Public Health & Safety

Three years after the Somerville Avenue Reconstruction Project began, Union Square businesses are still hindered by lack of thoughtful pedestrian planning during construction; and Union Square residents, visitors and workers are still unable to walk these streets with confidence and comfort.

Environmental and safety concerns haunt this lovely park. Joe’s Astroturf and Streetscape SNAFUS don’t help, either…

[ July 7, 2010; 6:00 pm; ] The public is invited to this hearing as part of the selection process for the next Chief of Police in Somerville. Community members are also invited to submit questions and comments in advance of the hearing by e-mailing chiefsearch@somervillema.gov. Attendees at the hearing will also have an opportunity to submit questions.

The finalists are…
Acting [...]

[ July 18, 2010; 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm. ] This workshop sponsored by the Mystic River Watershed Association (MyRWA) is intended to train volunteers to join MyRWA’s water quality monitoring program. This important program keeps tabs on the Mystic year round regardless of weather.

[ June 24, 2010; 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm. ] At this discussion we will review the DRAFT bullying plan, data that points to strategies for improving the implementation of the District’s award-winning Wellness Policy, and the plan for improving the implementation of the District’s Safe and Drug Free Schools Plan.

[ June 15, 2010; 6:00 pm; ] This film is important because parts of Somerville are environmental justice areas close to pollution sources and suffer higher than average levels of heart and lung disease.

The Architectural Access Board will hold a Hearing on 18 Architectural Access Code Violations for Arts at the Armory facility on Monday, May 24, at 1 p.m.

back story: On February 8, Building Inspector Eddie Nuzzo provided sworn testimony to the Architectural Access Board (AAB) at a Variance Hearing to support the owner Joseph Sater’s request [...]

[ May 20, 2010; 6:00 pm; ] This meeting includes a continuation of the 1 Benton Road case, which has proved controversial.

This Planning Board meeting included continuing hearings on 79-83 Broadway (slightly controversial), 39R Medford St., and 1 Benton Rd. (also controversial). There was also a discussion of declaring properties part of historical districts, sometimes controversial.

“I hope you all get some power someday, so you’ll know what it’s like to have to satisfy your constituents’ demands with a limited budget.”

A heated debate has developed recently in the op-ed pages of The Somerville News between columnist Bill Shelton and Somerville’s Fire Chief Kevin Kelleher over the City’s use of a Reserve Fire Force/List.
For further reading, check out:
April 2 – Reservations about the Reserve Fire Force by Bill Shelton
April 7 – Somerville Fire chief: No favoritism [...]

[ May 3, 2010; ] The Somerville Public Schools are OPEN all day tomorrow, May 3rd – and expect to be open throughout the water emergency. Students and staff are asked, if able, to bring their own safe, packaged beverages. Food service will be offering breakfast, lunch and snacks; the menu may be limited by the availability of [...]

Despite verbal and written opposition by neighbors, the License Commission approved a transfer of a beer & wine license (donated) by Dali to the Arts at the Armory located at 191 Highland Avenue in Ward 5 on April 26th. This transfer was featured as agenda item #29.
This decision comes just in time as the arts-focused [...]

Before the emergence of Coffee Parties, we saw, locally, the advent of Somervillevoices.org, a courageous and worthy experiment in a 21st Century democratic, community- controlled public media forum, and of the much heralded, government- built Resistat program…

[ May 24, 2010; 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm. ] Monday, May 24th, 2010, 6:30 – 8:30 pm
Location : Kennedy School, 5 Cherry Street
Presented by Amy Bamforth, MS and MSW, from the Somerville Community Partnership for Children.

At this workshop we will discuss:
What are the different types of bullying that kids experience?
How can we deal with the bullying that happens?
What can families do?
What can schools do?
What [...]

[ April 17, 2010; 9:30 am to 12:30 pm. ] Volunteers are needed to clean the Mystic River banks and remove shopping carts and other debris from the river. Supplies will be provided. This event is sponsored by the Mystic River Watershed Association and the Gentle Giant Rowing Club.

Are you a parent/guardian of a grade PK-8 student in the Somerville Public Schools? Look for your complimentary copy of the first edition of Chop Chop, a new healthy cooking magazine for families, in your child’s backpack next week.
Special thanks to the Office of Mayor Curtatone for making it possible to distribute this magazine [...]

[ April 8, 2010; 6:30 pm; ] 2010-2011 HUD Action Plan Public Hearing

Thurs. Apr. 8 6:30 PM

Ralph and Jenny Center
9 New Washington St.
Somerville MA

[Facility is near the corner of Inner Belt Rd. and New Washington St. (map)]

Flyer (PDF)

This is the public hearing on the HUD Action Plan for the Community Development Block Grant program, the Emergency Shelter [...]

