One Case of West Nile Virus Confirmed in Somerville; City Now Considered ‘High Risk’
Friday, September 11, 2020Learn more at www.somervillema.gov/WNV
Learn more at www.somervillema.gov/WNV
Somerville Public Schools Reopening Town Hall, 9/21
Friday, September 11, 2020The Somerville Public Schools and the City of Somerville will be jointly hosting an online Schools Reopening Town Hall on local efforts to prepare for the 2020/2021 school year amid the coronavirus pandemic. The meeting is scheduled for Monday, September 21, at 5:30 p.m. Spanish, Portuguese, and Haitian Creole interpretation will be available. How to Participate Watch: The meeting will be live-streamed. View it live on:
Take a Quick Survey to Help Prioritize Community Preservation Act Spending
Wednesday, September 9, 2020The Community Preservation Committee (CPC) is seeking resident feedback to help guide its Community Preservation Act (CPA) spending recommendations. Through a short online survey, you can share with the CPC how you would divide CPA money among the areas it can fund - affordable housing, recreation/open space, and historical preservation. The survey is open through Monday, November 9, and can be found at http://bit.ly/SomervilleCPA2020.
Somerville to Allow Limited Phase 3 Step 1 Businesses to Reopen 9/8
Thursday, September 3, 2020Mayor Joe Curtatone announced today that certain Phase 3 Step 1 businesses, including fitness clubs and gyms, may open -- with restrictions -- in Somerville on Tuesday, September 8. All businesses seeking to open must have a City-approved health and safety plan and meet stringent COVID-19 safety requirements. The requirements, which are designed to decrease the risk of virus transmission, include all State requirements as well as measures that exceed State standards such as mandatory face coverings for all staff and patrons at all times.
Somerville to Monitor Wastewater for Evidence of COVID-19
Thursday, September 3, 2020Mayor Joe Curtatone announced today that Somerville is launching a community wastewater testing program to monitor for the coronavirus and provide earlier detection of increased spread of COVID-19. In partnership with Northeastern University Asst.
Protect Yourself From Mosquito Bites as Summer Winds Down
Wednesday, September 2, 2020Protect Yourself from Mosquito Bites as Summer Winds Down As the Labor Day weekend and cooler temperatures approach, residents should continue to take precautions to protect themselves against mosquito bites and mosquito-borne illnesses. Somerville and surrounding communities are still at moderate risk of West Nile Virus (WNV), and Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) cases have been confirmed in Massachusetts.
New Shared Streets Route Coming to Davis Square Area
Wednesday, September 2, 2020Somerville’s Shared Streets initiative will add a new route, weather permitting, starting Thursday, September 3. Shared Streets open 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, their guests, and service vehicles such as first responders, delivery drivers, sanitation trucks, and street sweepers.
EPA to Coordinate with City on Cleanup of Conway Field Contamination
Monday, August 31, 2020The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the City of Somerville have signed an Administrative Order of Consent in which the EPA has committed to coordinate with the City on remediation of Conway Field in accordance with federal and state environmental regulations.
Somerville Distributes $2.2 Million for Rental Assistance, Food Security, and Other Pandemic Supports
Friday, August 28, 2020In response to the immense need for community assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic, the City of Somerville has distributed $2,218,384 to local non-profit agencies to help residents with necessities such as rent, food, and childcare. The money is being distributed to people in need throughout Somerville via those non-profit agencies and referrals from the City’s Office of Housing Stability. In all, $1.825 million in CARES Act funding from the U.S.
Arts Community Town Hall Meeting Scheduled for 9/15, First in an Upcoming Series of COVID Town Halls Hosted by ResiStat
Thursday, August 27, 2020Mayor Joe Curtatone, the City Council, the Somerville Arts Council, and the City’s ResiStat program invite Somerville’s artists and the cultural community, as well as all interested persons, to join a virtual town hall to discuss challenges faced by the arts community that have been amplified by the COVID-19 pandemic as well as possible solutions. The meeting will be held on Tuesday, September 15, starting at 6:30 p.m.
