Firefighter John O’Connor is seen being deconned by fellow Firefighter Ryan Epps after extinguishing a fire at 23 Melvin Street. Firefighter O’Connor’s gear had been covered with blown in insulation after walls and ceilings were opened up to search for hidden fire. — Photo courtesy of Somerville FD

On May 26, 2021 at 4:51 p.m., the Somerville Fire Department was notified of a house fire at 23 Melvin Street. Responding firefighters found an active fire involving a third floor bedroom. The fire resulted in significant fire, smoke and water damage to the third floor and water damage to the remaining areas. Several skylights on the roof were ventilated due to heavy smoke on the third floor. Walls and ceilings were opened by firefighters to verify that the fire had not spread into the attic space. Ten adults and six children have been displaced. Somerville Health & Human Services representatives were on scene working with the Red Cross to provide services. The home is uninhabitable at this time. One firefighter suffered a knee injury. The unseasonable hot temperatures added to the difficulty in fighting the fire.

This Memorial Day, the City of Somerville will host a ceremony of remembrance to honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice while in service to our country.  

The ceremony will take place Monday, May 31, at Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery on Broadway between Alewife Brook Parkway and North Street. Speaking remarks will begin at 10 a.m. featuring Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone, Director of Veterans’ Services Ted Louis-Jacques, City Council President Matthew McLaughlin, and several members of the local Veterans community. Members of the general public are welcome to attend. This event will provide an opportunity for residents to come together after an especially trying year to remember our fallen heroes and honor all who serve. 

Persons Seeking Vaccination Encouraged to Sign Up for Mobile Vaccine Clinic Alerts

The City of Somerville Health and Human Services Department has announced plans to jointly hold mobile COVID-19 vaccination clinics with the Cambridge Health Alliance throughout the city. Mobile vaccination clinic dates will be released as sites are confirmed. Dates and locations will be listed on somervillema.gov/vaccine and will be announced via City vaccine alerts (by text, phone, and e-mail). Community members are encouraged to sign up for City vaccine alerts to receive notification when mobile vaccination sites are announced. To sign-up, complete the form in your language below, or call 311 (617-666-3311).

The Somerville Museum is pleased to announce that the Post 19 American Legion has donated $70,000 towards the Somerville Museum’s Access for All & More Campaign. At a recent membership meeting, Gene Brune, Former Mayor, Museum Trustee and a life-time member of Post 19 American Legion was invited to speak about the needs of the Museum.

Update: The city’s Memorialization Committee voted unanimously Tuesday night to name the athletic field at the new Somerville High School after Reavis.

He Broke Records And His Family Broke Barriers: The Push To Memorialize Somerville Olympian Phil Reavis Sr.

By Anaridis Rodriguez
WBZ CBS Boston

If you live in Somerville, you probably don’t know much about Phil Reavis Sr. Somerville native Matthew Hoey says you should.

“When I hear those words ‘Somerville Pride’ I’ve yet to come across anybody in my life in Somerville that I think captures that like Phil Reavis Sr.,” Hoey said.

The new MBTA station under construction in the Union Square area has been progressing steadily, although the timeline for completion of the station’s elevator has been pushed back. — Photo courtesy of MassDOT

By Joe Creason

The Somerville Redevelopment Authority meeting began without any comment from the public on Wednesday, May 19. Greg Karczewski, President at US2, was a guest presenter at the meeting. US2 is the Master Developer for the Union Square project which is currently under construction.

(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 State Representative Christine Barber and Tisch Scholar Nithya Badrinath

Massachusetts is at a crossroads: will the state build a new women’s prison and continue to invest in the cycle of incarceration, or go another way to support communities? The Commonwealth has one women’s prison, in Framingham, a facility built in 1877 that is incredibly outdated and is becoming more uninhabitable each day. This presents an opportunity to rethink how we address criminal justice, particularly for those who suffer from addiction, acute mental illness, or are victims of trafficking. We have a unique moment to invest in communities, in mental health supports and substance use programs, education that is transferable, and safe housing for women and families to address the root causes of criminalization and stop the flow of incarceration.

By Joe Creason

On Thursday, May 20, the Somerville City Council’s Legislative Matters Committee meeting began with a discussion on the proposal to draft a PILOT ordinance. This effort is inspired by the PILOT ordinance which is currently being implemented by the City of Boston.

Meet at the corner of McGrath Hwy. and Broadway at the former gas station lot (empty lot across from Foss Park) on Wednesday, May 26, at 6:00 p.m., for a rally to demand that MassDOT prioritize the safety of people over the speed of cars. Tell MassDOT to: Accelerate McGrath/Mystic Ave. improvements, Create Blakeley Ave. crosswalk now, enact traffic calming measures now, and erect sound barriers along Rte. I-93 to reduce noise pollution. Local officials attending include: Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley, State Reps Christine Barber and Mike Connolly, Mayor Joe Curtatone, City Councillors Matt McLaughlin (Ward 1) and Jesse Clingan (Ward 4). The public is invited to sign the petition to MassDOT.. Attendees must follow Somerville’s Covid-19 mask and social distancing policy. Organized by Somerville Alliance for Safe Streets (somervillesafestreets@gmail.com).

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— Photos by Claudia Ferro
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Blessing of the Bay is a slice of nature right here in urban Somerville. The boathouse is home to a canoe and kayak rental plus a rowing club. Now they are adding some great art.