“The last thing our health professionals need is to be fighting two infectious diseases at once. (...) We’re all waiting for a COVID-19 vaccination to become available, but each of us can get a flu shot right now.”
–Mayor Joe Curtatone

As the weather gets colder, tents and outdoor heaters may be cropping up on Somerville streets as local restaurants dig in to continue outdoor dining during the cooler weather. The recent expansion of outdoor dining in Somerville in response to the pandemic had been scheduled to end November 1. But it will now be allowed to continue year-round through December 31, 2021, weather and safety permitting, now that the City administration and the Somerville City Council have taken steps to extend it. 

As a follow-up to an Arts Community Town Hall held in September, two additional virtual meetings have been scheduled to discuss issues related to Somerville’s arts and culture community. 

The first meeting will be held Wednesday, October 28, at 6:30 p.m. to discuss what should be included in the City of Somerville’s cultural plan. The second meeting will be held Tuesday, December 8, at 6:30 p.m. to provide updates on Somerville Arts Council grant programs, COVID-19 reopening plans, and progress on the City’s cultural plan.

With broad scientific consensus pointing to a  high risk of virus transmission at large gatherings, especially those indoors in poorly ventilated spaces, Somerville will take a more cautious approach to Phase 3 Step 2. Businesses and activities in this step will not be reopening on the State’s schedule. Local officials will continue to review the situation and provide updates. In Somerville, indoor and outdoor gatherings remain limited to no more than 10 persons until further notice, unless specifically permitted in city activity-specific guidelines.

Members of the public are invited to join the annual meeting of the Job Creation and Retention Trust on Tuesday, October 13, at 6 p.m. This virtual public forum will be an opportunity to meet the Board of Trustees, hear an update on the board’s first round of investments, and share your input on next year’s investment priorities.

Ward Councilors, City staff, and the Gilman Square Neighborhood Association will be holding a virtual meeting on Wednesday, October 7, to present conceptual streetscape designs and roadway improvements for the Gilman Square area. The meeting will run from 5:30-7:30 p.m. and interested parties can register to attend it at http://bit.ly/GilmanSqMeeting.

The City of Somerville Community Preservation Committee (CPC) is seeking public comment on Fiscal Year 2021 Community Preservation Act (CPA) funding applications for historic preservation and open space projects. This year, more than $430,000 is available to support projects in these categories. Feedback from residents will help inform the CPC’s award recommendations. 

The City received two applications in the open space category:

The mobile testing unit will accept patients by appointment at roaming locations. You must call one of the phone numbers below to make an appointment during regular City Hall business hours (Monday-Wednesday, 8:30 a.m. -  4:30 p.m.; Thursday, 8:30 a.m. - 7:30 p.m.; Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.). Please leave a message if no one answers. Staff members may be receiving a high volume of calls and will return your call as soon as possible.

As part of the City’s ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone and the Somerville Board of Health announced Halloween guidance and related updates today. They strongly urge all community members to forgo trick-or-treating in favor of lower-risk activities as defined by the Centers for Disease Control such as at-home activities and holiday crafts.