The City is making a new, $750,000 round of relief available to Somerville’s small businesses as part of an ongoing effort to preserve the local character of the city’s commercial establishments during the coronavirus pandemic. Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone and City Councilors also united to request that the City Licensing Commission and City Council waive more than $550,000 in annual licensing fees.

Open Positions: One position available
Term: 3 years
Availability: Immediate

It’s been a tough year, and needing new COVID-19 rules may not be how we all hoped to spend fall. But winter is coming, the virus spreads better indoors, and COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations are on the rise across the Commonwealth. We feel fortunate to be in a community where the vast majority have done all they can to help slow the spread. This week the Governor announced new measures to help flatten the curve of the new COVID-19 surge. We did this once, Somerville, and we ask everyone to help do this again. 

As part of the mobility safety upgrades announced in September, a series of roadway improvements on western Washington Street will be installed starting in mid-November. The project is supported in part by the MBTA’s COVID-19 safety initiative for bus riders and will be installed by the City.   

On the afternoon of November 3, the Somerville Police Department responded to the intersection of College and Kidder avenues for a report of a pedestrian struck by a motor vehicle. The pedestrian, Leah A. Zallman, 40, of Somerville was transported to Massachusetts General Hospital where she died from her injuries on November 4.

Because of COVID-19, the City of Somerville had to forgo its usual in-person Veterans’ Day ceremony this year. To mark the day and honor the service and sacrifice of our veterans, the City’s Veterans’ Services Office pre-recorded a ceremony with messages from Mayor Joe Curtatone, City Council President Matt McLaughlin, and Director of Veterans’ Services Ted Louis-Jacques.

Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone, Ward 2 City Councilor J.T. Scott, and City staff invite you to a virtual public meeting to discuss the design of the Conway Field playground and renovation. City staff and consultants will discuss designs for the reconstructed multi-use sports field, new splash pad, and refurbished playground.

The Somerville City Council will hold a public hearing on the Winter Hill Urban Renewal Plan, on Wednesday, November 18, starting at 6 p.m. There are two ways residents can submit testimony:

Somerville Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone, Ward 7 City Councilor Katjana Ballantyne, and City staff invite you to a virtual community meeting to discuss plans to redesign the intersection of Powder House Boulevard and Alewife Brook Parkway. Following a presentation by City staff on the project background and current design concepts, attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions and share priorities for this project.

Calling all young ’Villens: Winter may, in fact, be coming, and daylight hours are dwindling, but don’t forget -- SomerSocial is here to brighten your weekday afternoons with fun, free, virtual after-school programming! Perfect your podcast pitch, join a crew for Among Us, or get crafty with local creatives. Sign up for parkour lessons, nature club, animation workshops, theater classes, and more.