All cars must be moved from City and school lots by 4 p.m. to avoid ticketing and towing. Property owners must have shoveled sidewalks by 1 p.m. Friday (within 6 daylight hours following end of snowfall).

The City of Somerville’s snow emergency will end Friday, Jan. 5 at 2 p.m. and normal parking rules will resume at that time. The information below offers tips to avoid ticketing and towing as well as strategies for being a good neighbor and staying safe in the frigid temperatures.

By William C. Shelton

(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 easiest way for a developer to make excessive profits is to choose a land use for which there is overwhelming market demand, build the densest possible project, and provide minimal amenities to the surrounding community.

Winter weather is already affecting some parts of the nation, but as an intense winter storm forms off the eastern coast, residents are encouraged to take the storm seriously, and to act now to prepare homes and families for potential impacts.

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)

During Mayor Joseph Curtatone’s inaugural address on January 1, 2018, he discussed some of the successes and challenges Somerville faced in 2017 – as well as areas of work the City is prioritizing this year, including affordability, which is perhaps the City’s greatest challenge. The excerpt below offers a glimpse into how the City plans to work with the community to tackle affordability in the coming year. To read the entirety of Mayor Curtatone’s speech and learn more about other upcoming and ongoing initiatives like universal pre-k, the climate change action plan, and how Somerville plans to fight for net neutrality, visit www.somervillema.gov/inaugural2018.

By The Times Staff

Another year passes by, and one more chapter in the 175-year-old saga of Somerville is written.

In many ways it was a tumultuous year, filled with protest and controversy. Conversely, in many other ways the fabric of the community coalesced and brought us together to unite in common causes.

St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, home to Father Richard.

By JT Thompson

Father Richard: Parochial Vicar at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, an enormous red brick building that towers over the center of Union Square. Established in 1869, the church has a square topped bell tower as big as a grain silo and a circular stained glass window that’s big enough to let an 18-wheeler pass through.

Father Richard greets me in his study, and gestures me toward the red leather wingback chairs by the window. He’s wearing a blue striped button down shirt above a pair of loose black slacks. Hanging on the walls of the small room, on dark wood paneling which looks like it dates from the 1970s, are several life size portraits of Catholic dignitaries wearing heavy red robes and imposing miters.

By Jim Clark

Both new and familiar faces were seen Monday night at the city’s 2018 inaugural ceremony held at Somerville High School Auditorium.

The newly elected and re-elected aldermen, School Committee members, as well as the mayor, were in attendance for a public swearing in and general celebration of the latest configuration of Somerville’s civic government.

Best of luck in the new year to our almost new Board of Aldermen. A grand total of five new aldermen were installed into their positions this past Monday evening, January 1. We wish the new government here in the city the best of luck for 2018. Congratulations to Ward 7 Alderman Katjana Ballantyne, who was elected by her peers to be President of the Board for this coming year, along with Ward 1 Alderman Matt McLaughlin as the new Vice President. We congratulate them, as well the School Committee members and its new Chairman, Andre L. Green. And finally, to Mayor Joseph Curtatone. We hope he has a successful term in office, with this being the beginning of his eighth term. Incidentally, if you’re interested in reading the full transcript of the mayor’s inauguration speech, we have it posted on our website: www.thesomervilletimes.com.