Neighborhoods and Squares

Agenda includes further discussion and possible vote on the Porter Square/Wilson Square zoning change, which has proved controversial.

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.

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.

Somerville Voices was asked to post this notice about a library meeting from the Davis Square LiveJournal: http://davis-square.livejournal.com/2824126.html.

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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).

Agenda includes resident concerns and report of committees on Resident Services, Public Safety, Safety, Major Projects, and Finance.

Agenda includes further discussion and possible vote on the Porter Square/Wilson Square zoning change, which has proved controversial.

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.

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.

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. …

Agenda not available (1/1/12). The Design Review Committee provides design criteria, guidance and recommendations to permit applicants. Its mandate is to maintain and enhance the natural, aesthetic, and cultural heritage of the City and to preserve the value of land and buildings.

Rob Rudin’s Half-Jewish, double bill with Naftule’s Dream. Tuesday, January 24, 8:00 pm. $10 cash at door. Johnny D’s, 17 Holland Street, Davis Square, Somerville. For information call (617) 776-2004 or log onto www.johnnyds.com.

Agenda includes the proposed zoning changes to Somerville Avenue from Wilson Square to Porter Square, White Street, and Elm Street from White Street to Wilson Square. “What’s in it for us?”

Agenda includes converting the existing Mystic Water Works into a 25 unit affordable housing apartment building.

Eat at Jumbos is located at 688 Broadway in Ball Square and offers a variety of foods including vegan options. Check out their website at EatAtJumbos.com for online/phone ordering information and their menu.

We’ll gather on the winter solstice, the longest night of the year, for a spiritual-but-not-necessarily-religious event to acknowledge the shadow side of the season.

The City of Somerville is proposing zoning changes to Somerville Avenue from Wilson Square to Porter Square, White Street, and Elm Street from White Street to Wilson Square. While this zoning change can bring definite benefits to the city in tax revenue, some abutters are asking “What’s in it for us?”

According to state law, Redevelopment Authorities are empowered to buy and sell property, acquire property through eminent domain, and grant tax concessions. Agenda not available (12/11/11).

Agenda includes zoning changes to set minimum pervious area requirements and to modify zoning maps for Somerville Ave. from WIlson Square to Porter Square, White St., and Elm St.

Public participation in station designs is essential to making them work with the neighborhoods.

The CIP includes the Green Line Extension and the Assembly Square T-Stop.

Hope you will all join us for a great evening of music featuring Liv Taylor, Jennifer Kimball, the Upper Crust, The Darlings, the Chandler Travis Philharmonic and many more great musicians. All proceeds benefit the…

Monday 12/5 is the Ward 2 ResiStat meeting.
Union Square, Brickbottom, Perry Park, Lincoln Park, Somerville Ave. corridor

Mayor Curtatone and Alderman Heuston invite you to a community meeting to discuss the latest city…

Continuing the Green Line Extension to Mystic Valley Parkway will complete the integration of West Somerville and Medford into the Green Line.

This is the regular meeting of the Somerville Design Review Committee. Agenda not available (12/4/11).

Agenda includes 343-351 Summer St., a controversial development that includes residential and a replacement for the existing VFW club.

Interactive Somerville is running a design competition for the area around the proposed Gilman Square station.

This is the regular meeting of the Mystic River Watershed Steering Committee. This committee, sponsored by the Federal EPA, works to improve water quality and environmental conditions in the Mystic River watershed. Agenda not available (12/4/11).

The Mystic Riverfront Park upgrades are a big part of the improvements to Assembly Square resulting from the Assembly Square PUD.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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

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…

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

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

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.…

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

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

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.

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

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.

On Thursday, 6 pm, November 3rd, at the VNA, 259 Lowell St., the Board of Aldermen’s Public Safety Committee will discuss the Administration’s disinclination to implement a promised Bicycle Safety Campaign for the city’s cyclists…

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…

Agenda includes Assembly Square Blocks 1 and 4 and sewer and drain work in Ten Hills. This work helps fulfill the financial conditions needed for the success of the Assembly Square DIF and iCubed programs.

Melissa Hoffer of the Conservation Law Foundation will speak on the role of legal advocacy in environmental protection and restoration.

