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Reminder: Vote by Mail Applications Due October 27 for General Election

Wednesday, October 20, 2021
 If you would like to vote by mail in the November 2 general election, your completed ballot application must be received (not postmarked) by 5 p.m. on Wednesday, October 27. Voters can download an application at somervillema.gov/VoteByMail or pick one up at the Elections Department in City Hall, 93 Highland Avenue. You can fill out and submit your application on the spot. Please remember that face coverings are required in all indoor public spaces.

Town Hall With Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone, Thursday, October 28

Monday, October 18, 2021
 As Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone prepares to leave office in January after serving 18 years as Mayor, the City of Somerville will host an in-person community conversation with him. The discussion will look back at both City and community efforts during his administration, check in on the ongoing response to the pandemic, and look forward to the challenges and opportunities in the city’s future. Emmy Award-winning broadcast journalist Byron Barnett (recently retired from 7News WHDH) will facilitate the town-hall-style event, which will be open to attendees' questions.

Brickbottom Vision Planning Virtual Open House, 10/27

Thursday, October 14, 2021
 Join the City of Somerville Planning team and fellow community members for a second workshop on imagining the future of the Brickbottom neighborhood. During this interactive workshop, participants can share their ideas and provide feedback on draft materials that came out of the first workshop held in April. The meeting will be held on Wednesday, October 27, at 6 p.m.

Public Comment Sought on FY22 Community Preservation Act Applications

Thursday, October 14, 2021
 The City of Somerville Community Preservation Committee (CPC) is seeking public comment on Fiscal Year 2022 Community Preservation Act (CPA) funding applications for historic preservation and open space projects. This year, more than $1M is available to support projects in these categories. Feedback from residents will help inform the CPC’s award recommendations.  

Forum on the City of Somerville’s ARPA Funding, Wed., Oct. 27

Wednesday, October 13, 2021
 Ensuring an equitable and prosperous recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic is the City’s top priority. To do that - we need your help. Get involved today to help set the City’s priorities for American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding. To get the conversation started, please join us for a Virtual Forum on ARPA Funding on Wednesday, October 27, at 7 p.m.

Union Square Plaza & Streetscape Redesign Public Meeting, October 20

Tuesday, October 12, 2021
 Pursuant to Chapter 20 of the Acts of 2021, this public meeting will be conducted via remote participation. We will post an audio recording, audio-video recording, transcript, or other comprehensive record of these proceedings as soon as possible after the meeting on the City of Somerville website and local cable access government channels. Instructions for joining will be added here before the meeting.

Latin American Heritage Celebration, 10/11

Thursday, October 7, 2021
 Join the SomerViva Office of Immigrant Affairs, Padres Latinos, and The Welcome Project for a Latin American Heritage Celebration on Monday, October 11, from 4 to 6 p.m., in Chuckie Harris Park. The celebration will include music, food, a talent show, a traditional dress presentation, a piñata, raffles, and stories of everyday heroes in the community.   

Somerville Reprecincting Process Underway: Public Comment Welcome

Thursday, October 7, 2021
 Every 10 years, Massachusetts cities and towns are required to review their population data from the most recent U.S. Census and submit an updated ward and precinct map to the State for approval. The State provides municipalities with strict guidelines that must be followed for this process. An internal working group is collaborating with the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s Office to propose new ward and precinct boundaries that will be submitted to the City Council for local approval on October 28, 2021.

Annual Domestic Violence Vigil, 10/26

Tuesday, October 5, 2021
 Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone, the Somerville Commission for Women, and RESPOND Inc. invite residents to join them for the annual Domestic Violence Vigil on Tuesday, October 26, to remember and honor those who lost their lives to domestic violence in 2021. The vigil will take place from 6 to 7 p.m. at Statue Park in Davis Square the West Branch Library, Atrium. The address is 40 College Avenue, Somerville, MA 02144. (Please note that the event was moved indoors due to inclement weather in the forecast.)  

City to Hold Flu Vaccination Clinics

Tuesday, October 5, 2021
 The City of Somerville has set up two free flu vaccination clinics for residents in October that will be open by appointment. Additional dates will be added through the fall and winter and will be posted on somervillema.gov/flu. Residents are strongly encouraged to get the vaccine to protect their health as well as to support the community’s efforts to lessen the impacts of both influenza and the coronavirus. 

