Important assessment data that can be of use to those interested in refurbishing or building new homes and commercial properties is being needlessly lost, according to one concerned citizen.

By Harry Kane

All homeowners know that when they improve their property, the assessment almost always goes up, and then their taxes go up, too. New construction or rehabbing an existing home is a common way to grow your property’s value. But until recently, the statistics which correspond to individual homes have been erased, according to Josiah Lee Auspitz, a concerned resident in Somerville.

Auspitz, a long-time resident of Chapel Street who has been active in local issues, has been trying to get the City of Somerville to listen to his ideas regarding the collection of data.

By Mike Molloy

The Massachusetts Gaming Commission held an informational meeting on Tuesday evening at the East Somerville Community School.

Gaming Commission Ombudsman John Ziemba gave a presentation on casino law and how it relates to host and surrounding communities.

The public got a chance to stuff the suggestion boxes at the latest Somerville By Design meeting. – Photo by Douglas Yu

By Douglas Yu

After a series of crowd sourced meetings throughout the summer, Somerville by Design brought people’s attention from East Somerville to Davis Square this time. As a cutting edge and civically engaged organization, its goal is to provide enough parking spaces through strategic planning and to make Somerville a world-class city.

This morning, Wednesday, September 18, the Somerville Chamber of Commerce is having its Government Affairs Breakfast with George Proakis, AICP  Director of Planning, City of  Somerville, 8:00–9:30 a.m., at the Holiday Inn, 30 Washington Street.

A couch is not a home, as far as Alderman Courtney O’Keefe and several area landlords are concerned.

By Harry Kane

Call it hard times, call it the economy, but more and more people turn to couch surfing for shelter.

Landlords will be instructed by the Director of Communications to prohibit couch surfing following an order submitted by Ward 5 Alderman Courtney O’Keefe during the BOA meeting on Sept. 12.

We’re sure by now that you know the paper has made another change in its relatively short but interesting 45 year history.

On January 16, 1968 The Somerville Times was started by a local Attorney. The attorney was a very popular guy here in Somerville. Back then, when politics was rough, not like today, there were many candidates for all the offices every year and he was one who was running for mayor himself.

Eagle Feathers #35– The Hessians

By Bob (Monty) Doherty

In 1775, after defeats at Lexington and Concord and their dearly-won battle at Bunker Hill, the British spent the next year isolated and licking their wounds in Boston before they were forced out by the Patriots.

By Harry Kane

There may be a city tax associated with the installation of solar panels on homes in Somerville that could be preventing some residents from going green, according to Ward 6 Alderman Rebekah L. Gewirtz.

“I haven’t had a chance to have a conversation with the appropriate people in City Hall,” she said during the Sept. 12 Alderman meeting.

As the Current climate of attacks on labor become more and more prevalent, it is even more important for organized labor to support political candidates who value principles of good government and the role of union workers in such a government. To that end, the Somerville Labor Coalition, a coalition of all City of Somerville public employee unions, announces its political endorsements after a thoughtful and fair process of vetting candidates.

Dear George Landers, Mayor Curtatone,

When we travel the streets of Somerville, take a stroll on the sidewalk, or play in the public parks we are benefiting from services provided by the City of Somerville’s Public Works Department.  On behalf of nearly 100 youth softball families, 10 organization board members and coaches, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the City employees who work tirelessly throughout the year to make playing softball in Somerville possible.  All of you help make the City of Somerville the best run city in Massachusetts and we thank you for all of your hard work. Our thanks is one that is well-deserved.