The City of Somerville Biosafety Committee seeks two new members, and all Somerville residents are invited to apply. One vacancy is for an academic expert, and one is open to any qualified community member. 

You can help. On February 13, more than 50 people, including 16 children, were displaced by an apartment block fire on Highland Avenue. Fortunately, everyone got out safely, but significant challenges remain for our neighbors and students who cannot return to their homes. More than 13 City departments and a half-dozen partner agencies mobilized to set up temporary shelter, food, and other supports, but your help is needed for what comes next.   
  

The City of Somerville’s annual Parks Tree Health Program is set to begin this month to promote healthy tree growth and help preserve Somerville’s urban forest. Now in its fourth year, the Parks Tree Health Program is designed to go beyond routine maintenance. Led by the Public Space and Urban Forestry Division, the program involves a comprehensive health assessment of parks trees by a certified arborist, proactive maintenance work, and development of long-term maintenance recommendations.

Mayor Katjana Ballantyne today invites the community to join two public listening sessions for the Somerville Police Chief recruitment led by GovHR, the national executive staffing firm the City has selected to conduct the search.

The listening sessions are an early opportunity for community members to voice their goals, concerns, and expectations of both the search process and prospective candidates. Community feedback will serve as an invaluable tool as GovHR begins their extensive recruitment process.