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Somerville Hosts Congresswoman Pressley, D.A. Rollins, & Other Leaders to Discuss Racism & Next Steps for Change

Saturday, June 20, 2020
 Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley, D.A. Rachael Rollins, and other regional and community leaders will take part in a Panel Discussion on Structural Racism hosted by the City of Somerville on Tuesday, June 23, at 10:30 a.m. Byron Barnett of WHDH TV 7 News will facilitate the panel, which will also include Suffolk County Sheriff Steven Tompkins, Framingham Mayor Yvonne Spicer, Somerville Mayor Joe Curtatone, Somerville City Councilor At-Large Will Mbah, Ward 4 School Committee Member Andre Green, and Somerville High School Black Student Union President Floreisha Bastien. 

Somerville Small Business COVID-19 Relief Fund Loan Recipients Announced

Friday, June 19, 2020
 Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone today announced that $1 million in Somerville Small Business COVID-19 Relief funds will be awarded to 123 local, small businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Funded by federal Community Development Block Grant monies, the Fund will issue forgivable loans to businesses in the city that collectively employ about 600 people.  

Somerville’s Second Shared Streets Route to Open in West Somerville

Friday, June 19, 2020
 Somerville’s second Shared Streets route, which connects West Somerville and Davis Square, is set to open Tuesday, June 23. The Shared Streets initiative opens up low-volume or residential side-streets to pedestrians, cyclists, and other users while still allowing vehicle access for residents who live on the street or who need to use the street to get to their homes, first responders, delivery drivers, sanitation trucks, and street sweepers.

Somerville Summer Updates: Pool, Splash Pad, and Playground Openings; New Summer Face Covering Guidelines; Heat Safety Tips

Thursday, June 18, 2020
 Pools, playgrounds, and splash pads will be opening in Somerville soon with new safety protocols in place to reduce the spread of COVID-19. The City is also putting summer face covering guidelines into effect. Effective immediately, face coverings are still required for people ages 2 and up at all times when in public both indoors and outdoors, with the exception that during the hot weather season masks may be removed temporarily when outdoors if a distance of at least six feet from others can be maintained. Medical and disability exceptions continue to apply.

Somerville Launches Mobile COVID-19 Testing Unit

Monday, June 15, 2020
 The City of Somerville, Cataldo Ambulance, and Cambridge Health Alliance (CHA) formally launch their mobile COVID-19 testing unit in Somerville this week. The mobile unit, designed to lower barriers to testing and offer equitable access, is the next phase of the City’s COVID Action Plan to control the spread of the virus via testing, contact tracing, and safe isolation. The mobile testing unit will accept patients by appointment at roaming locations, as well as hold designated testing days for residents of senior housing buildings.

Rethinking Flag Day as We Grieve Those Lost

Friday, June 12, 2020
 On Sunday, June 14, the City of Somerville will recognize Flag Day as a day of remembrance and reflection to honor those lost to the COVID-19 virus and those who have been victims of systematic racism. The Mayor and City Council ask that everyone take time on this day to personally acknowledge and reflect on the gravity of these events and to mourn the loss of life associated with them. Residents are encouraged to reclaim our nation's flag as a symbol of hope, welcome, comfort, and progress during these trying times.

Somerville School Committee, STA Paraprofessionals Reach Tentative 3-Year Agreement

Thursday, June 11, 2020
 The Somerville School Committee and the Somerville Teachers Association (STA) Paraprofessionals Unit C reached a tentative agreement yesterday on a 3-year contract that reflects the City’s and District’s commitment to equity and the important role that Paraprofessionals play in our schools supporting and working with classroom teachers. The tentative agreement reached requires ratification by the Union membership and the School Committee. The final offer came after months of negotiation to reach a fiscally responsible and sustainable agreement acceptable to all parties.

