Family and friends gathered together on Saturday to celebrate and remember the life of Robert Dabenigno at Belmont Park, on the 20th anniversary of his death. Many of his friends from Somerville traveled across the country to honor his memory and to celebrate his life.

Benefit updates and increased staffing flexibility support a strong workforce

The City of Somerville is announcing a new union agreement that will raise pay and modernize benefits for Somerville School Custodians, represented by SEIU, Chapter 3 (NCFO 32BJ). The newly signed Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) covers Fiscal Years 2026 through 2028 and was ratified by the union and Mayor Wilson in June. It became effective following the Somerville City Council’s appropriation of funds for the agreement at their July 9 meeting.

A meet and greet for DA Marian Ryan was held Monday night at Sally O’Brien’s, and it was well attended. Seen here are (L to R) Registrar of Deeds Maria Curtatone, former Alderman Bob McWatters, District Attorney Marian Ryan, and Everett Firefighter Andrew Philbin in attendance at the fundraiser to help reelect Marian Ryan as District Attorney for Middlesex County.

Wood Partners has been selected by the Somerville Redevelopment Authority to serve as the developer of the 90 Washington Street property. — Rendering courtesy of Wood Partners

By Regina Arana

The Somerville Redevelopment Authority (SRA) voted Monday night to move forward with Wood Partners for 90 Washington Street. That’s the four-acre parcel near the East Somerville MBTA station that’s been up for grabs since January.

The SomerCup event at Dilboy stadium was inspired by the World Cup events this year.

By Christa Lee

If you’ve been watching the FIFA World Cup and wanting to score a goal like a pro player, you’re not alone. The SomerCup hosted three one-day tournaments at Dilboy Stadium that ended on July 17. There was a kids’ division, kindergarten to 18 years old, and an adults’ division, 18 years old and over. The tournament was preceded by a training session with the New England Revolution.

(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)

By the Somerville Neighborhood School Advocacy Group

Somerville is pushing to build a new, significantly larger 925-child K-8 school that would consolidate the Benjamin G. Brown School with the Winter Hill Community Innovation School instead of just focusing on rebuilding the Winter Hill Community School. More than 1,200 residents have emailed inquiries about this centralized model for education, citing concerns about its impact on walkability, traffic, school choice, neighborhood access, the loss of the city’s two smallest elementary schools, and lack of seats for children on the west side of Somerville.

— Photos by Bobbie Toner

On Thursday, July 16, the Somerville community was invited to a groundbreaking ceremony marking the long-vacant former Star Market site’s transformation into 319 new homes, including 136 affordable units. City officials joined residents in the ceremony, and free refreshments were enjoyed by all.

Somerville’s Veterans Breakfast for Purple Heart Recipients takes place on Thursday, July 23. The city’s Veterans Services Division is hosting a breakfast for local veterans and their families. Ahead of National Purple Heart Day on August 7, this breakfast will honor Purple Heart medal recipients. This event will take place at the Highlander Cafe at Somerville High School (81 Highland Ave.) at 9 a.m. Register to attend by emailing veterans@somervillema.gov.

It seems as though we cannot get enough of the farmers market scene in Somerville. They have become time-honored traditions and perennial mainstays of alternative commerce in the city.

There is something special about shopping for fresh produce, discovering unique arts and crafts vendors, and enjoying live entertainment in the open air. We feel a sense of camaraderie, too, as we gather to take in the sights, sounds, flavors, and aromas that permeate each market site.

Eagle Feathers #358 – Meadows to Metropolis      

Before the European settlement of what is now Somerville’s Mystic River waterfront, nature ruled the shore. Rich green meadows of grass that were as tall as the observer first caught the explorers’ eye.