[ April 3, 2010; 10:00 am to 12:00 pm. ] City of Somerville Rabies Clinic
SATURDAY, APRIL 3, 2010
10:00 A.M. – 12:00 noon

RABIES SHOT: Dogs & Cats – $10.00 per animal.

Dog Licensing available at clinic.
It is required that all dogs over 6 months of age be licensed in the City of Somerville.

SOMERVILLE DOG LICENSES
$20.00 FOR AN INTACT DOG
$12.00 FOR A SPAYED/NEUTERD DOG

Located at the Department of [...]

[ March 29, 2010; 5:00 pm; ] MBTA Rider Oversight Committee Meeting

Mon. Mar. 29 5:00 PM

State Transportation Building
Conf. Rms. 1, 2, 3
10 Park Plaza
Boston MA (map)

This is the regular meeting of the MBTA Rider Oversight Committee, which provides recommendations to the MBTA to improve service quality.

This meeting is important because Somerville’s use of public transit, already high, will [...]

[ March 23, 2010; 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. ] MAPC Bike Meeting with Dr. Anne Lusk

Tues. Mar. 23 6:00 PM

MAPC Offices
60 Temple Place
Boston MA (map)

This Metropolitan Area Planning Council meeting features Dr. Anne Lusk, a Research Fellow at the Harvard School of Public Health, who will discuss how to improve Boston’s bicycling infrastructure to increase bicycling and improve public [...]

The City of Somerville, with it’s clear mandates and civil rights obligations from Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, continues to be really , truly, obviously unskilled at inclusive community-building.

What a price for tenure? And how can you tell your professor is crazy!

[ February 18, 2010; 6:30 pm; ] This hearing is important because it is a key step toward getting Federal money for improving Somerville.

[ February 11, 2010; 6:00 pm; ] Planning for the Unplanned: Recovering from Crises in Megacities – Lessons for Metro Boston

Thurs. Feb. 11 6:00 PM

MAPC Offices
60 Temple Place
Boston MA (map)

Registration

This is the first in the MetroFuture Speaker Series sponsored by the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC). Dr. Aseem Inam, Urban Designer and Planner at the Tufts University Department of Urban and [...]

[ May 24, 2010; 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm. ] Free Parent/ Guardian Workshop offered by the Somerville Public Schools on Bullying in Schools Today

Monday, May 24th- 6:30-8:30pm, at the John F. Kennedy School
5 Cherry Street
Learn about school interventions to create safe schools, and strategies parents/ guardians can use to help their children feel safe.

[ April 26, 2010; 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm. ] Free Parent/ Guardian Workshop offered by the Somerville Public Schools on Bullying in Schools Today

Monday, April 26th- 6:30-8:30 pm at the Capuano Early Childhood Center
150 Glen street
Featuring a screening of the documentary film “Let’s Get Real” about how students in middle school experience bullying from all sides.

[ April 14, 2010; 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm. ] Free Parent/ Guardian Workshop offered by the Somerville Public Schools on Family and Relationship Violence:

Wednesday, April 14th- 6:30-8:30 pm
Location still TBD
Featuring experts from Middlesex Partnerships for Youth and the Middlesex County DA’s Office

[ March 10, 2010; 6:30 pm; ] Free Parent/ Guardian Workshop offered by the Somerville Public Schools on Bullying and Cyberbullying

Wednesday, March 10th- 6:30-8:30 Pm at the West Somerville Neighborhood School
177 Powderhouse Boulevard
Featuring experts from Middlesex Partnerships for Youth

[ February 16, 2010; 6:30 pm; ] Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee Planning Meeting

Tues., Feb. 16, 6:30 PM

Upper Hall
Greek Orthodox Church
29 Central St.
Somerville MA (map)

This is the rescheduling of the Feb. 9 Phase 3 planning meeting of the Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee. At this meeting, the group will begin specifying goals, policies and actions to implement the vision statement. A guest speaker is [...]

[ January 25, 2010; 6:00 pm; ] Public Health and Public Safety Committee Meeting

Mon. Jan. 25 6:00 PM

2nd Floor Comm. Room
Somerville City Hall
93 Highland Ave.
Somerville MA (map)

Agenda (PDF)

This is the regular meeting of the Somerville Public Health and Public Safety Committee. The agenda includes MaxPak site issues, including shots fired and animal releases. There are also possible Community Path contamination issues [...]

