Readers choices for 2017

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On Monday, December 25, City offices will be closed for Christmas. There will be no street sweeping on Christmas and meters and parking permits will not be enforced. Trash and recycling collection will be on a one-day delay all week.

Donation earned through City’s Solarize Somerville initiative for exceeding home solar installation goal

Local non-profit CASPAR, Inc. (Cambridge and Somerville Program for Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Rehabilitation) will soon expand its tremendously positive impact on the community. The organization was selected to receive a 5kW solar array donation that, once in place, will reduce greenhouse gas emissions – and lower utility bills. The 5kW array donation from SolarFlair, the City’s installation partner, is the result of resident participants exceeding the goal of the citywide Solarize Somerville initiative to install 400 kW of installed solar capacity.  So far, SolarFlair has installed 99 solar arrays, adding 531.34 kW of installed solar capacity to 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)

The 242st Marine Corps Birthday was held on November 10, 2017 to benefit Toys for Tots. I would like to thank the following businesses, organizations and individuals that supported the fundraiser.

By  Tim Talun AIA, Seth Hoffman, in behalf of Union Square Neighbors
Renee Scott, Victoria Antonino, in behalf of Green and Open 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)

Four years ago, this season found city officials and advocates of wise development enthusiastically hopeful in anticipation of what Union Square’s redevelopment could bring. An overflow crowd packed the Somerville Theatre to see a film about planning for livable cities, and Mayor Curtatone affirmed our city’s “people-centered approach as the focus of city design” as he introduced the film.

A Cobble Hill resident celebrated the holiday season last week with a photo opp and breakfast with Santa at the Holiday Inn Boston-Bunker Hill.

A festive event took place last Wednesday, December 13, when the Holiday Inn Boston-Bunker Hill in Somerville hosted residents of Somerville’s Cobble Hill for a “Breakfast with Santa” event to celebrate the holiday season.

Federal Transit Administration releases first $100 million toward total approved $1 billion for project. T issues “Notice to Proceed” to design-build firm.

The Federal Transit Administration today informed the MBTA Green Line Extension (GLX) Project Team that it has released the first $100 million installment of the total approved $1 billion in federal funding for the 4.7-mile light rail line from Cambridge to Medford, marking another milestone for the project. With federal funding in place, the MBTA issued the Notice to Proceed to GLX Design-Build team, GLX Constructors. After a sealed price opening last month, GLX Constructors won with its bid, a total of $1.08 billion.

By Jim Clark

Police officers were dispatched to the Stop and Shop store at Alewife Brook Parkway last week on reports of two customers fighting.

Upon arrival a woman known to them as Kafia Mohamed standing near the entrance abutting Alewife Brook Parkway. According to reports, she was visibly upset, crying and yelling at two other females standing a few feet away.

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)

From celebrating a milestone birthday, to seeing the highest local election turnout in years (31.6 percent – more than double the turnout in 2015), to launching various community planning processes focused on community health, workforce development, and combating climate change locally, Somerville’s 175th year has been one of the best yet. While it’s impossible to list everything we’ve accomplished together in 2017, take a look at just some of the highlights:

The Kiwanis Club of Somerville held its 18th annual Christmas Party for Early Head Start children on Sunday evening at the Somerville Holiday Inn. Forty-seven Head Start youngsters, accompanied by their families were sponsored by Kiwanis members who supplied them with salad, pizza and soft drinks before the big event, the appearance of Santa Clause. Thanks to the generosity of sponsoring members, Santa was able to present each child with a present selected just for him or her. A good time was had by all.