Somerville Fire, Police, DPW workers, and Somerville Auxiliary Cert Team are busy cleaning up from the high winds of Tuesday night’s storm which is knocking down trees and tree limbs taking down power lines in Somerville.   There have been reports of falling tress and limbs throughout the city. Pictured here is  Bay State Avenue around 5:00 p.m. where  live wires have been knocked down.

Arrests:
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Robert Carney, of Haverhill, July 25, 2:24 a.m., arrested at College Ave. on a charge of aggravated assault and battery.

Renan Santos, of Rutland, August 2, 2:16 a.m., arrested at Inner Belt Rd. on charges of reckless operation of a motor vehicle, unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, and improper operation of a motor vehicle.

Thirty-fourth Middlesex District State Rep. Christine Barber.

House passes police reform bill 93-6
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Representative Christine P. Barber of Medford and Somerville voted in favor of H.4860​: An Act Relative to Justice, Equity and Accountability in Law Enforcement in the Commonwealth​, an omnibus police reform bill. This bill was a response to recent urgent calls to address racism and police brutality.

On Wednesday, August 5, the Somerville City Council will hold a special meeting at 7:00 p.m. One item on the agenda will be a vote on moving five polling places. Four of the changes are being made to allow for necessary COVID-19 safety precautions to be taken. A fifth change, which moves a polling location from the Kennedy School to the Dilboy Post, was made in response to routing concerns voiced by both pedestrians and drivers. This public meeting will be held virtually, and will also include public testimony on Tufts University’s reopening plan. Members of the public can join the meeting live online with GoToWebinar, or by tuning in to Somerville City Cable TV (RCN 613 and 13, Comcast 22).

The Somerville Fire Department is reminding residents that charcoal, wood, electric, and propane grills are not allowed on porches, balconies, fire escapes, or roofs. Propane tanks are not allowed to be stored in or on any residential building at any time. Grills should be kept clean to prevent grease fires. Grilling should be done on ground level, ten feet away from any combustible walls or structures. Grills should not be used under any overhangs. Never leave a grill burning unattended. Outdoor fireplaces, fire pits, and chimeneas are prohibited in the City of Somerville.

The Somerville City Council will hold a public hearing on Tufts University’s reopening plan on Wednesday, August 5, starting at 7:00 p.m. There are two ways residents can submit testimony:

• To attend and be heard, enter the following link into your internet browser at any time before the meeting: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/6975948688038741262. You will be asked to register for the meeting, and after registering, you will receive an email with instructions to join the meeting/webinar when it starts.

• Testimony can also be sent via email to cityclerk@somervillema.gov or mail to the City Clerk, 93 Highland Avenue, 02143. The comments must arrive no later than noon on Wednesday, August 5, in order to be sure they are conveyed to the Council.

The City of Somerville Council on Aging is now accepting donations of new games, puzzles, books, arts and craft supplies, and other fun items to deliver some cheer to local seniors. Sudoku books, word searches, adult coloring books, sketch pads, playing cards, and stationery are especially popular. 

Here is a COVID-19 update as of  Friday, July 31. Please also check somervillema.gov/covid19 for information and resources that are updated frequently.

Businesses in the state’s Phase 3 Step 1 reopening considered to be at high risk for viral spread will remain on hold.

Officials cite concerns over COVID-19 case trends, overall testing capacity, and state contact tracing weaknesses

As members of the medical community note rising case counts and urge a rollback of the state’s phased reopening, Somerville’s Phase 3 Step 1 reopening will remain on hold. Local officials continue to review the situation in two-week intervals, with the next update coming on or before Monday, August 17.  In Somerville, indoor and outdoor gatherings also remain in Phase 2, with no more than 10 persons allowed until further notice, unless specifically permitted in city activity-specific guidelines. To provide safer options for gyms and fitness centers to offer some services, the city is encouraging and supporting outdoor alternatives.

Other states have seen a surge in COVID-19 cases and deaths, and Mayor Joe Curtatone urges everyone to remain diligent about social distancing, wearing face coverings, and washing their hands in order to stave off a second wave of the disease in our region.