch butterfly population as BSW resembles milkweed, where monarchs lay their eggs, and once the monarch larvae hatch they die from eating the toxic BSW leaves.

Workshop for Landlords & Realtors: How Section 8 Can Work for You, June 24

Monday, June 7, 2021
 Somerville landlords and realtors are invited to join the City’s Office of Housing Stability for a virtual workshop about the benefits of renting to Section 8 tenants. Learn how Section 8 ensures stable rental income, how higher payment standards can lead to higher rent receipts, and how landlords and realtors can qualify for additional incentive payments and technical support through the City’s SomerVIP program. This event is Thursday, June 24, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Register to attend at somervillema.gov/OHS.  

Bike Network Planning: Lessons for Somerville, June 10

Friday, June 4, 2021
 Please join the City of Somerville and the Somerville Bicycle Committee for a one-hour virtual workshop called Bike Network Planning: Lessons for Somerville. This workshop will be led by Mike Lydon, an internationally recognized planner, writer, speaker, and advocate for livable cities. Lydon is a Principal at the design firm Street Plans and is working with Somerville as it develops its approach for planning a citywide bike network.

Somerville Hosts Workshops for New Gardeners, June 11 & 12

Friday, June 4, 2021
 In honor of National Garden Week, the City of Somerville Health and Human Services Department is hosting a Growing Gardeners workshop for residents who are brand new to gardening. Growing Gardeners participants will learn how to plant, assemble, and maintain their own portable milk crate garden that will work well in any small outdoor space. Crates may include a variety of vegetables, herbs, and flowers. All supplies will be provided. Participants should have no previous experience – this class is designed to grow a new group of gardeners in the city!

Somerville Pride Returns with Annual Flag Raising & Big Gay Dance Party

Friday, June 4, 2021
 Celebrate Pride in Somerville this month at the City’s annual flag raising and Big Gay Dance Party.  First, join Mayor Curtatone and the Somerville High School Gender and Sexuality Awareness Alliance (GSA) on Wednesday, June 9, at 3 p.m. to raise the Pride flag in honor of LGBTQ+ Pride Month and LGBTQ+ Youth Pride. The ceremony will take place on the City Hall concourse at 93 Highland Avenue. Mayor Curtatone, Somerville LGBTQ+ Liaison Jack Treanor, Somerville High School teacher and GSA Advisor Julia Post, and a GSA student representative will speak at the event. 

Somerville’s COVID Ambassadors Will Hit the Streets This June

Thursday, June 3, 2021
 The City of Somerville is launching a COVID Ambassador program to deliver information about vaccines, safety protocols, and support services directly to residents and businesses in their neighborhoods.  The City developed this initiative in partnership with Block by Block, a national organization that deploys ambassador teams to meet a range of needs in cities around the country. 

Community Preservation Act Applications Available for Historic Preservation & Open Space Projects

Wednesday, June 2, 2021
 Applications for Community Preservation Act (CPA) funds are now open for projects that preserve Somerville’s historic resources and expand and improve its parks and recreation land. An estimated $1 million is available for projects in these areas this fiscal year.   The application process has several steps. Applicants should take note of the following deadlines and dates:

Gilman Square Neighborhood Plan Virtual Meeting, June 2

Wednesday, May 26, 2021
 Somerville Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone, Ward 1 Councilor Matthew McLaughlin, Ward 3 Councilor Ben Ewen-Campen, Ward 4 Councilor Jesse Clingan, and City staff invite you to the next virtual community meeting to discuss implementation of the Gilman Square Neighborhood Plan.

City of Somerville and Cambridge Health Alliance to Offer Walk-In Mobile COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics

Wednesday, May 26, 2021
 The City of Somerville Health and Human Services Department has announced plans to jointly hold mobile COVID-19 vaccination clinics with the Cambridge Health Alliance throughout the city. Mobile vaccination clinic dates will be released as sites are confirmed. Dates and locations will be listed on somervillema.gov/vaccine and will be announced via City vaccine alerts (by text, phone, and e-mail).

Section 8 Voucher Housing Search Workshop, June 3

Tuesday, May 25, 2021
 The City of Somerville Office of Housing Stability is hosting a virtual workshop to assist Section 8 tenants looking for housing. This event is designed for Somerville Housing Authority Section 8 voucher holders or Section 8 applicants in the screening process, but all are welcome. Attendees will learn practical tips, advice, and strategies to make their Section 8 housing search more effective.  

Carnaval Returns to Kick Off SomerStreets 2021

Monday, May 24, 2021
 The SomerStreets 2021 season will start in a modified format, featuring a series of smaller events on Saturday and Sunday, June 5 and 6 (rain dates June 12 and 13). Performances will be limited to 150 attendees, and most will require a ticket to attend. Tickets are free, but attendees will need to preregister through the Somerville Arts Council at somervilleartscouncil.org/somerstreets.  Here is this year’s lineup:   

Newly Renovated Somerville Public Library West Branch Opens for Curbside Service June 1

Thursday, May 20, 2021
 The newly renovated Somerville Public Library West Branch at 40 College Avenue will open for curbside service starting Tuesday, June 1. Pickup will be at the building’s new front entrance weekdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Patrons will be able to select “Somerville/West” when placing holds online starting May 28. 

Somerville Will Join State’s Reopening Plan on May 29

Tuesday, May 18, 2021
 Somerville will join with the State in lifting remaining COVID-19 restrictions on Saturday, May 29. Please note, as of May 29, State guidelines will still require face coverings to be worn on public transit, in rideshares and taxis, in healthcare facilities, and in other settings hosting vulnerable populations, such as congregate care settings. Until May 29, face coverings remain mandatory in indoor public spaces and also outdoors when 6-foot social distancing is not possible.

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