[ January 30, 2010; 2:30 pm; ] Your Walkable Community in Winter: Somerville

Sat. Jan. 30 2:30 PM

Somerville Library
79 Highland Ave.
Somerville MA (map)

This is a workshop on walkability in Somerville during the winter. It includes information about snow clearance and ways to make your neighborhood more walkable.

This workshop is important because Somerville is currently very walkable, but requires our help to [...]

[ February 3, 2010; 9:30 am; 9:30 am; ] MAPC Mystic River DataCommon Training Event

Wed. Feb. 3 9:30 AM

MAPC Offices
60 Temple Place
Boston MA (map)

RSVP: Patrick Herron, PhD
Water Quality Monitoring Director
Mystic River Watershed Association

This is a training session on using the Metropolitan Area Planning Commission DataCommon Mystic River Map, sponsored by the Mystic River Watershed Association.

This meeting is important because it provides training in an [...]

[ January 22, 2010; 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm. ] The goal of this meeting is to provide accurate information about Temporary Protected Status (TPS), which was granted last Friday to Haitians living in the United States in response to last week’s earthquake.

[ January 26, 2010; 6:30 pm; ] Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee Visioning Meeting

Tues., Jan. 26, 6:30 PM

Upper Hall
Greek Orthodox Church
29 Central St.
Somerville MA (map)

This is the last Visioning meeting of the Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee. At this meeting, the group will finish the vision statement.

The goal of the comprehensive plan is to improve the quality of life for Somerville’s residents and workers [...]

[ January 27, 2010; 6:30 pm; ] Mystic River Watershed Association Lower Mystic Initiative Presentation

Wed., Jan. 27, 6:30 PM

Chelsea City Public Library
500 Broadway
Chelsea MA (map)

Flier (PDF)

This presentation will describe MyWRA’s ongoing program of water sampling from the Mystic River and Chelsea Creek.

This presentation is important because it presents information on the water quality conditions in the Mystic and how to get [...]

[ January 30, 2010; 1:30 pm; ] Why Commissions Can Improve Our Community

Sat. Jan. 30 1:30 PM

Somerville Library
79 Highland Ave.
Somerville MA (map)

This is a workshop from the “How to” Series for Civic Engagement by the Office of Somerville Commissions. It discusses how commissions, such as the Human Rights Commission, can help improve our community.

This workshop is important it discusses how [...]

[ January 20, 2010; 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm. 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. ] MPO Open House with Clean Air and Mobility Program Briefing

Tues. Jan. 20
Afternoon: 12:00 – 2:00 PM
Evening: 5:00 – 7:00 PM

State Transportation Building
Conf. Rm. Suite 2150
10 Park Plaza
Boston MA (map)

This is a special open house for the Metropolitan Planning Organization. There will be presentations on the Clean Air and Mobility Program, the Statewide Household Travel Survey, [...]

The Haitian Coalition of Somerville is organizing a medical relief trip to Haiti. Members of the Haitian community with medical and organizational skills including five Haitian nurses will be traveling to Haiti as soon as arrangements can be made. Haitians and others with medical skills would also be welcome. This effort will be providing medical [...]

The Somerville Community Partnerships for Children and the Parent Information Center have put together a list of agencies that work in Haiti, as well as advice on responding to the needs of children and families affected by the devastation of the earthquake, that Superintendent Pierantozzi has disseminated to Somerville Public School employees.  I’m forwarding them [...]

The Somerville Haitian Coalition, in an effort to mobilize care and support for the Haitian community, will hold a community-wide meeting on Friday January 15 at 6:00 at the Healey School, located at 2 Meacham St.

[ January 12, 2010; 6:00 pm; ] BOA Committee on Parks and Open Space

Tues. Jan. 12, 6:00 PM

2nd Floor Comm. Room
Somerville City Hall
93 Highland Ave.
Somerville MA (map)

This is an official replacement for the Jan. 6 meeting, which began after 7:30 PM, too late to go on the record. Instead, the meeting was held unofficially and mainly discussed the design of Hodgkins Park, [...]

[ January 12, 2010; 7:00 pm; ] This is the first 2010 meeting of the Somerville Bicycle Committee. They may be discussing the contamination issue on the bike path.

[ January 12, 2010; 6:30 pm; ] This is the second Visioning meeting of the Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee. At this meeting, the group will review the citizen inputs from the earlier SomerVision meetings and pull them together into the beginning of a vision statement.

