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Michael Minassian lives with his wife in Southern New England. He is a Contributing Editor for Verse-Virtual, an online poetry journal. His poetry collections Time is Not a River, Morning Calm, and A Matter of Timing as well as a chapbook, Jack Pays a Visit, are all available on Amazon. For more information: https://michaelminassian.com.

(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)

I have written this Op-Ed to bring to the community’s attention the fact that Somerville is in danger of losing its largest arts organization due to a lack of urgency and  mismanagement by  the City of Somerville. If you are interested in learning more, please read on.

As we end a record year for inflation, Massachusetts residents’ budgets are stretched tight. What many may not realize is how SNAP benefits can provide significant relief for families during the holiday season enabling them to allocate more of their food budget toward festive meals and shared experiences across the Commonwealth.

Mayor Katjana Ballantyne and the Somerville Office of Strategic Planning and Community Development invite the community to the ribbon cutting ceremony for 808 Windsor Street and Boynton Yards Park on Thursday, November 14, at 2 p.m., Boynton Yards Park, Between 101 South Street and 808 Windsor Street.

By Sofia Baah

Tuesday, November 12, at 11:30 a.m. at the Ralph and Jenny Center located at 9 New Washington Street. Garrett Anderson from the Office of Sustainability and Environment will give a short presentation on a proposed rental registry ordinance where landlords would be required annually on their rental properties disclosing information about the buildings and energy characteristics of the units for prospective tenants.  He will be available after the presentation to receive comments and feedback from the community.

Open house will showcase efforts to reduce flooding, maintain water quality, and improve safety on city streets 

Henry Hansen Park is located at 70 Partridge Ave., on the corner of Medford St. and Partridge Ave. Sgt. Henry O. “Hank” Hansen, a Magoun Square resident, was killed in action just one week after participating in the first flag-raising on Iwo Jima’s Mount Suribachi. The new park design was driven by community process with funding provided by the Massachusetts PARC program and the Somerville Community Preservation Act.

Proposed ordinance brings greater energy efficiency, affordability, and more to renters 

Mayor Katjana Ballantyne and the City of Somerville’s Office of Sustainability and Environment (OSE) invite you to a virtual community meeting to learn more about a proposed Rental Registry and Energy Disclosure ordinance designed to improve rental unit energy efficiency, affordability, and healthiness, as well as advance the city’s climate action and affordable housing efforts. 

City offices will be closed on Monday, November 11, for Veterans’ Day.  Trash, recycling, and yard waste collection will be delayed by one day.

No street sweeping on Monday.