Curtatone referred to the high cost of living in Massachusetts, saying, "Most of your age group is leaving the Commonwealth." He asked, "What are the opportunities for you to buy a home?" and added, "I'd like to hear your stories."

Curtatone concluded his presentation by making an appeal for young residents to join the Young Somerville Advisory Group. He said, "My charge to you: not only to express concern…get involved." He emphasized, "You can have a lot of influence."

The power point presentation delineated the Mayor's "constellation of values" for Somerville, outlining the city's progress toward expanding the Green Line and the Community Path, developing Assembly Square and the Inner Belt and fomenting an environment in Somerville that makes residents want to stay.

"Anything we do now, it's with the lens of acting today with an eye on tomorrow," Curtatone said multiple times during the evening.

Audience members raised concerns about the divide between the Davis Square region and East Somerville; addressing gentrification; skateboarding in the city; street maintenance; and sustainability and opportunities for residents to reduce their carbon footprints

Lifelong Somerville resident Adam Rich said he attended the event to engage with a population that doesn't usually have much input in civic life.

"A community functions best when everybody's talking," and "not only talking but advocating," Rich said.