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Traffic Commission
130 Holland Street
Somerville, MA 02144

Ladies & Gentlemen:

Pursuant to the authority vested in the traffic commission by Chapter 397 of the Acts & Resolves of 1978 (hereinafter “the Act”), I respectfully request that you remove or cause to be removed thirteen signs unlawfully installed by Tufts University and located on Professor’s Row, a public street in Somerville, purporting to restrict on-street parking to Tufts employees.  (Exhibits A and A1 annexed hereto.) See pdf link below for Exhibits

After participating in a 10-day delegation to Cuba with Witness For Peace in which he learned about the impact of the United States’ 60 year blockade of Cuba from Cuban doctors, scientists, lawyers, historians, artists, and community leaders, Somerville At-Large City Councilor is planning to introduce a lengthy resolution at tonight’s city council meeting calling on President Biden to remove Cuba from the State Sponsor of Terrroism list and calling on Congress to end the failed policy of regime change.

The City of Somerville seeks two residents to fill vacancies on the city’s Condominium Review Board (CRB). One vacancy is for a full member, which is open to Somerville tenants, and one vacancy is for an alternate member, which is open to all Somerville residents. 

What the Fluff? A Tribute to Innovation is a multi-day madcap festival took place September 22-26, honoring the invention of Marshmallow Fluff in Union Square. This festival celebrated Somerville’s proud tradition of innovation with live music by Samba Lolo, MonaVeli, DJ Mixtress and The Fluff Freaks. SMC’s Executive Director, Kat Powers was presented with the Mayor Joe Flufftastic Innovation for Impact Award. Saturday’s event had a great turn out with lots of fluffalicious feasts, games, zany happenings, and much more.

Life in the Ville by Jimmy Del Ponte

It’s a well-known fact that Marshmallow Fluff was invented in Somerville and everyone has enjoyed a Fluffernutter sandwich. I posted a question on Facebook looking for what people think should be the official food of Somerville. I got so many suggestions that I decided to just list as many as I could. Here are some of Somerville’s favorite treats both past and present.

The city’s current plan for removing parking spaces to make way for protected bike lanes on both sides of Holland St. does not sit well with some area businesses and residents. ~Photo by Bobbie Toner

By Jim Clark

A group of business operators located on Holland St. have banded together to oppose and inform the public and other local businesses about the city’s plans for removing some 50 parking spots on Holland St., to be replaced by protected bike lanes on both sides of the street.

City officials, along with other local patrons of the arts, recently gathered for the opening of the “Sanctuary City” exhibit at the Somerville Museum.

By Ryan DiLello

Only a day after the Republican governor of Florida, Ron DeSantis, chartered a plane to fly migrants to Martha’s Vineyard, the Somerville Museum debuted its latest exhibit, Sanctuary City, curated by Julia Cseko.

Join Mayor Katjana Ballantyne, city staff, and Traffic Commission members for a special meeting of the Traffic Commission to discuss new plans for protected bike lanes on Holland Street on Wednesday, September 21, at 5:30 p.m. At this meeting, the mayor and city staff will present the new design to the Traffic Commission and answer questions. The Traffic Commission will then discuss the plan and hear public comment. Written comments will also be accepted after the meeting. The Commission will then reconvene for a vote in the coming weeks. This new safety plan maintains parking on one side of Holland Street but restricts parking on the other side in order to create protected bike lanes. Loading zones and accessible parking spaces will be increased. The full designs are available on the project website. To learn more and register to attend the meeting, go to somervillema.gov/hollandstreetdesign.

After making the apple pies, apple crisp or baked apples, you probably still have apples left from your recent apple picking adventure. I know I do. One other thing I like to do with extra apples is make apple compote. The compote can be used for a multitude of dishes, like a topping for pancakes, waffles, steel cut oats, yogurt and even goes well with a pork roast, chops or tenderloin. Or, just by itself!