SOMERVILLE – Are you looking to get more involved in the City of Somerville? Consider this your chance!

The City of Somerville is seeking Somerville residents to fill vacancies on a number of existing boards and commissions. Term limits and duties vary. Brief descriptions are included below, and full information on the vacancies, as well as information about each board and commission can be found at the links below:

SOMERVILLE – In 2017, the City of Somerville is celebrating its 175th birthday, 175 years since we separated from Charlestown, and we’re celebrating all year long. But we need your help! While the City has plenty of celebratory events up its sleeve, we want to hear from residents, businesses, and visitors, past and present, about your memories of Somerville.

Overvaluation abatement applications due in the Assessors’ Office by Wednesday, February 1, 2017 at 4:30 pm sharp.  Drop offs, fax, and e-mails must be in the Assessors’ Office by 4:30 pm sharp.  However, applications will be considered timely filed if postmarked by the US postal service no later than February 1, 2017.

The Master Land Disposition Agreement (MLDA) between the Somerville Redevelopment Authority (SRA) and Union Square Master Developer US2 was submitted to the SRA for review at their meeting on February 16, 2017, and is scheduled for consideration at a special meeting to be announced.

Master Land Disposition Agreement (MLDA)

SOMERVILLE – The City of Somerville's Condominium Review Board, which is charged with enforcing the condominium conversion ordinance to protect tenants in rental properties being converted to or sold as condominiums, has an open position. The City invites interested Somerville residents to apply.

The City of Somerville’s Urban Agriculture Ambassador Program (UAAP) is now accepting applications for the 2017 class. The UAAP, which is taught by Somerville-based Green City Growers, offers free training around urban growing techniques to 20 residents each year in exchange for 30 hours of volunteer service in garden projects throughout the city.

SOMERVILLE – Both Somerville residents and the City stand to benefit if 1,500 Somerville households sign up for a no-cost Mass Save® Home Energy Assessment in 2017 as part of the City’s Be SEEN! program (Be Somerville Energy Efficient Now!). The home energy assessments help residents save on energy costs and include free energy saving equipment such as LED and CFL light bulbs, programmable thermostats, and smart power strips.

The Somerville Redevelopment Authority (SRA) invites the public to comment on the Master Land Disposition Agreement (MLDA) with Union Square Station Associates (US2) at a special SRA meeting and public hearing on Wednesday, March 8, 2017, at 5:30 p.m. The MLDA between the Somerville Redevelopment Authority and Union Square Master Developer US2 was submitted to the SRA for review at their meeting on February 16, 2017. The SRA will hear comments at the March 8th meeting, and comments are also currently being accepted via email.

SOMERVILLE – Somerville Cares About Prevention (SCAP) announced today that its youth leadership group, Somerville Positive Forces, Junior Edition, will take to the streets on March 8 to promote smoking prevention messages in a colorful way along sidewalks around Somerville High School as part of the National “Kick Butts” Campaign. SPFJr. is a group of Somerville middle school students that work to reduce youth substance abuse and related issues such as bullying. Youth are supported by SCAP, the Somerville Office of Prevention, and the Somerville Health and Human Services Department.

SOMERVILLE – You can now visit Prospect Hill Tower year round through the newly released virtual tour video: www.somervillema.gov/prospecthilltour. Prospect Hill Tower was built in 1903 with funds from the Union Square Women’s Organization to commemorate the site where the first American flag was raised during the Revolutionary War. The video provides viewers with a tour of the interior of the Tower, with views of Boston, Cambridge and Somerville from the top, and information about the history of Prospect Hill.