Mayor Joe Curtatone announced today on facebook: Ever since I announced I would not be running for re-election people have been asking me what I’m doing next. Well, here’s your answer: After I finish my term, I’m going to become the new president of the Northeast Clean Energy Council and NECEC Institute.  See full announcement below.

The Northeast Clean Energy Council and NECEC Institute announced Somerville Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone as the organization’s next president. Curtatone will step into the role in January 2022 following the end of his mayoral term.

According to one local resident, trash bins located in public places like city parks should be upgraded to help in rodent abatement endeavors. — Photo by Bobbie Toner

By Eileen Qiu

A call to action for city officials to supply the Somerville’s 15 parks with solar compacting closed garbage cans came from one resident as she and her friends witnessed rodents rummaging around open trash bins.

Jean Horstman said she, her friends, and her friend’s children were leaving Lexington park one evening when they saw the rats. Horstman realized the open bins in the park present a danger to guests, especially children who may be exposed to rat droppings or urine.

The Somerville Times put three questions of interest to the voters of Somerville to the four candidates running for mayor of Somerville. The candidates’ answers are presented in alphabetical order, according to their last names. The questions and answers are as follows:

Don’t forget to go out and vote in the city’s primary election on Tuesday, September 14. Somerville voters also have the option to vote early in the September preliminary election. This preliminary election will narrow the field for Mayor, Ward 5 City Councilor, and Ward 7 City Councilor. Four days of in-person early voting will be held prior to election day. For more information on early voting and polling places visit: www.somervillema.gov/departments/elections.

By Joe Creason

The City Council’s Land Use Committee held a meeting on September 1 for the purpose discussing issues around proposed legislation and city planning.

The first item addressed was with regards to zoning ordinance amendment for small business overlay districts. Committee members took time to unpack some of the revisions which had been added to the proposed legislation.

By Fernando Cervantes Jr.

On August 31, Somerville Public Schools (SPS) hosted a virtual School Committee Meeting in order to review vaccination requirements for all public schools.

The meeting was attended by Superintendent Mary E. Skipper and Assistant Superintendent Chad Mazza. It focused on different policies of SPS such as vaccination requirements and school schedules.

Eagle Feathers #237– Lafayette

By Bob (Monty) Doherty

Marie-Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert du Motier or Marquis de Lafayette was born in a castle in Auvergne, France in 1757. When he was only two years old, his father was killed in battle. At thirteen, his mother died leaving him with vast lands and wealth. He married and entered the French Army in 1774, the same year Somerville’s Powder House was attacked.  In 1777, being sympathetic to the American cause, the twenty-year old who just had military school training volunteered his assistance. 

Although 20 years will have passed since the terrible and tragic events of September 11, 2001, took place, for many of us the shock and horror remains fresh in our memories. And since we, as New Englanders, were relatively close to the sites of destruction and loss of life, we can perhaps feel those sensations of sadness and even anger a little deeper than some others might, especially since our own Logan Airport played a role in the perpetrators’ deadly scheme.

Assault Log August 24 2021 to August 30 2021

On 8/28/21 at approximately 6:10 PM, Somerville Police responded to 400 Somerville Ave for report of an unarmed robbery. Upon arrival, officers spoke with a male victim who stated approximately 20 minutes prior, he was approached by a white male wearing a white hoodie and riding a bike that attempted to grab his watch and wallet. The victim pulled away then fled the area. Officers then spoke with another victim who stated a male matching the same description struck him in his face.

Arrests:
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Peter Murphy, of Stoughton, August 31, 8:55 p.m., arrested at Foley St. on charges of larceny over $1200 and nighttime breaking and entering of a vehicle or boat.