Over the next few weeks, Somerville residents will be receiving the 2018 Annual City Census in the mail and we urge everyone to fill out and return theirs. High census participation provides an accurate population count and helps the City plan municipal services and adapt as the population changes. The Elections Department also uses the census to help keep voting rolls up to date.

Please join the Somerville Office of Strategic Planning and Community Development, Ward 2 Alderman JT Scott, and Alderman at Large Stephanie Hirsch for a community meeting on Monday, February 12, to discuss upcoming renovations to the Allen Street Playground. The meeting is scheduled for 6:30 – 8 p.m. in the Community Room at the Public Safety Building at 220 Washington St.

The City of Somerville’s HeatSmart CoolSmart program ends soon, and residents and can sign up through February 15, 2018 for the program which could reduce utility bills and increase a building’s efficiency. This limited time program aims to increase awareness and educate residents about air source heat pumps, while encouraging adoption among Somerville property owners. Thursday, February 15 is the deadline to sign a contract to install the system at a later date.

SOMERVILLE- The Metro-Boston public bike share system, Hubway, is now available at a significant discount to income-eligible families and individuals. The City of Somerville along with Boston, Cambridge,  Brookline, the Department of Transitional Assistance, and bike share operator Motivate announced earlier this month the launch of the "SNAP Card to Ride" program.

"SNAP Card to Ride" provides $5 monthly memberships and $50 annual memberships to individuals over the age of 16 with their household SNAP/EBT card. The membership includes unlimited 60-minute trips.

SOMERVILLE – The City of Somerville is forming an Internet Access Task Force to explore options to preserve and expand affordable and neutral internet service across the City. Community members interested in serving as members are encouraged to apply. Area experts willing to serve as occasional or one-time advisors are also sought for a wide range of knowledge areas from public utilities management and small cell technology to federal communications policy.

The City of Somerville’s Urban Agriculture Ambassador Program (UAAP) is now accepting applications for the 2018 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 – More than $1.9 million in federal grant funding has been awarded for homeless assistance programs in Somerville and Arlington through the federal Continuum of Care Program Competition, Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone announced this week.

Please join Ward 6 Alderman Lance Davis, the Somerville Capital Projects and Planning Department, the Somerville Public Library, and the project design team for upcoming meetings to discuss plans for the West Branch Library. A walkthrough landscape meeting will be held on Saturday, February 24, from 10 a.m. to noon, at the West Branch Library, 40 College Ave. A full community meeting will be held on Monday, February 26, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Community Baptist Church located at 31 College Ave. where we will review and discuss the findings from the walkthrough.

SOMERVILLE - Applications are now being accepted for positions on Mayor Joseph Curtatone’s recently established Appointments Advisory Committee (AAC). The committee will be tasked with reviewing applications and making recommendations for vacant Mayor-appointed posts on boards and commissions with regulatory or decision-making authority.