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)

GLX Drop-in Q&A Sessions

In advance of planned bridge closures as part of the Green Line Extension Project (GLX), City staff along with staff from the MBTA, MassDOT, and GLX Constructors, are hosting a series of events and meetings throughout the summer and fall to provide information and answer questions about construction, which is already underway. Staff will be available at most summer events and have planned GLX-specific Q&A sessions and public meetings in the coming months. Please note the following schedule is subject to change:

• Sunday, August 5, 2 – 6 p.m.: SomerStreets on Holland St.
• Thursday, August 9, 4:30 – 6:30 p.m.: Drop-in Q&A Session (Magoun Square)
• Saturday, August 11, 6 p.m.: Ignite Festival (Union Square)
• Saturday, August 18, 9 – 11 a.m.: Drop-in Q&A Session (Ball Square)

For the complete schedule of events, as well as tentative bridge closure schedules and draft detour routes, please visit www.somervillema.gov/glx.

State Primary Election Voter Registration Deadline, August 15

The deadline to register to vote in the September 4^th State Primary election is Wednesday, August 15 (by 8 p.m. if registering in person at City Hall or by 11:59 p.m. if registering online). This is also the deadline for voters wanting to update their address or change party affiliation.

Residents may register to vote by visiting the Elections Department at Somerville City Hall, calling 617-625-6600 x4200 to have a voter registration form mailed, visiting www.somervillema.gov/elections to print a registration form to mail, or by registering online at www.registertovotema.com. Online applications require a valid ID issued by the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV), as well as a signature on file with the RMV.

Sample ballots for the State Primary, as well as additional information about other important upcoming election dates like voter registration for the General Election and the early voting schedule, are available at www.somervillema.gov/elections.

Final Henry Hansen Park Redesign Community Meeting, August 21

Join Somerville Commissioner of Veterans’ Services Bryan Bishop, Ward 5 Alderman Mark Niedergang, and project design team CBA Landscape Architects for the final community meeting to discuss the redesign of Henry Hansen Park. The design team will present the final design concept for the park redesign. For more information, please contact Somerville Veterans’ Services at 617-625-6600 x4700 or veterans@somervillema.gov.

Henry Hansen Park, located at the corner of Medford St. and Partridge Ave., honors Sergeant Henry O. “Hank” Hansen, a Magoun Square resident killed in action just one week after participating in the first flag-raising on Iwo Jima’s Mount Suribachi. The current Park features a garden, benches, a granite memorial tablet and a sculpture “tree” bearing information about World War II.

When/where: Tuesday, August 21, at 6:30 p.m. at the Visiting Nurse Association (3^rd Floor Conference Room), 259 Lowell St.

Short-term Rentals Survey
With the growing popularity of home-sharing and short-term rentals, the City is revisiting its policies and regulations and held two community discussion meetings in June and July to gather resident feedback. If you were unable to attend the meetings, there is still an opportunity to share your thoughts on short-term rentals with us via an online survey. Visit www.somervillema.gov/strs for more information.

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.  

Individuals with disabilities who need auxiliary aids and services for effective communication, written materials in alternative formats, or reasonable modifications in policies and procedures, in order to access the programs and activities of the City of Somerville or to attend meetings, should contact the City’s ADA Coordinator, Nency Salamoun, at 617-625-6600 x2323 or NSalamoun@somervillema.gov.