(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)

By Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone

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

GLX Community Meeting to Discuss Upcoming Bridge Closures, September 24

Although timelines are subject to change, current plans for construction of the Green Line Extension (GLX) call for the full closure of the Broadway Bridge, just east of Ball Square, for one full year beginning in January 2019. While the bridge is closed, detours will be in place for cars, bikes, pedestrians, and MBTA bus routes 80 and 89.

Please join Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone, Ward 5 Alderman Mark Niedergang, Ward 6 Alderman Lance Davis, City of Somerville staff, and representatives from the GLX team for a community meeting on Monday, September 24, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. to discuss the upcoming bridge closure and detour routes. The meeting will be held at St. Clement Parish Hall, 71 Warner St., Medford, MA. (The Parish Hall is located directly to the right of the church, which is just over the Somerville line and a 4-minute walk from Ball Square.) This is the second in a series of community meetings. A meeting was previously held on August 29. While there may be some minor updates to present at the September 24 meeting, the same general information will be shared.

Other GLX events in September

• Saturday, September 15, 3-7 p.m.: Gilman Sq./GLX Block Party on Richdale Ave.
• Sunday, September 16, 2 p.m.: GLX Info Table at SomerStreets on Highland Ave.
• Sunday, September 30, 12-5 p.m.: “A Ball for Squares” on Broadway in Ball Sq.

For more information, including a complete schedule of events and the latest proposed detours, please visit www.somervillema.gov/glx or the NEW project website at www.greenlineextension.org.

Share Thoughts on the Future of Central Hill Campus, September 25

The City is developing a campus plan for Central Hill, home to City Hall, Somerville High School, the Central Library, and Central Playground. Join us on Tuesday, September 25, at 6 p.m. for a meeting in the High School cafeteria to help shape the plan. Our project consultants, SMMA, will present three ideas for the design of Central Hill for public input. These designs are based on community input from the first meeting held on May 31 and from the Veterans’ Commission on Monuments, Memorials, and Dedications, which has authority over the location of the City’s war memorials. Based on the input from the Sept. 25 meeting, SMMA will move forward to refine one concept that will be presented to the community in October.

For more information on Central Hill planning, visit www.somervillema.gov/centralhillplan.

Get Involved with a City Board, Commission, Committee, or Task Force

The City of Somerville’s volunteer Boards and Commissions address numerous important issues and needs from affordable housing to recreation to bicycle infrastructure and more. They also provide opportunities for residents to harness their interests and skills all while helping their community. Apply for one of the vacancies below or attend the info event to learn more.

• Apply for a spot on the Vision Zero Task Force by September 14: In September 2017, the City announced the launch of Vision Zero Somerville, reaffirming Somerville’s commitment to multi-modal road safety. The Task Force will explore potential policy and infrastructure changes the City may include in the upcoming Somerville Vision Zero Action Plan. Visit somervillema.gov/visionzero for more information.
• Apply for the Jobs Creation and Retention Trust Board of Trustees by September 14: Responsibilities for members will include managing the JCRT fund, working with staff to implement strategies outlined in the workforce development strategic plan released early this year, identifying target industry sectors and resident demographics for job training programs, soliciting project proposals, and more. Additional information is available at somervillema.gov/JCRT.
• Apply to join the City’s Urban Forestry Committee by September 28: The Committee will advise the City on matters related to the management and maintenance of all existing and new trees and shrubs on public grounds and public ways. Members may also review issues related to the health, effective maintenance, and protection of existing trees and shrubs on public grounds and public ways; update information in the tree inventory; support public education and outreach on urban forestry; and provide comments during any city permitting review processes. Learn more at somervillema.gov/urbanforestry.
• Attend the Volunteer Boards and Commissions Information Fair on September 27: The event, which will be held at the Central Library from 6 to 8 p.m., will be an opportunity for community members to get the details on individual commissions including the duties of each commission, the number of openings, and the application process. For further information, please contact Chris Hosmanat chosman@somervillema.gov. For a list of City Boards and Commissions, visit somervillema.gov/commissions.

Henry Hansen Park Redesign Final Community Meeting with Potential Tree Removal Discussion, 9/26

Join Commissioner of Veterans’ Services Bryan Bishop and CBA Landscape Architects on Wednesday, Sept. 26, at 6:30 p.m., at the VNA (259 Lowell St.) for the final community meeting on the redesign of Henry Hansen Park (located at the corner of Medford Street and Partridge Ave.). We will also be discussing the possibility of removing the large tree in the middle of the park. For more information, please contact Somerville Veterans’ Services at 617-625-6600  x4700 or email veterans@somervillema.gov.

Public Meeting to Discuss Updates to Parking Changes on Central Hill Campus Rescheduled for Thursday, September 27

Join City staff Thursday, September 27, at 6 p.m. in the Academy Room at the Somerville Public Safety Building (220 Washington St.) for the third in a series of public quarterly meetings for updates about parking changes to the Central Hill Campus, which includes Somerville High School, City Hall, and the Somerville Public Library. New data collection and strategies for impact mitigation will be discussed. This meeting was rescheduled from Wednesday, September 19, due to Yom Kippur.

If you’re unable to make it to the meeting, you can still share your thoughts via a feedback form and survey, which can be found along with additional information about the High School project and resulting parking impacts, at www.somervillema.gov/shsparking.

City Alerts

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

City Newsletter 

For weekly updates on city cultural and civic events, City services, job openings, 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.