City Updates

Mayor Joseph Curtatone, Superintendent of Schools Mary Skipper, and Director of Parks & Recreation Jill Lathan announced this month that, following approval by the Somerville School Committee of a draft Memorandum of Understanding, the Somerville Parks and Recreation Department will take over operations and programming at the Kennedy School pool, formerly operated by the Somerville School District. The shift in management hopes to bring more oversight of pool operations, streamlined processes for events and programs, and additional support to existing staff.

The City of Somerville is developing a campus plan for Central Hill, home to City Hall, Somerville High School, the Central Library, and Central Playground. Please join us on Thursday, November  1, at 6 p.m. for a meeting in the High School cafeteria to help shape the plan. Our project consultants, SMMA, will present a conceptual design for Central Hill that incorporates the feedback from the last public meeting on September 25 and the survey responses from 187 residents. We welcome your feedback to help further refine the design for the campus.

The 2018 “Somerville Reads” program officially begins on Saturday, November 3, with a block party at our East Branch Library beginning at noon! This Exit West inspired celebration will feature live music performances by local groups El Sistema Somerville and Grooversity, as well as refreshments, and activities for all ages.

Lead Paint Safe Somerville staff are using Lead Paint Poisoning Prevention Week, which runs from October 21 to 27, to remind residents about the dangers lead paint poses to young children. Although lead paint was banned in 1978, it is still present in many older homes and nearly 90 percent of Somerville’s housing was built prior to the ban.

This year, voters will decide a number of races, including those for the offices of Governor, Senator in Congress and General Court, Representative in Congress and General Court, Attorney General, District Attorney, and more. Sample ballots for the State Election, early voting schedules, and absentee ballot applications are available below.

Sample Ballots

Ward 1, Ward 2 - Precinct 1

Do you have a passion for affordable housing, historic preservation, and parks and open space? The City of Somerville wants your help and is now accepting applications for two public positions on the Community Preservation Committee, which oversees the selection of projects to be recommended for funding by an estimated $2 million in annual Community Preservation Act (CPA) revenues. Residents are encouraged to apply and applications must be submitted by October 26, 2018.

Mayor Joseph Curtatone and the Office of Strategic Planning and Community Development (OSPCD), in collaboration with LaCourt Enterprises LLC, are pleased to announce an affordable rental opportunity for two (2) rental units at the Chadwick building located at 131 Orchard Street in Davis Square. The units are available through the Inclusionary Housing Program via an application and lottery process, for eligible households with a combined gross income at or below 50% or between 51 and 80% of the Area Median Income (“AMI”).

Join the Somerville Conservation Commission and the Mystic River Watershed Association to pick up trash at Draw Seven Park as part of the annual statewide COASTSWEEP cleanup. Draw Seven State Park, along the Mystic River next to Assembly Square, is Somerville’s only coastal property. This event will take place on Saturday, October 27, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. (rain date Sunday, October 28). Please meet us near the picnic area at the end of the parking lot. We will be outside for two hours picking up litter, so please dress for the weather and wear close-toed shoes.

Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone and the Board of Aldermen invite residents to the Fall 2018 ResiStat Community Meetings, a twice-yearly effort to share the latest City news, data, and neighborhood updates directly with residents and gather their feedback. ResiStat is both a great way to learn more about what’s happening in your neighborhood and around Somerville and a chance to talk with elected officials, City staff, and neighbors. A social half hour before the meeting and time after the meeting provide an easy opportunity for one-on-one chats.