The group will review the draft comprehensive plan document and discuss the stakeholder’s presentation.

This is the regular meeting of the Somerville Design Review Committee. Agenda not posted (10/23/11).

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

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.

Here in Somerville more and more residents are choosing to ‘buy local’.  Shoppers flock to the seasonal Farmers Markets in Davis Square and Union Square as well as a Winter Farmers Market at the Armory. Residents…

Tuesday October 25, 6:30 pm to 8 pm

West Somerville Neighborhood School, [cafeteria] 177 Powder House Blvd, Somerville, MA

Mayor Curtatone, Alderman Trane and the ResiStat program invite you to…

Agenda includes 343-351 Summer St. for a special permit to develop a new two to three story mixed-use building consisting of a VFW hall and 31 residential units.

Agenda includes Assembly Square Block 3, a Special Permit for two levels of retail and restaurant, including a 12-screen cinema, with residential above. This development helps fulfil the financial conditions needed for the success of the Assembly Square DIF and iCubed programs.

At Chester and Elm Streets in Davis Square, the brick curb cuts have been replaced with concrete, compliant ones. People using wheelchairs and other rolling mobility devices at this location can now rock and roll to the beat of the Ville, knowing that they don’t have to “pull the hill” at either end of the crosswalk. Keep up the good work, Mayor Joe!

The Somerville Homeless Coalition is hosting the 3rd Annual Tina DeLellis Luncheon on October 21st , from 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., at The Highland Kitchen in Somerville. The luncheon is held in memory of…

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.

The Surface Option presented accommodates traffic from the redevelopment of Assembly Square in Somerville (IKEA). We should support it.

The Maintenance Facility is currently located at Option L, as far as possible from Brickbottom. This is a good opportunity to weigh in on this design.

Route 77 connects Porter Square, which adjoins Cambridge, with Harvard, Central, and Kendall Squares, along with Boston and Arlington. If you live near Porter Square, this can affect you directly.

Agenda includes 343-351 Summer St. developing a new two to three story mixed-use building consisting of a VFW hall and 31 residential units.

Agenda includes public hearings on proposed developments at Blocks 1 and 4 of Assembly Square. These developments help fulfill the financial conditions needed for the success of the Assembly Square DIF and iCubed programs.

Agenda likely includes Assembly Square mixed use buildings on Block 3, including a cinema. These proposals help fulfill the financial conditions needed for the success of the Assembly Square DIF and iCubed programs.

Agenda will likely include the Avalon Bay developments at Blocks, 1, 3, and 4 and may include prospects for further development.

Hypocrisy. Negativity. Obsolescence.

We will present a summary of the City’s almost finished Comprehensive Plan, followed by discussion. The plan is the product of over two years of work by the Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee.

The group will review the zoning change maps, begin to review the comprehensive plan draft document, and create a map describing future transportation improvements.

Agenda likely includes Assembly Square mixed use buildings on Block 3, including a cinema. These proposals help fulfill the financial conditions needed for the success of the Assembly Square DIF and iCubed programs.

The latest robocall announced the 4th Annual Riverfest, Saturday, 9/17, featuring “fireworks, entertainment, food and family activities” for Somerville residents. The familiar and friendly voice of Jackie Rossetti encouraged residents to participate. The latter part…

Although the City of Somerville is well aware that the Armory facility is still inaccessible at the entrance ramp, the Mayor continues to hold important events and meetings here. At the same time, the Architect and Owner continue to claim that various City Departments are refusing to accept an accessible design. Who’s benefitting from this back-and-forth?

The Boston MPO is a Federally-mandated organization responsible for conducting transportation planning for the Boston region. Among other documents, it produces a yearly Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP), which allocates funding for transportation improvements. A project must be included in the TIP to receive Federal funds. The Green Line Extension has been omitted from the 2012-2015 TIP. As a result, Massachusetts is in danger of losing its Federal transportation funding.

The agenda includes 149-151 Washington St. seeking a Special Permit with Design Review to establish a tattoo parlor.

Free walking tour highlighting American Tube Works complex, workers’ housing in Duck Village, and brick row houses along Summer Street with refreshments served at India Palace.

