Because of a conflict with City budget hearings, tonight’s Ward 3 ResiStat community meeting has been postponed. We hope to announce a new date soon.

Each year the Office of Strategic Planning and Community Development organizes bike and pedestrian counts at 36 locations around the city. Volunteers counted cyclists, pedestrians, and a few joggers during two rush hour periods (7:15-8:45am and 4:45-6:15pm).  The counters count in 15 minute increments and keep track of movements at each intersection (see diagram), so planners have even more data to work with and can understand how people are moving around Somerville.

You’re invited to the Ward 1 Community Meeting with Mayor Curtatone and Alderman Bastardi hosted by the City’s ResiStat program.Please join us for the meeting on Thursday, May 16, 7-8:30 p.m., and don’t miss the Meet-and-Greet with refreshments fr…

SomerStreets events are fun street festivals, but there’s an ulterior motive as well. Each one is designed to make it easy for everyone to get outside and moving. By closing the roads to cars and opening them to you, we’re hoping to make it an active, healthy day for you and your friends or whole family. We spread events along the closed roadway so you can stroll, bike, skate, jog, or silly walk between entertainments. Or you can just come to make use of the open road and bike or skate in a car-free area all you want. 

So, why do this? In recent years, a significant shift has occurred in the thinking on how to promote active lifestyles. Instead of just reminding people that being active is good for health and well-being, cities like Somerville are changing their infrastructure and offerings to make being active and healthy easier and more fun for residents. We build better crosswalks to promote walking. We add bike lanes to promote cycling. We build and improve our parks to provide space for outdoor activities from baseball to gardening. SomerStreets is just one more piece of this overall effort to make the best, active use of our 4.1-mile-square city.

Starting this summer, join us for the Fourth Annual SomerStreets series and take advantage of car-free streets in your neighborhood.

All events run from noon to 4pm and are help rain or shine.

Carnaval
Sunday, June 2, 2013
East Broadway (McGrath Highway to Pennsylvania Avenue)
Activities will include:
•              Motion Parade with Mayor Joe Curtatone (meet at 11:45am at the Cross Street and Broadway)
•              Music on two stages – Cross Street and East Broadway Library

•              Farmers’ Market

•              Arts and Craft vendors

•              Free Family Fun Activities

•              Scavenger Hunt
                                    

Seize the Summer
Sunday, July 28, 2013
Highland Avenue (Walnut Street to Cedar Street)       


Shore Drive
Sunday, August 18, 2013
Shore Drive


Going Green on Route 16
Sunday, September 8, 2013
Route16 (Dilboy Field to Broadway)       


MonsterMashed Up
Sunday, October 20, 2013
Somerville Avenue

Do you want to talk about transit, parlé about parks, or zero in on zoning? Then please join us at your neighborhood ResiStat meeting. Every meeting will be packed with information about City-wide and Ward issues, along with plenty of time for questions and answers.

Below is the schedule for this spring’s meetings. Please note, the Ward 7 meeting is currently being rescheduled and we will be updating the schedule soon. Hope to see you there.

SomerStat and ResiStat attract a lot of visitors to Somerville. Whether it is academics, local government leaders, reporters, or engaged citizens, they all have something in common: an interest in using data to improve how government works.In addition …

For some, spring is a time of renewal and rebirth. For others, it marks the start of allergy season. At ResiStat, it means it’s time to plan another round of community meetings.

Right now we’re locking in dates and locations, so stay tuned to find out when ResiStat will be in your neighborhood. In the meantime, we want your help to plan the meetings. If you have a few minutes, please fill out our short survey about potential agenda items for this season’s meetings. Once you’ve done the serious stuff, check out the pizza survey below it. We’re going to use the data we get to place pizza orders this time around, so make your voice heard.

Please spread the word about the upcoming ResiStat meetings to friends and neighbors. We hope to see you there.

