(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!
Annual Domestic Violence Awareness Vigil, October 3
Join Mayor Curtatone, the Somerville Commission for Women, and RESPOND for the annual Candlelight Vigil in support of Domestic Violence Awareness Month on Wednesday, October 3, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Statue Park in Davis Square. The vigil is an annual event bringing the community together in remembrance of those who have lost their lives over the last year to domestic violence.
For more information, contact Community Services Manager, Chris Hosman at 617-625-6600 x2406 or chosman@somervillema.gov. For more information about domestic violence, resources, or support services, contact RESPOND at their hotline number 617-623-5900 (TTY accessible for the hearing impaired), or visit www.respondinc.org.
Public Hearing on Trees, Wed. 10/3
The Board of Aldermen Committee on Open Space, Environment, and Energy invites all interested community members to a Public Hearing on Trees. The Hearing will take place on Wednesday, October 3, at 6 p.m. in the Aldermanic Chambers, City Hall, 93 Highland Ave. The Committee will discuss and invite brief public testimony on a range of issues relating to public trees and the city’s overall tree canopy including the tree planting schedule, tree canopy development, the coming new Urban Forestry Committee, the drafting of a Native Tree and Plantings ordinance, Green Line Extension-required tree removals, and potential tree plantings for Junction Park.
Fall 2018 ResiStat Schedule Announced, Meetings Begin October 9
Mayor Curtatone and the Board of Aldermen invite residents to the Fall 2018 ResiStat Community Meetings. ResiStat is both a great way to learn more about what’s happening in your neighborhood and around Somerville and a chance to talk with elected officials, City staff, and neighbors. Interpretation into Spanish, Portuguese, and Haitian Creole will be provided at every meeting. Meetings run from 6:30 to 8 p.m., with pizza and socializing at 6 p.m. The full schedule of fall meetings is as follows:
- Ward 1 (East Somerville, Assembly Sq.): , Oct. 9, East Somerville Community School Auditorium, 50 Cross St.
- Ward 5 (Magoun Sq., NE Ball Sq., Cedar & Lowell St. areas, NW Porter Sq.): , Oct. 22, The Center for Arts at the Armory, 191 Highland Ave. (New location)
- Ward 2 (S. Union Sq., Perry and Lincoln Park neighborhoods, Beacon St. area): , Oct. 30, Argenziano School, 290 Washington St.
- Ward 6 (greater Davis Sq. neighborhood): , Nov. 1, Spaces co-working center , 54 Chester St. (New Location)
- Ward 3 (N. Union Sq., Prospect Hill, Spring Hill, Central Hill): , Nov. 7, Somerville High School cafeteria, 81 Highland Ave.
- Ward 4 (Winter Hill, Ten Hills):, Nov. 13, Healey School, 5 Meacham St.
- Ward 7 (West Somerville, Teele Sq.): , Nov. 15, Tufts University’s Pearson Chemical Lab, room 104, 62 Talbot Ave. (New Location)
For more information contact ResiStat Coordinator Meghann Ackerman at mackerman@somervillema.gov.
Public Update on Somerville Ave. Utility & Streetscape Improvements Project & Upcoming Construction Schedule, October 10
The next phase of the Somerville Ave. Utilities & Streetscape Improvements project is set to begin in early November. To accommodate construction, a major work zone will be set up in the middle of Union Square for about six months and through traffic will be detoured off of Somerville Ave. around the work zone.
To learn more about the upcoming work, please join Ward 3 Alderman Ben Ewen-Campen, Ward 2 Alderman J.T. Scott, City staff, and representatives from the project team for a community meeting on Wednesday, October 10, at 6 p.m. in the Academy Room at the Somerville Public Safety building, 220 Washington St. Updated information can always be found on the project website at www.somervillema.gov/SomervilleAve.
State Primary Election Voter Registration Deadline, October 17
The deadline to register to vote in the November 6th State election is Wednesday, October 17 (by 8 p.m. if registering in person at City Hall or by 11:59 p.m. if registering online). This is also the deadline for voters wanting to update their address or change party affiliation.
Residents may register to vote by visiting the Elections Department at Somerville City Hall, calling 617-625-6600 x4200 to have a voter registration form mailed, visiting www.somervillema.gov/elections to print a registration form to mail, or by registering online at www.registertovotema.com. Online applications require a valid ID issued by the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV), as well as a signature on file with the RMV.
Early Voting Returns to City Hall, October 22 – November 2
Cast your vote in this year’s election early by visiting City Hall during the early voting period from October 22 through November 2. All early voting will take place in the Aldermanic Chambers at Somerville City Hall, 93 Highland Ave. The hours for early voting are available online at www.somervillema.gov/earlyvoting.
