(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 Joseph A. Curtatone

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

Work at a Polling Location in the Presidential Primary
The Elections Department is hiring polling place workers for the Tuesday, March 3, Presidential Primary Election. All registered Massachusetts voters are eligible to apply. Polling place workers are paid $165 for the day and work from 6:30 a.m. until shortly after the polls close at 8 p.m. with a two-hour break. For more information, please contact Maria Pierotti at 617-625-6600 ext. 4200 or mpierotti@somervillema.gov.

Save the Dates for Early Voting, February 24 – 28
Somerville voters can cast their ballots ahead of the March 3 primary election during early voting hours from Monday, February 24 through Friday, February 28. All early voting sessions will take place at City Hall, 93 Highland Ave. Early voting hours are:

• Monday, February 24, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Tuesday, February 25, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Wednesday, February 26, 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
• Thursday, February 27, 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
• Friday, February 28, 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Register to Vote in the Presidential Primary, February 12 Deadline
The deadline to register to vote or change your political party affiliation for early voting and the March 3, primary is Wednesday, February 12, by 8 p.m. You can register to vote in person at the Elections Department at City Hall, online at www.registertovotema.com, by downloading a voter registration form from www.somervillema.gov/elections, or by calling the Elections Department at 617-625-6600 ext. 4200 and requesting a form be mailed to you.

Community Dialogue: Next Steps for Police-Community Relations, January 22
As part of its multi-pronged response to resident concerns about the “Boston Straight Pride Parade” and counter-protest on August 31, 2019, the City of Somerville invites all members of the public to participate in a community dialogue on Wednesday, January 22, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the Argenziano School cafeteria, 290 Washington St. The Consensus Building Institute, an outside consultant, will help facilitate the dialogue. At the forum community members can express their thoughts, feelings, and ideas regarding the relations between the Somerville Police and the community; listen and hear from others about these same issues; and work together to develop options for next steps and ongoing actions to improve relations and increase trust between the Somerville Police and Somerville residents. We will also be discussing different ways for the community to engage in this process going forward.

Share Your Thoughts on SomerVision 2040, January 31 Deadline
SomerVision 2040, which updates and extends the original SomerVision 20-year plan, is now available and the Planning Board will be accepting comments on it through Friday, January 31, at noon. Both plans were community-developed and set specific goals for Somerville’s future around areas like housing, job creation, and development. You can see the full plan at www.somervision2040.com. Comments can be sent to planning@somervillema.gov.

Vision Zero Open Houses, January 30 and February 5
Join us at an upcoming Vision Zero open house to talk about the draft Vision Zero plan and to share your feedback about getting around Somerville safely. The first open house is on Thursday, January 30, from 6 to 8 p.m., at the Somerville Community Baptist Church, 31 College Ave. The second is on Wednesday, February 5, from 6 to 8 p.m., at the Somerville Public Library, 79 Highland Ave. You can also read and comment on the full plan, as well as learn more about the City’s commitment to eliminating traffic deaths and serious injuries at www.somervillema.gov/visionzero.

Spring Hill Sewer Separation Community Meeting, February 3
Sewer and roadway work that will help mitigate flooding, reduce waterway pollution, and create a streetscape that meets the needs of pedestrians, cyclists, transit riders, and drivers are planned for Spring Hill. You can learn more at a community meeting on Monday, February 3, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in the Somerville High School cafeteria, 81 Highland Ave. For more information, contact Haleemah Qureshi at hqureshi@somervillema.gov or 617-625-6600 ext. 5411.

Snow Season Reminder
We haven’t gotten much snow – yet – this winter, so here’s a reminder on thing you should keep in mind for a snow emergency. You can find all of our winter and snow emergency information on www.somervillema.gov/snow, but here are a few key things:

• Sign up for City alerts at somervillema.gov/alerts. City alerts are one of the ways we get the word out about snow emergencies. Other places you can check include the City’s website and social media accounts, City Cable, local media outlets, and blinking blue lights at intersections around Somerville.
• Make a parking plan. Because winter began in an odd year this year, when a snow emergency is in effect parking is allowed on the odd-numbered side of the street unless posted signage says otherwise and in municipal lots. Take a look at signs in your neighborhood and check out the off-street parking map on our snow page so you know where you can park during a snow emergency. If you’ll be out of town this winter, make a plan for off-street parking or leave a car key with someone who can move it in case of a snow emergency.
• If you’re a property owner, you have six daylight hours after snowfall ends to shovel your sidewalk so if you’ll be out of town this winter make sure you have plans in place in case it snows. The City also runs a Teen Snow Shoveling Program where seniors can hire local teens to shovel after it snows. Because there is an application process, which includes a CORI check for anyone over 18, now is the time to sign up. More information is available on our snow website. Teens looking for more information can contact Christopher Hosman at 617-625-6600 ext. 2406 or chosman@somervillema.gov. Seniors who want more information can contact the Council on Aging at 617-625-6600 ext. 2300.

 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.