At this meeting the MPO will vote on whether to ignore the needs of Somerville and Medford residents and push back the Green Line Extension to 2018.

An important improvement to McGrath Highway would be to return it to its original concept, as a ground-level boulevard with predestrian crossings.

Agenda includes Assembly Square mixed use buildings on Blocks 1, 3, and 4, including a cinema. These proposals help fulfill the financial conditions needed for the success of the Assembly Square DIF and iCubed programs.

This is a critical meeting to give your comments on the Green Line extension delay. If you can’t attend either meeting, please send your comments by Sept 13.

The agenda should include removing a loading area from the Block 10 restaurant at 133 Middlesex Avenue in Assembly Square.

MAPC is working with neighboring communities to create a network of safe walking routes to connect neighborhoods with the lower Mystic River, Chelsea Creek, Mill Creek, and the Malden River. You can help.

At this meeting, the city will present a proposed rezoning map depicting zoning changes that will allow for mixed-use development in the key gateways of the Porter and Wilson Square areas.

The Community Access Project did a reality check of the 2010 East Somerville Safe Routes 2 School Map. We found that less than 20% of the pedestrian features are even up to basic standard code. “Safe” is a misnomer.

These streets ain’t fit for walkin’.

Are you a fan of Marshmallow Fluff? Does it remind you of childhood memories of having the perfect combination of a Fluffernutter, do you dream about it swirled into Nutella for a delectable, chocolate, “fluffy”…

It is important to reunite neighborhoods, lower traffic speeds, and add more trees to make McGrath Hwy a boulevard.

The agenda includes upgrades to a building on 70 Inner Belt Road.

The agenda includes removing a loading area from the Block 10 restaurant at 133 Middlesex Avenue in Assembly Square.

The Green Line Extension, a legal obligation of the Commonwealth, has been dropped from the 2012-2015 TIP and delayed until 2018. This not only deprives Somerville of long-needed transit access, it jeopardizes the state’s access to Federal transportation funding.

Ward 7 Alderperson Candidate Joan Whitney Puglia is proving to have a keen awareness of conditions around town.  Her mention of Dilboy Field‘s tot lot and baseball field has the Community Access Project members…

On Tues, Aug 9th, the Progressive Democrats of Somerville held a meeting at which they cast endorsement votes in the upcoming municipal races. Challenger Katjana Ballantyne received the group’s endorsement in the Ward 7 race. However, given what happened, that endorsement might be more of a liability for her ……

Somerville, Mass. (August 16, 2011) – Get those golf clubs out of the closet and join the Somerville Homeless Coalition for their 9th Annual Golf Tournament, sponsored by The Queally Waxman Group…

So far—and rightfully so—Somerville activists have framed proposed development of 378-382 Somerville Avenue as a displacement issue. As predicted, the advent of the Green Line to Union Square would mean gentrification; 378-382 Somerville Avenue, site of proposed luxury condos, is the first incursion.…

The agenda includes a continuance of the review of 343 – 351 Summer St. (site of the existing George Dilboy VFW Post #529) to August 24.

Not hiring any local people (or making a good faith effort to do so) is an insult to our community. It should be unacceptable to the planning board, the Board of Alderman and all of our elected officials.

The agenda includes 343 – 351 Summer St. (site of the existing George Dilboy VFW Post #529) to build a new two to three story mixed-use building consisting of a VFW hall and 31 residential units with parking lot.

Check out the conceptual proposals and make your views known. Written comments submitted will be posted on the DCR website.

According to articles in the Boston Globe, Somerville Journal, Somerville Patch, and Boston Herald this week, WalMart wants to open “a grocery store” at the site of the defunct Circuit City next to Home Depot…

This is a good chance for Somerville residents to help improve our river frontage in Assembly Square.

Collaboration beats what we see in Congress, and…in…the Planning Board’s “solution” to Union Square affordable housing.

The agenda includes a public hearing on another extension of the IKEA permits and a continuation of the 378-390 Somerville Avenue development, which is controversial.

Among other business, extending a permit to replace a one-story commercial structure at 292 Beacon Street with a larger 2-1/2 story commercial and residential development.