Hardworking members of the Somerville Fire Department have been shoveling out fire hydrants as fast as they can. But with more than 1,500 hydrants in the City, they need your help. If you are able, here’s a map of most (but not all) City hydrants. Seni…

View Somervillle City Snow Lots in a full screen mapAn astute resident asked us for this map. So, tada, here it is, the Lindsey Anne Hildebrand Honorary Where to Park in City Lots Map. During a snow emergency, parking will be allowed only on the odd-nu…

On Wednesday, Nov. 28, a television film crew rolled into Davis Square to shoot the ABC Family TV pilot Terminales starring Italia Ricci. They were not the first–or likely the last–crew to view our City as a good film location.According to the Massac…

You’re invited to the Ward 4 Community Meeting with Mayor Curtatone and Alderman Lafunete hosted by the City’s ResiStat program.Please join us for the meeting on Wednesday, Dec. 5, 7-8:30 p.m., and don’t miss the Meet-and-Greet with refreshments f…

You’re invited to the Ward 1 Community Meeting with Mayor Curtatone and Alderman Roche hosted by the City’s ResiStat program.Please join us for the meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 4, 7-8:30 p.m., and don’t miss the Meet-and-Greet with refreshments from 6…

You’re invited to the Ward 6 Community Meeting with Mayor Curtatone and Alderman Gewirtz hosted by the City’s ResiStat program. Please join us for the meeting on Thursday, Nov. 15, 7-8:30 p.m., and don’t miss the Meet-and-Greet with refreshme…

You’re invited to the Ward 5 Community Meeting with Mayor Curtatone and Alderman O’Donovan hosted by the City’s ResiStat program. Please join us for the meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 14, 7-8:30 p.m., and don’t miss the Meet-and-Greet w…

Calling all residents of Union Square South, the Lincoln and Perry Park areas, and the Somerville Ave. and Beacon St. corridors. You’re invited to the Ward 2 Community Meeting with Mayor Curtatone and Alderman Heuston hosted by Resi…

On October 15th, residents and local business owners gathered for the second public Beacon St. Reconstruction Meeting. We have all you need to catch up on what happened right here.You’ll find the minutes below (or for easier reading, view them HERE). T…

Calling all residents of Union Square North and the Prospect Hill, Spring Hill, and Central Hill areas. You’re invited to the Ward 3 Community Meeting with Mayor Curtatone and Alderman Taylor hosted by ResiStat. Please join us Wedne…

We’re starting the Fall ResiStat meetings this Thursday, Oct. 18, in Ward 7, that’s the West Somerville and Teele Square area. Why should you come if you live in the area? Because this is your home and what the City does or doesn’t do can imp…

It’s that time again. We’ll be holding seven neighborhood meetings with the Mayor and your Aldermen in the coming weeks — and we need your input to help determine what topics we’ll discuss. So please take our Meeting Survey.Starting Thursday, Oct. 18t…

This summer, the City has received an unusually high number of reports of rat sightings in Somerville—and it appears that we are not alone. Other cities that experienced a similarly mild winter are also noticing this trend, as has been reported by the press. Our SomerStat analysts took a look at the 311 call data from other cities including Chicago, New York City, and Baltimore to examine the underlying numbers.

In the following graph of 311 data from Chicago, you’ll find one example of what we found. A dip in the number of rodent calls can be seen during both January 2011 and January 2012. This is normal. Rats do not hibernate, but they do tend to die off during the winter months when it is more difficult to find food. The usual moderate increase in rat sightings from April to September 2011 can also be seen. In 2012, however, a rather dramatic increase occurs during the same time period.

The City of Somerville is planning to improve Davis Square for pedestrians, drivers and cyclists alike–but we need your input.The fifth Davis Sq. Streetscape Meeting is this Monday, September 24, starting at 6 p.m. at the Tufts Administration Bui…

• Get to know Somerville’s wetlands, water bodies, open space and community gardens;

• Familiarize yourself with the laws and regulations (Wetlands Protection Act, MGL Chapter 131, §40) under which the Commission works and their supporting science;

• Attend monthly meetings (typically the fourth Tuesday of every month) and site visits when necessary;

• Foster good relations with other city departments, boards and residents;

• Always act professionally, and

• Use fairness and objectivity when making decisions.

http://www.somervillema.gov/departments/concom

• Tuesday, September 18
• Wednesday, September 19
• Thursday, September 20
• Tuesday, September 25
• Wednesday, September 26
• Thursday, September 27

Attention residents, We have reached open data. Please feel free to roam about the data portal. It’s live, folks. Today, Mayor Curtatone unveiled New England’s first Socrata-powered Open Data Portal, adding Somerville to a select group of Open Dat…

The ideas that have come out of recent community discussions over how to improve Davis Square cover a lot of ground from traffic and safety to visual appeal.Removal of the “slip lane” that allows a left-turn in front of Mike’s Restaurant to create a la…

The blog Colorlines recently posted an interview with environmental journalist Tim De Chant highlighting his use of aerial imagery to show the stark difference between the number of trees found in wealthier and lower-income neighborhoods. In …

