Home

Cooling Center Opened at 167 Holland Street, Somerville; Heat Advisory and Safety Tips

Tuesday, June 29, 2021
 A heat advisory for the Boston metro region remains in effect through Wednesday evening, June 30, and community members are urged to take precautions. Temperatures of 98-99 degrees are forecast through Wednesday but will feel like 100 to 103 degrees. The National Weather Service warns that due to the high heat and humidity that heat-related illness is possible. To stay safe, we urge community members to review all of the following heat safety tips and ways to stay cool in Somerville.

City of Somerville’s Mobile Farmers Market Begins 2021 Season on July 9

Monday, June 28, 2021
 The Somerville Mobile Farmers Market will begin its 2021 season on July 9. On Fridays and Saturdays until October 16, customers can buy fresh, local produce in neighborhoods around Somerville. The Mobile Market offers a 50% discount for any customers that need it and accepts cash, debit, credit, SNAP, P-EBT, WIC farmers market coupons, and senior farmers market coupons for payment. Any customers who shop and pay full price help the Mobile Market offer the discount to those who need it. Here’s where you can find the Mobile Market this summer and fall:

Virtual Meeting to Discuss Somerville Junction Park Expansion & Renovation, July 7

Thursday, June 24, 2021
 Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone, Ward 5 City Councilor Mark Niedergang, and City staff invite you to a virtual community meeting to discuss the proposed expansion and renovation of Somerville Junction Park. City staff will give an overview of existing conditions, present conceptual ideas for potential future uses, and gather feedback from attendees. The meeting will take place on Wednesday, July 7, at 7 p.m. Register to attend at somervillema.gov/JunctionParkMtg1.    

Changes to Somerville’s Textile Recycling Program Start July 1

Monday, June 21, 2021
 The City of Somerville and its contractor, Simple Recycling, are making several changes to Somerville’s curbside textile recycling service to improve the program for residents and the environment.    Each year, only 15 percent of all unwanted clothing in the United States is donated or recycled, while approximately 14.3 million tons of clothing (or about 80 pounds per person) ends up in landfills. These process adjustments will make recycling textiles even easier and make the “pink bag” program even greener.   

City of Somerville Residential Eviction Moratorium Extended to September 15

Friday, June 18, 2021
 The Somerville Board of Health (BOH) approved a proposal at its June 17 meeting that revises and extends the City’s current residential eviction moratorium for 90 days, until September 15. The BOH also approved ending the commercial eviction moratorium and allowing landlords and their agents to enter residential units for non-emergency reasons, with 48 hours advance written notice to tenants, an opportunity to reschedule where necessary, and provided that COVID protocols are followed. The City’s emergency declaration will remain in effect throughout this 90-day period.

Dedicated Bus Lane Pilot Program on Mystic Ave. (Rt. 38) Begins Mon., 6/21

Thursday, June 17, 2021
 The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) and the Cities of Medford and Somerville announce the implementation of a municipal dedicated bus lane pilot between the hours of 6 a.m. and 9 a.m. on weekdays on  Mystic Avenue (Route 38). Painting and signage along the entire stretch – from Main Street in Medford to Wheatland Street in Somerville – has been completed and the dedicated bus lane will officially become operational on Monday morning, June 21, 2021.

Coming Soon to a Park Near You: SomerMovie Fest

Thursday, June 17, 2021
 The City of Somerville’s annual SomerMovie Fest returns this year with a series of seven family-friendly films being shown in parks around Somerville. Learn more at www.somervillema.gov/SomerMovieFest

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:

Pages