Life in the Ville by Jimmy Del Ponte

The skyline of Somerville has sure changed a lot lately and it is still changing. Just took a look at what’s going on over at Assembly Square. Recently I posted a comment saying I believe they are building on any old available space. Not to mention the houses and businesses that are disappearing and turning into new construction. Have you been to Assembly Square lately? Gives the term ever-changing a new meaning. I drive over there once a week and I swear it changes weekly. Here are your comments.

Pictured, are: Back Row (L to R): Youth leaders McKayla Hahn, Jayden Haley, Nancy Nimako, Bhavika Kalia and Adult Advisor Lovelee Heller-Bottari Front Row (L to R): Chahat Kalia, Luka Dvornik, Nico Kuczwara, Havilah Nimako, and Ishana Bali. — Photo by Gretchen Ertl.

Young people from Somerville Positive Forces from Somerville Cares About Prevention celebrated Kick Butts Day; Youth Day of Action, at the Massachusetts State House recently for the first time since 2019.  As part of The 84 Movement, teens educated their legislators about the tobacco industry’s historic and unjust targeting of youth, communities of color, and LGBTQIA+ youth.

The City’s Prevention Services division, in partnership with the Boston Chinatown Neighborhood Center (BCNC), invites the community to learn more about gambling, signs of problem gambling, how to prevent it, and treatment resources. The National Council on Problem Gambling estimates that two million adults in the U.S. meet the criteria for gambling disorder, with another four to six million people in the U.S. struggling with problem gambling.

SOMERVILLE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
PUBLIC BUDGET HEARING
THE SOMERVILLE SCHOOL COMMITTEE WILL CONDUCT
A PUBLIC HEARING ON THE SCHOOL DEPARTMENT’S FY2024 BUDGET
Thursday, May 4, 2023, AT 6:00 P.M.
In the EAST SOMERVILLE COMMUNITY SCHOOL AUDITORIUM – 50 Cross Street
To watch the Budget Hearing live from home
Use the following web address and choose GovTv: www.somervillema.gov/tv
THE PUBLIC IS CORDIALLY INVITED TO ATTEND
Andre Green, Chair Ilana Krepchin, Chair Jeff Curley
Somerville School Committee Finance and Facilities Subcommittee Interim Superintendent of Schools
For questions regarding the Budget Hearing, please contact your School Committee Ward Member:
https://somerville.k12.ma.us/district-leadership/somerville-school-committee

Budget information will be posted on the Somerville Public School website prior to the Budget hearing here:
https://somerville.k12.ma.us/district-leadership/central-administration/finance-and-facilities

The “Safe Routes to School” (SRTS) and the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) pilot programs were the main topics at the recent meeting of the Somerville PTAC.

By Khoa Tong

The Somerville Pedestrian and Transit Advisory Committee held their monthly meeting on Thursday, April 20, hosted by Vitor Pamplona, vice-chair of PTAC. The goal of the meeting was to discuss plans for “Safe Routes to School” (SRTS) and the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) pilot programs.

— Photos by Claudia Ferro

Over 200 people joined together to celebrate Earth Day on April 22 at The Somerville Community Growing Center. Partnered with the City of Somerville’s Office of Sustainability and Environment and the Climate Coalition of Somerville, the Earth Day celebration included participatory gardening – seed and seedlings to take home – and nature-based art activities, learning about biodiversity and attracting pollinators to urban settings. Due to the rain, the Open Hours for the Arts: MUSIC launch, has been rescheduled to Sunday, May 14 at 3:00 p.m.

The City Hall Community Meetings kick off in your area this week. Tonight, Wednesday, April 26, the Ward 5 meeting will take place at the Kennedy School (5 Cherry St.). The in-person meetings run from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. Ask questions and get updates from the mayor and city staff. Swing by early at 6:00 p.m. for pizza and refreshments. Learn more at somervillema.gov/communitymeetings.

The Hamilton Company has announced that it has initiated the process for obtaining approvals for One Union Square in Somerville – a transformative development that will anchor new economic activity, create new civic and community spaces, and help realize Somerville’s long-term objective of strengthening Union Square as both a neighborhood and commercial center.

By State Senator Pat Jehlen

Last year, Gov. Baker proposed tax cuts totaling $700 million. The House and Senate each proposed a tax cut package of around $500 million. But we never reached agreement, after discovering that a 1986 law required returning $3 billion to taxpayers because of a “surplus.”  (More on the surplus soon.)

One of the greatest things about our American democracy is its resilient capacity for freedom of expression, along with lively engagement with our governing bodies. This extends from the highest levels on the national level down to local civic affairs.