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.

Mayor Katjana Ballantyne and the City of Somerville Office of Sustainability and Environment (OSE) are announcing that applications are now open for the new Rental Energy Microgrant (REM) Program, which offers $2,000 grants to support energy-efficiency upgrades in local rental housing. The program will provide funding for up to 25 rental units citywide. Applications are open now through December 6, 2025.

Beginning Thursday, November 13, at approximately 4 p.m., City contractors plan to mill (remove the top few layers of asphalt) the roadway surface at the intersection of Somerville Avenue and Central Street in preparation for paving. 

During this work, Somerville Avenue between Lowell Street and Park Street will be closed to motor vehicle traffic in both directions.   

Schedule, Detour Routes, and Other Construction Impacts 

Mayor Katjana Ballantyne, and the Somerville Parks and Urban Forestry Division (PSUF) are inviting community members to a ribbon cutting to celebrate the completion of an important accessibility project bringing 10 new inclusive swings to playgrounds across Somerville, increasing the percentage of City parks with inclusive swings from 39% to 83%.

The ribbon cutting will be held on Monday, November 17, at 10 a.m. at Hoyt Sullivan Playground (117 Central St.). In the event of inclement weather, the ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held on Thursday, November 20, at 3 p.m.

Following state statutes and Department of Revenue (DOR) regulations, the Board of Assessors is completing the FY2026 Quinquennial Revaluation of all real and personal property in Somerville. Revaluation is a year-long process when the DOR examines in detail all assessing methodologies used by the town, as well as the values derived through the mass appraisal system. 

To read the complete Notice of Disclosure, visit the City’s Assessing page: https://www.somervillema.gov/departments/finance/assessing

Teens earn, and neighbors stay safe. Somerville's Teen Shoveling Program is back for the 2025/26 season, providing a paid opportunity for youth to assist local seniors and homeowners with disabilities clear snow after a storm. 

Mayor Katjana Ballantyne and the City of Somerville Department of Health and Human Services invite community members to attend Somerville’s annual Transgender Day of Remembrance and Resilience on Thursday, November 20, from 5 to 6 p.m. at the Council on Aging (167 Holland St).

Each year, Somerville gathers to remember the transgender and gender-diverse individuals whose lives have been lost to anti-trans violence, and to honor the strength and resilience of the trans community.

View the results of the November 4, 2025 election at somervillema.gov/votesomerville.