[ January 21, 2010; ] Mystic River Watershed Association “DoughRaiser” Event

Thurs. Jan. 21, All Day

Porter Square Pizzeria Uno
820 Somerville Avenue
Cambridge MA (map)

Print and Bring Coupons (PDF)

This event is a fundraiser for the Mystic River Watershed Association. Upon presentation of a coupon, up to 20% of your bill will be donated to the Mystic River Watershed Association to help with their [...]

[ January 21, 2010; 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. ] Somerville Cares About Prevention (SCAP) is going to be hosting a Presentation of the Student Health Survey Results.  It will be held Thursday January 21st, 2010 from 6PM – 8PM.  The Presentation will be held in the Auditorium at Somerville High School.

There will be refreshments provided before hand and a door prize will be given [...]

[ January 7, 2010; 9:00 am to 11:00 am. ] EPA Mystic River Water Quality Science Subcommittee Meeting

Thurs. Jan. 7, 9:00 AM

R15-006 Conf Room.
15th Fl. Court of Appeals
5 Post Office Square
Boston MA (map)

Draft Agenda (PDF)

This is a meeting of the EPA-convened subcommittee on water quality in the Mystic River. Patrick Herron, PhD, Water Quality Monitoring Director for the Mystic River Watershed Association, will present a [...]

We all know that the city has enacted onerous and unpopular parking regulations because it’s desperate for funds.
What if the city were as aggressive about clean, i.e. non-icy, sidewalks as it is about parking? I walked from Davis Square to Ball Square today, often in the road to avoid icy sidewalks. At one point I [...]

[ January 7, 2010; 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm. January 14, 2010; 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm. January 21, 2010; 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm. January 28, 2010; 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm. ] PSA from the City website:
Important Influenza (FLU) Update

Updated December 21, 2009

The Somerville Health Department has begun to receive more doses of H1N1 vaccine, and anticipates receiving regular shipments in the coming weeks. With this increase in supply, we are pleased to offer flu clinics for the general public every Thursday in January 2010 (7th,14th,21st , [...]

[ January 13, 2010; 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm. February 11, 2010; 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm. March 10, 2010; 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm. April 14, 2010; 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm. ] OFFERED BY THE SOMERVILLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS SOMERVILLE PTA
For
SOMERVILLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS FAMILIES and COMMUNITY MEMBERS

• Youth Alcohol and Drug Use/Social Host Liability*
Wednesday, January 13th – 6:30p.m. – 8:00 PM in the Healey School Cafetorium, 5 Meacham Street
Featuring experts from Middlesex Partnerships for Youth
• Grant Writing 101
Thursday, February 11th- 6:30-8:30 PM in the SPS Central Offices, 181 [...]

[ December 7, 2009; 7:30 pm; ] Ward 1 ResiStat Meeting

Mon. Dec. 7, 7:30 PM

Cafeteria
Capuano Early Childhood Center
150 Glen St.
Somerville MA (map)

This meeting, sponsored by Mayor Curtatone and Ward 1 Alderman Roche, deals with statistical data and issues relating to Ward 1. Similar meetings are held in all other wards of the city. Citizen input from these meetings are compiled into yearly [...]

[ December 8, 2009; 7:00 pm; ] Ward 4 ResiStat Meeting

Tues. Dec. 8, 7:00 PM

Cafeterium
Arthur D. Healey School
5 Meacham St.
Somerville MA (map)

This meeting, sponsored by Mayor Curtatone and Ward 4 Alderman Pero, deals with statistical data and issues relating to Ward 4. Similar meetings are held in all other wards of the city. Citizen input from these meetings are compiled into yearly [...]

[ December 14, 2009; 6:30 pm; ] BOA Committee on Housing and Community Development

Mon. Dec. 14, 6:30 PM

2nd Fl. Comm. Room
Somerville City Hall
93 Highland Ave.
Somerville MA (map)

This is a special meeting of the BOA Committee on Housing and Community Development to hear a presentation by the Office of Strategic Planning about plans for a [...]

[ December 10, 2009; 5:30 pm; ] Ward 7 ResiStat Meeting

Thurs. Dec. 10, 5:30 PM

Tufts Admin. Building (TAB)
167 Holland St.
Somerville MA (map)

This meeting, sponsored by Mayor Curtatone and Ward 7 Alderman Trane, deals with statistical data and issues relating to Ward 7. Similar meetings are held in all other wards of the city. Citizen input from these meetings are compiled into yearly [...]