The following email was sent to me as a subscriber to Change.org. I have forwarded the body of the notice, and you will find the link to the online petition in the text of the story. It brings to mind the maxim that if it sounds too good to be true (as with the detente reached by parties to  Assembly Sq. development/IKEA), it probably is.…

The agenda includes a (continued) public hearing for final approval of the PUD for Assembly Square Block 10 and a hearing for constructing a restaurant on the site. The 378-390 Somerville Avenue hearing is being continued to July 14.

Greetings all. Just a reminder about next week’s community meeting: On Monday, June 27, 6:30-8 p.m., please join Mayor Curtatone, Alderman Gewirtz, at-large aldermen, City officials…

Somerville residents interested in a night of social action and rock and roll are invited to come out Wed., June 29th, for a mid-week benefit titled “Johnny D’s End Homelessness Bash”. The benefit will be…

The agenda includes annotating city maps with possible locations of transformational districts, neighborhood infill districts, and other land use categories.

The agenda includes a (continued) public hearing for final approval of the PUD for Assembly Square Block 10 and also a hearing for constructing a restaurant in Assembly Square.

Among other business, the agenda includes converting an auto parts warehouse business to personal trainer and artist studios.

Among other business, the agenda includes reviewing the PUD for Assembly Square Block 10 and a proposed restaurant in Assembly Square.

The Inner Belt, soon to have a new Green Line T-Stop, is one of the few locations in Somerville still available for transformation into an economic powerhouse for Somerville.

The agenda includes a public hearing for final approval of the PUD for Assembly Square Block 10 and also a hearing for constructing a restaurant in Assembly Square.

Among other business, the agenda includes establishing a bus and taxi rental, storage and servicing use on 21 Third Avenue in the Inner Belt. (Somerville could want to use the Inner Belt for a higher use at this point.)

MassDOT and the MBTA are hosting a series of Green Line station design workshops, one for each proposed stop. It is important to integrate the new Green Line stations with the community and with the proposed Community Path. Your participation can help with this process.

Join us for an evening of festivities, fun and film as we kick off our new campaign
to get 350 NEW actions to make Somerville a cleaner, greener, healthier place to live

A2Empowerment will hold a phenomenally fun benefit event featuring Boston’s fantastic, one-and-only all-women swing orchestra, The Mood Swings.  Join us June 18th, 2011 at the George Dilboy VFW Post in Davis Square, Somerville, from 7-11…

Potential zoning changes include architectural design, height, uses, setbacks, dimensional configuration, and parking for each of the key gateways: Wilson Square, Somerville Avenue, White Street, Elm Street, and Mossland Street, as well as the MBTA Air Rights.

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…

This is one of the final hurdles for the long-awaited Orange Line T-Stop at Assembly Square. Please support this development. A T-Stop at Assembly Square will unlock the potential of the site and make possible what Somerville has wanted for more than a decade.

Barber will discuss her campaign to bring the community together and advocate for the residents of Somerville.

Join us for a day of well being: have some refreshments, meet the members of Amethyst Center, and get to know what we do. For a donation to the Somerville Homeless Coalition, experience what our…

The agenda includes expanding an existing restaurant use on Washington Street.

The agenda includes adding a structure above the hockey rink at Conway Park on Somerville Avenue.

This is one of the final hurdles for the boardwalk under the Wellington Bridge where Rt. 28 passes over the Mystic River at Assembly Square. Please support this development. Lack of a safe, convenient path under Rt. 28 has severed 10 Hills from Assembly Square for a long time.

Neighborhood Meetings in Each of the City’s Seven Wards Start May 9

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 and discuss the issues important to you. Each meeting will include a presentation as well as an open Q&A from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. where you can bring up your concerns and ideas. A Meet & Greet with light refreshments from 7:30 to 8 p.m. will follow and conversations can continue there. All locations are wheelchair accessible.…

The agenda includes developments on Somerville Avenue and an update on the Comprehensive Plan.

The agenda includes as item #8 (“Request of MassDOT Legal and Planning Departments to authorize the execution of a Public Funding Agreement for the construction of the Assembly Square Station on the Orange Line”).

