(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)
By Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone
A monthly look at ways to get involved with your city: Don’t just live in Somerville, be Somerville!
Upcoming events and meetings are listed chronologically here, but make sure you read through to the end for big news about the SomerVision 2040 launch.
Information Session to Discuss Conway Park Contamination, December 5
A public information session regarding contamination at Conway Park was held on Wednesday, Dec. 5, at the Public Safety Building (220 Washington St.) from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Weston & Sampson, the licensed site professional in charge of soil testing, and City staff discussed testing results and next steps, as well as answered questions. Soil testing conducted earlier this year in preparation for the proposed field renovation revealed contamination in the soil, including lead and PCBs, and required closure of the field and playground. A portion of the playground has since been re-opened. For more information, visit www.somervillema.gov/conwayfield.
Annual Holiday Events Planned Throughout December
Somerville’s annual holiday celebrations kicked off on Thursday, December 6, at 5:30 p.m. with the Christmas Tree Lighting and visit from Santa Claus, on the City Hall Concourse. Also part of the 2018 events are a ceremonial lighting of a Menorah on the City Hall Concourse on Sunday, December 9, at 5:30 p.m., and the Somerville Arts Council’s Illuminations Tour on December 15. The Tree and Menorah lightings are free of charge. For more information about the Illuminations Tour and information on how to purchase tickets, visit www.somervilleartscouncil.org.
Nominate Properties for Historic Preservation Awards by December 10
The Somerville Historic Preservation Commission (SHPC) is accepting nominations for the 2019 Preservation Awards through Monday, Dec. 10. Eligible property owners must have completed restoration and preservation work between January 2016 and December 2018. Owners may nominate their own property, or may be nominated by others in the community. Eligible projects include, but are not limited to, removal of inappropriate siding materials, repair or restoration of damaged or missing architectural details, removal of enclosed porches or inappropriate windows, repainting with historic colors, and additions that are “historically sympathetic.” For more information, visit www.somervillema.gov/PreservationAwards.
SHS, Central Hill Quarterly Parking Meeting, December 12
Join City staff on Wednesday, December 12, at 6 p.m. at the Central Library, 79 Highland Ave. for the fourth in a series of public quarterly meetings where updates about parking changes, new data collection, and strategies for impact mitigation will be discussed. All interested persons are encouraged to come including residents and local business owners, as well as City and school staff. 2019 meeting dates will be announced soon. For more information, visit www.somervillema.gov/shsparking.
Foss Park Community Meeting, December 12
The City of Somerville’s Office of Strategic Planning and Community Development (OSPCD) invites all interested community members to an information session on Wednesday, December 12, to discuss upcoming renovations to Foss Park, planned by the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR). The meeting will be held at the East Somerville Community School, 50 Cross St., from 6 to 8 p.m.
The DCR owns and operates Foss Park, and has announced that it will reconstruct the park’s main rectangular playing field in 2019. City of Somerville staff and elected officials will host this community information session to discuss the field, the current state of the park, and its relationship to our citywide open space and athletic field planning.
Lincoln Park Design Review Community Meeting, December 17
This spring the final work at Lincoln Park will be complete. Come learn more about what will be coming up and share your thoughts on the newly renovated park at a community meeting on Monday, December 17, from 6 to 7:30 p.m., in the Argenziano School cafeteria, 290 Washington St. For more information, contact Arn Franzen at afranzen@somervillema.gov or 617-625-6600 ext. 2500.
State of the City Address, January 7
Save the date! The City’s annual Mid-term Ceremonies and State of the City Address are planned for Monday evening, January 7, 2019. All members of the public are invited to hear about progress on the City’s goals and initiatives, and plans for the coming year. Refreshments will be served. Speeches and reception will be held at City Hall, 93 Highland Ave.
SomerVision 2040 Launch, January 15
This week, Mayor Curtatone announced the launch of a new community process to update SomerVision: Somerville’s Comprehensive Plan 2010-2030 and create SomerVision 2040. Through this new community process, the City will revisit SomerVision 2030 and build in goals for 2040. The process will start with a Kick-Off Meeting on Tuesday, January 15, 2019, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Center for Arts at the Armory, 191 Highland Ave. All community members are invited to take part in anything from serving on the steering committee or attending meetings to taking a survey or hosting a SomerSupper with your neighbors. For more information and to stay informed throughout the process, visit www.SomerVision2040.com.
Shop Local This Holiday Season
As you’re doing your holiday shopping this season, remember to shop local and support small businesses in Somerville! Some local business associations sponsor holiday shopping events, so be sure to check local media and business sites to find out more information on events like the Union Square Holiday Stroll or the SLF (Somerville Local First) December Holiday Market at the Arts at the Armory. And don’t forget to use our recently launched social media campaign by using the hashtag #Loyal2Local when posting to any social media platform!
City Alerts
Get important City notifications for snow emergencies, construction, detours, and other public safety matters delivered to your phone (voice and text) and/or your email. Sign up for alerts at www.somervillema.gov/alerts.
City Newsletter
For weekly updates on city cultural and civic events, City services, job openings, 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.
