On Monday, October 10 city offices and public schools will be closed for Columbus Day. Trash, recycling, and yard waste collection will be on a one day delay all week. There will be no street sweeping and meter and resident permit parking will not be enforced.

Dear Community Supporters,

The George Dilboy Post 529’s Annual Marine Corps Birthday Celebration will be held on November 10, 2016. All veterans are invited and encouraged to attend. This year marks the 241th anniversary of the United States Marine Corps. Over the past 20 years, members have gathered yearly to honor those who have served our country and those who continue to serve and by providing toys for disadvantaged children.

Somerville residents three years and older eligible for vaccine; vaccine clinics begin in October

The cool air is a sign that the cold and flu season is approaching, which means it’s time for the annual flu vaccine clinics offered by the City of Somerville Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The clinics offer free flu vaccines for Somerville residents ages four and older (children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian). They will be held starting on October 13 at various times and locations in the community until the city’s supply of vaccine is exhausted. Due to limited supply and availability of nurses, vaccines will be offered during official flu clinic hours only.

~Photos by Claudia Ferro

Honk! stopped by Somerville High School friday afternoon as the Honk! Festival kicks off! La Fanfare Invisible (Paris, France), Yes Ma’am Brass Band (Austin, TX) and School of HONK (Somerville, MA)  jammed with Somerville’s High’s band.

October 20, 1964 – October 5, 2016

Brennan, Neil P. Retired Somerville Police Sergeant

Of Somerville passed away unexpectedly on October 5, 2016.

Beloved father of Neil P., Jr. and Charlie L. Brennan. Loving son of Christine Brennan Barberis and step-son of John Barberis. Devoted brother of Christine Levesque and her husband Peter, Kathleen Doran and her husband James and step-brother of Jack and Christopher Barberis. Former husband of Julie Brennan.

Medical Marijuana Advisory Committee evaluated for location, security, qualifications

Somerville Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone has accepted the recommendation of the city’s Medical Marijuana Advisory Committee to allow four* applicants to seek special permits to open medical marijuana dispensaries at four committee-approved locations in Somerville.

By Jim Clark

The Somerville Police Department Drug Control Unit recently conducted a surveillance and investigative operation on a Bow St. residence suspected of being the location of a heroin distribution ring.

The primary suspect of the investigation was identified as Deborah Winter. On Saturday morning of last week, surveillance was established around Winter’s Bow St. residence and a warrant was acquired allowing for search of both Winter and her residence.

By Rob Buchanan, Stuart Dash, Bill Shelton and Tim Talun

(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)

On October 18^th the Planning Board and Board of Aldermen will conduct a public hearing on new zoning for Union Square that includes major changes. In many respects, it is an improvement over what exists today. But its far-reaching and, in some cases, troubling consequences merit careful consideration by citizens and policy makers alike.

Lowering of speed limits in residential areas of the city was one of the topics discussed by the mayor and other participants at last week’s Ward 7 ResiStat meeting.

By Joe Ruvido

The fall series of bi-annual ResiStat meetings kicked off last Wednesday at the Neighborhood School on Powderhouse Boulevard in Ward 7. Over complimentary pizza and snacks residents listened in to a slide-show presentation from and asked questions directly to Ward 7 Alderman Katjana Ballantyne and Somerville Mayor Joe Curtatone.