By Jim Clark

The United Food and Commercial Workers union has announced that a tentative three-year agreement has been worked out between the Stop & Shop grocery chain and its workers, effectively ended the strike that began on April 11.

Somerville Cambridge Elder Services (SCES) staffers Shamone Allien (left) and Michelle Mazzola volunteered to help host Elder Fair on April 10. Some 17 agency employees pitched-in to help with the free health and wellness expo.

Connecting people with useful resources is a huge part of what we do at Somerville-Cambridge Elder Services (SCES). On behalf of the agency, I want to thank everyone who took the time to connect with us at Elder Fair 2019.

Now in its 20th year, the Elder Fair health and wellness expo drew more than 300 local older adults for a morning of socializing and information about Aging in Place. It was a great celebration of our mission and the people we serve. Our sincere thanks go out to everyone who was a part of that.

There will be an information session and public hearing on the proposed Fiscal Year 2020 water and sewer rates on Mon., April 22, in the Somerville High School cafeteria, 81 Highland Ave. The information session will start at 6 p.m. and the public hearing will begin promptly at 6:30 p.m. Anyone who would like to testify is welcome to attend. Written testimony will also be accepted until 6 p.m. on Mon., April 29. Written testimony can be submitted by emailing water@somervillema.gov or by mailing or dropping it off at the water and Sewer Department, 1 Franey Rd., Somerville, MA 02145.

(l-r) John Blake, John Mucci, Dennis Moynihan, Chief Charles Breen, RafaelFlores and John Driscoll.

Five Somerville Fire Department recruits successfully graduated from the MA Firefighting Academy in Stow on Friday, April 12, 2019. The intensive, ten week program involved classroom instruction, physical fitness training, firefighter skills training and live firefighting practice.

(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.)

To the editor:

Somerville’s goal to be carbon neutral by 2050 is one major reason why I live here. So I was heartened to read Mayor Curtatone report on progress to the Somerville Times. To be sure, the 10% reduction we’ve experienced is the low-hanging fruit. It will be harder to make progress from this point forward.

(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

Taking a closer look at notable city data – and interesting numbers. 

2,411 potholes: For many New Englanders, potholes are the true first sign of spring. The Department of Public Works has filled more than 2,400 potholes so far this fiscal year (FY2019 began on July 1, 2019). More than 75% of those potholes were filled proactively, while the others were filled because of service requests from residents, mostly through 311. Winter can be especially hard on our roads and the temporary material DPW can use over the winter (called cold patch) isn’t a long-term fix, so filling potholes really ramps up with the warmer spring weather. Although DPW crews have located and filled many potholes around the City, we always benefit from more eyes on the street. So, please, report potholes you see through 311.

East Somerville Main Streets and Connexion will host their Annual Easter Egg Hunt, Saturday, April 20, at Chuck Harris Park, 12 Cross St., East Somerville.

The  event will run from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. All are welcome!

Live in the TV studio, some of Boston’s funniest stand up comedians. April 19, 7:00 p.m. at Somerville Media Center Studios.

Featuring: Dylan Uscher, Kathleen DeMarle, Nate Davis, Danya Trommer, Isha Patnaik, Dave McLaughlin, Corey Saunders, and hosted by Caitlin Arcand.Tickets: Free but donations are welcome: online ordering link

By Jack Pombriant

Wednesday April 17, marked the seventh day of the Stop & Shop strike. As with many of the region’s stores, customers at the Somerville branch on 779 McGrath Hwy. in Somerville are greeted at the parking lot entrance by picketing workers.

By Jim Clark

Somerville Police officers were dispatched to the area of Statue Park in Davis Square last Saturday on reports of an assault.

Upon arrival, officers were met by the reporting party who told them that she had been walking on College Ave. by the 7/11 store when she saw a woman known to her as Jill Koerber.