Taking a closer look at this month’s notable city data
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By Mayor 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)

Data-based decision making is at the core of how we develop policy and set priorities here at City Hall. Every day I check the latest 311 stats, and throughout the week we meet for in-depth review of departmental data and city trends. So from now on once a month rather than writing a traditional op ed I’d like to share some of the data I’ve been reviewing recently.

The Tufts University class of 2020 move-in and matriculation ceremony took place this past Wednesday, August 31. More information about the incoming freshman class, which includes the first students from the Tufts 1+4 Bridge Year program and the first students from the School of the Museum of Fine Arts at Tufts, can be found at the matriculation news release here: http://now.tufts.edu/news-releases/tufts-welcomes-class-2020-most-selective-university-s-history.

~Photos by Claudia Ferro
Students, parents, and teachers converged on the East Somerville Community School campus last week to kick off the new academic year. Some were happier than others with the occasion, but we won’t say which.

Somerville shoppers have been making the adjustment as they come to grips with the new ordinance prohibiting the use of plastic bags to carry home their goods.

By Amy Swain

The city’s ban on plastic bags has officially begun. As of September 1, most retailers are no longer allowed to distribute the bags at checkout counters, pursuant to legislation passed last year. Some smaller businesses will be given until December to phase out their use of plastic.

— Photos by Claudia Ferro

Last Saturday, a portion of Hudson St. in Somerville played host to food, music and street painting courtesy of the Neighborways program.

Tonight, Wednesday, September 7 at 6:30 p.m. at Somerville High School, library floor (enter through the main entrance of the high school and go right to the library entrance and follow directions), a public hearing is scheduled for the new water FEE the city had put into effect on your last bill. Thanks to Alderman at Large Bill White for having the Water Commissioner appear to answer why this additional fee was implemented without a public hearing. The fee is additional $60 per bill, three times a year, coming to $180 a year added into the bill for extra monies going to the Water Department over and above what is being charged to the city by MWRA. Rumor has it this proposal was implemented way before the budget process took place (although never brought forward during the budget hearing) by the mayor and the Director of Financing. All residents – including tenants – should be interested to find out why and how they did this without notice to the residents.

The annual fundraiser has to date raised more than $45,000 to benefit Somerville youth organizations, all in memory of Ryan Harrington.

By JC

A year after Ryan Harrington lost his battle with opioid addiction, the Harrington family founded the Ryan Harrington Foundation in his memory.

From that point on, they set out to make an impact on their community. They figured the best way to do that would be to raise and donate money to youth organizations in Somerville.

By Rebecca Danvers

Somerville Fire Lt. Jay Colbert was elected by acclimation as interim President of the Professional Firefighters of Massachusetts on Sept. 1. He will serve in this role through the October 23 union’s general election for President. Colbert replaces Edward Kelly, who on Aug. 17 was elected General Secretary-Treasurer of the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF).

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Originally, I had other plans for these fingerling potatoes, but an impromptu potluck dinner changed the fate of these little gems. I sorted through the potatoes looking for those similar in size, which is important for even cooking and, of course, presentation purposes. This dish is perfect for 4-6 people as an appetizer.

It goes without saying that not everyone gets their way when election time rolls around. There are winners and losers, the satisfied and the disgruntled. As passionately as we may feel about our pet issues of interest, the inevitable day comes when our convictions are put to the test and the results are set in stone, for better or worse, depending on which side you are standing on.