(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!

Spring ResiStat Meetings

Each spring and fall we host a ResiStat meeting in each of Somerville’s seven Wards. There are two ResiStat neighborhood meetings left in the spring season, so consider coming to one if you’re interested in getting more involved in the community. Along with updates about things happening in your neighborhood, you can also hear about what’s going on citywide, and talk with elected officials, City staff, and your neighbors. There is time before and after the meetings for one-on-one conversations as well. Each meeting runs from 6:30 to 8 p.m., but come at 6 for a social half hour and refreshments (including pizza). You can find out more about ResiStat at www.somervillema.gov/resistat.

The two remaining meetings are:

•  May 21 – Ward 1, East Somerville Community School auditorium, 50 Cross St.
•  May 30 – Ward 4, Healey School cafeteria, 5 Meacham St.

Powder House Blvd. Traffic Safety Plan & Bike Lanes Community Meeting, May 22

Join us for a discussion on the progress that has already been made on implementing the Powder House Blvd. Traffic Safety Plan and the beginning of a community conversation about bike lane options on the road. The community meeting will be on Wed., May 22, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., at the West Somerville Neighborhood School, 177 Powder House Blvd. The first portion of the meeting will be on the Safety Plan. The second portion will be on the bike lanes. Single lane bike lanes had been planned for the fall of 2019, but the idea of a two-lane, two-way bike path has also been suggested. Either option would be part of a “road diet,” an effective approach to slowing traffic and increasing safety for all road users by narrowing the travel lanes. The two-lane, two-way plan would require eliminating parking on some sections of Powder House Blvd. You can see a copy of the Powder House Blvd. Traffic Safety Plan, which includes information on bike lane options, at www.somervillema.gov/powderhouseboulevard.

McGrath Boulevard Community Meeting, May 22

Find out more about plans to ground McGrath Boulevard at a community meeting on Wed., May 22, starting at 6:30 p.m., at the East Somerville Community School, 50 Cross St. The preliminary design phase of MassDOT’s McGrath Boulevard Development Project includes a plan that would replace the Rte. 28 McCarthy Overpass with a street level boulevard with two lanes for vehicle traffic in each direction, wide sidewalks, landscaping, and bicycling infrastructure. Funding for the project won’t be available until 2026, but being involved in the process now will help ensure the process will deliver on the community’s goals to increase safety and reknit the neighborhoods currently separated by the highway. City staff from the Transportation and Infrastructure Division as well as MassDOT staff will be at the meeting to provide a status update and answer questions. For more information, please contact transportation@somervillema.gov.

Community Preservation Act Funding Application Workshops, June 4 and 5

About $900,000 in Community Preservation Act (CPA) funding is available in the coming fiscal year from projects that preserve historic resources or expand or improve Somerville’s parks and recreation space. If you’re interested in proposing a project and requesting CPA money, you’re encouraged to go to one of two upcoming information sessions to learn more about the application process. The meetings are being held on Tues., June 4, at 6:30 p.m. and Wed., June 5, at 1 p.m. Both sessions will be in the Central Library, 79 Highland Ave. To learn more about the CPA and get application materials, visit www.somervillema.gov/cpa. All CPA applications are due by Wed., June 10, at 4:30 p.m.

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.