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Non-Essential Construction Suspended in Somerville

Monday, March 23, 2020
 Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone and the Board of Health today ordered that all non-essential construction work cease operation during the statewide closure of non-essential businesses through Tuesday, April 7, announced by Governor Charlie Baker.

COVID-19 CLOSURE UPDATE: Personal Service and Retail Business Suspensions; Construction Halted

Friday, March 20, 2020
 Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone and the Somerville Board of Health today announce additional orders intended to slow the spread of novel coronavirus. The following includes orders regarding the personal service and retail sectors as well as interim requirements for construction. Previous orders have closed schools, limited events, closed playgrounds, suspended team sports, and closed restaurants and bars except for pickup and delivery.

Cambridge Health Alliance to Provide COVID-19 Testing to Current Patients in Stand-Alone Testing Center at Somerville Location

Monday, March 16, 2020
 Cambridge Health Alliance (CHA) today announced that COVID-19 testing would be available to existing system patients via a stand-alone testing center at its Somerville Hospital location. Due to continued limited availability of tests, patients must meet federal criteria and be existing CHA primary care patients to be eligible for testing at this location.

Mayor Curtatone Declares a Local State of Emergency; Starting 3/17, Schools and Most Gathering Places Closed for 3 Wks.

Monday, March 16, 2020
 Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone declared a local state of emergency in Somerville on Sunday, March 15. This formal declaration gives the City the ability to take decisive action to control the spread of the coronavirus and allows the City to request reimbursement from the federal government for emergency response to this crisis. Effective at 12 a.m., Tuesday, March 17, all gyms, health clubs, theaters, entertainment venues, social clubs, and houses of worship be closed through at least April 6.

Community Preservation Committee to Hold Community Preservation Plan Hearing, Pre-Application Workshop March 25

Wednesday, March 4, 2020
 The Somerville Community Preservation Committee (CPC) is holding their annual Community Preservation Plan public hearing on Wednesday, March 25 at 7 p.m. in the Somerville High School Cafeteria at 81 Highland Ave. The Community Preservation Plan establishes the annual funding priorities and allocations for the three categories that Community Preservation Act (CPA) funds can support. The draft plan is available at www.somervillema.gov/CPA.

Somerville Community Preservation Committee Awards FY20 Funds

Monday, March 2, 2020
 With recent funding approval by the Somerville City Council, the Somerville Community Preservation Commission (CPC) announces the FY 2020 projects to be funded by Community Preservation Act. The City Council approved over $2 million in Community Preservation Act (CPA) funding to six open space and historic preservation projects, upon the recommendation of the CPC.

Somerville Historic Preservation Commission Seeking Volunteers for 2020 Docent Program

Thursday, February 27, 2020
 The Somerville Historic Preservation Commission is seeking volunteers for its 2020 Docent Program. Somerville’s Docent Program operates on a scheduled basis during the months of May through October. Public openings are offered twice a month, on specific weekend days and on Thursday evenings, at three historic sites: the Milk Row Cemetery on Somerville Avenue, Prospect Hill Tower above Union Square, and the Old Powder House in Nathan Tufts Park. The Docent Program was started at the Cemetery in 2012 and expanded to include the two additional historic sites in 2017.

Office of Housing Stability to Launch Section 8 Voucher Incentive Program

Thursday, February 27, 2020
 The Office of Housing Stability and the Somerville Homeless Coalition are launching SomerVIP, its Section 8 Voucher Incentive Program, and invite all community members to a kickoff event on Wednesday, March 4 to learn more, including how landlords and realtors can receive incentives and technical support through the program. While all are welcome to come learn about this exciting new program, the kickoff event is geared to landlords with units renting in Somerville and realtors serving the Somerville area

Community Meeting to Discuss Remaining Somerville High School Construction March 16

Friday, February 21, 2020
 Join representatives of the City Council, School Committee, Somerville High School Building Committee, and Infrastructure and Asset Management Department on Monday, March 16, for a community meeting to discuss construction progress and remaining work to be done on the Somerville High School Building project. The meeting will be held from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in the Somerville High School cafeteria, 81 Highland Ave. Light refreshments will be served.

SPD-Community Dialogue on "Straight Pride Parade" & Counter-Protest Draft Report Posted

Friday, February 14, 2020
 On January 22, the City of Somerville community meeting on police-community relations following the "Boston Straight Pride Parade" & Counter-Protest was held to gather additional public comment. The Draft Report on Community Feedback is now available online and open for public comment on the City website here: somervillema.gov/CBIDraftReport.

Hall St. Infrastructure Upgrades Community Meeting Feb. 26

Monday, February 10, 2020
 Join Ward 5 Councilor Mark Niedergang and the Somerville Engineering Department on Wednesday, February 26, for a community meeting to discuss water, sewer, and roadway upgrades planned on Hall St. The meeting will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in the Kennedy School cafeteria, 5 Cherry St.  

Holland Street, College Avenue Community Meeting Feb. 24, to Discuss Upcoming Improvements

Monday, February 10, 2020
 Join the City of Somerville, Ward 6 Councilor Lance Davis, and Ward 7 Councilor Katjana Ballantyne for a community meeting on Monday, February 24, to discuss planned improvements to Holland St. and College Ave. The meeting will be held in the Atrium Room of the Tufts Administration Building, 167 Holland St., from 6:30 to 8 p.m. City staff will introduce the purpose and scope of this project, provide existing conditions data, and present concepts for potential roadway improvements to support sustainable, multi-modal transportation and improve traffic safety.

Somerville Public Library, St. Mark Community Education Program Bring Back Free Citizenship Class for Spring 2020

Wednesday, February 5, 2020
 The Somerville Public Library and St. Mark Community Education Program announced this week that they will partner for spring 2020 to offer a free, twelve-part Citizenship Interview Preparation Class for residents seeking to apply for American citizenship. Classes will be offered on Saturdays from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., from March 7 through May 23, at the Central Library (79 Highland Ave.). The class is designed to prepare students for all parts of their citizenship test. It will cover the literacy test, 100 questions about U.S.

Important Information About Playing Field at Lincoln Park for February & March 2020

Wednesday, February 5, 2020
 In an effort to protect the natural grass field at Lincoln Park and prolong longevity for spring use, a temporary fence will be installed along the perimeter of the playing field from early February 2020 until approximately mid-April 2020 (weather permitting).  It is imperative we give the field time to freeze and thaw in an undisturbed manner so that the field will be available for use by our many local organizations as well as the community at large.

Gilman Square Roadway Improvements Community Meeting February 12

Friday, January 31, 2020
 Join staff from the City of Somerville’s Mobility Division, City Councilors Jesse Clingan, Ben Ewen-Campen, and Matt McLaughlin, City Staff and Gilman Square Neighborhood Association (GSNA) for a community meeting about the future of Gilman Square, on Wednesday, February 12. Staff will present conceptual designs for intersection and road improvements that will support multi-modal transportation and future development in Gilman Square, and receive feedback from community members about the design.

Somerville’s Public Space & Urban Forestry Division Announces Preventive Parks Tree Health Program

Wednesday, January 29, 2020
 Beginning in February 2020, Somerville community members will see preventive maintenance operations on trees in some City-owned parks, thanks to a new Parks Tree Health Program launched by the Public Space and Urban Forestry Division in fall 2019. The new program analyzes and proactively maintains trees located in City-owned parks using best arboreal practices to promote healthy tree growth.

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