[ December 1, 2009; 6:00 pm; ] BOA Committee on Finance

Tues. Dec. 1, 6:00 PM

2nd Floor Comm. Room
Somerville City Hall
93 Highland Ave.
Somerville MA (map)

Agenda (PDF)

This is a special meeting of the Somerville Aldermen’s Committee on Finance to discuss retiree health coverage under Medicare and municipal Medicare insurance plans, along with other business. All the Aldermen will be present, meeting as a [...]

[ December 4, 2009; 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. December 5, 2009; 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. ] PSA: The following message was sent to the City’s Parents ResiStat email list [link to original message]

———————————————–

Mayor Curtatone and the City of Somerville Health Department are pleased to offer a free family flu clinic for Somerville residents at the Immigrant Health Fair at the Edgerly School, 8 Bonair Street, on Friday December 4th from 5-7 [...]

[ December 1, 2009; 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm. ] The Somerville Health Department, Institute of Community Health, and the Somerville Community Health Agenda is going to be hosting a Presentation on the Health of Somerville Adults and Youth. It will be held Tuesday December 1st from 630PM – 830PM. The Presentation will be held at 259 Lowell Street, Somerville MA 02143 (Visiting Nurses Association).

This [...]

Here’s a 12% slope in Union Square, at the crosswalk between 2 HP parking spaces, nearest curbcut to the Union Square Bus stop, necessary to access the commercial area and the SCAT building:

And here’s what that steep slope does to a friend just trying to get out for a meal in Union Square- it [...]

[ October 29, 2009; 6:00 pm; ] Mystic River Watershed Association Annual Meeting

Thurs. Oct 29, 6:00 PM

BNY Mellon Building
135 Santilli Hwy.
Everett MA (map)

This is the annual meeting of the Mystic River Watershed Association. The guest speaker, Kathy Abbott, Executive Vice President, The Trustees of Reservations, will speak on Environmental Advocacy. Refreshments will be served at 6:00 PM and the meeting will start [...]

If you’re on the fence about attending Sen. Pat Jehlen’s forum on expanded State gambling tomorrow night (Thurs. Oct 15 from 7-9pm at Century Bank, 400 Mystic Avenue in Medford), at which State Sen. Sue Tucker and State Rep Kathi-Anne Reinstein will debate the issue, here are some reasons why you should come, and why this really is a big deal.

[ October 13, 2009; 6:30 pm; ] Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee Meeting

Tues. Oct. 13, 6:30 PM

Community Room
Visiting Nurses Association
259 Lowell St.
Somerville MA (map)

This is the first October meeting of the Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee. The subcommittees will meet and the committee as a whole will review the Housing Trends and Transportation Trends reports.

This committee is intended to provide input to a comprehensive [...]

[ September 30, 2009; 6:30 pm; ] BOA Committee on Public Health and Public Safety Meeting

Wed. Sep. 30 6:30 PM

2nd Floor Comm. Room
Somerville City Hall
93 Highland Ave.
Somerville MA (map)

Agenda (PDF)

This is the regular meeting of the Somerville Aldermen’s Committee on Public Health and Public Safety. One agenda item is a discussion of traffic calming devices, including a discussion of federal regulations that [...]

[ October 3, 2009; 7:00 pm; ] 2 degrees of warming. 350 parts per million. Does it seem as though we are on track to achieve these? Are you concerned about the chance of passing a meaningful global climate treaty in Copenhagen? Do you want to have a say in the future of our planet? Come to our Climate Action Party! [October 3rd, 7 p.m.] We will broaden our local network of activists, strategize how to make our voices heard, and plan for the days between now and December.

A new online tool exists to plot crimes on a searchable map. This would empower residents to know how safe their neighborhood is and where and what to watch to deter crime. It would probably catalyze neighborhood crime watches and make our streets safer.

Q:  Why Didn’t the Rolling Somerville Pedestrian Cross the Road at the Crosswalk?
A:  Because the City of Somerville Deciders have been playing chicken with standards.
This photo essay will show 30 lost opportunities to create a safer community on Mayor Curtatone’s watch. All of these streets or sidewalks were reconstructed between 2004- 2008.  This is just [...]

[ September 15, 2009; 6:30 pm; ] Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee Meeting

Tues. Sep. 15, 6:30 PM

Community Room
Visiting Nurses Association
259 Lowell St.
Somerville MA (map)

This is the kickoff meeting for the Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee. This committee is intended to provide input to a comprehensive plan for developing the city. The goal is to improve the quality of life for Somerville’s residents and workers [...]