This is the final discussion and vote on the DIF bond issue. The City should issue these bonds only with a signed commitment to the “best effort” of Federal Realty to bring R&D/office into Assembly Square.

The agenda is to discuss the Assembly Row Bond issue and a petition by 60 Somerville residents to ensure that development financed by the Assembly Row DIF yield jobs for Somerville residents.

Somerville is a tight-knit community, and when one succeeds, all succeed.  A great example of this happened back in 2008, and it happened to the Somerville High School girl’s Varsity Soccer team.

Boy’s soccer…

Saying “we need an alderman who represents us at least as effectively as the parking control officers ticket us,” Joan Whitney Puglia announced her candidacy for Ward Seven Alderman.

Joan Whitney Puglia

East Somerville Main Streets (ESMS) is launching another exciting season of “First Tuesdays After Hours” on East Broadway and for the series’ third year they are adding a little extra spice.…

Hungry for something different? Then check out YUM: A Taste of Immigrant City. A fundraiser for the Somerville-based The Welcome Project, YUM will feature an array of culinary delights to tickle the taste buds and delight the senses. The event takes place at Arts for the Armory on April 27.

This is a presentation and panel discussion on how to finance public transportation in Massachusetts. Paying for public transportation has proved a critical problem in the current economic and political environment.

The Committee is calling this meeting to further discuss the Assembly Row DIF Bond issue. If Assembly Row is not developed to produce a high enough tax base, the city could end up repaying this bond from general funds.

Among other business, this meeting will address economic development in Magoun Square, possible use of the Massachusetts Economic Development Incentive Program, and the status of the Comprehensive Plan.

Wednesday, April 20, noon-1:30pm. Come join other Davis-area business people for our monthly networking lunch at Johnny D’s. An opportunity to meet, exchange ideas and build community. $10 for members; $12 for non-members (CASH ONLY)…

As the plan slowly creeps forward to the urban infill project in Union Square, residents, business owners and visitors are going to have an exceedingly hard time finding parking in and around the area.  It…

In the next several weeks, specifications and architectural plans will be sent out as a bid package for contractors to price. As someone familiar with the design of the green roof planned for the building…

A pair of developers with a history of unfulfilled promises, bankruptcy and faulty construction have found a willing partner in the City of Somerville, which will soon enter the final phase of ushering their most embattled plans into reality.

 …

This is a continuation of the 3/31/11 Assembly Row DIF Bond hearing. If Assembly Row is not developed to produce a high enough tax base, the city could end up repaying this bond from general funds.

On the heels of Tom Waits’ induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, P.A.’s Lounge hosts a Tom Waits Tribute on April 30, 2011 to benefit the Somerville Homeless Coalition.

Support housing and community, and enjoy a lively event in Somerville Apr. 23rd.

This meeting includes, among other business, a zoning amendment to change the definition of “pervious area” and update minimum pervious area requirements (comment period closed).

Convened to discuss the Assembly Row DIF Bond proposal. If Assembly Row is not developed to produce a high enough tax base, the city could end up repaying this bond from general funds.

Agenda includes current GLX status, Community Path status, new consultant team, and station designs.

This is a public meeting of the Somerville Conservation Commission to review and accept the MBTA Assembly Square Station Order of Conditions.

Among other business, this meeting will hold a public hearing on the Special Permit with Site Plan Review for the Assembly Square self-storage facility, 50 Middlesex Avenue.

Among other business, this meeting will deal with the proposed self-storage facility at 50 Middlesex Ave. in Assembly Square.

American Comedy Award winner, Wendy Liebman, will be performing at the Somerville Theatre in Davis Square (55 Davis Square. Somerville, MA 02144) on April 21st.

Wendy is a nationally famed comedian, who has been…

If Assembly Row is not developed to produce a high enough tax base, the city could end up repaying this bond from general funds.

Includes a public hearing on changes to the definition of “pervious area” in the zoning and to require a minimum pervious area in certain districts.

The master plan for the self-storage facility at 50 Middlesex Avenue in Assembly Square is to be presented.

