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James B. Nicola’s poems have appeared in the Antioch, Southwest and Atlanta Reviews; Rattle; Tar River; and Poetry East. His full-length collections are Manhattan Plaza (2014), Stage to Page (2016), Wind in the Cave (2017), Out of Nothing: Poems of Art and Artists (2018), and Quickening: Poems from Before and Beyond (2019). His nonfiction book Playing the Audience won a Choice award. His poetry has received a Dana Literary Award, two Willow Review awards, and six Pushcart Prize nominations – from Shot Glass Journal, Parody, Ovunque Siamo, Lowestoft Chronicle, and twice from Trinacria – for which he feels both stunned and grateful.

Children Storytime with Somerville Public Library

Wednesday, June 12, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.

Come join the studio audience for a live recording.

Come one, come all, come in your pajamas. The Somerville Public Library invites the community to Pajama Storytime on the second Wednesdays of the month from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at VOX POP, 431 Artisan Way, Assembly Row. Wear your pajamas if you can, because we’re going to snuggle and read stories with librarian Ann Cassesso.

Arrests:
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Paula Nolin, of 359 Green St., Cambridge, June 3, 5:50 p.m., arrested at Broadway on warrant charges of credit card fraud under $1200, trespassing, and larceny from a building.

Sarah Clary, of 5 Ashlynn Way, Rehoboth, June 5, 10:28 p.m., arrested at McGrath Hwy. on warrant charges of larceny under $1200, larceny over $1200, and use of a motor vehicle without authority.

One of Greater Boston’s premiere culinary events, the Taste of Somerville, returns on June 12th for its 21^st year. This year’s Taste has a new, beautiful home on the waterfront at Assembly Row.

Last year’s event served over 1,200 guests a comprehensive array of food, drink, and entertainment from 60+ restaurants, bars, beverage providers, and local artisans.

Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone and the Office of Strategic Planning and Community Development (OSPCD), in collaboration with Shree Ganesh Realty Trust & Darin Associates announce Affordable rental opportunities for two (2) rental apartments, at 1119-1133 Broadway and 38 Day Street, respectively. The apartments are available through the Inclusionary Housing Program via an application and lottery process for eligible households with a combined gross income at or below 50% of the Area Median Income (“AMI”).

Join City of Somerville staff and Ward 4 Councilor Jesse Clingan for a conversation about the future of the vacant Star Market site at 299 Broadway. A meeting will be held on Wednesday, June 19, beginning at 6:00 p.m. at the Healey School, 5 Meacham St. The discussion will explore possible paths for redevelopment of the site. City staff will present possible options and receive community feedback. For more information or with any questions contact Urban Revitalization Specialist Lauren Drago at LDrago@somervillema.gov or 617-625-6600 ext. 2515.

New Daytime Detour Begins Late June  

Somerville Ave. will reopen to eastbound traffic through Union Square starting Monday, June 10. A detour has been in place between Dane St. and the Somerville Ave./Washington St. intersection since February. Over the next few weeks, Barletta, the city’s contractor for the Somerville Ave. Utility and Streetscape Improvements Project, will gradually transition out of their current work zone and into the next phase of construction. They’ll move to Bow St. just west of Stone Ave. for approximately one month. Northbound traffic on Webster Ave. will still be required to turn either left or right at the Washington St./Somerville Ave. intersection. Westbound traffic will be maintained. MBTA bus routes 85 Inbound/Outbound and 87 Inbound will continue operating on their existing Dane St. detour routes.

(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 Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone

Taking a closer look at notable city data—and interesting numbers.  Fiscal year 2020 begins on July 1 and throughout June the City Council will be reviewing the budget we have submitted. Visit www.somervillema.gov to find meeting dates and times.

2.5%: Even if you don’t spend much time talking about municipal finance, there’s a good chance you’ve heard of Proposition 2 ½. Passed by voters in 1980, Proposition 2 ½ sets rules around tax assessments and levies. The part you’ve likely heard about the most is the section that caps property tax increases at 2.5%. Any increase beyond that would require an override vote, which Somerville has never done. (In 2016 voters did approve a debt exclusion to pay for the new Somerville High School, which is different from an override.) Here’s where things can get a little confusing: Although the tax rate can’t be raised more than 2.5%, sometimes property owners see an increase larger than 2.5%. That’s because property tax bills are based both on the tax rate and the value of the property. From fiscal year 2018 to fiscal year 2019 Somerville’s residential tax rate decreased by nearly 5% (the FY2020 tax rate will be set by the City Council later this year), but if a property’s value increased taxpayers may end up with a larger bill than the year before.

— Photos by Kelsey Marie Kent

The WSNS Spring Concert 2018-2019 “The Power of Nature” took place on Thursday, May 30, at West Somerville Neighborhood School. The students delivered performances about the power of nature and included SMILE-6th Grade Classrooms; 4th, 5th, and 6th Grade Strings & Band Ensembles; and 7th & 8th Grade Chorus, World Percussion, and Orchestra.

— Photos by Claudia  Ferro

SomerStreets: Carnaval returned for the 10th year of shaking up East Somerville, kicking off the 2019 season on Sunday.

Attendees enjoyed the best of the East Broadway Business District and community including food, music, and activities from around the world.