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Mayor Katjana Ballantyne speaks about Haiti and the Haitian community of Somerville on the occasion of Independence Day.

Life in the Ville by Jimmy Del Ponte

Back in the day I spent a lot of New Year’s Eves playing in bands for private parties. But my friends and I would rent a couple of hotel rooms, buy a ton of booze and spend New Year’s Eve like that. There are also a lot of local clubs around the area that had New Year’s Eve parties. That’s why I asked my friends to share their New Year’s Eve antics from yesteryear.

Community meetings planned for January 10, 11 and 25
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The mayor’s Office of Strategic Planning and Community Development is working to update the city’s Open Space and Recreation Plan (OSRP). This plan will guide the next seven years of City work on parks, sports fields, open space, conservation land, and recreational programming, and it needs your input.

As the holiday season winds down, a reminder that Christmas tree pick up begins Tuesday, January 2.

Trees can be placed curbside on your regular trash day after removing all decorations. Do not put trees in a plastic bag.

Constituents should contact 311 (617-666-3311) if their tree has been out for over two weeks.

Holiday schedules are available, all subway lines will operate until approximately 3:00 a.m.

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) is reminding riders that free service on all modes will be available after 8:00 p.m. on December 31 through the end of the service day to help support safe celebrations on New Year’s Eve. All subway lines will operate until approximately 3:00 a.m. on New Year’s Eve. Full holiday service schedule information is available at mbta.com/holidays.

This service change is in place while crews perform work as part of the Track Improvement Program, which will alleviate speed restrictions along the line.

Following up on the previous announcement from December 21, the MBTA is  reminding riders that Green Line service on the B branch between North Station and Babcock Street, on the E branch between North Station and Heath Street, and on the C and D branches between North Station and Kenmore station will be suspended all day from start to end of service for 10 days from January 3-12 and for 13 days from January 16- 28.

We make dreams come true. So can you. 

Ceremonies and Addresses to be held at Somerville High School on Tuesday, January 2, 2024. Public reception at The Row Hotel will immediately follow.

Mayor Katjana Ballantyne, the Somerville City Council, and the Somerville School Committee, warmly invite the community to attend the 2024 inauguration ceremonies on Tuesday, January 2, 2024. 

DCR Hosting Hikes in 13 State Parks as Part of Agency’s Signature First Day Hikes Initiative; Program Started in 1992 in Blue Hills, Now Hosted in 50 States

The Healey-Driscoll Administration is encouraging residents and families to kick off their new year with a free guided First Day Hike at state parks across Massachusetts. On January 1, 2024, the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) is hosting the agency’s 33^rd annual signature First Day Hikes initiative in 13 parks across the state – from Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve in East Falmouth to Mount Greylock State Reservation in Lanesborough.