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)

While most people break out their straw hats and sand shovels this summer, on the streets of Somerville it will be high season for hard hats and backhoes. Our municipal workers and contractors are gearing up for their busiest time of year.

~Photos by Bobbie Toner

Summer officially kicked off last Saturday with the annual Family Fun Day at Trum Field in Somerville.
The 12th annual Family Fun Day at Trum Field features free family-friendly programming including a community BBQ, pony rides, train rides, children’s activities, face painting, music, and more.

A candlelight vigil honoring Amanda Phillips will be held at Inman Square on Wednesday, June 29, from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. The public is invited to attend.

By Jim Clark

UPDATE:

Amanda Phillips, a 27-year-old resident of Cambridge, was killed last Thursday as she collided with a truck in Inman Square. Phillips worked as a barista at Somerville’s Diesel Cafe.

The City of Somerville FY17 budget is official set in stone, as of last Thursday, after a prolonged period of examination, discussion, and debate.

By Amy Swain

This week the Board of Aldermen officially reviewed and approved the budget for Fiscal Year 2017. The city’s Budget Analyst, Mike Mastrobuoni, outlined the plan, and along with Mayor Curtatone presented it to the board earlier this month. Many meetings these last few weeks have focused on appropriate spending, considering options and answering lingering questions. As of June 23, all proposals were approved.

The “Safer Homes, Safer Communities” initiative has helped to take dozens of unwanted guns out of circulation in the Middlesex County area.

By Josie Grove

Thirty-three firearms were turned in at the gun buyback in Somerville last Saturday. The buyback was the final event in the “Safer Homes, Safer Communities” initiative, sponsored by the police departments of Arlington, Belmont, Cambridge, Somerville and Watertown, the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office, and other civic organizations.

On Thursday, 7:45 to 9:15 p.m., the 215th Army Band will be performing at Trum Field in Somerville prior to the outstanding fireworks display the city does every year. They are excited to be part of the entertainment this year for this wonderful event and they hope you will join them. The festivities start at 6:00 p.m. and the 215th will take the stage at 8:00 p.m. just prior to the fireworks. No tickets necessary.

By Jim Clark

Police officers were dispatched to the Burger King restaurant on Somerville Ave. last week on reports of a disturbance involving property damage.

While en route to the Burger King, dispatchers informed the responding officers that the suspect had been detained by an additional police unit and was being held at a Merriam St. location.

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Here’s a quick and easy recipe that can be used to make sandwiches, spread on crackers, or add to your salad greens. Looking for a healthier alternative? Slice an English cucumber 1/4″ thick and substitute for the cracker.

By Josh Glionna

Somerville residents Kaleigh Conte and Shannon Higgins will be participating in the Bay State Games for the Metro girls hockey team this summer.

Conte is entering her junior year as a defenseman at Phillips Exeter Academy. This is Conte’s third summer skating with the Metro team.