Assembly Square Neighborhood Plan Presentation, October 13

Monday, October 4, 2021
 The City of Somerville is set to debut the new Assembly Square Neighborhood Plan. The Assembly Square Neighborhood Plan is a master plan and zoning recommendation document that establishes the long-term vision for Assembly Square, Somerville’s newest and fastest growing neighborhood. Once adopted, it will provide the basis for decision making, development, and further planning as Somerville and the Assembly Square Neighborhood move into the future.

West Somerville Neighborhood School Schoolyard Renovation Meeting, October 13

Friday, October 1, 2021
 Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone, Ward 7 City Councilor Katjana Ballantyne, and City staff invite you to a virtual community meeting to review the final design for schoolyard renovations at the West Somerville Neighborhood School. The design includes a small turf field, age-appropriate play structures, active areas for kickball and basketball, a climbing wall, significantly more tree canopy, tables and seating, new safety surfacing and fencing, and drainage improvements, among other features.

Construction Job Fair, October 13

Friday, October 1, 2021
 Interested in building a career in construction? Somerville Community Corporation, in partnership with the City of Somerville, is hosting a job fair to connect residents with local construction employment opportunities.

New Ordinance Sets Leaf Blower Regulations in Somerville

Friday, October 1, 2021
 The Somerville City Council has passed a new ordinance that sets guidelines for when and how leaf blowers may be used within the city. With the fall season now here, community members are urged to familiarize themselves with the new rules, which apply to all users including the City and City contractors, residents, commercial properties, and landscaping or property maintenance companies that deploy leaf blowers. A full copy of the ordinance and regulations can be found at somervillema.gov/leafblowers, but key provisions include:

‘We Are Somerville’ Art Installation Unveiled at Assembly Row

Thursday, September 30, 2021
 Assembly Row and the Somerville Arts Council are thrilled to unveil a collaborative art project at Assembly Row titled “We Are Somerville.”  This art installation takes the form of three giant vertical banners, which feature portraits of people who live and/or work in Somerville. Collectively, these intimate yet bold portraits by local photographer Kristen Joy Emack convey the personality and diversity of Somerville. The banners adorn a facade along Great River Road and face the Mystic River and the Orange Line.

Important Dates and Deadlines for the November 2 Election

Thursday, September 30, 2021
 On Tuesday, November 2, voters in Somerville will cast ballots for Mayor of Somerville; four City Councilor-at-Large seats; Ward City Councilor in Wards 2, 5, and 7; and School Committee Members in Wards 3 and 7. Below is information on upcoming deadlines related to the election as well as information about options for voting. Voter Registration Deadline Voters have until 8 p.m. on Wednesday, October 13, to register to vote or update their voter information for the November 2 election.

Treasury Department Launches Online Self-Service Tool

Tuesday, September 28, 2021
 The City of Somerville’s Treasury Department launched Citizen Self-Service (CSS), an online tool that allows residents to look up and access bill information. Residents can now view real estate tax bills, water and sewer bills, and personal property tax bills online, in real time, 24/7. CSS also allows residents to see official City records and check their payment history directly,  and it links to City Hall Systems, the City’s online payment vendor, enabling easy payment access that is safe, secure, and free of charge if a checking account is used as the payment method.

PorchFest and Ignite! Return October 2

Thursday, September 23, 2021
 Two popular Somerville Arts Council events - PorchFest and the Ignite! Global Food and Fire Festival - are happening Saturday, October 2 (rain date Sunday, October 3).  PorchFest Musicians of most genres you have heard - and probably a few you haven’t - will be playing live music around the city on porches and in yards between noon and 6 p.m. Depending on their location in the city, musicians will be performing at the following times:

Healey Community Play Area Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Rescheduled to Oct. 7

Friday, September 17, 2021
 Due to rain expected on September 28, the Healey Community Play Area ribbon cutting ceremony at 5 Meacham Street has been rescheduled for Thursday, October 7, at 1:45 p.m.   Somerville Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone and Ward 4 City Councilor Jesse Clingan invite you to a ribbon cutting ceremony at the newly renovated Healey Community Play Area, 5 Meacham Street, on Tuesday, October 7, at 1:45 p.m.

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