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Morning Peak-Hour Bus Lane Planned for Mystic Avenue This Fall

Monday, November 2, 2020
 A new quick-build bus priority lane is scheduled to be added in late November to the eastbound section of Mystic Avenue (Route 38) between Main Street in Medford and Wheatland Street in Somerville. The project is a joint effort between the cities of Somerville and Medford and MassDOT,  designed to create shorter bus rides, better reliability, and more social distancing along the MBTA 95 bus route.

Somerville Launches New Round of Small Business Relief

Friday, October 30, 2020
 The City is making a new, $750,000 round of relief available to Somerville’s small businesses as part of an ongoing effort to preserve the local character of the city’s commercial establishments during the coronavirus pandemic. Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone and City Councilors also united to request that the City Licensing Commission and City Council waive more than $550,000 in annual licensing fees.

Somerville Residential Parking Enforcement to Resume December 1

Thursday, October 29, 2020
 Following months of suspended enforcement during the COVID-19 pandemic, the City of Somerville will resume residential parking enforcement December 1, 2020. City data indicates most residents have already renewed their expired permits in 2020 (thank you!). Those who still need to renew an expired permit or obtain a new permit are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

Tufts University, Medford and Somerville Launch Innovative COVID-19 Testing Program for PK-12 Schools

Thursday, October 29, 2020
 Tufts University and the Cities of Medford and Somerville today announced they have entered into a novel partnership that will bring COVID-19 surveillance testing to the cities’ public school systems, using a new, more efficient pooled testing method developed by Tufts in collaboration with Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard. The new method could improve and expedite communities’ ability to return to and maintain in-person education.

Three Surveys Currently Accepting Responses on COVID-19 Impacts and Data Sharing

Tuesday, October 20, 2020
 Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone and City Council President Matt McLaughlin announced today their intention to undertake a comprehensive review of the City’s charter, committing to working together to complete this effort as expeditiously as possible. The charter is the City’s constitution and determines how the City is structured and run. It establishes the responsibilities of the Mayor, City Council, School Committee, and other decision-making bodies and informs governance in Somerville.

COVID-19, Senior ResiStat Meetings Postponed

Tuesday, October 20, 2020
 A COVID-19 update ResiStat meeting planned for today, October 20, and a ResiStat meeting geared toward seniors planned for tomorrow, October 21, have been postponed. New meeting dates will be announced as soon as they are available. For more information on this fall’s series of ResiStat meetings, visit the City’s website.  

No City-Sponsored or Permitted Halloween Events Allowed in Somerville due to Pandemic; Residents Urged to Substitute Safer Activities for Higher-Risk Traditional Trick-or-Treating

Friday, October 16, 2020
 As part of the City’s ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone and the Somerville Board of Health announced Halloween guidance and related updates today. They strongly urge all community members to forgo trick-or-treating in favor of lower-risk activities as defined by the Centers for Disease Control such as at-home activities and holiday crafts.

Updated COVID Mobile Testing Dates

Friday, October 16, 2020
 The mobile testing unit will accept patients by appointment at roaming locations. You must call one of the phone numbers below to make an appointment during regular City Hall business hours (Monday-Wednesday, 8:30 a.m. -  4:30 p.m.; Thursday, 8:30 a.m. - 7:30 p.m.; Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.). Please leave a message if no one answers. Staff members may be receiving a high volume of calls and will return your call as soon as possible.

Public Comment Sought on FY21 Community Preservation Act Applications

Wednesday, October 14, 2020
 The City of Somerville Community Preservation Committee (CPC) is seeking public comment on Fiscal Year 2021 Community Preservation Act (CPA) funding applications for historic preservation and open space projects. This year, more than $430,000 is available to support projects in these categories. Feedback from residents will help inform the CPC’s award recommendations.  The City received two applications in the open space category:

ResiStat to Hold Virtual, Topic-Based Fall Meetings

Friday, October 9, 2020
 10/20 & 10/21 ResiStat Town Halls Postponed Please note: The virtual ResiStat town hall meetings scheduled for Tuesday, October 20 and Wednesday, October 21 have been postponed and new dates will be announced.

