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This poem from Isabelle Kenyon was published in the Somerville-based literary magazine Ibbetson Street (46).

Arrests:
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Robert Messina, of 820 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, January 20, 2:49 p.m., arrested at McGrath Hwy. on a warrant charge of larceny from a person.

Tameka Kelly, of 10 Webster, January 20, 2:49 p.m., arrested at McGrath Hwy. on warrant charges of larceny from a person number plate violation, uninsured motor vehicle or trailer, juror failure to appear, and larceny over $1200.

— Photo courtesy of Somerville Fire Department

Two new firefighters were sworn in at latest City Council meeting last Thursday evening. Randy Oliver and Daniel Roche will begin training with the Fire Department on February 3. Pictured L to R: Assistant Chief Christopher Major, Daniel Roche, Randy Oliver and Chief Charles Breen Jr.

Somerville Seeks Resources for Public Safety, Local Businesses
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On Monday, January 27, the GLX Project released an updated schedule for bridge closures in Somerville associated with Green Line Extension construction.

Most notably, the revised timeline estimates that the re-openings of all three bridges that are currently closed will be delayed. The Broadway bridge in Ball Square is now expected to open in July 2020, about four months later than anticipated. The Washington Street bridge is now expected to reopen in May 2020, and the Medford Street bridge in October 2020. The School Street bridge has not yet been closed, and the new schedule now shows it and the Medford Street bridge around the corner being closed concurrently for approximately four months in the summer and fall of 2020.

The Benjamin G. Brown School hosted a special assembly on Friday, January 17. Thanks to the generosity of the Medford-Malden Elks organization, every third grade student at the Brown School received a dictionary on behalf of the more than 350 third grade students in the district. Brown School Principal Shawn Maguire hosted the gathering in the school library where several Medford-Malden Elks Lodge members distributed the reference books to students.

The Somerville Planning Board is now accepting comments on the SomerVision 2040 plan, which updates and extends Somerville’s community-driven SomerVision 2030 plan. The plan is the result of months of work by the SomerVision 2040 Committee, community members, and city staff.

The hearing takes place, January 27, 6:00 p.m., at Somerville High School Cafeteria, 81 Highland Ave, Somerville, MA. The following Fourteen (14) public shade trees have been proposed for removal:

1. 10 Inner Belt Road – Removal of two (2) Callery Pear trees (8”, 14” diameter),
and one (1) London Plane (8” diameter) for Residential Development.

Somerville Media Center Education
When: February 3 and 10, 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. (Session 1)
March 2 and 9, 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. (Session 2)
Location: Somerville Media Center 

Cost: $75 for current SMC members / $125 for non-members

Audio-based programming known as podcasting has exploded in recent years as a way of communicating stories. Learn how you can create podcasts in this introductory course taught by Boston Free Radio Station Manager and podcaster Heather McCormack.

Absentee ballots are now available for the Tuesday, March 3, presidential primary election. Massachusetts voters may use an absentee ballot if they will be out of the city on election day, have a disability that prevents them from voting at a polling place, religious reasons, or if they are confined in a correctional facility. Voters can request an absentee ballot by downloading and returning the absentee ballot form available on www.somervillema.gov/elections.

(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.)

By Joseph A. Curtatone

A monthly look at ways to get involved with your city: Don’t just live in Somerville, be Somerville!

Work at a Polling Location in the Presidential Primary
The Elections Department is hiring polling place workers for the Tuesday, March 3, Presidential Primary Election. All registered Massachusetts voters are eligible to apply. Polling place workers are paid $165 for the day and work from 6:30 a.m. until shortly after the polls close at 8 p.m. with a two-hour break. For more information, please contact Maria Pierotti at 617-625-6600 ext. 4200 or mpierotti@somervillema.gov.