The City is working to improve the Davis Square streetscape and wants your ideas for upgrades that will provide safer, easier travel through the area—whether driving, walking, or cycling—as well as enhance the visual appeal of the square. With…

City data will soon be at your fingertips–and you might even find it fun (and not just informative) to look through. Mayor Curtatone announced Thursday that the City of Somerville has partnered with Socrata, Inc to use the Seattle-based company’s…

The next ResiStat meeting is the Ward 7 meeting for residents of West Somerville and Teele Square. This Thursday, June 7, from 6:30 to 8 p.m., please join Mayor Curtatone, Alderman Trane, Chief of Police Thomas Pasquarello, Captain Paul Trant, and City…

The next ResiStat meeting is the Ward 2 meeting for residents of Union Square, Lincoln Park, Perry Park, and the Somerville Ave. and Beacon St. areas. Tonight, Wednesday, May 30th, 6:30-8 p.m., please join Mayor Curtatone, Alderman Heuston, Chief …

View Somerville Parks: Water Play Features, Sprinklers & Pools in a larger mapGood news: The Department of Public Works is out today, Thursday, May, 24, turning on the water features at Somerville Parks. They expect all working water features to b…

      The next ResiStat meeting is the Ward 6 meeting for residents of greater Davis Square and the Ball Square area. On Tuesday, May 29, 6:30-8 p.m., please join Mayor Curtatone, Alderman Gewirtz, Chief of Police Thomas Pasquarello…

      The next ResiStat meeting is the Ward 3 meeting for residents of the upper Union Square, Prospect Hill, Central Hill, and Spring Hill areas. On Thursday, May 17, 6:30-8 p.m., please join Mayor Curtatone, Alderman Taylor, Chief of P…

View Somerville City Parks Map in a larger mapCheck out this great, new interactive map of Somerville parks and community gardens. For better viewing, use the “+” and “-” buttons on the map to zoom in. Then click a tree for more information on and phot…

·        The next ResiStat meeting is the WARD 5 meeting for residents of greater Magoun Square, east Ball Square, the Cedar and Lowell St. areas, and northeast Porter Square. On Monday, May 14, 6:30-8 p.m., please join Mayor Curta…

The Green Line Extension took an important step forward last month. At its April 19 meeting, the Boston Meteropolitan Planning Organization voted to approve $8.1M in funding for the design of the Route 16 Green Line station.“This station may be in Me…

SomerStreets events are more than just fun street festivals. Each one is designed to make it easy for everyone to get outside and moving. By closing the roads to cars and opening them to you, we’re hoping to make it an active, healthy day for you …

The next ResiStat meeting is the WARD 4 meeting for residents of Winter Hill, Ten Hills, Mystic View, and States Ave. On Tuesday, May 1, 6:30-8 p.m., please join Mayor Curtatone, Alderman Lafuente, City Police, City Staff and your neighbors for updates…

The City’s annual Rain Barrel Event is a great way to get a big discount (save $47.25) on a rain barrel that you can place under your downspout. Then you keep saving when you use the rainwater you collect to water your garden and save on water bills.&n…

On April 11, Somerville Police began ticketing cyclists for traffic violations (full story HERE). Here are a few quick numbers and updates on the matter just in from the Somerville Police:So far, since ticketing of cyclists for traffic violations began…

The spring 2012 ResiStat Community Meetings with Mayor Curtatone and the City’s Aldermen are here. Seven neighborhood meetings, one in each ward, will be held in the coming weeks starting Tuesday, April 24th. Mayor Curtatone, Ward and At-large Ald…

Resident Question:  Not sure if it’s a trick of the parking trade, but I’m wondering why the email alerts I’ve been getting for two years since buying a home in Somerville didn’t come through yesterday for street cleaning on Partridge Ave. Do…

Yesterday, Somerville Police Chief Thomas Pasquarello announced that starting today, April 11, the Somerville Police will increase enforcement of bicycle traffic regulations under Massachusetts General Law Chapter 85, which was recently revised an…

Forget personal trainers. Nothing will boost your fitness routine like having your Mayor personally invite you (and your eight teammates) to zumba, fitness boot camp, or an after-work power walk. That’s why ResiStat is holding three spots on Mayor…

Have your say about public art in Somerville. As part of an effort to engage residents in decision-making around art in public spaces, the City is hosting an Open Art Forum at Morse-Kelley park this Saturday, Mar. 17, 10am-12 noon. Come meet Somerville…

