Somerville news blog city forum massachusetts journal newspaper MA

12/1/11 Planning Board Meeting

Posted by a 10:54 pm on November 29, 2011

Agenda contains 379 Somerville Ave., signage for a by-right restaurant.

Read More.>>

Posted in All Ages, Beat Reporter, Development and Zoning, Environment and Open Space, Neighborhoods and Squares, Special | No Comments »

12/1/11 Board of Assessors Meeting

Posted by a 10:51 pm on

Agenda not available (11/29/11). This meeting will most likely discuss property tax percentages for fiscal year 2012.

Read More.>>

Posted in All Ages, Beat Reporter, City Finances, Development and Zoning, Housing, Neighborhoods and Squares | No Comments »

11/30/11 Somerville Zoning Board of Appeals Meeting

Posted by a 7:57 pm on November 27, 2011

Agenda includes 485 Mystic Valley Pkwy, a project converting the exising Mystic Water Works into 25 affordable units of housing and replacing an existing office building with 35 affordable units.

Read More.>>

Posted in All Ages, Beat Reporter, Development and Zoning, Environment and Open Space, Housing, Ward 6 | No Comments »

11/28/11 Somerville Redevelopment Authority Meeting

Posted by a 4:51 pm on

Agenda includes the acquisition of 258 Somerville Ave. and updates on Assembly Square and Union Square. Note: the Somerville Redevelopment Authority does not have a web page.

Read More.>>

Posted in All Ages, Assembly Square, Beat Reporter, Development and Zoning, Environment and Open Space, Green Line, Housing, Orange Line, Union Square | 7 Comments »

Passing the Local Hiring Ordinance Will Help Raise Labor Standards in Somerville

Posted by a 9:07 pm on November 26, 2011

Somerville’s economic development policies should place the highest priority on creating the good jobs our community needs.…

Read More.>>

Posted in Civil and Human Rights, Economy & Poverty, Government Reform, Politics, Workers' Rights | No Comments »

Shhhh, it’s a DRUG BUST

Posted by a 8:24 am on November 25, 2011

So, yeah, I guess Mayor Joe wants to tiptoe carefully around this one, though it’s hardly a secret, as the incident was fully reported on Wicked Local Somerville November 7.

Read More.>>

Posted in Crime, Media, Politics | No Comments »

11/29: Ward 1 ResiStat Community Meeting

Posted by a 8:17 am on

Mayor Curtatone, Alderman Roche and the ResiStat program invite you to a community meeting in West Somerville to discuss the latest city data, news, updates and issues most important to you.

Read More.>>

Posted in Announcements, East Somerville, Government Reform, Neighborhoods and Squares, Politics, Ward 1 | No Comments »

11/22/11 Somerville Board of Assessors Public Hearing

Posted by a 4:19 pm on November 20, 2011

This public hearing will affect property tax percentages for fiscal year 2012, giving revenue implications of various rates. Every Somerville property owner will be affected by this hearing.

Read More.>>

Posted in All Ages, Beat Reporter, City Finances, Somerville By The Numbers | No Comments »

11/22/11 Conservation Commission Meeting

Posted by a 4:16 pm on

Agenda includes an update on the Order of Conditions for Assembly Square and a new fence for the Bike Path Community Garden.

Read More.>>

Posted in All Ages, Assembly Square, Beat Reporter, Development and Zoning, Environment and Open Space, Orange Line | No Comments »

11/22/11 Design Review Committee Meeting

Posted by a 4:14 pm on

Agenda includes 343-351 Summer St., a mixed-use building including a new VFW hall near Davis Square.

Read More.>>

Posted in All Ages, Beat Reporter, Davis Square, Development and Zoning, Environment and Open Space, Red Line | No Comments »

11/14/11 Launch Party for interactivesomerville.org

Posted by a 5:11 pm on November 13, 2011

Attend the launch party for interactivesomeville.org, a new forum for discussions about the Green Line Extension and other events. Managing the GLX extension and its integration with the community requires public participation.

