The City of Somerville is seeking applicants for one open position on the Somerville Conservation Commission.   

The Conservation Commission is devoted to preserving and protecting Somerville’s natural environment with an emphasis on wetlands, open space, and community gardens. Members are charged with protecting the city’s wetlands and rivers via their authority to administer and enforce the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act and Rivers Protection Act. In addition, the Commission acts as a sounding board for open space planning and open space initiatives, and it oversees the community gardens program, which offers gardening plots to residents.   

Moderated by Judy Perlman, this debate taped in the Somerville Theatre features the eight Somerville Councilor At-Large candidates on the 2021 ballot.

Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone, Ward 3 Councilor Ben Ewen-Campen, Ward 5 Councilor Mark Niedergang, and Ward 6 Councilor Lance Davis invite you to a virtual public meeting to discuss the redesign of Highland Avenue.

The city is completely reconstructing nearly the entire length of Highland Avenue. Underground improvements to upgrade aging sewers and stormwater infrastructure will begin this winter on portions of Highland Avenue as part of the Spring Hill Sewer Separation Project, and streetscape changes are expected to follow in 2023. 

Free Open Streets event to feature live music, a costume parade, roller-skating, and more

Join us at the last SomerStreets festival of the year, the spooky and fun “Monster Mashed-Up,” on Sunday, October 31, from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m. (rain date November 7) on Somerville Avenue between Hawkins Street and Laurel Street.

By Jim Clark

Somerville Police officers were dispatched to the Papa John’s restaurant on Somerville Ave. last week on reports of a fight.

The responding officers were informed that six men were fighting inside the parking lot. They were also informed that one man showed a firearm and took off in a car.

Fredrick “Sunny” Federico – of Somerville October 17, 2021.

Beloved husband of 33 years to Anna (Pugiese) Federico. Loving son of the late Gaetano and Brigida Federico.  Dear brother of Anna Castle and her husband Frederick of Somerville, the late Pasquale “Pat” Federico, John Federico and his surviving wife Rosie. Son-In-Law of Mary Pugliese. Brother-In-Law of Josie Kennedy.

Life in the Ville by Jimmy Del Ponte

Driving in Somerville has become a nightmare. Not only because of all the construction and street repairs, but for the pedestrians walking while looking at their phones and listening to their earbuds. They often walk into an intersection without looking for cars.

There is also an influx of motorized scooters that jut in and out of traffic and often come out of nowhere.

By Joe Creason

The Land Use Committee convened on Tuesday, October 19, to discuss a number of items on the agenda, some which had been discussed previously in a public hearing forum during an earlier committee meeting.

One such item was a request from the Mayor’s Office asking for the approval of amendments to the Zoning Ordinance for payments of Certificates of Occupancy. The issue had previously sparked a number of questions for Councilors.

Purple flags are placed at City Hall to represent the lives lost due to overdoses. ~Photo by Bobbie Toner

By Eileen Qiu

A motion to adopt the declaration of the opioid addiction and overdose epidemic as an existing public health emergency was unanimously favored during last Thursday’s Board of Health meeting.

“The city of Somerville has lost 29 residents to fatal overdoses in the past five years,” Doug Kress, the Director of Health and Human Services said.