UNOFFICIAL Municipal Preliminary Election Results (9/10/2019) Available
Wednesday, September 11, 2019Learn more at www.VoteSomerville.com
Learn more at www.VoteSomerville.com
Public Hearing on Airplane Noise, 9/18
Sunday, September 8, 2019(Please note: This hearing has been moved to the Somerville High School Auditorium at 81 Highland Ave.) The City of Somerville and the Somerville City Council Committee on Public Health Public Safety invite all interested community members to attend and speak at a co-hosted Public Hearing on Airplane Noise. The Hearing will take place on Wednesday, September 18, at 6 p.m., in the Somerville High School Auditorium (81 Highland Ave.).
Somerville’s New Bus Lanes Projected to Shorten More Than 8,000 Bus Trips per Day
Wednesday, September 4, 2019As part of the City of Somerville’s Winter Hill in Motion project, new dedicated bus lanes, separated bike lanes, and more mobility upgrades are coming to Broadway. Work has already begun to install bright red “Bus Only” lanes along both sides of Broadway between McGrath Highway and Main Street, one of the city’s most congested commuting corridors. These dedicated travel lanes will enable the MBTA to provide more efficient, reliable bus service on routes 89 and 101, which support approximately 8,000 boardings per day.
Census 2020 Complete Count Committee Seeks Members/Volunteers; Apply by 9/23
Wednesday, September 4, 2019Joint Public Hearing on Proposed Zoning Ordinance Thursday, 9/19
Friday, August 30, 2019The Somerville City Council Committee on Land Use, and the Somerville Planning Board, invite all interested community members to attend and speak at a joint Public Hearing on the adoption of a new Somerville Zoning Ordinance. The Hearing will take place on Thursday, September 19, at 6 p.m. in the City Council Chambers at City Hall, 93 Highland Ave. The Land Use Committee of the Whole and the Planning Board will hear testimony on the proposed new ordinance. Written public comment will also be accepted as noted below.
Public Hearing on Final Land Transfer Needed for D2 Parcel Development in Union Square Tuesday, 9/10
Friday, August 30, 2019The Somerville City Council Finance Committee of the Whole invites all interested community members to attend and speak at a Public Hearing on the Transfer of City-Owned Parcel, 82-D-1 in the North Prospect Block to the Somerville Redevelopment Authority (City Council Agenda Item #204755).
Somerville City Council’s Revised Tree Ordinance in Effect
Friday, August 30, 2019On June 27, 2019, the Somerville City Council passed a Tree Preservation Ordinance (Ord. #2019-15) with new requirements for the removal of trees on private property. The ordinance went into effect on August 1, 2019, and incorporates and updates the prior City of Somerville Tree Ordinance, which set requirements only for the removal of public trees.
Task Force Releases Recommendations for Creating More Open Space in Somerville
Thursday, August 29, 2019The City of Somerville Open Space Creation Task Force recently released a strategy memo with recommendations on new and innovative approaches for the creation of more open space in Somerville, the most densely populated city in New England. The 4.1 square mile city has been working to achieve its goal to create an additional 125 new acres of open space by 2030, with 105.1 acres left to go.
Annual 9/11 Vigil Walk Scheduled in Somerville
Thursday, August 29, 2019Learn more
Community Meeting to Discuss Central Hill Campus Plan, September 23
Wednesday, August 28, 2019Please join the Somerville Office of Strategic Planning and Community Development and Ward 3 Councilor Ben Ewen-Campen on Monday evening, September 23, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. for a community meeting to discuss the plan for the Central Hill Campus (Phase I). The meeting will be held in the Somerville High School cafeteria, 81 Highland Ave.
Renovated East Somerville School Field Ribbon Cutting August 27
Friday, August 16, 2019Join Mayor Joseph Curtatone and Ward 1 City Councilor Matthew McLaughlin on Tuesday, August 27, at 11 a.m. for a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the East Somerville School Field, located at 50 Cross St. The ceremony will celebrate the refurbishment of the existing synthetic turf field.
