Mayor and Council President announce joint public process to update city’s governance structures to meet modern needs

Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone and City Council President Matt McLaughlin announced today their intention to undertake a comprehensive review of the city’s charter, committing to working together to complete this effort as expeditiously as possible. The charter is the city’s constitution and determines how the city is structured and run. It establishes the responsibilities of the Mayor, City Council, School Committee, and other decision-making bodies and informs governance in Somerville.

By Isabel Sami

The Jungle in Union Square closed for the winter this week as temperatures begin to drop. The music club and restaurant has been operating since June by serving guests on an outdoor patio set up in the parking lot, a change that many restaurants in Boston and Somerville have also made.

Early Voting for the 2020 State (Presidential) Election began on October 17 at Somerville City Hall. Please be advised that early voting will be available exclusively at Somerville City Hall. Visit https://www.somervillema.gov/events/2020/10/17/early-voting-2020-state-presidential-election for a complete list of dates and times. If you are not registered to vote, or if you need to update your address or party affiliation, you have until Saturday, October 24 to do so. Visit the city’s Register to Vote page: https://www.somervillema.gov/departments/elections/register-to-vote to learn more about your options for registering.

For some of us it feels like forever since we’ve shaken off the cares and concerns that seem to be bearing down so heavily as we deal with the divisions and discord that has been so prevalent over the past year or so. Not to mention a spirit and economy-breaking pandemic.

Arrests:
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 David Robinson, October 14, 8:47 p.m., arrested at McGrath Hwy. on charges of drug possession to distribute a class A drug and drug possession to distribute a class B drug, and on warrant charges of witness intimidation, larceny from a building, and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon.

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I have trouble writing a poem a month, at best. But every day since 2017, Somerville poet Mark McKay has posted a poem on Instagram, and has developed a large following. I had a chance to catch up with Mark via the Internet.

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Our poet this week writes, “My name is Samantha Hines and I’m an English major with a focus in secondary education at Endicott College. I’m from Cheshire, Connecticut and I am a sophomore this year.”

SMC Honors 2020 Virtual Watch Party
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Wednesday, October 21 from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. via Zoom

Committee identifies funding priorities for approximately $2 million annually in affordable housing, historic preservation, and open space projects

Are you a Somerville resident with a passion for affordable housing, historic preservation, and parks and open space? Read on! Applications are now being accepted to serve on the Community Preservation Committee (CPC), which oversees the selection of projects to be recommended for funding by Community Preservation Act (CPA) revenues.