By State Senator Pat Jehlen

(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)

In 1993, the Supreme Judicial Court ruled that Massachusetts has a constitutional obligation to offer all children an adequate education, regardless of the wealth of their communities. That same week, the legislature passed the Education Reform Act, which included a “foundation budget” formula to equitably fund adequate education for all.

Arrests:
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 Harry Prunier, April 18, 10:22 a.m., arrested at Broadway on warrant charges of assault and battery on a family or household member and attempted arson of a dwelling.

Christopher Tardo, of 62 Bradley St., April 19, 1:18 p.m., arrested at home on warrant charges of destruction of property under $250 and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon.

Are you a Somerville tenant whose household is eligible for federal or state housing programs? If so, you’re invited to have your official say regarding City affordable housing programs that benefit persons with low-to-moderate incomes. The Somerville Affordable Housing Trust Fund, which creates and preserves affordable housing by administering grants and loans, has a vacancy for a tenant . You’re eligible to serve as that trustee if your gross household income is below $51,150 for one person, $58,450 for two people, or $65,750 for three people. Applications are due Monday, June 6.

The Ward 1 ResiStat meeting is tonight 6:30-8 p.m. at the East Somerville Community School. Stop by at 6 to enjoy pizza and time to chat with neighbors and city and elected officials.

Earlier this month at the Healey School, after school students and their families enjoyed an entertaining performance by FOODPLAY Productions, a national award winning evidence-based program that travels to schools throughout the country.

Community BBQ to be held at Blessing of the Bay Boat House following cleanup at noon with partners Groundwork Somerville, Comcast Cares

Join the City of Somerville, Groundwork Somerville, and Comcast Cares for the annual Spring Cleanup and Community Barbecue on Saturday, April 30, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. For the first time, this year all participants are invited to meet at the Blessing of the Bay Boat House on Shore Drive, at 9 a.m. for breakfast with local elected officials and coffee before setting out to your ward (transportation will be provided from the Boat House to your ward for the Cleanup). Join us following the Cleanup, from noon to 2:00 p.m., for a free community BBQ at the Boat House. A rain date has been set for Sunday, May 1.

Somerville Youth Arts Coordinator, Jimmy Del Ponte, announces the return of the popular Somerville Rocks! youth talent show for 2016.

Somerville Rocks! is an opportunity for Somerville youth, ages 12 and older, to polish performance art and talents with twice-weekly rehearsals with performer and musician Jimmy Del Ponte. Whether you’re in a band, a solo singer, a comedian, or you have any other talent you want to showcase to your peers, this program is for you. Auditions will be held on Monday, May 2, at 2:45 p.m. in the Somerville High School Band Classroom, located on the first floor of SHS (opposite the school library). The final show will be held on Friday, May 20 in the SHS Auditorium. Participation is free.  For more information, contact Jimmy Del Ponte at Jdelponte@somervillema.gov, or 617-625-6600 ext. 2616.

Save the date: The City of Somerville, and the Somerville by Design team, in cooperation with Gehl Architects, are relaunching the Davis Sq. Somerville by Design process on Wednesday, April 27. A kickoff meeting will be held at 6:00 p.m. at the First Church Somerville UCC, at 89 College Ave., to review major topics that came out of the Open House: building heights, cooperative management, and the public realm. For more information, visit www.somervillebydesign.com.

Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone invites residents to the Spring 2016 ResiStat Community Meetings, a twice-yearly effort to share the latest City news and neighborhood updates directly with residents and gather their feedback. ResiStat is more than a great way to get an overview of what’s happening specifically in your neighborhood as well as citywide. The social time before and after the meetings also offer an easy opportunity to talk one-on-one to the Mayor, your Aldermen, and City staff and police—and to connect with your neighbors. (there is pizza served and kid-friendly, healthy snacks to make it more fun to come and chat.)

By Charles Lane

Now that medical marijuana is legal in Massachusetts, the City of Somerville has established a Medical Marijuana Treatment Facility Advisory Committee, which includes representatives from the city’s Department of Health and Human Services, the Planning Department, and the Police Department.