[ September 15, 2009; 5:00 pm; ] In the past, the state has argued that the environmental burden of the Big Dig on Somerville is mitigated by projects elsewhere, such as the South Shore Greenbush Line, and that the Green Line Extension is unnecessary. Because health effects are local, this argument is specious and has been rejected by the courts. Those who care about the Green Line Extension should continue to argue for local mitigation for local effects.

About a month ago, on Aug 16th, I submitted a 311 service request through the new SeeClickFix tool to repair a loose utility wire tied to the fence at Hodgkins-Curtin Park along Simpson Ave (see photo below). After an initial flurry of promises from a Somerville 311 rep to have the issue fixed asap, it [...]

[ October 3, 2009; 9:00 am to 11:00 am. ] Have you signed up yet for the Road Race benefiting the Homeless Coalition?  If you haven’t don’t worry, there’s still time.  Go to www.somervillehomelesscoalition.org

Entry Fee: $20.00

Race starts 9:00 AM sharp!

Registration & Check In: On race day 7- 8:30am on Holland Street, in front of MBTA Red Line T-Stop, Davis Square. Wheelchairs must pre-register by September [...]

My long-lived friends keep telling me stories about pedestrian accidents in Davis Square.  Fractured a jaw.  Twisted knees.  Fractured elbow, shoulder, wrists.  Slipped and broke an ankle, on crutches for 5 months, still don’t feel safe walking.  Couldn’t even drive for 5 months.  Davis Square bricks.
Yep, reported it, tried to.  Told the Aldermen.  Told them [...]

[ August 27, 2009; 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm. ] Bullying, is it a problem in Somerville-Why or why not? Prevention and how to deal with bullying in school.

[ September 24, 2009; 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm. ] Improve Family Bonding and Reduce Risk of Teenage Drug Use, Violence and Teen Pregnancy.  Register now.  See how below.

Guiding Good Choices is an interactive program for all parents of pre-teens and teens, children ages 8-15 that is scientifically proven to prevent underage drinking, drug use, school drop-out, violence, and teen pregnancy while promoting health decision [...]

As many of you may be aware, STEP and Tufts University have come together in a community partnership to form CAFEH (the Community Assessment of Freeway Exposure). We have just begun a year long study to learn whether living very near major highways poses health concerns for residents’ health. I am writing to ask for [...]

[ August 26, 2009; 7:30 pm; ] Somerville Committee on Public Health and Public Safety

Wed. Aug. 26, 7:30 PM

2nd Floor Committee Room
Somerville City Hall
93 Highland Ave.
Somerville MA (map)

Agenda (MS DOC)

This is the regular meeting of the Aldermanic Committee on Public Health and Public Safety, meeting to discuss safety conditions surrounding the MaxPack site near Lowell Street. This [...]

Our friend reports that her son (22 months) fell while walking on bricks at the Walnut Street Park, fractured his right femur, and is in a cast for four weeks.  She says that bricks at the park were loose and the city attempted to repair them cheaply- and that they were also slick from the [...]

Thanks to SomervilleVoices for providing this venue to post our Public Information Requests -and to share the responses (or lack therof) that we receive.
Here’s one example of a PIR response that raises red flags.
June 15, 2009 Request for ADA Transition Plans of 10 City facilities
“TO:  Carlene Campbell,  ADA Coordinator for City of Somerville,  
93 Highland [...]

[ August 29, 2009; 8:00 am to 3:00 pm. ] H1N1 Vaccination Strategy Meeting, Saturday, Aug. 29th, 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., the Center for Arts at the Armory. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has selected Somerville as one of ten national sites for an H1N1 vaccination strategy and information session.  For more information on the event and how to participate see http://www.somervillema.gov/NewsDetail.cfm?instance_id=1492

The United [...]

Crossing guard posts have been announced.
Please visit the Somerville Public Schools’ website to download a copy of the crossing guard list and see a google map of posts.
Or browse the list of crossing guard posts below:
Planning to walk or bike to the Argenziano School beginning in the Fall?
Crossing guards will be posted at:
Bow St. & [...]

[ August 27, 2009; 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm. ] Are you, your friends, or your children being affected by bullies?
A discussion for YOUTH, PARENTS, AND SOMERVILLE RESIDENTS to discuss
• What is Bullying
• Types of Bullying
• Tips for youth to assist them with bullying
• Tips for parents to assist youth with bullying

SOMERVILLE CARES ABOUT PREVENTION
50 Evergreen Avenue
Somerville MA 02145

Sponsored by the City of Somerville,

Phone: 617-625-6600 [...]

