By Joseph A. Curtatone

(The opinions and views expressed in the commentaries and letters to the Editor of The Somerville Times belong solely to the authors and do not reflect the views or opinions of The Somerville Times, its staff or publishers)

A look at ways to get involved with your city: Don’t just live in Somerville, be Somerville!

Recreational Marijuana Public Discussion on Locations and Guidelines, April 12 & 19

The City is studying how to best implement new state laws regulating recreational marijuana. Join City staff at one of two upcoming meetings to discuss how recreational marijuana establishments might be permitted in Somerville. Each meeting will begin with a presentation reviewing the laws and an update on existing medical marijuana dispensaries in Somerville, followed by a discussion that will help us create new city policy on recreational marijuana sales. Please email planning@somervillema.gov with any questions or call 311. When/where: Thursday, April 12, at 6:30 p.m. at the Public Safety Building Academy Room, 220 Washington St., and Thursday, April 19, at 6:30 p.m. at the VNA, 259 Lowell St.

Applications Now Available for Mayor’s Summer Jobs Program, Due April 20

The Mayor’s Summer Jobs Program provides opportunities for Somerville youth to work within the community and several City departments over summer break. In summer 2017, nearly 100 high school students participated in the program and gained job experience. Applications are now available for this year’s Summer Jobs Program and are due no later than April 20, 2018. For more information, visit http://bit.ly/MayorsSummerJobs.

SustainaVille Week, April 21-29

Join us for a week of activities and programs celebrating sustainability and the environment. SustainaVille week begins Saturday, April 21, with the Mayor’s Annual Spring Clean Up and Community BBQ and then throughout the week you can learn about bringing green energy into your home, visit a wind turbine, try your hand at container gardening, and more. Visit somervillema.gov/sustainaville a full schedule of activities and to learn about other sustainability programs and initiatives.

Public Hearing to Discuss Tree Removal for Beacon St. Reconstruction, April 23

The City of Somerville Tree Warden invites all interested community members to a public hearing on Monday, April 23, to discuss the upcoming removal of six trees as part of the construction process for the Beacon Street Reconstruction Project. These trees are the remaining trees to be removed by Newport Construction as part of the approved MassDOT project plans. Any objections to their removal must be submitted in writing prior to or during the hearing. Written objections should be addressed to Somerville Tree Warden, and emailed to: trees@somervillema.gov, or mailed to: Tree Warden, 1 Franey Rd., Somerville, MA 02145. For more about the project, please visit somervillema.gov/beaconstreet. When/where: Monday, April 23, at 6 p.m. at the Public Safety Building, 220 Washington St.

Fair Housing Info Session, April 24

The City’s Fair Housing Commission invites you to an information session on what Fair Housing is, why it is important for both renters/buyers and landlords/owners, and how it can protect you. Led by an attorney from the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination (MCAD), the discussion will cover Fair Housing law, protected classes, and how to file a fair housing complaint with MCAD. If you have tried to rent or buy a home and feel you have been discriminated against because of your race, religion, disability, sexual orientation, national origin, gender identity, or because you have children or a Section 8 voucher, it is important to know your rights. For more information, contact Bryant Gaspard at 617-625-6600 x2578 or bgaspard@somervillema.gov. When/Where: Tuesday, April 24, 6-7:30 p.m., at the Mystic Activity Center, 530 Mystic Ave.

Community Preservation Act Pre-application Workshop, April 25

Individuals and organizations interested in applying for CPA funds are invited to attend a workshop to learn how. CPA funds may be used for affordable housing, historic preservation, or open space/recreation space projects. The workshop will cover changes to the application process, how to apply for CPA funds for a project on City land, and the new program to support feasibility studies for proposed projects. For more information, sign up for the CPA Email Newsletter at somervillema.gov/cpa. When/where: Wednesday, April 25, at 6 p.m. at the VNA, 259 Lowell St.

Community Preservation Plan Hearing, April 25

The Community Preservation Committee (CPC) is holding their annual Community Preservation Plan public hearing. The Community Preservation Plan establishes the annual funding priorities and allocations for the three categories that Community Preservation Act (CPA) funds can support. The draft plan is available at the CPA website at somervillema.gov/cpa. Can’t make it to the hearing? Email written comments by Thursday, May 17, to Kristen Stelljes at kstelljes@somervillema.gov.   When/where: Wednesday, April 25, at 7 p.m. at the VNA, 259 Lowell St.

Take a Survey to Help Improve Broadway in Winter Hill

A streetscape improvement effort is in the works for the section of Broadway that runs through Winter Hill, but we also want to make some interim fixes while this planning moves forward. We know that this section of Broadway presents challenge for drivers, pedestrians, commuters, and residents, and the survey will help the City identify problems and areas of concern. Find the survey at somervillema.gov/centralbroadwaysurvey.

City Alerts

Get important City notifications regarding snow emergencies, construction, detours, and other public safety matters delivered to your phone (voice and text) and/or your email inbox. Sign up for alerts at somervillema.gov/alerts.

City Newsletter

For weekly updates on city cultural and civic events, new services and programs, and more, sign up for the City e-newsletter at somervillema.gov/newsletter.

City Calendar

Look up city events and meetings (as well as agendas and minutes) 24/7 on the City calendar at somervillema.gov.