Mayor Katjana Ballantyne and the City of Somerville’s Health and Human Services (HHS) Department invite community members to an information session to learn more about the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP), which can provide financial assistance with home heating costs this winter to eligible households.  

As we approach the coldest months of the year, the City of Somerville is once again opening a winter season Emergency Overnight Warming Center to support adults experiencing homelessness. Starting on Monday,December 8, 2025, through April 12, 2026, the warming center will offer a safe place to sleep and a range of other services. 

Beginning this upcoming Monday, December 1, City contractors plan to construct a raised crossing to improve safety at the intersection of Somerville Avenue and Central Street. 

This work will require westbound (traveling toward Porter Square) motor vehicle traffic on Somerville Avenue to be detoured at Park Street. 

One-of-a-kind gifts, tasty foods, great entertainment, artist markets, and fun events await this holiday season (and winter!) in Somerville, and Mayor Katjana Ballantyne wants to be sure the community seizes these opportunities to support Somerville’s local businesses all winter long by shopping, dining, and going out local as part of the City’s “Loyal to Local” initiative. 

In the giving spirit of the season, Mayor Katjana Ballantyne is announcing the City’s annual support of local holiday gift and toy donation drives. Toy and gift donation collection boxes will be placed at City buildings, libraries, and firehouses from Monday, December 1, through Wednesday, December 17. Donated gifts will support two community gift drives for families in need of gifts for children and teens this holiday season.

The City of Somerville is seeking four new volunteer members to join the Somerville Pedestrian and Transit Advisory Committee (PTAC). These vacancies are for volunteer members who are passionate about local pedestrian and/or transit issues. 

’Tis the season for community cheer. Mayor Katjana Ballantyne and the Somerville Arts Council (SAC) invite the Somerville community to join in the City’s 2025 holiday celebrations. Once again, the City Hall concourse will be aglow with festive Christmas tree and menorah lighting events that will include snacks, refreshments, entertainment, and gifts for children.

Mayor Katjana Ballantyne today announced that the City will use $975,000 from the Community Benefits Stabilization Fund to address rising food insecurity across Somerville. The funding, approved by the City Council on November 13, will support a range of critical food access programs for individuals, families, children, and seniors. 

The investment includes $875,000 for a range of food security initiatives and $100,000 to expand the Senior Taxi Program, which provides rides to seniors so they can attend congregate meals hosted by the Somerville Council on Aging. 

Just in time for winter’s shorter days, the City of Somerville has installed new lighting on previously unlit segments of the Community Path Extension to deliver a safer and more comfortable experience for people using the path after dark.  

How happy are Somerville residents? According to the City’s latest biennial Happiness Survey, residents continue to report high levels of satisfaction with life in Somerville.