Read More.>>

Posted in All Ages, Beat Reporter, Green Line, Neighborhoods and Squares, Transportation | 1 Comment »

11/21/11 Public Hearing on Community Path Design

Posted by a 4:13 pm on

This is a first look at the proposed design for the Community Path. All concerned with the path and the Green Line Extension should show up and comment.

Read More.>>

Posted in All Ages, Beat Reporter, Bicycles, Development and Zoning, Environment and Open Space, Neighborhoods and Squares, Pedestrians, Transportation, Transportation Projects | 1 Comment »

11/17/11 Planning Board Meeting

Posted by a 4:11 pm on

Agenda includes an update on the Somerville Comprehensive Plan and a signage change at a restaurant at 379 Somerville Ave. Note change of venue.

Read More.>>

Posted in All Ages, Beat Reporter, Development and Zoning, Environment and Open Space, Green Line, Neighborhoods and Squares | 1 Comment »

SCC’s Build Boston Charrette re: 181 Washington St., Union Square

Posted by a 12:47 pm on

Although there appears to be  a lot of neighborly opposition to SCC’s 181 Washington Street proposed development at this time, the Boston Society of Architects is calling it an “active project.” Below, information about the…

Read More.>>

Posted in Announcements, Development and Zoning, Housing, Union Square | No Comments »

Walmart Coming to Somerville?

Posted by a 8:25 am on November 11, 2011

Join us for a discussion on how this will affect the community and what you can do about it!

Read More.>>

Posted in Announcements, Development and Zoning, Politics, Workers' Rights | No Comments »

ResiStat Community Meetings for Wards 3 and 6 coming up

Posted by a 8:27 am on November 8, 2011

Reminder: The beginning of next week community leaders will get together with you in Wards 3 and 6

  • Meet with Mayor Curtatone, Alderman, City officials, aldermen-at-large and police
  • Share your concerns and ideas
  • Stay for a Meet & Greet with light refreshments
Read More.>>

Posted in Announcements, Government Reform, Politics, Ward 3, Ward 6 | No Comments »

11/15/11 Assembly Square Station Project Meeting

Posted by a 7:59 pm on November 6, 2011

It is very important that the public catch up with the Assembly Square T-stop project progress and decisions.

Read More.>>

Posted in All Ages, Assembly Square, Beat Reporter, Development and Zoning, Environment and Open Space, Orange Line, Transportation Projects | No Comments »

Holiday in the Ville’

Posted by a 7:44 pm on

Do you like music? Dancing? and free Concerts? Well! On Saturday November 26, 2011, come on down to Davis Square for the benefit concert fundraiser to support the Somerville Music Department.…

Read More.>>

Posted in Arts and Culture, Davis Square, Schools and Youth | No Comments »

Proposed Rights-of-Way Federal Guidelines Comment Period

Posted by a 7:15 pm on

The comment period ends 11/23/11. This is your chance to provide input to Federal guidelines on access by persons with disabilities.

Read More.>>

Posted in All Ages, Beat Reporter, City Finances, Development and Zoning, Environment and Open Space, Housing, Neighborhoods and Squares, Pedestrians, Public Health & Safety | 4 Comments »

Fall Resistat Community Meetings

Posted by a 6:59 pm on

These meetings are an important way to make your needs known to Somerville government. Show up and make your voice heard.

Read More.>>

Posted in All Ages, Beat Reporter, City Finances, Development and Zoning, Environment and Open Space, Events, Historical, Housing, Neighborhoods and Squares, Ward 1, Ward 2, Ward 3, Ward 4, Ward 5, Ward 6 | No Comments »

Young Democrats of MA Endorse Ballantyne, Barber for Alderman

Posted by a 10:40 pm on November 4, 2011

The Young Democrats of Massachusetts (YDM) and Greater Boston Young Democrats (GBYD) have endorsed Katjana Ballantyne and Christine Barber in their races for Somerville Alderman seats.