The following is a campaign press release sent to SV by Christine. In January, she attended an EmergeMA event meant “to boost the number of women holding elected office in Massachusetts”. Current Ward 4 Alderman Walter Pero will not be seeking re-election , so Christine will be challenging former mayoral candidate Tony Lafuente for the seat.…

Calling all music lovers! Four Boston area musicians will be hosting a benefit concert for the Somerville Homeless Coalition, aptly-titled “An Evening of Music, Bach & Bolling.”…

Among other business, this meeting will deal with the proposed self-storage facility at 50 Middlesex Ave. in Assembly Square, and with changes to the design of 100 Temple St. (St. Polycarp Redevelopment).

These meetings provide an important opportunity to weigh in on the direction Somerville is setting for its future.

The Governing Body determines how much of the tax increment from DIF districts is used for district improvements and how much is returned to the city general fund.

SOMERVILLE – 02/15/2011 — Best Rate Insurance today announced that it has donated $500 to the Somerville Homeless Coalition. As part of the Arbella Insurance Group Charitable Foundation’s “Let’s Drive Out Hunger” program, Arbella matched the donation two-to-one, resulting in a total contribution of $1,500 to the Somerville Homeless Coalition.…

More than 50 Somerville residents signed a petition requesting a hearing by the Board of Alderman on union jobs and local hiring.

The hearing will be at 6:00 PM on February 17. There will be a short rally beforehand at 5:45 PM.…

A half dozen community supporters greeted shoppers at Rite Aid’s Davis Sq. store in Somerville on Valentine’s Day to focus public attention on the company’s culture of corporate greed and its assault employees’ health care benefits and job rights.…

At this meeting the group will continue to build maps showing future development districts in Somerville.

At this meeting the group will continue to build maps showing future development districts in Somerville.

At this meeting the group will continue to build maps showing future development districts in Somerville.

Cases include a special permit for Medium Retail and Service uses at 130 Broadway.

MA DOT holding a Public hearing on Broadway Streetscape improvement Project on January 26, 2011 at the Cross Street Senior Center, 7 pm. Public Comments are also accepted via mail.

This is the meeting to get to! The group will begin a city-wide land use map showing the proposed development areas and their categorizations.

Happy snow emergency! Do you know where your towing dollars go?

The ball has dropped, 2011 is upon us, and we’ve shoveled more snow than most Alaskans will all year. We here at DARBI feel your back pain and have the perfect fix for those winter blahs: January Cocktail Hour!

This meeting will discuss a petition for a public hearing on the use of union labor at the MaxPac site, along with a home-rule petition to streamline administration.

This meeting will discuss a five-story residential building at 378-390 Somerville Avenue, among other business.

As part of Tom Nash’s investigation into the campaign finance reports of Somerville’s mayor and Aldermen, he has discovered that the state’s Office of Campaign and Political Finance referred Ward 7 Ald. Bob Trane to the Attorney General for failing to file a year-end 2009 report.…

At this meeting, the committee will work toward a consensus on the Goals and Actions and begin work on land use mapping.

Every development in Somerville should contribute to meeting our environmental goals. Assembly Square should not be exempted.

Union members and community activists concerned about jobs at the future MaxPac development on Clyde Street held a meeting on Jan 4th.

The groups fighting for the inclusion of local residents and union jobs on the proposed MaxPac development petitioned the Board of Aldermen on December 22 to hold a hearing on the Covenant language for union jobs that KSS Realty signed with the City of Somerville.

Property owners need to keep snow and ice from accumulating on their walkways. But what is the City’s responsibility?

The following programs are available at the Veterans Memorial Rink in Somerville.

Somerville, Boston and Cambridge Human rights activists encouraged the BOA Public Health and Safety Committee to allow economic integration, safety, inclusion and accessibility to trump aesthetics at a recent Meeting.

We will be prioritizing our action list this meeting. We are looking for new members to help us with our mission of extending the Community Path (along part of the future Green Line route) to the Charles River.
Meeting is at the VNA, 259 Lowell Street.

The agenda includes the MBTA Green Line Maintenance Facility, including air rights and a possible stadium, and impacts of the Green Line track layout around Brickbottom.

Putting the Grand Junction in use will increase rail traffic next to Brickbottom, which already lives with existing Commuter Rail service and shortly will live with the Green Line extension.