[ August 4, 2009; 10:00 am; ] Public Hearing: Proposed Amendments to Mass Air Quality Standards

Tues. Aug. 4 10 AM

MA Department of Environmental Protection
2nd Fl. Atlantic Conf. Rm.
One Winter St.
Boston MA (map)

This important hearing is to discuss amending the state ambient air quality standards to align them with the national standards for lead, ozone, and fine particles. The comment deadline August [...]

[ August 4, 2009; 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm. ] For the sixth consecutive year, Somerville Cares About Prevention (SCAP) will partner with the City of Somerville and the Somerville Police Department to host the local celebration of the National Night Out Against Crime and Drugs. The event is scheduled for Tuesday, August 4th starting at 5 pm at Foss Park – activities will begin [...]

[ August 1, 2009; 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm. ] Citizen Scientist Training Workshop

Sat. Aug 1 PM – 4 PM

Neighborhood of Affordable Housing (NOAH)
143 Border St.
East Boston MA (map)

This workshop sponsored by the Mystic River Watershed Association (MyRWA) is intended to train volunteers to join MyRWA’s water quality monitoring program. This important program keeps tabs on the Mystic year round regardless of weather.

See: MyRWA [...]

[ July 15, 2009; 9:00 am; ] This is the regular meeting of the Federal EPA committee on the Mystic River. Matters of interest: * Mystic River environmental status * Status of Combined Sewer Overflow mitigation

[ July 15, 2009; 8:30 am; ] sponsored by the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) to provide information on what planning information is provided by the Commonwealth and how to access it. * Data sources for public health effects of VOCs in I-93 and McGrath corridors. * Data sources for economic development along Green Line.* Data sources for transportation development impact equity.

I have a new idea as to how Somerville can raise revenue: ticket jaywalkers.  I drive through Davis Square daily to drop my son off at daycare and DAILY come across pedestrians who think it is OK to cross the street wherever they want.   Sometimes the pedestrians look and sometimes they feel no need to [...]

This Somerville ARRA Funding Watch is gleaned from the Massachusetts Area Planning Council’s Municipal Resource Guide on the Federal Economic Stimulus,
Pending all final approvals, Somerville is in line for $30,196,052 in American Recovery & Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds. (The above-linked MAPC document was updated on May 13, 2009. )

1.  COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG-R) [...]

In spite of the overwhelming cupidity of the Board of Aldermen, one or more may ask why or how the Mayor connects “access” to higher tickets across the board? … The obvious conclusion is that he cares nothing about access, and everything about money. While that may be good for his budget, it is at real cost to citizens and businesses, and, ultimately, to the management system that justifies – or rationalizes – that cost.

I thought it was strange that Boston was closing schools. I hadn’t heard of any cases in Somerville since that first lady that got it a couple of months ago. So, then when I heard of many absences at the Brown School, I wondered “What could it be?” Now the scuttlebutt from [...]

[ May 30, 2009; 7:30 pm; ] Music for Hope Concert to Benefit RESPOND
Saturday, May 30, 2009
7:30pm, Tufts University – Cohen Auditorium

With summer just around the corner and tens of thousands of young people entering the workforce in Massachusetts, Governor Deval Patrick has proclaimed May “Safe Jobs for Youth Month” to focus attention on preventing workplace injuries and deaths.
The proclamation was announced at a youth leadership conference organized by youth leaders from the Jovenes Latinos program [...]

[ May 3, 2009; 10:00 am; ] The City will be hosting our first annual Shape up the Old Somerville Road Race, a 2.7 mile race/walk beginning and ending on the City Hall concourse. A children’s “Fun Run” will begin from the concourse at 10:00 a.m., with the 2.7 miler beginning at 11:00 a.m. Following the race, there will be a Health [...]

[ May 3, 2009; 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. ] The Mayor’s Office recently announced that the City of Somerville will host a 2.7-mile “Shape Up the Old Somerville Road Race,” combining an old tradition in the Recreation Department’s “Old Somerville Road Race,” and a new tradition with the Shape up Somerville component. The run will take place on Sunday, May 3rd at will start [...]

Thanks to the interdependence of everything, Barry Rafkind’s post Keep Big Brother ouf of Somerville has morphed into a discussion about whether or not traffic cameras can induce more folks to obey traffic laws (see comments starting from # 7). I’m saying that, with regards to the specific pedestrian safety issues that Steve Roix has [...]