Read More.>>

Posted in Announcements, Politics, Press Release, Ward 4, Ward 7 | No Comments »

Somerville Journal Endorses Neither Candidate in Ward 7

Posted by a 6:34 pm on

Yesterday, the Somerville Journal announced (see quote below) it would not endorse in the race for Ward 7 Alderman.…

Read More.>>

Posted in Announcements, Politics, Ward 7 | 8 Comments »

Somerville, MA: Millions Wasted on Deficient Walkability Improvements

Posted by a 4:31 pm on November 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.

Read More.>>

Posted in Accessibility, Civil and Human Rights, Development and Zoning, Environment and Open Space, Government Reform, Pedestrians, Public Health & Safety, Public Records / FOIA Requests, Schools and Youth, Seniors | 6 Comments »

11/2/11 MBTA Community Meeting

Posted by a 10:31 pm on October 31, 2011

This meeting is called by the MBTA to discuss temporary changes in Red Line Service due to construction from Harvard to Alewife Station. The Red Line is a crucial connection between West Somerville and the rest of Boston. If you need it, find out what’s going on.

Read More.>>

Posted in All Ages, Beat Reporter, Events, Porter Square, Red Line, Special, Transportation Projects | No Comments »

Nourish Your Well Being

Posted by a 1:17 pm on October 24, 2011

Amethyst Center is again hosting a fundraiser for the Somerville Homeless Coalition, Saturday November 5, 1:00-5:00. “Nourish Your Well Being” will offer short…

Read More.>>

Posted in Davis Square, Events, Health Care | No Comments »

11/2/11 Somerville Zoning Board of Appeals Meeting

Posted by a 7:53 pm on October 23, 2011

Agenda includes 16 Linden St., constructing 5 dwelling units on a lot with 3 existing units for a total of 8.

Read More.>>

Posted in All Ages, Beat Reporter, Development and Zoning, Environment and Open Space, Events, Neighborhoods and Squares | 1 Comment »

11/3/11 Planning Board Meeting

Posted by a 7:50 pm on

Agenda includes a special permit for dry boat storage at 74 Foley Street in Assembly Square, possibly for boats from the Winter Hill Yacht Club.

Read More.>>

Posted in All Ages, Assembly Square, Beat Reporter, Development and Zoning, Environment and Open Space, Events, Orange Line, Transportation Projects | 1 Comment »

11/2/11 Mystic Valley Parkway Green Line Extension Final Public Meeting

Posted by a 8:38 pm on October 9, 2011

Completing the Green Line Extension to Route 16 is essential to Somerville’s future. Make your voice heard.

Read More.>>

Posted in All Ages, Beat Reporter, Development and Zoning, Environment and Open Space, Events, Green Line, Transportation Projects | 1 Comment »

10/20/11 Green Line Extension Environmental Assessment and Public Comment Period

Posted by a 8:36 pm on

This hearing is preceded at 6:00 by a Shovel Ready Rally and Mock Groundbreaking in front of Somerville High School to protest Green Line delays. It is essential that the Green Line Extension be carried out on time with responsible attention to environmental impacts.

Read More.>>

Posted in All Ages, Ball Square, Beat Reporter, East Somerville, Environment and Open Space, Events, Green Line, Magoun Square, Teele Square, Transportation Projects, Union Square | 1 Comment »

2011 Saturday Afternoon Family Films at the Library

Posted by a 1:05 am on December 10, 2010

As promised, here’s the lineup of family films that we’ll be showing at the Central Library one Saturday afternoon per month at 2:00 p.m.

January 15th:
Muppets from Space

February 12th:

Read More.>>

Posted in All Ages, Announcements, Arts and Culture, Events, Special | No Comments »

Library announces film series lineup for 2011

Posted by a 12:15 pm on December 6, 2010

A few weeks ago I posted a question: what would draw you to a free film at the Library?  I got a small amount of feedback through the Library’s blog, Facebook, and by talking with…

Read More.>>

Posted in Announcements, Arts and Culture, Events | No Comments »