The Salvation Army Massachusetts Division is making an urgent plea for help across the Commonwealth as donations to the organization’s Red Kettles are down more than 50 percent from 2018 across Massachusetts, with only days left in the Red Kettle Season.

The potential crisis situation means communities in every corner of Massachusetts are at risk of losing critical assistance for a wide range of programming and services, including shelters for children and families, disaster response, meal programs, clothing and energy assistance.

City offices will be closed after 12:30 p.m. on December 24 and all day on December 25.

Starting on December 25, trash and recycling pickup will be on a one-day delay for the rest of the week.

In its annual tradition, the City of Somerville will kick off the New Year on Wednesday, January 1, 2020, with a reenactment ceremony for the anniversary of the “Grand Union” flag-raising ceremony at Prospect Hill Park.

Important note: the park is currently closed for renovations, so the event will be held along Munroe St. adjacent to the park. The road will be closed during the morning events.

Three-year goals designed to lead to bold and sustainable systemic practices that result in elimination of persistent achievement gaps, better outcomes for students

On Monday, November 18, the Somerville School Committee unanimously approved four long-range goals focused on ensuring that the district is making clear and bold progress toward providing equitable access, opportunities, and support for all students in the district. The three-year goals are designed to address the root causes of systemic inequities that have contributed to persistent achievement gaps, particularly for black and LatinX students. School Committee members worked with Superintendent Mary Skipper and her district leadership team over the course of several months to develop specific goals related to the district’s human capital strategy, enrollment and access to programming, resources, and learning milestones that will support the district’s commitment to achieving its vision of equity and excellence.

Broadway’s new bus-only lanes: Better commuting but some concerns

— Photos by Diego Marcano

By Diego Marcano

The new bus lanes enable more and speedier bus trips but have also resulted in fewer parking spaces.

If you didn’t make it to the recent City Hall hearing, you can learn more about it and hear from your neighbors. Check out the Somerville Neighborhood News video and read the story online at somervillemedia.org/snn.

First graders from the Albert F. Argenziano School at Lincoln Park visited the Truck 1/ Engine 1 fire station on Somerville Avenue to celebrate Fire Prevention Month in October where they learned about putting out fires. Almost 100 youngsters in four classes walked to the firehouse with their teachers Jayne Campos, Olivia Marks, Jane Gardner and Alyssa Baumgarten.

East Somerville Main Streets has announced that it has received a $10,000 grant from the Boston Foundation to support its small business technical assistance program, through the Foundation’s Open Door Grants program.

Phillip Weiss, now Temple B’nai Brith’s religious leader emeritus, spoke Saturday evening, December 14, at a tribute that recognized his 40 years of service to the city’s historic Jewish congregation.

By Penny Schwartz

Some 200 people filled the sanctuary at Temple B’nai Brith, coming together on Saturday evening, December 14, to pay tribute to Phillip Weiss, the Jewish congregation’s revered and beloved spiritual leader who first wandered up the stairs of the synagogue forty years ago looking for a place to worship for Yom Kippur.

(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 Joseph A. Curtatone

Taking a closer look at notable city data – and interesting numbers.

Almost 30 years: Last week the City Council voted to adopt a new zoning ordinance, which is the first major overhaul of the zoning rules since 1990 and it replaced some regulations that had been in place since 1924 when the City first adopted zoning. A lot has changed over the past 30 years, and the zoning code was amended over the years to reflect that. Over the years those one-off changes made for a zoning code that was overly complicated and often made it difficult to do even simple home upgrades. Although the new code comes in at 552 pages, it’s simplified the rules and will make it easier to understand what can and cannot be built in Somerville. It also updates the rules for Somerville’s future. For example, the new code created a Fabrication District for arts and creative enterprises, which will make it easier for artists and makers to open studios and shops.

By Bob Katzen

The Baker administration announced that sufficient economic growth in 2019 under the terms of a 2002 law will result in tax cuts for millions of Bay State taxpayers in 2020. The cuts would come from a reduction in the Part B individual income tax rate and long-term capital gains tax rate from the current 5.05 percent to 5 percent effective January 1, 2020. The administration said the cuts are estimated to result in an $88 million tax reduction in partial fiscal year 2020 and $185 million in full fiscal year 2021. Estimates are that the average taxpayer would save from $20 to $50 per year. High income earners would save hundreds of dollars.