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.)

When the City of Somerville received the boil water order from the state this past Saturday, it sent us into rally mode. We had to rally to notify our citizens and businesses of the order. We had to rally to make sure the schools had enough water and hand sanitizer for our students on Monday. We had to rally to put together water distribution locations on Monday evening.

Somerville Police Chief Michael Cabral has issued an advisory to residents to beware of imposters seeking to gain entry into local homes. As the Water Emergency comes to a conclusion, it is anticipated that the area will see a surge in imposter burglaries and scams by travelling criminals. Reliable intelligence indicates that there a number of these travelling criminals in the area who typically prey on elderly residents, especially those who live alone.

In order to prevent residents, especially our senior residents from becoming victims and in an effort to disrupt or capture these criminals in the act of committing crimes against the elderly, the Somerville Police are taking several steps immediately.

A Somerville man pointed a handgun at police officers and threatened to shoot as they tried to arrest him on outstanding warrant charges on Thursday, April 29, police said.

Joseph Mammano, of 11 Woodbine Street, was wanted on warrant charges.

An Everett man who may have been on drugs was scaring women and children at the corner of Broadway and Cross streets on April 28, police said.

When police approached Derek J. Goodwin, 29, as he sat in the Kentucky Fried Chicken on Broadway, Goodwin allegedly told them, "You are dismissed I don't recognize your authority."

Governor Patrick has announced that the water flowing to MWRA communities has been confirmed to be safe for all purposes, following repair of the rupture of the major water supply line to much of Greater Boston.

By William Tauro

Nearly a thousand Somerville residents lined up at the East Somerville Community School Monday evening for the distribution of bottled spring water.

The water was complementary given out by Mayor Joseph Curtatone and the City of Somerville including DPW employees who volunteered their services for the evening.

Water to be distributed at two locations.

The
City of Somerville has secured a very limited supply of bottled water,
which we will make available to residents in families with small
children, elderly residents, or to those residents with compromised
immune systems or disabilities. ALL RESIDENTS WHO HAVE THE CAPABILITY
TO BOIL WATER ARE ASKED TO CONTINUE DOING SO, as it will ensure that
our limited supply is made available to those who are most in need.

~Photos by William Tauro

By William Tauro

The Dante Aligaeri Society Building in Cambridge was the location where the Democratic Party Unity Event was held earlier Monday morning to support newly elected Senator Sal DiDomenico as the Democratic nominee for state senate.

Governor Deval Patrick, Lieutenant Governor Timothy Murry and Congressman Michael Capuano as well as many other elected officials and democratic leaders were in attendance to rally around and show their support for Senator DiDomenico.