Be Somerville
(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)
By Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone
A monthly look at ways to get involved with your city: Don’t just live in Somerville, be Somerville!
Upcoming events and meetings are listed chronologically here, but make sure you read through to the end for big news about the SomerVision 2040 launch.
Information Session to Discuss Conway Park Contamination, December 5
A public information session regarding contamination at Conway Park was held on Wednesday, Dec. 5, at the Public Safety Building (220 Washington St.) from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Weston & Sampson, the licensed site professional in charge of soil testing, and City staff discussed testing results and next steps, as well as answered questions. Soil testing conducted earlier this year in preparation for the proposed field renovation revealed contamination in the soil, including lead and PCBs, and required closure of the field and playground. A portion of the playground has since been re-opened. For more information, visit www.somervillema.gov/conwayfield.
Annual Holiday Events Planned Throughout December
Somerville’s annual holiday celebrations kicked off on Thursday, December 6, at 5:30 p.m. with the Christmas Tree Lighting and visit from Santa Claus, on the City Hall Concourse. Also part of the 2018 events are a ceremonial lighting of a Menorah on the City Hall Concourse on Sunday, December 9, at 5:30 p.m., and the Somerville Arts Council’s Illuminations Tour on December 15. The Tree and Menorah lightings are free of charge. For more information about the Illuminations Tour and information on how to purchase tickets, visit www.somervilleartscouncil.org.
Nominate Properties for Historic Preservation Awards by December 10
The Somerville Historic Preservation Commission (SHPC) is accepting nominations for the 2019 Preservation Awards through Monday, Dec. 10. Eligible property owners must have completed restoration and preservation work between January 2016 and December 2018. Owners may nominate their own property, or may be nominated by others in the community. Eligible projects include, but are not limited to, removal of inappropriate siding materials, repair or restoration of damaged or missing architectural details, removal of enclosed porches or inappropriate windows, repainting with historic colors, and additions that are “historically sympathetic.” For more information, visit www.somervillema.gov/PreservationAwards.
SHS, Central Hill Quarterly Parking Meeting, December 12
Join City staff on Wednesday, December 12, at 6 p.m. at the Central Library, 79 Highland Ave. for the fourth in a series of public quarterly meetings where updates about parking changes, new data collection, and strategies for impact mitigation will be discussed. All interested persons are encouraged to come including residents and local business owners, as well as City and school staff. 2019 meeting dates will be announced soon. For more information, visit www.somervillema.gov/shsparking.
Foss Park Community Meeting, December 12
The City of Somerville’s Office of Strategic Planning and Community Development (OSPCD) invites all interested community members to an information session on Wednesday, December 12, to discuss upcoming renovations to Foss Park, planned by the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR). The meeting will be held at the East Somerville Community School, 50 Cross St., from 6 to 8 p.m.
The DCR owns and operates Foss Park, and has announced that it will reconstruct the park’s main rectangular playing field in 2019. City of Somerville staff and elected officials will host this community information session to discuss the field, the current state of the park, and its relationship to our citywide open space and athletic field planning.
Lincoln Park Design Review Community Meeting, December 17
This spring the final work at Lincoln Park will be complete. Come learn more about what will be coming up and share your thoughts on the newly renovated park at a community meeting on Monday, December 17, from 6 to 7:30 p.m., in the Argenziano School cafeteria, 290 Washington St. For more information, contact Arn Franzen at afranzen@somervillema.gov or 617-625-6600 ext. 2500.
State of the City Address, January 7
Save the date! The City’s annual Mid-term Ceremonies and State of the City Address are planned for Monday evening, January 7, 2019. All members of the public are invited to hear about progress on the City’s goals and initiatives, and plans for the coming year. Refreshments will be served. Speeches and reception will be held at City Hall, 93 Highland Ave.
SomerVision 2040 Launch, January 15
This week, Mayor Curtatone announced the launch of a new community process to update SomerVision: Somerville’s Comprehensive Plan 2010-2030 and create SomerVision 2040. Through this new community process, the City will revisit SomerVision 2030 and build in goals for 2040. The process will start with a Kick-Off Meeting on Tuesday, January 15, 2019, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Center for Arts at the Armory, 191 Highland Ave. All community members are invited to take part in anything from serving on the steering committee or attending meetings to taking a survey or hosting a SomerSupper with your neighbors. For more information and to stay informed throughout the process, visit www.SomerVision2040.com.
Shop Local This Holiday Season
As you’re doing your holiday shopping this season, remember to shop local and support small businesses in Somerville! Some local business associations sponsor holiday shopping events, so be sure to check local media and business sites to find out more information on events like the Union Square Holiday Stroll or the SLF (Somerville Local First) December Holiday Market at the Arts at the Armory. And don’t forget to use our recently launched social media campaign by using the hashtag #Loyal2Local when posting to any social media platform!
City Alerts
Get important City notifications for snow emergencies, construction, detours, and other public safety matters delivered to your phone (voice and text) and/or your email. Sign up for alerts at www.somervillema.gov/alerts.
City Newsletter
For weekly updates on city cultural and civic events, City services, job openings, 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.