Somerville Hosting Two Virtual Pride Events on June 7

Wednesday, June 3, 2020
 The City of Somerville is taking its celebration of LGBTQ Pride Month virtual this year. Mayor Joe Curtatone will lead a virtual Pride Flag raising ceremony on Sunday, June 7. Visit the City’s Facebook page (www.facebook.com/SomervilleCity) at 10:30 a.m. to watch a livestream of the short, socially distanced ceremony. At 11 a.m., hop over to the Somerville Arts Council Facebook page (www.facebook.com/SomervilleArts) for the Big Gay Dance Party Virtual Dance Brunch.

Information Session and Public Hearing on FY2021 Water and Sewer Rates, June 11

Tuesday, June 2, 2020
 The City of Somerville will hold a virtual information session and public hearing on the proposed Fiscal Year 2021 water and sewer rates on Thursday, June 11. The information session will start at 6 p.m. and the public hearing will begin promptly at 6:30 p.m. Anyone who would like to testify is welcome to attend. Written testimony will also be accepted until 6 p.m. on Tuesday, June 16.

Statement from Mayor Curtatone on the Killing of George Floyd

Saturday, May 30, 2020
 This week I was outraged, saddened, and then outraged again by the killing of George Floyd, who died begging for his life as a police officer knelt on his neck. Mr. Floyd joins the far too long list of black Americans who have been killed because they were black. The circumstances surrounding the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and so many others were different but the root cause was the same - racism. 

Somerville City Buildings to Remain Closed to the Public

Friday, May 29, 2020
 City buildings will remain closed to the public beyond Monday, June 1. In the coming weeks, some City offices may begin to reopen for in-person business. More details will be shared as they become available. As a reminder, all City-sponsored and permitted events are canceled through the end of the year. Many City services are still available online and 311 is available 24 hours a day to answer any questions or for service requests. You can find more information on the City’s COVID-19 response at www.somervillema.gov/coronavirus.

Collaborative Process Between City & Local Proprietors Sets Higher Safety Standards and June 1 Reopening Date for Somerville Salons & Barber Shops

Friday, May 29, 2020
 After a collaborative effort by Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone, local salon and barbershop owners, the Somerville Board of Health, and City staff, a reopening timeline and safety requirements are now in place for Somerville hair service providers. Establishments will be allowed to reopen on June 1 on the condition that they submit compliant safety plans to the City, follow all safety requirements in the State’s reopening plan, and, until further notice, do not offer blow-drying.

Somerville Announces Additional $1.5 Million for Rental Assistance

Thursday, May 28, 2020
 Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone today announced an additional $1.5 million in rental assistance for Somerville residents experiencing financial hardship as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The funding, which is provided by the federal CARES Act, will be distributed to local nonprofits to support rental assistance for low- and moderate-income households.

Memorialization Committee Seeks Two Resident Members

Tuesday, May 26, 2020
 The City of Somerville’s newly formed Memorialization Committee, which will name public assets like buildings, streets, and parks, is accepting applications for two resident positions. The Committee will also develop policies and procedures to follow when choosing names. The committee will meet when needed to name a public asset and meetings could begin as early as this summer. Appointees will serve a two-year term and must be confirmed by the City Council.

COVID-19 Update for 5/23/2020, Memorial Day Information, and Free Testing

Saturday, May 23, 2020
 Below is a message from the Somerville, MA Community Alert System. Sign up to receive these updates by email, text, or phone.   Dear Community Members, Here is a COVID-19 update for Saturday, May 23. Please also be sure to check somervillema.gov/covid19 for information and resources that are updated frequently.

Somerville Sets Official Schedule for First Phase of Reopenings

Thursday, May 21, 2020
 After a review of Governor Charlie Baker’s phased reopening plan, the City of Somerville has set a Monday, June 1, start for on-premises businesses such as manufacturing, offices, and certain personal services. The extra time added by the City will allow for new local case numbers to continue their steady decline and for COVID-19 testing efforts to be expanded both in number and with a new mobile testing unit.

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