Somerville Public Library Announces 2019 “Somerville Reads” Book Selection
Thursday, August 15, 2019The Somerville Public Library is excited to announce the title of its tenth annual Somerville Reads campaign, The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson. Copies will be available at all three Somerville Public Library locations as of September 3, 2019. Somerville Reads is a citywide reading initiative that encourages all Somerville residents to read and discuss the same book to promote literacy and community engagement.
Annual Hydrant Testing Takes Place August 19-31; Rusty Water May Result Briefly
Tuesday, August 13, 2019The Somerville Fire Department will begin the annual inspection of all fire hydrants on Monday, August 19, 2019, and conclude on Saturday, August 31, 2019. 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 Seeking Residents to Serve on Newly Formed Pedestrian and Transit Advisory Committee
Wednesday, August 7, 2019The City of Somerville is accepting applications to fill 10 seats on the newly formed Pedestrian and Transit Advisory Committee. The committee’s input will support and guide city policies and plans to make improvements for public transit riders and pedestrians. Committee members will promote riding transit and walking and will work to create a more comfortable, safe, and enjoyable built environment for doing so. Community members committed to advocating for a robust multimodal transportation system are encouraged to apply to serve on the committee as members.
Davis Square Neighborhood Plan Comment Period Extended to 8/30
Wednesday, August 7, 2019The Davis Square Neighborhood Plan comment period has been extended to allow additional input from community members. Comments will now be accepted through Friday, August 30. The plan will then be presented to the Planning Board on September 5, 2019. Planning Board meeting details will be posted to the city calendar, so please check there for details.
Somerville Public Library and St. Mark Community Education Program to host Citizenship Interview Preparation Class
Tuesday, August 6, 2019The Somerville Public Library and St. Mark Community Education Program will host a free, 12-part Citizenship Interview Preparation Class on Saturdays this fall in partnership with Project Citizenship. The class is designed to prepare participants for all parts of their citizenship test, from literacy to U.S. history and government while improving English speaking and listening skills. Prospective students must have a basic level understanding of English and must hold a legal permanent resident card for five years, or three years if married to an American citizen.
Parking at Central Library to Be Removed for the New Somerville High School Monday, August 12
Friday, August 2, 2019To advance construction of the new Somerville High School (SHS), parking will no longer be available along the Central Library driveway off of Highland Ave. starting Monday, August 12. City contractors will establish a new work zone adjacent to the library to construct permanent utilities and foundations for the eastern wing of the new school. Library patrons will need to use on-street parking in the area for the foreseeable future. Two parking spaces on Highland Ave. at Walnut St. will be reserved for people with disabilities.
New Somerville Parking Meter Rates in Effect
Friday, July 26, 2019The Somerville Traffic & Parking Department announced this week that the rate for parking in metered spots within the city has increased to $1.25 per hour, a $0.25 increase. This increase is the first for meter rates in more than ten years. The Somerville Traffic Commission approved the new rates at their June 2019 meeting. The new rate is in line with other communities in the greater Boston area, and will help increase turnover of parking spaces in the city’s business districts and squares.
Two Income-Restricted Rental Units Available at 3 Ward Street in Somerville
Wednesday, July 24, 2019Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone and the Office of Strategic Planning and Community Development (OSPCD), in collaboration with Block Properties, LLC are pleased to announce the affordable rental opportunities for two rental apartments, both located at 3 Ward Street, Somerville.The apartments are available for rent through the Inclusionary Housing Program via an application and lottery process for income-eligible households with a combined gross income that meets the income eligibility requirements detailed below.
‘Seize the Summer’ at SomerStreets on Holland St.,Sunday, August 4
Tuesday, July 23, 2019Celebrate the season at “Seize the Summer,” the August installment of the City’s SomerStreets festival, on Sunday, August 4, from 2 to 6 p.m. between Davis Square and Teele Square on Holland Street. SomerStreets is the City of Somerville’s take on the internationally-renowned Open Streets concept, closing busy city streets to vehicles, and opening them up for cycling, walking, dancing, running, and other modes of activity.