Get Your Free Flu Vaccine at Health & Human Services Flu Clinics this Fall
The Somerville Department of Health and Human Services is now offering their free flu vaccine clinics for residents ages three and older. Clinics are held at various times and locations in the community until the City’s supply of vaccine is exhausted. Due to limited availability, vaccines will be offered during official flu clinic hours only. For the full schedule, visit www.somervillema.gov, or call 311.
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.
Be Somerville
(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!
Annual Domestic Violence Awareness Vigil, October 3
Join Mayor Curtatone, the Somerville Commission for Women, and RESPOND for the annual Candlelight Vigil in support of Domestic Violence Awareness Month on Wednesday, October 3, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Statue Park in Davis Square. The vigil is an annual event bringing the community together in remembrance of those who have lost their lives over the last year to domestic violence.
For more information, contact Community Services Manager, Chris Hosman at 617-625-6600 x2406 or chosman@somervillema.gov. For more information about domestic violence, resources, or support services, contact RESPOND at their hotline number 617-623-5900 (TTY accessible for the hearing impaired), or visit www.respondinc.org.
Public Hearing on Trees, Wed. 10/3
The Board of Aldermen Committee on Open Space, Environment, and Energy invites all interested community members to a Public Hearing on Trees. The Hearing will take place on Wednesday, October 3, at 6 p.m. in the Aldermanic Chambers, City Hall, 93 Highland Ave. The Committee will discuss and invite brief public testimony on a range of issues relating to public trees and the city’s overall tree canopy including the tree planting schedule, tree canopy development, the coming new Urban Forestry Committee, the drafting of a Native Tree and Plantings ordinance, Green Line Extension-required tree removals, and potential tree plantings for Junction Park.
Fall 2018 ResiStat Schedule Announced, Meetings Begin October 9
Mayor Curtatone and the Board of Aldermen invite residents to the Fall 2018 ResiStat Community Meetings. ResiStat is both a great way to learn more about what’s happening in your neighborhood and around Somerville and a chance to talk with elected officials, City staff, and neighbors. Interpretation into Spanish, Portuguese, and Haitian Creole will be provided at every meeting. Meetings run from 6:30 to 8 p.m., with pizza and socializing at 6 p.m. The full schedule of fall meetings is as follows:
For more information contact ResiStat Coordinator Meghann Ackerman at mackerman@somervillema.gov.
Public Update on Somerville Ave. Utility & Streetscape Improvements Project & Upcoming Construction Schedule, October 10
The next phase of the Somerville Ave. Utilities & Streetscape Improvements project is set to begin in early November. To accommodate construction, a major work zone will be set up in the middle of Union Square for about six months and through traffic will be detoured off of Somerville Ave. around the work zone.
To learn more about the upcoming work, please join Ward 3 Alderman Ben Ewen-Campen, Ward 2 Alderman J.T. Scott, City staff, and representatives from the project team for a community meeting on Wednesday, October 10, at 6 p.m. in the Academy Room at the Somerville Public Safety building, 220 Washington St. Updated information can always be found on the project website at www.somervillema.gov/SomervilleAve.
State Primary Election Voter Registration Deadline, October 17
The deadline to register to vote in the November 6th State election is Wednesday, October 17 (by 8 p.m. if registering in person at City Hall or by 11:59 p.m. if registering online). This is also the deadline for voters wanting to update their address or change party affiliation.
Residents may register to vote by visiting the Elections Department at Somerville City Hall, calling 617-625-6600 x4200 to have a voter registration form mailed, visiting www.somervillema.gov/elections to print a registration form to mail, or by registering online at www.registertovotema.com. Online applications require a valid ID issued by the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV), as well as a signature on file with the RMV.
Early Voting Returns to City Hall, October 22 – November 2
Cast your vote in this year’s election early by visiting City Hall during the early voting period from October 22 through November 2. All early voting will take place in the Aldermanic Chambers at Somerville City Hall, 93 Highland Ave. The hours for early voting are available online at www.somervillema.gov/earlyvoting.
Get Your Free Flu Vaccine at Health & Human Services Flu Clinics this Fall
The Somerville Department of Health and Human Services is now offering their free flu vaccine clinics for residents ages three and older. Clinics are held at various times and locations in the community until the City’s supply of vaccine is exhausted. Due to limited availability, vaccines will be offered during official flu clinic hours only. For the full schedule, visit www.somervillema.gov, or call 311.
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.