Gilman Square Community Planning Update Meeting, October 7

Tuesday, October 6, 2020
 Ward Councilors, City staff, and the Gilman Square Neighborhood Association will be holding a virtual meeting on Wednesday, October 7, to present conceptual streetscape designs and roadway improvements for the Gilman Square area. The meeting will run from 5:30-7:30 p.m. and interested parties can register to attend it at http://bit.ly/GilmanSqMeeting.

Job Creation and Retention Trust Annual Meeting, October 13

Tuesday, October 6, 2020
 Members of the public are invited to join the annual meeting of the Job Creation and Retention Trust on Tuesday, October 13, at 6 p.m. This virtual public forum will be an opportunity to meet the Board of Trustees, hear an update on the board’s first round of investments, and share your input on next year’s investment priorities.

Somerville’s Phase 3 Step 2 Reopening Remains on Hold

Monday, October 5, 2020
 With broad scientific consensus pointing to a  high risk of virus transmission at large gatherings, especially those indoors in poorly ventilated spaces, Somerville will take a more cautious approach to Phase 3 Step 2. Businesses and activities in this step will not be reopening on the State’s schedule. Local officials will continue to review the situation and provide updates. In Somerville, indoor and outdoor gatherings remain limited to no more than 10 persons until further notice, unless specifically permitted in city activity-specific guidelines.

Follow-Up Meetings for Somerville Arts Community Scheduled for This Fall, Winter

Thursday, October 1, 2020
 As a follow-up to an Arts Community Town Hall held in September, two additional virtual meetings have been scheduled to discuss issues related to Somerville’s arts and culture community.  The first meeting will be held Wednesday, October 28, at 6:30 p.m. to discuss what should be included in the City of Somerville’s cultural plan. The second meeting will be held Tuesday, December 8, at 6:30 p.m. to provide updates on Somerville Arts Council grant programs, COVID-19 reopening plans, and progress on the City’s cultural plan.

Somerville Extends Outdoor Restaurant Dining Accommodations Through 2021

Thursday, October 1, 2020
 As the weather gets colder, tents and outdoor heaters may be cropping up on Somerville streets as local restaurants dig in to continue outdoor dining during the cooler weather. The recent expansion of outdoor dining in Somerville in response to the pandemic had been scheduled to end November 1. But it will now be allowed to continue year-round through December 31, 2021, weather and safety permitting, now that the City administration and the Somerville City Council have taken steps to extend it. 

City to Hold Four Flu Vaccination Clinics in October and November

Wednesday, September 30, 2020
 “The last thing our health professionals need is to be fighting two infectious diseases at once. (...) We’re all waiting for a COVID-19 vaccination to become available, but each of us can get a flu shot right now.” –Mayor Joe Curtatone

Virtual Meeting to Discuss Plans to Add Quick-Build Bus & Bike Lanes on Washington Street, October 7

Thursday, September 24, 2020
 Somerville Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone, Ward 2 City Councilor J.T. Scott, and City staff invite you to a virtual community meeting to discuss a pilot project that would install quick-build bus and bike lanes this fall on Washington Street between Beacon Street and Union Square.  In partnership with the MBTA, the City seeks to deploy low-cost mobility solutions to quickly improve bus service for essential workers and other transit riders during the COVID-19 pandemic. Dedicated bus lanes can help meet current public health needs by shortening ride times and reducing crowding.  

Two Public Hearings on Zoning Enforcement on September 30

Wednesday, September 23, 2020
 Members of the public are invited to attend and speak at two Public Hearings on Wednesday, September 30, at 6 p.m. both regarding the processes for enforcing zoning requirements.  On the Order of Councilor Jesse Clingan, Chair of the Committee, the City Council’s Committee on Public Utilities and Public Works Committee of the Whole will accept public testimony on the following:   

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