Dear Chairperson Bill White and distinguished aldermen, I strongly object to the installation of surveillance cameras in public spaces around our city and urge you to request their immediate removal. I believe this surveillance program, which was roundly rejected in Cambridge, MA, violates American ideals of freedom and liberty and the Constitutional right to privacy…

[ March 31, 2009; 7:00 pm; ] Reminder:  Tonight at 7:00 at City Hall is the hearing on surveillance cameras.  Below is an op-ed that appeared in last week’s Somerville Journal.  Please come and give your opinion tonight!  Thanks,

Melissa

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Opinion: Cameras infringe on your right to be left alone
Somerville —

On March 31, there will be a City Hall hearing on the surveillance cameras [...]

Reminder:  Tonight at 7:00 at City Hall is the hearing on surveillance cameras.  Below is an op-ed that appeared in last week’s Somerville Journal.  Please come and give your opinion tonight!  Thanks,
Melissa
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Opinion: Cameras infringe on your right to be left alone
Somerville —

On March 31, there will be a City Hall hearing on the surveillance cameras [...]

This past January, when my wife was 31 weeks pregnant with our baby, she slipped on an icy patch of sidewalk in Somerville, did a belly-flop, and ended up in the hospital with pre-term contractions as a result.  A group of residents is organizing to advocate for more effective snow removal policies and stronger enforcement.
Fortunately, [...]

March 6, 2009:  Today, President  Obama and Attorney General Holder announced funding allocations for state and local law enforcement assistance.  MA is allocated State joint funding, plus 148 MA cities will also receive local government individual shares.  Somerville’s allotment is only exceeded by 20 other cities in MA.
This program is called the Edward Byrne Justice Assistance [...]

Over the last couple of months I witnessed Somerville government inability to deal with simple city issues which could potentially have dire consequences.
After purchasing a home in Somerville in 2008 I have began using the community path (from Cedar St) to commute daily to Davis Square where I catch the Red Line. Since [...]

On my way down to the train at Davis Station around 8:30am this morning, I was about to pass through the gate when a transit officer asked me to submit to a bag inspection. There was a group of about 4 or 5 officers wearing yellow and black jackets standing next to a small folding table with a machine on top.

Two days ago, the City of Somerville announced it would start enforcing regulations prohibiting the use of bicycles on sidewalks with fines between $20 and $50… Given the city’s budget problems, I wonder whether this policy change is motivated more by a need to find new sources of revenue rather than by public safety concerns.

From an Oct 12th article on Boston.com: Romulo Santos of Somerville headed off to work Sept. 9 at a Wal-Mart in Walpole as usual. But that day he was electrocuted on the job. Some might consider the 47-year-old Brazilian native’s death a freak accident, but local advocates say that for many immigrant workers, the risk of injury is all too real. Tufts University, Cambridge Health Alliance, and five Somerville community groups have come together to raise awareness of occupational health risks and to teach people their rights.

[ October 14, 2008; 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm. ] From a phone message received today, October 8:

Hello, this is an important message from the National Institutes of Health.

On October 14 we’ll be holding a meeting of the NIH Blue Ribbon Panel for the risk assessment of the national emerging infectious diseases laboratories at Boston University Medical Center.

The purpose of the meeting is to get [...]

Does anyone know what, if anything, the city is doing about the tremendous increase in airplanes roaring overhead day and night? It’s often as frequent as every 30 seconds for hours on end, and sometimes the planes are extremely low.

Crossing guards are posted at the following corners every school day to make help students safely walk or bike to school. Each corner is staffed from approximately 7:30-8:30 AM and again from 2:25-3:00 PM.

[ August 12, 2008; 7:00 pm; ] Folks,

Just a reminder about this meeting about a proposed bio-lab in Cambridge.  As residents of Somerville, we can speak to the danger of the materials going through our city to get to Cambridge.
The meeting is on August 12, at 7:00, at the Cambridge Kennedy School in East Cambridge.

158 Spring St, Cambridge, MA 02141, (617) 349-6841 [...]

You may not have heard, but a developer is planning a Level Three biotech lab in Cambridge , to test toxic gases and other intriguing Cantabridgian products. What’s particularly interesting and notable to Somerville is that such items cannot be legally transported through tunnels, so, if they come from the airport, they come through Somerville . Nobody in Somerville seems to have noticed, but such a lab could kill your kids. Level Three labs are legitimate alternate testing sites for Level Four substances on occasion, and lack only the security conditions for that higher status.

Isn’t it odd that there has been no discussion in Somerville at all about the Cambridge Biolab 3, pending in East Cambridge?? The requirements for transporting its contents mandate “no tunnels” so everything that goes to Logan goes through Somerville. And everything is virtually all that’s in the Biolab 4 except fissionable materials!