On Saturday, December 4th, Somerville comes alive with a bounty of holiday shopping.  An array craft markets and retail events all taking place this day makes Somerville the place to find something for everyone on…

Following Alderman White’s assurance that the Board was only voting for the DIF and not on the actual bonds to fund the DIF, the Somerville Board of Aldermen voted 9-1 (Alderman Gewirtz dissented; Alderman Trane recused himself) to move the proposed Assembly Square DIF to the full Board for a vote at the Special Meeting scheduled for this Thursday.  …

If implemented as planned, this DIF will very likely result in developments that only cover debt service on the DIF bonds themselves. The rest of Somerville will pay for the city services required by those developments.

If implemented incorrectly, self-storage in Assembly Square could discourage higher-value uses, which we need more than ever now that infrastructure and Orange Line funding have gone away.

This Thursday, December 2nd, come to Davis Square and experience Midnight Madness! This event is put on by DARBI (Davis Area Resident/Business Initiative) every year to help support local retailers.

Special shopping hours are…

The Mystic View Task Force has sent a letter to the City urging delay in voting on the proposed Assembly Row DIF. While we believe that a DIF may be the best available mechanism for moving forward on Assembly Square development, we are concerned that the proposed DIF puts a disproportionate share of risk on the City and fails to adequately hold the developer accountable. Please join us at Tuesday’s Finance Committee meeting (Nov. 30 at 7pm at City Hall) to support our call for a delay in the decision on the DIF to allow time for adequate analysis and the opportunity to negotiate a better proposal.

Residents of Somerville concerned about the development of the old MaxPak paper factory where 199 units of new housing are being built will picket and rally for jobs at the entrance to the site (56-61 Clyde Street) in Somerville, MA on Thursday, Dec 2 from 6:00 to 9:00 AM.…

Where: West Somerville Neighborhood School, 177 Powderhouse Boulevard

There is now a $63 M gap in infrastructure funding for Assembly Square. The Orange Line T-Stop and the rest of the development is in jeopardy unless we close the gap by a combination of stopgap funding and a $25 M DIF in Assembly Square.

Under the proposed DIF, increases in Assembly Square tax revenue would be diverted to pay for the infrastructure. If tax revenues were inadequate, the taxpayers would foot the bill.

This meeting gives citizens a chance to provide feedback to the City on how things are going in their neighborhoods.

Last night, I was the only member of the public to attend a City planning meeting for the renovation of the North Street Playground.

Large Retail Cluster Parking: Proposal is to double the parking requirement for large retail (> 25,000 s.f.). Staff believes that because Somerville has little parking available, the effect will be to discourage suburban format in Somerville. Developers would have to build parking garages, which is expensive.

The meeting will include:

* A brief history of the Friends of the Community Path
* An update on current status of the proposed Path extension
* An overview of our goals and activities
* A discussion of the kinds of help we often need (attending meetings/events, taking minutes, tabling, strategizing, making inroads, mapping, urban planning, writing, fund raising, research, press announcements, technical, web/blog, social networking, schlepping, etc.)
* Q&A

The joint subcommittee meetings will address conflicts between worthy goals. For instance, increasing tax revenue by commercial development may conflict with increasing affordable housing and maintaining neighborhood character.

At this meeting, the group will review the draft Comprehensive Plan. Somerville’s citywide development for the next twenty years will be shaped by the comprehensive plan. This is a public meeting; any citizen is entitled to observe.

Somerville’s disability culture should also be celebrated as part of our rich multicultural diversity. But as we see, even voting is still not routinely made accessible and integrated for voters with physical disAbilities. How can we reverse Segregation in Somerville?

A City of Somerville Public Announcement:

Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone and Ward 7 Alderman Robert Trane invited all interested community members to a community meeting to discuss renovation plans for the North…

Flatbread Restaurant holds a benefit for the Community Action Agency of Somerville (CAAS) Tuesday evening, November 16. Eat at the restaurant (45 Day Street in Davis Square) any time from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m. and Flatbread will donate a portion of the cost of dinner to CAAS, Somerville’s anti-poverty agency.