The Central Branch of the Somerville Public Library will resume its regular hours of operation beginning Wednesday, October 2.

“The Central Library will be back to its normal hours next week as planned, and new supports in place will help us foster a safe and positive environment for everyone,” said Mayor Ballantyne. “We appreciate the dedication of our librarians and staff who have worked tirelessly to ensure the library remains a welcoming space.”

Mayor Katjana Ballantyne is announcing the members of the Somerville School Construction Advisory Group. Over the course of an in-depth process, members will develop a recommendation to the Mayor on both the location and scope of a renovated or new school to meet the needs of the Winter Hill Community Innovation School and potentially the Benjamin G. Brown School. Advisory Group meetings will be open to the public and will be accompanied by a broader public process designed to gather input from parents, guardians, teachers, and the community at large.

As part of the City’s intensive efforts to improve street safety for all, community engagement and design for the City’s reconstruction of Western Pearl Street is getting underway. All are invited to help inform this project which will bring increased safety, accessibility, and sustainability to Pearl Street between McGrath Highway and Medford Street.   

Mayor Katjana Ballantyne, Ward 4 Councilor Jesse Clingan, Ward 1 Councilor Matt McLaughlin, and City Staff invite you to participate in a range of feedback opportunities launching this October.  

Diversity is our strength. Throughout Somerville’s long history of welcoming immigrants, our residents have come here from across the globe, and together we have all made our city thrive. Our reasons for migrating may vary, but what we all share is hope. We hope for a better life for ourselves and our families. We hope for safety. We hope that through hard work and determination we can all achieve the American dream. We hope that we too can contribute to our common good.

Mayor Katjana Ballantyne is today announcing the launch of Somerville’s second cycle of the Participatory Budgeting process (www.somervillema.gov/PB), giving community members a direct say in how $1 million of City funds is allocated. Somerville residents are invited to begin submitting their ideas today, Friday, September 20. The City will begin implementing the winning projects in summer of 2025.