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All Massachusetts voters will be able to vote by mail in both the September 1 State primary and the November 3 general election this year. By July 15, the Secretary of State will mail all eligible voters (who have not already requested an absentee ballot) a vote by mail ballot application. Voters can use that application to apply for a ballot for the primary election, general election, or both. Please note that in-person voting is also an option for both elections.

Guidelines and requirements for reopening to be announced

Phase 3 Step 1 business establishments in Somerville will be allowed to reopen on Monday, July 20, assuming all safety protocols are met. New indoor and outdoor gathering guidelines will also go into effect on July 20 with additional restrictions beyond those imposed by the State. The city is currently working in collaboration with area businesses to finalize enhanced safety requirements and guidelines, which will be issued next week.

A reminder that the Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) day originally scheduled for this Saturday, July 11 is canceled.

Due to COVID-19, all HHW depot days are canceled until further notice and the DPW Yard is not accepting any electronic, hazardous, or other waste for drop-off. We will provide an update when the DPW Yard reopens.

With proper planning and doing the right research, a great vacation can be had in spite of restrictions imposed by the coronavirus crisis.
~Photo © jacoblund / iStock via Getty Images Plus

After months spent indoors at home due to the coronavirus pandemic, it’s clear that many people are itching to get back out there and take a vacation. This is with good reason. Staying isolated for too long can take a substantial toll on one’s mental health and well-being, according to the American Psychological Association.

Dear Community Members,

Life in the Ville by Jimmy Del Ponte

Somerville’s finest are of course our outstanding police force. Names like Remigio, Fallon, Mitsakis, Stiles, Dervishian, Gilberti, Cabral, Howe, Hodgdon and so many more. But Somerville’s other finest was actually spelled Finast with an a. An acronym for First National Stores.

By Alberto Gilman

The Somerville City Council Finance Committee hosted a virtual Committee of the Whole meeting on Thursday, July 2.

In the previous week, the City Council hosted a five-hour virtual public hearing discussing the proposed budget for the 2021 fiscal year on Wednesday, June 24 by Mayor Curtatone.

The Somerville City Council passed an ordinance at its latest regular meeting allowing for official recognition of domestic partnerships, including those involving more than two people.

By Jim Clark

At the latest regular meeting of the Somerville City Council on June 25, an ordinance to formally recognize domestic partnerships, including those involving more than two people, was put forward and approved unanimously by the Council.

(The opinions and views expressed in the commentaries and letters to the Editor of The Somerville Times belong solely to the authors and do not reflect the views or opinions of The Somerville Times, its staff or publishers)

Part 3:  The historical purpose of policing
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By William C. Shelton

Understanding the historical creation of police forces and their function in preserving the established order will go a long way toward explaining why police violence against the poor, people of color, and African Americans in particular persists.

The city is reminding residents not to set off fireworks this summer. Along with being illegal in Massachusetts, fireworks pose public health and safety threats. Fireworks can start fires, which can spread quickly through our densely populated neighborhoods. The noise from fireworks can also be traumatizing to those with post-traumatic stress disorder and can be very upsetting to animals. Throughout the summer, everyone is being reminded to be a good neighbor and not set off fireworks.