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Important Information for Tenants, Landlords, and Residential Property Owners

Thursday, January 2, 2020
 As part of a broad and ongoing effort to address the regional housing crisis, Mayor Curtatone and the City Council, with input from many community members, have collaborated to implement several housing-related policy reforms in 2019. Each is designed to help protect our residents from displacement while balancing the needs of home- and property owners.

City of Somerville Seeking Climate Forward Ambassadors for Winter/Spring 2020

Thursday, January 2, 2020
 The City of Somerville is seeking community members interested in learning more about climate change, and the City’s actions toward addressing its challenges. In 2019, the City’s Office of Sustainability and Environment (OSE) launched a Climate Forward Ambassador Program, stemming from Somerville Climate Forward, the City’s climate action plan, to educate residents about climate change and increase the community’s capacity to engage in climate action.

Community Meeting to Discuss Central Hill Campus Plan, January 8

Saturday, December 14, 2019
 Please join the Somerville Public Space and Urban Forestry Division, and Ward 3 Councilor Ben Ewen-Campen on Wednesday evening, January 8, 2020, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. for a community meeting to discuss the final landscape plan for the Central Hill Campus (Phase I). The meeting will be held in the Somerville High School cafeteria, 81 Highland Ave.

Somerville City Council, Administration Pass City's First Zoning Overhaul in 30 Years

Friday, December 13, 2019
 After over seven years of research and analysis, hundreds of community meetings, multiple public hearings and extensive review by the former Board of Aldermen and current City Council, Somerville officially has a new zoning ordinance. On December 12, 2019, the City Council voted to approve the administration’s proposed new zoning ordinance, making this the first major overhaul of zoning in Somerville since 1990, and an update of some regulatory elements that have existed since zoning was first adopted in 1924.

Historic Somerville Merchandise on Sale for Holiday Season

Wednesday, December 11, 2019
 Just in time to complete your holiday shopping, the Somerville Historic Preservation Commission has “Preserving Somerville” merchandise available for sale. All merchandise can be viewed on the Commission’s website atwww.somervillema.gov/historicshop, and a list of available items is below.

Annual Grand Union Flag Raising on Prospect Hill, January 1, 2020

Wednesday, December 11, 2019
 In its annual tradition, the City of Somerville will kick off the New Year on Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2020, with a reenactment ceremony for the anniversary of the "Grand Union" flag-raising ceremony at Prospect Hill Park. Important note: the park is currently closed for renovations, so the event will be held along Munroe St. adjacent to the park. The road will be closed during the morning events. A processional led by a re-enactor portraying General George Washington on horseback will leave from the City Hall Concourse at 11:30 a.m., followed by a ceremony at Prospect Hill Park.

Winter Hill Community Meeting on Vacant Star Market Site: Tuesday, December 17

Thursday, December 5, 2019
 Join the City’s Economic Development team and Ward 4 City Councilor Jesse Clingan for a community meeting on Tuesday, December 17, to discuss the vacant site of the former Star Market on Broadway. The meeting, which will be an open house-style event, will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in the Healey School cafeteria, 5 Meacham St. Community members can drop in at any time to chat with city staff, talk to neighbors, and learn more about what an urban renewal plan could mean for the site.

WSNS Schoolyard Design Community Meeting Wednesday, December 11

Thursday, December 5, 2019
 Please join the Somerville Department of Public Space and Urban Forestry, Ward 7 City Councilor Katjana Ballantyne, and the Somerville Public Schools on Wednesday evening, December 11, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. for a community meeting to discuss layout and design options for the new West Somerville Neighborhood School schoolyard. The meeting will be held in the WSNS cafeteria, 177 Powder House Blvd.   For more information contact Arn Franzen at [email protected]    

Somerville Parks & Recreation Announces New, Family-Friendly Field Trips

Thursday, December 5, 2019
 The Somerville Parks and Recreation Department is launching a new program: family-friendly field trips to fun locations in and around the Boston area! Beginning in December 2019, Parks and Recreation will sponsor trips to places like the Stone Zoo, the Blue Man Group, Museum of Fine Arts, and more! Activities are appropriate for all ages, but children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. A full list of dates, activities, and pricing is below and is also available at www.somervillerec.com.

