By Joseph A. Curtatone

(The opinions and views expressed in the commentaries and letters to the Editor of The Somerville Times belong solely to the authors and do not reflect the views or opinions of The Somerville Times, its staff or publishers)

A monthly look at ways to get involved with your city: Don’t just live in Somerville, be Somerville!

Draw 7 Park Public Meeting, 2/5 (DCR Meeting)

The MA Department of Conservation of Recreation (DCR) is holding a public meeting on Mon., Feb. 5, to receive feedback for proposed renovations to Draw Seven Park in Assembly Square. Can’t attend? The meeting presentation will be available after Feb. 5 at www.mass.gov/service-details/materials-from-past-meetings, and written comments may be submitted by close of business on Mon., Feb. 26, by visiting www.mass.gov/forms/dcr-public-comments or by writing to the DCR’s Office of Public Outreach, 251 Causeway Street, 6th Floor, Boston, MA 02114. Sign up for the project email list at Mass.Parks@state.ma.us or call 617-626-4973. When/Where: Monday, February 5, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m., East Somerville Community School, 50 Cross St.

Residents Sought to Serve on Central Hill Campus Parking Working Group, Apply by 2/5

Construction of the new Somerville High School requires a reduction in parking on the Central Hill Campus (which includes City Hall, Somerville High School, and Somerville Public Library), so a zone-based parking system was introduced on the residential streets surrounding the Hill. To review the effects of the changes and the resulting implementation, the City is establishing a working group. Residents impacted by the parking changes are encouraged to apply for a spot on the working group by emailing Senior Transportation Planner Mike Tremblay at mtremblay@somervillema.gov by Monday, February 5, at 9 a.m.  More information can be found at www.somervillema.gov.

Allen Street Playground Community Meeting, 2/12

Join us for a community meeting to discuss upcoming renovations to the Allen Street Playground. For more information or with any questions about the project, contact Arn Franzen at afranzen@somervillema.gov. When/Where: Monday, February 12, 6:30 – 8 p.m., Public Safety Building, 220 Washington St.

Zoning Overhaul Public Hearings, 2/13 and 3/13

An essential part of the work around the proposed zoning overhaul has been hearing from you—and there’s still time to join the discussion. After multiple years of community process, the Administration has officially submitted the proposed Zoning Overhaul to the Board of Aldermen. Members of the public are invited to attend upcoming public meetings and public hearings by the Somerville Planning Board and the Board of Aldermen’s Land Use Committee to provide feedback. Feedback can also be submitted online at www.somervillezoning.com, where detailed information on the overhaul, timeline, and upcoming meetings and events are also available. Questions? Reach out to planning staff by emailing planning@somervillema.gov.

When/where: Tuesday, February 13, at 6 p.m. at City Hall in the 2nd Floor Aldermanic Chambers, 93 Highland Ave. At this meeting the City administration will introduce the code, provide an overview, and highlight the differences between the proposed 2018 overhaul and the 2015 version.

When/where: Tuesday, March 13, at 6 p.m. at City Hall in the 2nd Floor Aldermanic Chambers, 93 Highland Ave. At this meeting the Planning Board and Land Use Committee will accept public comments.

Clean and Open Elections Task Force Meeting 2/13 and more

Last summer we put out a call to residents to apply for a spot on the Clean and Open Elections Task Force. The group is tasked with exploring ways to expand democratic opportunities for Somerville residents. Are you interested in learning more about their efforts to increase participatory democracy in our city through public financing, early voting expansion, and more? If so, consider attending their public meetings. Do your interests lie elsewhere? Check out the event calendar at www.somervillema.gov for the full schedule of other public meetings ranging from the Human Rights Commission to Bicycle Committee and many more.

When/where: Tuesday, February 13, at 6:30 p.m. at the Tufts Administration Building Atrium, 167 Holland St.

Community Preservation Act FY18 Application Accepting Comments through 2/22

To date, more than $12 million in Community Preservation Act (CPA) funds has been awarded to 43 projects throughout the city. This will soon increase once the estimated $2.3 million designated for FY18 historic resources and open space/recreation land projects is awarded. But before CPA money can be awarded, the projects need to be selected, and we need your help on that front. Project information can be found at www.somervillema.gov/cpa by clicking on the ‘CPA Projects’ tab and then ‘2018 Projects.’ Written comments can be submitted by emailing CPA Manager Kristen Stelljes at kstelljes@somervillema.gov by Thursday, February 22. (CPA affordable housing projects will be funded through a separate Affordable Housing Trust Fund process later this year.)

City Alerts

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City Newsletter

For weekly updates on city cultural and civic events, new services and programs, and more, sign up for the City e-newsletter at www.somervillema.gov/newsletter.

City Calendar

Look up city events and meetings (as well as agendas and minutes) 24/7 on the City calendar at www.somervillema.gov.