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

Public Hearing on Proposed Transfer Fee Home Rule Petition, May 7  

Members of the public are invited to attend the second public hearing hosted by the Board of Aldermen to discuss the updated proposal for a transfer fee home rule petition. The updated version would exempt ALL owner-occupant sellers as well as ALL buyers who will be owner-occupants. The updated proposal would authorize the City to impose a fee of up to 1% on investors, developers, and absentee landlords who buy property in the City of Somerville, as well as up to a 1% fee on investors, developers, and absentee landlords who sell property in the city.  More information is available at www.somervillema.gov/transferfee.

When/where: Monday, May 7, at 6 p.m. at Somerville City Hall in the 2nd Floor Aldermanic Chambers, 93 Highland Ave.

Spring ResiStat Meetings 

ResiStat meetings are a twice-yearly series of community meetings where residents have the opportunity to interact with the mayor, aldermen, leaders from the Somerville Police Department, City staff—and neighbors. We’ll be sharing the latest city and neighborhood updates as well as the data-based problem solving discussions that help drive decision making at City Hall.  All meetings take place from 6:30 to 8 p.m. with free pizza and socializing beginning at 6. Meetings begin on Tuesday, May 8, with the Ward 6 meeting. The full schedule can be found at www.somervillema.gov.

Minibond Information Sessions, May 15 and 23 

The City of Somerville will soon offer residents the opportunity to invest in Somerville’s future by purchasing minibonds. A minibond is similar to a traditional municipal bond in which investors loan money to a city or public agency for an agreed period of time, receive interest on the investment, and get their loan paid back when the bond matures. The City, through broker-dealer Neighborly Securities, expects to sell up to $500,000 in minibonds in its first ever minibond sale, which will take place during the purchase period from May 18 to May 25, 2018. Minibonds will be available for purchase by Somerville residents and will be sold in $1,000 denominations and allotted and filled on a first-come, first-served basis on orders of up to $20,000.

Neighborly representatives, along with City staff, will hold two Minibond Information Sessions to answer questions about the minibonds and the ordering process. Attendance is not mandatory for placing a minibond order. Contact Neighborly with questions at support@neighborly.com or visit www.neighborly.com/somerville. FAQs are also available at www.somervillema.gov/minibonds.

When/where: Tuesday, May 15, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in the Argenizano School Cafeteria, 290 Washington St. And Wednesday, May 23, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in the West Somerville Neighborhood School Cafeteria, 177 Powder House Blvd.

Apply for the Somerville Fair Housing Commission by May 11 

The Somerville Fair Housing Commission was formed to help prevent housing discrimination in Somerville. The Commission receives complaints about possible fair housing violations and provides information and assistance to residents, including referrals to the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination. For more information about the Fair Housing Commission and to apply, contact Bryant Gaspard, Program Specialist-Fair Housing/Operations at bgaspard@somervillema.gov or 617-625-6600 ext. 2578. For more information, visit www.somervillema.gov/fairhousing.

ArtFarm Community Meeting, May 8 

Continue the ongoing conversation around ArtFarm, which is located on the old waste transfer site at 10 Poplar St. Learn more about the ArtFarm project at www.somervillema.gov/artfarm.

When/where: Tuesday, May 8, from 6:30 to 8 p.m., in the Argenizano School Cafeteria, 290 Washington St.

Applications Available for FY18 CPA Funds Due May 23 

The Somerville Community Preservation Committee, which oversees the allocation of CPA funds, has designated more than $1.2 million in Fiscal Year 18 funds for affordable housing projects. These funds will be allocated by the Somerville Affordable Housing Trust to directly address housing need in Somerville. Applications and additional information are available at www.somervillema.gov/AHTF by clicking on “funding opportunities.” Questions about these RFPs can be directed to Heidi Burbidge, Housing Programs Coordinator, City of Somerville, (617) 625-6600 x2587 or by email at hburbidge@somervillema.gov.

More information on the Somerville Community Preservation Act can be found at www.somervillema.gov/cpa.

Tufts Partnership Agreement Community Forum, May 29 

Join a discussion about how we can grow and strengthen the partnership between the City of Somerville and Tufts University.

When/where: Tuesday, May 29, at 6 p.m., at the West Somerville Neighborhood School, 177 Powder House Blvd.

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 www.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 www.somervillema.gov/newsletter.

City Calendar 

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