Virtual Community Meeting to Discuss Dilboy Field Improvements, September 9
Thursday, August 27, 2020Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone, Ward 7 City Councilor Katjana Ballantyne, and City of Somerville staff invite you to a virtual meeting to review plans to replace the Dilboy Stadium synthetic turf field and improve the natural-grass Dilboy Auxiliary Fields adjacent to Alewife Brook Parkway.
Somerville Public Library Central & West Branches to Close August 31 - September 7
Thursday, August 27, 2020The Somerville Public Library will close for contactless services at both Central Library (79 Highland Avenue) and the West at TAB (167 Holland Street) from August 31 through September 7 to accommodate voting in the primary election. Both locations will serve as polling places on September 1 and will remain closed through Labor Day for cleaning and sanitizing. The East Branch (115 Broadway) will continue to offer contactless pickup and printing throughout the week.
Bus Improvements Along Washington St. in East Somerville Set for Fall
Thursday, August 27, 2020As part of an MBTA initiative to make bus service more efficient and safer for passengers during the COVID-19 pandemic, Somerville will be installing a westbound dedicated bus lane along Washington St. in East Somerville between Tufts St. and McGrath Highway. In the eastbound direction, a dedicated protected bike lane will start at Joy St., linking with the protected bike lane that begins at New Washington St. This project is expected to be installed in September or shortly thereafter and will not require the removal of any parking spaces.
Somerville Preparing for Limited Phase 3 Step 1 Businesses to Reopen 9/8
Thursday, August 27, 2020At a Monday, August 24, meeting with Phase 3 business owners, Mayor Joe Curtatone announced that, if the data continues to trend in the right direction, the City will consider a limited reopening for fitness centers, gyms, and indoor recreation facilities on approximately September 8. These businesses would be required to have an approved health and safety plan and meet stringent COVID-19 safety requirements.
Call to Somerville To Display Purple for International Overdose Awareness Day, 8/31, & More
Wednesday, August 26, 2020In recognition of International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD) on Monday, August 31, and National Recovery Month in September, advocates and officials in Somerville have united in their call for Somervillians to observe both events in a few simple but powerful ways to send a message of support and hope for recovery.
Virtual Community Meeting to Discuss the Kensington Connector Pedestrian Crossing Under I-93, September 3
Tuesday, August 25, 2020Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone, State Senator Pat Jehlen, State Representative Mike Connolly, City Council President and Ward 1 Councilor Matt McLaughlin, and City of Somerville staff invite you to a virtual meeting to discuss the community needs at the Kensington Connector. The Kensington Connector is the pedestrian crossing under I-93 at Mystic Avenue between the East Somerville neighborhood and the Assembly Square neighborhood.
Annual Hydrant Testing Takes Place August 17-29; Rusty Water May Result Briefly
Tuesday, August 18, 2020The Somerville Fire Department will conduct its annual inspection of all fire hydrants between approximately August 17 and August 29. Inspections are expected to conclude on or around Saturday, August 29. This procedure requires the flushing of water from the hydrants as well as a check of the mechanical operation of the hydrant. The inspection/testing program will take approximately two weeks to complete.
Somerville Public Library Board of Trustees Seeking Applicants for Two Vacancies
Thursday, August 13, 2020The Somerville Public Library is seeking to fill two vacancies on its Board of Trustees, and all Somerville residents are invited to apply.
Important Election Info: 5 Relocated Polling Places, Vote by Mail, Ballot Tracking, Early Voting, & Deadlines
Thursday, August 13, 2020Five of Somerville’s polling places have been relocated for the September 1 and November 3 elections. Four were moved into locations where COVID-19 safety measures could be better put in place and a fifth - formerly at the Kennedy School - was moved in response to resident feedback. If you plan to vote in person on either of the upcoming election days don’t forget to double-check your polling location.
Paid Opportunity for Somerville Teens: Use Photography to Raise Awareness of Problem Gambling
Wednesday, August 12, 2020Somerville Prevention Services, in partnership with Cambridge Health Alliance, seeks up to 12 Somerville teens and their caregivers to participate in a photovoice project to raise awareness about the risks of problem gambling. Over the course of 8 to 12 weeks, teen participants will attend online workshops to learn about youth gambling and build skills in advocacy, leadership, and photography. Participants will take photos to convey educational messages and present their images at a final virtual showcase for state and local leaders in the fall.