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Innovation Schools
by Mary Jo Rossetti on Sun, Jan 22, 2012
The School Committee voted to explore introducing Innovation Schools in Somerville. To learn more, we invited two experts who have direct experience with Innovation Schools.
Beat Report: 1/19/12 Finance Committee Meeting of the Whole
by David Dahlbacka on Sat, Jan 21, 2012
Mayor Curtatone announced memo of agreement with Firefighters Local 76 deferring retroactive payments to next fiscal year. This agreement means no layoffs this fiscal year (including closing West Branch Library). Asked for executive session to discuss next steps, and continuing negotiations with fire alarm operators.
Meeting TONIGHT about mayor’s plan to close Davis Square library
by Alain Jehlen on Wed, Jan 18, 2012
Somerville Voices was asked to post this notice about a library meeting from the Davis Square LiveJournal: http://davis-square.livejournal.com/2824126.html.
 …
1/25/12 Green Line Extension Corridor-Wide Public Meeting
by David Dahlbacka on Sun, Jan 15, 2012
Agenda includes the early bridge and demolition package, affecting the Medford Street Rail Bridge (Somerville), the Harvard Street Rail Bridge (Medford), and 21 Water Street (Cambridge).
1/18/12 Somerville Housing Authority
by David Dahlbacka on Sun, Jan 15, 2012
Agenda includes resident concerns and report of committees on Resident Services, Public Safety, Safety, Major Projects, and Finance.
1/19/12 Somerville Planning Board Meeting
by David Dahlbacka on Sun, Jan 15, 2012
Agenda includes further discussion and possible vote on the Porter Square/Wilson Square zoning change, which has proved controversial.
1/18/12 Somerville Zoning Board of Appeals Meeting
by David Dahlbacka on Sun, Jan 15, 2012
Agenda includes (16 Linden St.) a variance to add a 5-unit residence to a lot that already has a 3-unit structure and (485 Mystic Valley Pkwy.) convert the Mystic Water Works property into 60 affordable housing units.
Jan 22 : Ward 3 Democratic Committee to Meet
by mgrunko on Sun, Jan 15, 2012
Agenda: Convention caucus, Replacing Scott Brown, Affordable housing at the Boys & Girls Club, Charter school politics, Green Line advocacy, and Energy services from the city. Rep. Provost will be a guest.
Support our Firefighters!
by eila on Wed, Jan 11, 2012
January 11, 2012: State and local news organizations report today that the City is suing the local firefighters union and a state panel in order to halt payment on what is legitimately owed Somerville’s Fire Fighters Local 76. (See today’s Boston Globe report)…
Recession Sessions Benefit Concert to Give Voice to Economic Hardship
by SomervilleHomelessCoalition on Wed, Jan 11, 2012
Join The Bull and Bear, a “financial folk” band for a night of relevant and original music played live from the band’s most-recent album, Recession Sessions. The record highlights the major events of the current global financial crisis. …
Somerville High School Issues
by fpz95 on Tue, Dec 20, 2011
There is only one High School and if the things that need to be fixed are not fixed this school will crumble down and every one would have to move to Medford or some other high school. Somerville High should be treated with respect.
Somerville’s latest route around our rights
by eila on Thu, Dec 15, 2011
The City of Somerville submitted a variance application on December 2, 2011 that stated that a “proposed secondary stair case” was being considered for the west sidewalks of Lowell St. Bridge into the future Max’sGreen. the City requested to forego creating an adjacent ramp route; claiming it would be “redundant.”
The Community Access Project and the Boston Center for Independent Living sent an Opposition letter to the State Board regarding this Variance. Five photos of the “proposed secondary” pedestrian route included here.
Occupy Wall Street movement spreads to Somerville
by Rand Wilson on Wed, Dec 14, 2011
Local residents rallied at the Bank of America on Saturday, December 10 pushing for changes to reign in corporate greed and address growing inequality in both Somerville and the United States. The rally was a kickoff event for Occupy Somerville.…
Public Skating?
by Pat Jehlen on Sun, Dec 11, 2011
Does anyone else feel disappointed that Veterans Memorial Rink, now under city management, has a total of slightly less than two hours of public skating on weekends in December?…
Trader Joe’s has Social Justice Problems
by intrepid on Thu, Dec 8, 2011
Surely there are many Somervillians among the many patrons and fans of Traders Joe national (specialty) retail grocery stores. While of little comparison to the retail behemoth in the news these days, Trader Joe’s is not without its problems. The following notice may be of interest.…
Working Together to Improve Outcomes – My Comments on Charter
by shirsch on Tue, Dec 6, 2011
Perspective on the proposed charter by Stephanie Hirsch, a Somerville parent and Director of SomerPromise, a joint effort of the City, Schools, on-profit providers, residents, Tufts, and the Somerville Housing Authority to increase coordination and to use data-informed decision-making to improve life outcomes for children in Somerville.
A second charter school for Somerville? State hearing Dec. 14
by Alain Jehlen on Tue, Dec 6, 2011
Somerville-4-Schools and other Somerville email lists are buzzing with debate over a new charter school proposal that could, if successful, force big cuts in the school budget including closing a school.
The state Board…
Somerville, MA: Millions Wasted on Deficient Walkability Improvements
by eila on Wed, Nov 2, 2011
Over 80% of Somerville’s new sidewalks and curb cuts, installed since 2004, are hazardous for people with various types of disabilities (one-in-five). These infrastructure improvements don’t even adhere to basic, standard building code. See a listing of the first 50 locations that the City of Somerville promises to re-do, equalling about $500K wasted the first time around- for starters.
Mayor Curtatone’s YSAG No-Way Planning
by eila on Mon, Oct 24, 2011
If there were a listing of ”100 Worst Communities for Young Residents With DisAbilities,” Somerville would be at the top of the list.
The Mayor’s Young Somerville Advisory Group end-of-year meeting and presentation…
Special, if irrational, permits in Somerville
by Jonathan Rich on Wed, Oct 12, 2011
I was looking at plans for a house that’s going to be built behind mine, and just got it’s ZBA stamp of approval, and realized that they hadn’t fixed the stairway. For the first three…
