~Photos by Donald Norton

No Increase In FY13

Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone announces that water/sewer rates will remain unchanged in Fiscal Year 2013. Although the City’s assessments from the MWRA increased by a combined 2.6%, the City will maintain rates at the FY12 rate (please see below for breakdown of rates).

By Jim Clark

Police responded to a report of a brutal assault against a woman by her boyfriend last Sunday afternoon.

By Joseph A. Curtatone

(The opinions and views expressed in the commentaries of The Somerville News belong solely to the authors of those commentaries and do not reflect the views or opinions of The Somerville News, its staff or publishers.)

This week, along with U.S. Rep. Michael Capuano, and Mass Dept of Housing and Community Development Undersecretary Aaron Gornstein, I had the pleasure of attending the opening of the second phase of St. Polycarp Village.  This latest installment of new housing in Somerville, on Butler Drive in Ward 4, includes 29 affordable rental units within three four-story buildings.

Bow Street Angle-In Parking Pilot shows early signs of success according to initial data. – Photo by Bobbie Toner

10 Percent Reduction in Speed Promotes Pedestrian Safety; Additional Parking Supports Businesses and Customers; New Bike Lanes a Hit with Cycling Community

Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone and Acting Traffic and Parking Director Matthew Dias announced  that initial data suggests that the pilot program to calm traffic, promote pedestrian and bicycle safety, and increase the parking supply in Union Square is working as intended.  Traffic radar data indicates that traffic along Bow Street has slowed by an average of ten percent and bicyclists report that the new bike lane makes the area safer.  By nearly doubling the supply of parking, the new configuration also helps support additional customer visits, which results in added revenue for local businesses.

Breakfast too, for Somerville youth this summer
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Lunch is served, free of charge this summer, to grateful kids throughout Somerville.

By Elizabeth Sheeran

Parents know it doesn’t get any easier to put food on the table just because kids are out of school for the summer. And summer vacation presents new challenges for families who count on the school lunch program to help ensure that their growing boys and girls are eating a well-balanced diet.

On Thursday, June 28, please join Mayor Curtatone and the City of Somerville for the annual 4^th of July Fireworks, with live entertainment beginning at 5:30 p.m.

On June 21, 22 and 25, Somerville resident, Margaret Swanson’s appearances on “Jeopardy!” (America’s Favorite Quiz Show®) aired. – Photo courtesy of Jeopardy Productions, Inc.

By Cathleen Twardzik
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“Stung by a bee, where?” said Alex Trebek, Host of Jeopardy!, in Margaret Swanson’s introductory anecdote on her second day on the show.  “On my tongue,” said Swanson.  On a positive note, she is not allergic.

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Saint Polycarp Village Phase II Ribbon Ceremony took place Monday, June 25. The Saint Polycarp Village Phase II is the second of three phases of the new construction on the site. The project includes 29 affordable apartment units in three buildings around a courtyard. Five units are affordable to households earning less than 30% of the Area Median Income and the remaining are affordable at 60% of AMI. Four units are reserved for homeless households and two are reserved for people with disabilities. Site amenities include open space, a playground and a community room.