The topic of rent stabilization being possibly implemented in Somerville was among the issues discussed by the city’s Legislative Matters Committee at their latest meeting.

By Jennifer Purcell

Last Tuesday, December 5, the Somerville City Council’s Legislative Matters Committee held their final meeting of the year, following up on a variety of subjects that have been prominent topics of discussion all throughout the year.

— Photo by Bobbie Toner

With a favorable vote from the MSBA, Somerville will continue its pursuit to rebuild or fully renovate the Winter Hill Community Innovation School. 

Somerville is one step closer to a new school building, thanks to a vote by the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) on Wednesday to invite the Somerville Public Schools into MSBA’s Eligibility Period. The Eligibility Period is the first step in the MSBA process to proceed to the Capital Pipeline for funding. Somerville now has 270 days to complete requirements of the eligibility period, including funding a feasibility study, defining local needs, and forming a building committee. Invitation into the Eligibility Period is not an invitation to Feasibility Study, but is a critical next step in the process. 

Mayor Katjana Ballantyne leads the lighting of the Menorah on the concourse or Somerville City Hall on December 12, 2023.

The City of Somerville’s Christmas Tree Lighting on the City Hall Concourse took place on Thursday, December 7, kicking off the holiday season in the city. Attendees enjoyed live entertainment, a meet-and-greet with Santa Claus in the Somerville High School Cafeteria, and more. All children who attended received a special gift from Santa, who was escorted by the Somerville Fire and Police Departments, making his grand entrance atop a shiny red fire truck. ~Photos by Claudia Ferro

The Riders’ Transportation Access Group (RTAG) is working with the MBTA to help find solutions to current platform gap problems. — Photo by Bobbie Toner

By Micah Levine

Back in October, the Riders’ Transportation Access Group (RTAG) came together with MBTA officials to assess the increasing concern of platform gaps throughout many orange line stations. A rider survey conducted in September by the MBTA demonstrated a rise in concern over the prevalence and severity of these gaps, prompting the federal institution to take official action in direct conjunction with RTAG. These hazardous conditions raised the attention of the community-based group, whose mission is to ensure that riders with disabilities have their civil right to utilize public transit equally and effectively.

Members of the Somernova team, Linda Kelley, Russell Preston, Collin Yip, Jhenny Saint-Suri, Kristin Phelan, Carlos Sainz Caccia, Priscilla Burnsed and Majic Alphonse, stand with Somerville Mayor Katjana Ballantyne after receiving the Business Neighbor of the Year award. — Photo courtesy of Somernova

By Bridget Frawley

Somernova became the first developer to receive the Business Neighbor of the Year award at the annual Somerville Chamber of Commerce Powderhouse Business and Excellence Awards on November 30.

(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 Chris Dwan

On November 30, the administration presented the long-awaited police staffing and operations study to the full City Council. The consulting team was led by Cassandra Deck-Brown, the former chief of the Raleigh Police, who was a powerful presence in the room. She engaged directly and thoughtfully through an hour-long presentation followed by nearly three additional hours of discussion and questions. Deck-Brown noted more than once that nobody is winning in the current situation — morale on the force is low and the police and the public share a feeling of disconnection and mutual distrust.

The SMEA Union will be hosting a clothing drive at their stand during the upcoming Jingle Bell Race on Sunday, December 17, in Statue Park to support the Somerville Homeless Coalition’s clients experiencing homelessness this holiday season. SMEA will be collecting new and lightly used winter clothing and apparel that are crucial to keep our most vulnerable neighbors warm.

Eagle Feathers #294– Sleds and Sleighs

By Bob (Monty) Doherty

Boston Street on Prospect Hill is aptly named. From the top of the street on a winter day, it looks like you could coast down her elevation and not stop until you crossed the Charles and continued on into Boston.  From this spot, your line of sight to the Prudential Building is dead on.

The holiday season gives us that little nudge we sometimes need to take stock in what is most important for us and to share in the sense of appreciation that we feel amongst one another.

Of course, for those of us who may be blessed with material abundance, it is also important to help the less fortunate who may be in need as the winter holiday season unfolds. Consider giving a little of your time or money to make another’s life a little better, particularly during the winter months to come.