On Tuesday, Mayor Curtatone announced the creation of a new advisory group to assist the City in the development and implementation of programs designed to encourage and support efforts by area employers to hire local residents. The new, 11-member Some…

Resident Question: I’m curious as to whether or not there’s ever been an effort to create a sound/air barrier between 93 and the Ten Hills/East Somerville neighborhoods it goes so close to. It seems like many far-flung suburbs have walls like that, so …

Resident Question: I have a street lamp which shines directly into my 2nd floor bedroom window. I have “blackout” blinds, but it’s still bright enough to read by in my room while I’m sleeping. Is it possible to request a modification (or removal!) of a…

Question: I read an announcement about the upcoming meeting “HUD Action Plan Public Hearing” on 3/22 at the Ralph & Jenny Center. I scoured web pages and city websites to learn accessibility information for the center before I plan to attend. I COU…

Question: What happened to the trees in the median of Broadway just west of Magoun Square? Are there plans to replace them?Answer: The trees were damaged in a traffic incident (with no known injuries to the driver). The City’s Department of Public Work…

The City of Somerville is seeking volunteers to provide customer feedback on their experiences using City services. If you’re planning on conducting a transaction with a city department, such as paying your water bill, getting a dog licence, or re…

Massachusetts Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner Mitchell Chester today announced that he will not recommend that the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education grant a new charter to a proposed charter school in Somerville.Whil…

The Somerville Human Rights Commission and the Somerville Women’s Commission are both seeking new members. Come to their meetings this week to learn about the important work that they do. For meeting details, please see the images to the left.For more …

Good news on two fronts: Recycling is up by 46% since the start of Zero-Sort recycling AND yesterday,Mayor Curtatone presented the winners of the “It’s the Love Tote” photo contest with certificates of “Exemplary Zero-Sortness” as well a…

Complaints that Somerville cyclists are ignoring the rules of the road were made at every ResiStat meeting this fall. Likewise, local cyclists are equally concerned about motorists who do not safely share the roads with bicycles. The good news is that the City will launch a citywide bicycle safety campaign in March to help educate everyone—motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians—on how to safely (

Update Feb. 28: Recently, residents chose between two designs for New Harris Park. On Wednesday, Feb. 29, City planners will reveal the updated design at a public meeting at 6:30 p.m. at the Cross Street Senior Center, 165 Broadway. Come give your feedback on Somerville’s newest park.
———

On Wednesday, more than 60 people, including many youths, gathered to review two design proposals for

Every last bench, ADA compliant crosswalk, bike rack, and gleaming trash can planned for the new East Broadway streetscape can now be seen in the final plans released this week. On January 24, the completed drawings were submitted for bid. Constrution is expected to begin this spring or early summer.

The detailed, 84-page plan, which can be viewed HERE, is fairly technical. But scanning it and

On Wednesday, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) awarded Somerville and Arlington $2,237,821 in funding for homeless assistance programs. The funding for the Somerville-Arlington Continuum has steadily increased in the last several years, with $2,235,913 awarded in 2010, $2,233,788 in 2009, and $1.9 million in 2008. Overall this year, the Obama Administration has awarded nearly

At 5 p.m. today, Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone and Somerville Firefighters Local 76 signed a memorandum of agreement on a new 8-year labor accord. Both sides made concessions. No layoffs and no closures of facilities, including the West Branch Library, will result. The official press release follows: 

City Agrees to Same Salary Percentage Increases Called for in JLMC Award Plus 3 More Years of

Help us go from this…

to this…

Lt. Gov. Murray announced Tuesday that Somerville will recieve a $500,000 state grant to develop the new Harris Park. Residents can help shape the park at a community meeting on Wed., Jan. 25, 7 p.m., at the Cross Street Senior Center, 165 Broadway. Water features? Better lighting? Community garden plots? Your suggestions on how to apply

At a recent community meeting, Somerville planning staff shared a draft of new guidelines for defining possible future uses of the former Powder House Community School in West Somerville. Residents are being encouraged to read the guidelines (posted below) and offer any feedback or suggested edits.

The draft is the culmination of more than 70 hours of discussions at community meetings held since

Please note that the Ward 6 ResiStat Community Meeting has been rescheduled. Originally planned for Tuesday, May 24, the meeting will now be held Monday, June 27, 6:30-8 p.m. at Ciampa Manor, 27 College Ave., Davis…

Meet with the Mayor, your ward and at-large aldermen, City officials, Somerville Police representatives, and your neighbors to get updates on City and Ward news, ask questions, and share your ideas and concerns. Meetings run from…