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!

 Conway Park and Playground Meeting, March 29

As previously noted, soil testing conducted in preparation for the proposed renovation of Conway field revealed contamination in the soil, including lead and PCBs above regulatory limits, requiring its closure. Initial samples of the soil in the adjacent playground did not reveal contaminants exceeding regulatory limits. However, as a precautionary measure, the playground is closed for additional testing as well.

The consultants in charge of soil testing and City staff will be on hand at the meeting to discuss the testing results and next steps as well as to answer questions. If you are unable to attend, please note that the meeting will be videotaped and placed online on the www.somervillema.gov/conwayfield web page for later viewing. If you have specific questions that you would like to ask but can’t attend, please send them to Denise Taylor in advance at dtaylor@somervillema.gov and they will be asked on your behalf at the meeting. Please send your questions by 4:30 p.m. Thursday, 3/29, and put CONWAY QUESTIONS in the subject line. For more information, please visit www.somervillema.gov/conwayfield.
When/Where: Thursday, March 29, 6:30 p.m., in the Public Safety Building Meeting Room, 220 Washington St.

GLX Project Public Meeting, March 28
The Green Line Extension (GLX) project public meeting will provide an outlook on construction activities planned in the coming months. For more information on the GLX project, please visit www.greenlineextension.org. Questions or comments? Email info@glxinfo.com.
When/Where: Wednesday, March 28, 6:30 p.m., in the Somerville High School Auditorium, 81 Highland Ave.

Tree Removal Hearing: Somerville Ave. Utility & Streetscape Improvements Project, March 28
The City of Somerville Tree Warden invites all interested residents and community members to a public hearing on Wednesday, March 28, to discuss upcoming tree removals as part of the construction process for the Somerville Ave. Utility & Streetscape Improvements Project. For more information on the project, visit www.somervillema.gov/somervilleave.
When/Where: Wednesday, March 28, 6 p.m., at the Argenziano School, 290 Washington St.

Public Hearing on Proposed Zoning Overhaul, April 3
After multiple years of community process, the Administration has officially submitted the proposed Zoning Overhaul to the Board of Aldermen. Members of the public are invited to attend a public hearing by the Somerville Planning Board and the Board of Aldermen’s Land Use Committee to provide feedback. Feedback can also be submitted online at www.somervillezoning.com, where detailed information on the overhaul, timeline, and upcoming meetings and events are also available.
When/Where: Tuesday, April 3, 6 p.m., in the Aldermanic Chambers at City Hall, 93 Highland Ave.

Public Hearing on Proposed Transfer Fee, April 4
After nearly a year of research and deliberation by Mayor Curtatone’s Sustainable Neighborhoods Working Group, the group issued a series of recommendations, including that the City adopt a requirement of a fee of approximately 1 percent upon certain real estate transactions (known as a “transfer fee”) to support affordable housing with specific exemptions be established for transactions such as ownership transfers between family members. Now, members of the public are invited to attend a public hearing hosted by the Board of Aldermen to discuss the proposed transfer fee home rule petition. The Board of Aldermen will also accept official written comment for the record through Friday, April 6, 2018, at 5 p.m. Please send your comments to boardofaldermen@somervillema.gov and cityclerk@somervillema.gov. Visit www.somervillema.gov/transferfee for more information.
When/Where: Wednesday, April 4, 6 p.m., in the Aldermanic Chambers at City Hall, 93 Highland Ave.

Blessing of the Bay Park Waterfront Meeting, April 5
The Mystic River Watershed Association, in partnership with the City of Somerville, the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), and Groundwork Somerville, is leading a comprehensive, community-driven plan and design for Blessing of the Bay Park. With the input of local residents and stakeholders, the revitalization plan will identify the physical features, natural areas, programming and amenities needed to transform this park into one that supports recreation, active transportation, social cohesion and ecological health. The public process will kick off with a workshop to share existing conditions and hear ideas from the community. Also consider taking the time complete a survey, which will only be available through the end of March, to share your ideas and vision for the waterfront. The survey and more information can be found at www.mysticriver.org/blessingofthebay.
When/Where: Thursday, April 5, 6:30-8:30 p.m., at the Mystic Housing Activities Center, 530 Mystic Ave.

Take a Survey to Help Improve Broadway in Winter Hill
This section of Broadway in Winter Hill is a known headache to drivers, pedestrians, commuters, and residents. A streetscape improvement effort is in the pipeline, but we also want to make some interim fixes while this planning moves forward. The survey will help the City identify problems and areas of concern. Find the survey at www.somervillema.gov/centralbroadwaysurvey.

Help the City Prioritize Health Care Needs by Completing the Wellbeing Survey
As a follow up to the 2017 Wellbeing Report, the City and Cambridge Health Alliance are working together to better understand the healthcare service needs of the Somerville community. We invite you to take a few minutes to complete the survey to help us to identify and prioritize health care needs for you, your family, and the Somerville Community. The survey is available in multiple languages and will be available until Friday, April 6. Take the survey and read the report at www.somervillema.gov/wellbeing.

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.