Joint Public Hearing on Proposed Zoning Ordinance, 12/10

Tuesday, December 3, 2019
 The Somerville City Council Committee on Land Use, and the Somerville Planning Board, invite all interested community members to attend and speak at a joint Public Hearing on the adoption of a new Somerville Zoning Ordinance. The Hearing will take place on Tuesday, December 10, at 6 p.m. in the City Council Chambers at City Hall, 93 Highland Ave. The Land Use Committee and the Planning Board will hear testimony on the proposed new ordinance. They will not be accepting written testimony.

Public Hearing: City Council Traffic and Parking Committee of the Whole & Traffic Commission Joint Public Hearing on Broadway Bus/Bicycle Lanes Monday, December 9, 6 p.m., City Council Chambers

Tuesday, December 3, 2019
 The City Council Traffic and Parking Committee of the Whole and the Traffic Commission invite community members to a joint public hearing on Monday, December 9, at 6 p.m., to provide feedback on the design and implementation of the new traffic configuration on Broadway in Winter Hill, which features dedicated bus and bicycle lanes. The public hearing will be held in the City Council Chambers, 93 Highland Ave.

Save Money and Energy with Mass Save Program through City of Somerville this Winter

Tuesday, November 26, 2019
 This winter, Somerville property owners can save big on utility bills with an energy-saving heating system thanks to an initiative by National Grid being offered through the City of Somerville. The City of Somerville’s Housing Division is participating in the National Grid Community Initiative for its third year. During the first two years of the program, Somerville residents completed more than 1,600 home energy assessments and 1,200 energy upgrades, saving $1.1 million.

Central Hill Parking Update Meeting, December 12

Monday, November 25, 2019
 Join City staff on Thursday, December 12, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in the Winter Hill Community School cafeteria, 115 Sycamore St. (please enter via Medford St.), for a quarterly meeting on parking changes on the Central Hill Campus. There is also a form on www.somervillema.gov/shsparking where community members can submit questions, comments, or leave suggestions about parking around Central Hill.  

Celebrate the Holidays in Somerville with Christmas Tree Lighting, Menorah Lighting, Illuminations Tour in December

Thursday, November 21, 2019
 Join Mayor Curtatone and City staff for Somerville’s 2019 holiday celebrations throughout the month of December!   We’ll kick off on Thursday, December 5, with the Christmas Tree Lighting on the City Hall Concourse, followed by a meet-and-greet with Santa Claus in the City Council Chambers. All children who attend will receive a special gift from Santa. The event will begin at 5:30 p.m. with live entertainment prior to the official tree lighting. Santa Claus will, as always, be escorted by the Somerville Fire and Police Departments.  

Deadline Extended for Property Award Nominations

Thursday, November 21, 2019
 Do you own or know of any older (> 50 years) properties in Somerville that have recently undergone work to restore or maintain its original architectural quality? Nominate it for a 2020 Director's Award! You can find the very brief nomination form here, as well as more details about the awards program here. The deadline for nominations has been extended to shortly after Thanksgiving on Friday, December 6th, 2019. If not for your own property, explore your neighborhood and be sure to get a nomination in ASAP!

SPD After Action Report on "Straight Pride Parade" & Counterprotest Posted

Tuesday, November 19, 2019
 On Thursday, November 14, the Somerville Police Department completed the After Action Report on the "Boston Straight Pride Parade" & Counter-Protest of August 31, 2019. The report is available online on the City's website at this link, and was formally submitted to the City Council on November 14, 2019.

Somerville Illuminations Tour: Saturday, Dec. 14

Monday, November 18, 2019
 About the Event Tour guides lead trolleys past the city’s most spectacular residential displays of holiday pomp, sharing stories about the families that decorate and local historic trivia en route. The tours begin and end at Somerville City Hall, where refreshments are served. Entertainment at City Hall includes music by the Somerville Community Chorus and craft activities for children.

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