After nearly 35 years of dedicated service to the Somerville Fire Department, LT John “Moose” Byrne wrapped up his final shift yesterday. John had a remarkable career, most notably on Engine 3 in Union Square as a firefighter before being assigned as a Lieutenant on Engine 2 for the majority of his years with the department. Numerous firefighters were assigned to John right out of the academy for him to train on how to do this job; many of which went on to become officers themselves.

Today we thank all Firefighters worldwide for their service, dedication and many sacrifices. We remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice and honor their memory.

The Somerville Arts Council, the City of Somerville, and the Metropolitan Area Planning Council are conducting two surveys to find out if artists and creative organizations have stable access to arts spaces. Artists and creatives who live or work in Somerville may take either or both the survey for individuals or organizations.

Fundraising to support statewide COVID-hunger relief efforts 

On Sunday, May 2, Project Bread hosted the nonprofit’s 53rd annual Walk for Hunger, held virtually for the second consecutive year, to raise funds to help get food to kids and families during the COVID-19 crisis. More than 1,500 virtual participants hit the pavement in their neighborhoods and rallied supporters online to raise $1,067,000 for the cause. Fundraising for the event will continue through June 30. 

Somerville has passed a Native Planting Ordinance that establishes minimum requirements for native plants and trees to be planted in city-owned parks, open spaces, and streets. The legislation, which applies to new plantings carried out by the city or on behalf of the city, grew out of discussions between the Administration, the City Council, and community advocates and passed unanimously in March.  

We are excited to have most of our PK-8 students back to full-time in-person learning and to continue supporting our remote learners with a designated cohort of teachers working directly with our remote students. We have 2,867 (85%) of our PK-8 students back in our classrooms, and nearly 490 (15%) who chose to remain fully remote. Students and staff are quickly settling into their new routines.

— Photo by Sunrise Cambridge

By MaryCatherine Neal
Somerville Wire

Environmental activism has taken a backseat to the COVID-19 crisis. And although saving the planet is still in people’s top 10 list of issues – a victory for environmentalists in Greater Boston – environmentalism has been treated like a “second class citizen” over the past year, as activist Renée Scott put it in a recent interview.

“The Somerville Art Community Comes Together, With Some Help From Our Friends”

Somerville Open Studios, a city-wide traditional open studios event across the city of Somerville, Massachusetts will hold a virtual open studios and an outdoor art fair with member artists the first weekend in May from noon until 6:00 p.m.  

Host Sarah Fishman speaks with Ward 3 City Councilor, Ben Ewen-Campen.

Sophia Gordon Hall, the most recently built on-campus residence hall, was completed in 2006. Tufts plans a new residence hall, part of the university’s plan to increase the percentage of students living on campus. — Photo by Alonso Nichols

Taking advantage of historically low interest rates, Tufts borrows to fund construction of undergraduate on-campus residence hall and other projects

By Tufts University News Staff

Tufts University today completed a $250 million bond offering, the proceeds of which will be used to fund the construction of a high density, on-campus residence hall for undergraduate students on its Medford/Somerville campus, invest in dining infrastructure and expansion of dining capacity, and other capital projects that will strategically position the university for the future.