The city we are blessed to live in is steeped in historical heritage, and specifically enjoys a special distinction in the saga of the American Revolution as we take part in the annual observance of the raising of the Grand Union Flag at Prospect Hill.

This year marks the 241st anniversary of the event that many came together to celebrate with a heady mixture of patriotism and pride in community. Politicos and the general public rubbed shoulders and marked the occasion by sharing their collective sense of awe and gratitude for the sacrifices made and the victories achieved so many generations ago.

By Charles Lane

The City of Somerville’s Council on Aging has provided a number of important tax tips for seniors, which we present here:

Taxpayers should be aware of a significant change to the Tax Deferral, Clause 41A program put forth by the Mayor and approved by the Board of Aldermen in FY 2016.  Clause 41A allows those 65 and older to defer up to 100% of their property taxes until such time that the property is sold or upon the death of the applicant.  Prior to FY 2016, deferred taxes were assessed an annual interest charge of 8% and an applicant’s income could not exceed $40,000.  With the change enacted by the City, the interest rate has been lowered to 4% per year and income limit has been increased to the maximum allowed at $56,000.

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Somerville poet Bert Stern has been selected to be the next recipient of the Ibbetson Street Press Lifetime Achievement Award.

The award has been presented to such literary figures as Robert Pinsky, Frank Bidart, Afaa Michael Weaver, Harris Gardner , Gloria Mindock, Robert K. Johnson, Louisa Solano, David Godine, Sam Cornish, Jack Powers, to name a few.

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Somerville Poet Bridget Seley-Galway is an artist/poet. Her art has graced several covers of Ibbetson Press, and Bagels with the Bards, as well as Doug Holder’s Eating Grief at 3AM, and Molly Lynn Watts’ On the Wings of Song- A Journey into the Civil Rights Era. Her poetry was published from 2001-2002 in Provincetown Magazine’s Poetry Corner, 2011-12 Popt Art Magazine, 2009-2014, 2009-2016, Bagel with the Bards, Ibbetson Press #34, 39, and 2016 Poetry Porch, an online poetry journal. Her art has been exhibited throughout New England. She was arts editor/curator for Wilderness House Literary Review 2009-2012. In 1990 co-founded/directed El Arco Iris, Free Youth Arts Center in Holyoke, and in 2014 procured funding to establish and facilitate Youth Arts Arise, a free after school program at Arts at the Armory in Somerville, Ma.

~Photos by Donald Norton

In its annual tradition, the City of Somerville kicked off the New Year (and Somerville’s 175th Birthday celebrations) on Sunday, Jan. 1, 2017, with a reenactment ceremony for the 241st anniversary of the “Grand Union” flag-raising ceremony at Prospect Hill Park. The ceremony began at Prospect Hill at noon, a processional led by a re-enactor portraying General George Washington on horseback left the City Hall Concourse at 11:30 a.m. The annual ceremony commemorates the raising of the nation’s first official flag, featuring thirteen red and white horizontal stripes, atop Prospect Hill on New Year’s Day, 1776. At the time, Prospect Hill was a key site in a string of fortifications created by Washington and the Continental Army in their siege of British troops in Boston during the first year of the American Revolution.

Arrests:
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Tania Silva, December 27, 1:34 a.m., arrested at Memorial Rd. on warrant charges of disorderly conduct, assault and battery, and assault.

Joseph Day, of 36 Claremont St., December 27, 11:27 a.m., arrested at Cedar St. on a warrant charge of refusal to provide DNA database sample.

On Thursday, December 22, a few Somerville High School students wanted to try to end this specifically difficult holiday season (and year, for many people) on a happier note. So, they created and delivered personalized kindness cards, banners, and letters—for EVERY student and teacher (4,000+), at EVERY elementary and middle school (10), in Somerville.

Annual celebration of America’s first flag raising to be celebrated by City and State officials, residents, and “George Washington” on horseback.

In its annual tradition, the City of Somerville will kick off the New Year (and Somerville’s 175^th Birthday celebrations) on Sunday, Jan. 1, 2017, with a reenactment ceremony for the 241^st anniversary of the “Grand Union” flag-raising ceremony at Prospect Hill Park. The ceremony begins at Prospect Hill at noon, however a processional led by a re-enactor portraying General George Washington on horseback will leave from the City Hall Concourse at 11:30 a.m. As always, members of the public are invited to participate, and are encouraged to wear traditional colonial clothing. The annual ceremony commemorates the raising of the nation’s first official flag, featuring thirteen red and white horizontal stripes, atop Prospect Hill on New Year’s Day, 1776. At the time, Prospect Hill was a key site in a string of fortifications created by Washington and the Continental Army in their siege of British troops in Boston during the first year of the American Revolution.

The City of Somerville forms a partnership with the Concussion Legacy Foundation to help prevent youth concussions.

By Bob Katzen, Beacon Hill Roll Call

Gov. Charlie Baker today announced that the salary of the 200 members of the Legislature will be increased by $2,515 for the 2017-2018 legislative session. This 4.19 percent raise brings the current $60,032 base salary of each of the 40 state senator and 160 state representatives to $62,547.