Somerville Mayor Jake Wilson laid out his vision of the new administration at last week’s Inauguration Ceremony. — Photo courtesy of Devon Moos Photography

By Harry Kane

A new chapter in Somerville’s history started with Mayor Jake Wilson’s inaugural address, which outlined a vision for the new administration’s open-door policy and increased transparency strategy for solving complex city challenges. From fixing roads and aging infrastructure to combating discrimination and creating more affordable housing, the Wilson administration promises action, compassion, and accountability.

Following the swearing-in ceremony on January 2, Mayor Wilson delivered his first mayoral address at the Somerville High School auditorium during the 2026 Inauguration Ceremony on January 3.

“I’ll be the mayor for everyone in Somerville,” said Mayor Wilson. “We share the same sidewalks, the same schools, the same parks. We face the same challenges.”

The first challenge stems from a pervasive feeling of fear instilled by the federal government in immigrant communities, but the mayor says he refuses to accept this as the new norm.

“This federal regime thrives on darkness, misinformation, and resentment, but we will win with light, truth, and solidarity,” said Mayor Wilson.

He explained that Somerville is a welcoming city and promised to support, respect, and protect all residents. “Everyone is welcome here,” said Mayor Wilson. “Together we are strong.”

While the nation is divided on many issues, so is the City of Somerville, he said. The issues range from discussions about bicycle lanes versus parking, methods for handling homelessness and substance abuse, and war in the Middle East.

Mayor Wilson admitted, “Disagreement is inevitable, but we need to always remember, we are friends and neighbors first. We cannot let this corrosiveness tear apart the fabric of our community.”

Uniting toward a shared future, helping out a neighbor with food or shelter, and building unity in the community is Somerville’s superpower, the mayor declared, and he intends to “honor and build on that.”

“I will use every tool available to protect our community and our values,” said Mayor Wilson. Later in the speech, he added, “True unity requires inclusion. That means ensuring all voices need to be heard.”

Mayor Wilson thanked his family members for their support during the campaign and thanked everyone in attendance, including Governor Maura Healey. “Thank you for investing in progress, jobs, and opportunity, right here in Somerville, and across the Commonwealth,” he said.

Interim MassDOT Secretary and MBTA General Manager Phillip Eng was an honored guest at the Inauguration Ceremony. The mayor thanked Eng for “driving sustainable transit forward in the Commonwealth” and gave him the moniker “Train Daddy.”

One of the many key takeaways from the inaugural address focuses on the use of an Urban Mechanics approach to assess and analyze data to optimize city services and improve residents’ quality of life.

Solving complex challenges like the housing crisis will require a “careful strategy and clear goal setting” to make the city affordable for all residents. He says the administration will work to build more homes near transit and growth areas, allow for a wider range of housing types, and make “permitting more efficient and more predictable.”

The mayor added that his administration will expand affordability with nonprofit partners and strengthen tenant protections.

While housing is “front and center” for the new administration, keeping commercial and artist spaces affordable is part of valuing the residents who help shape the city’s identity. “If local businesses and creatives cannot afford to stay, we lose our heart and soul,” he said.

Mayor Wilson acknowledged recommendations from Somerville’s Anti-Displacement Task Force, and assured constituents that there are “real solutions” for supporting residents, businesses, and creatives to keep the city’s unique cultural fabric intact.

“When locally-owned businesses can stay and grow, they keep money and jobs in Somerville and help fund the core services and big ideas that move this city forward,” said Mayor Wilson.

An economic stewardship includes climate stewardship, and Somerville can lead the way forward, the mayor explained. Climate solutions will be at the core of the administration’s plan.

The Wilson administration will foster growth in the workforce by creating opportunities for a career. “Our community thrives when people can not only earn a living, but create a life,” he said.

The former Star Market site at 299 Broadway was spotlighted as an example of a project that will address the affordable housing crisis. The project will include 319 residential units, 40 percent affordable.

The mayor spoke about street safety, infrastructure improvements, updated lighting, and increased traffic enforcement with cameras. “Everybody’s trying to get where they are going,” he said. “Our job is to design streets that get them there safely.”

Crumbling street surfaces, an outdated sewer system, and municipal buildings long overdue for repair are three of the big infrastructure challenges the mayor says will need work over the coming years. Thankfully, Somerville holds the top AAA bond rating, signifying an exceptionally strong capacity to meet financial commitments.

— Photo courtesy of Devon Moos Photography

A number of critical projects are underway or completed, he explained. “We’re going to build on that foundation. Our administration will deliver an updated capital investment plan, ensure close coordination across departments, and make sure the community is brought along every step of the way.”

Mayor Wilson identified one “urgent” project: the Winter Hill Community Innovation School at 115 Sycamore St., which closed its physical building in 2023 due to structural issues and was relocated to a temporary location.

“I promise to work relentlessly on getting us that new school built,” he said, noting the building project will be started as soon as possible.

Furthermore, the mayor said he will be “laser focused on system-wide progress” when attending to the needs and goals of school communities.

As a boy, he grew up on a farm in Iowa, and relayed a memory about when his family experienced a food shortage. Recalling the recent federal government’s SNAP benefits freeze, Mayor Wilson said Somerville mobilized quickly to help.

He plans to strengthen the food support network, increase multilingual Know Your Rights outreach, and lift local and immigrant businesses through stronger partnerships.

“A city built on neighborliness can’t allow any of us to face an empty refrigerator, to choose between healthcare or housing, or to be silently pushed into the shadows,” said Mayor Wilson.

While homelessness is a growing concern, safety comes first, he explained. Helping the most vulnerable through compassion and resolve is the way forward, while limiting behaviors that make public spaces unsafe or unwelcoming.

“That means balancing compassion and accountability, so our public spaces remain accessible and welcoming for everyone,” he declared.

The mayor emphasized the importance of accessibility, reiterating a phrase disability advocates use, “ADA is the floor, not the ceiling,” and noting “accessibility isn’t about checking boxes, it’s a moral obligation.”

— Photo courtesy of Devon Moos Photography

Controlling the rodent population amid ongoing building projects and a climate crisis will be another set of challenges that the Wilson administration aims to address.

The program was emceed by Somerville resident and comedian Eugene Mirman and featured musical and spoken word performances, a Unity Invocation, and all elected officials publicly took the oath of office.

There were remarks by Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey, Interim MassDOT Secretary and MBTA General Manager Phillip Eng, City Council President Lance L. Davis, and School Committee Chairperson Emily Ackman prior to the mayoral address.

“Local community and local government, I believe, are essential to our democracy, to our way of life,” said Governor Maura Healey. “It’s truly government by the people, for the people, and always of the people.”

“Looking ahead, we know how important transformative initiatives are, like the McGrath Boulevard project,” said Interim MassDOT Secretary and MBTA General Manager Phillip Eng. “Projects like that are important to the community and to the region.”

“Today we are truly at the beginning of a new chapter in Somerville’s history,” said City Council President Lance L. Davis. “This fall, voters made an important and historic decision by passing a new city charter. That vote was not just about updating a woefully outdated document, but it was about affirming our shared values as a city.”

“If you care about children, families, food security, immigrants’ rights, or inclusive classrooms, then you are my people,” said School Committee Chairperson Emily Ackman. “We can find common ground and work together to improve outcomes in our community.”