By Bob Katzen

The House approved and sent to the Senate a bill designed to help cities, towns, businesses and individuals solve some of the problems created by the Coronavirus. Provisions permit a moderator of a town meeting to declare a 30-day postponement due to a public health emergency after consulting with the Select Board; permit a Select Board to vote to extend the date of an annual town meeting beyond the existing statutory cut-off of June 30; allow towns that are unable to finalize a budget before the start of the new fiscal year to continue month-to-month spending on essential operations at the same levels as the current fiscal year; and modify local permitting processes, extending municipal tax deadlines and allowing municipalities to extend property tax exemptions and deferrals.

The Somerville Bridge Hopper, the city’s free shuttle service to help residents navigate Green Line Extension construction detours, will suspend operations effective April 1, until further notice.

Somerville Mayor Curtatone, Board of Health Issue Residential and Commercial Eviction Moratorium 

On Saturday, March 28, Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone and the Somerville Board of Health announced an Emergency Order Establishing a Moratorium on Eviction Enforcement in the City of Somerville for the duration of the COVID-19 emergency. The order, which applies to both residential and commercial evictions and goes into effect immediately, prohibits the physical act of eviction within the city limits so as to provide for the health, safety, and stability of those who live in and serve our community. It also includes orders that the in-person showing of rental units to prospective new tenants or others, as well as any other non-emergency entry, shall cease during the emergency. In a show of unity, the City Council unanimously passed measures in support of both actions.

In an effort to reduce isolation and loneliness during the coronavirus pandemic, Somerville-Cambridge Elder Services (SCES) has launched a new Friendly Phone Call system.

Friendly Phone Call matches older adults who are feeling isolated with an SCES team member or volunteer. Once connected, the pair can decide how often they’d like to connect, and what they want to talk about, explained SCES Assistant Director Annie Fowler.

Carefully planning the lighting scheme in your workspace can create a healthy and pleasant environment to operate in.

Many people have found themselves working from home. Whether setting up shop at the kitchen table or creating a complete home office, here are simple hacks to make your new work environment comfortable and productive.

By Mary Ann Grassia, M.Ed.

Make a list of the types of dogs that live in your neighborhood.

Find the sunniest room in your home.

Somerville-Cambridge Elder Services (SCES) will remain open during the statewide order to close all non-essential businesses, which was declared by Governor Charlie Baker on March 23.

The order, which runs through April 7, allows healthcare, public health, and human services agencies to continue providing essential services. Services provided by SCES are considered essential under the order.

Dear Community Members,

— Photo courtesy of Alzheimer’s Association

The COVID-19 pandemic threatens the health of millions in this country and around the world, but the novel coronavirus presents unique challenges for more than 5 million Americans living with Alzheimer’s and more than 16 million family members and friends serving as their caregivers.

By Mary Ann Grassia, M.Ed.

Send your child on a newspaper scavenger hunt:

Vocabulary
Find and circle 26 words, each one beginning with a different letter
of the alphabet.
List the words in ABC (alphabetical) order.
Find and circle 5 unfamiliar words. Look each one up then use it in a sentence.