Bill Aims to Address Disproportionate Impact of Fines, Reduce Collateral Consequences of Criminal System Based Solely on Finances Resources

Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan, State Representative Joseph McGonagle and Senator Sal DiDomenico have filed a bill that would require the Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) to allow any individual the option, upon request, of entering into an installment plan to pay fines or fees owed due to license suspension or revocation. The bill An Act Relative to Operating After Suspended License Offenses (H3535, S2307), addresses the disproportionate impact of administrative fee structures that can be excessively punitive and lead to unintentional collateral consequences and further involvement in the criminal system.

By Susan Pacheco and Norah Al-Wetaid

What if we told you that roughly 1 in 10 older adults experience some form of elder abuse or neglect, and that most of these incidents are never reported?

Our guess is that you would want to do something to help. One way you can help is to know the signs of elder abuse and what to do if you have concerns.

Please join the City of Somerville and the Somerville Bicycle Committee for a one-hour virtual workshop called Bike Network Planning: Lessons for Somerville. This workshop will be led by Mike Lydon, an internationally recognized planner, writer, speaker, and advocate for livable cities. Lydon is a Principal at the design firm Street Plans and is working with Somerville as it develops its approach for planning a citywide bike network.

A walk-in clinic for the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine will be held Sunday, June 6, from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Saint Benedict Parish at 25 Arlington Street. No appointment is necessary, but if you prefer you can pre-register at somervillema.gov/vaccine. The clinic is free, and open to all people 12 years or older, regardless of immigration status or health insurance. Identification is not required. All minors must have parent or guardian permission. Anyone 12-15 years old must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Permission forms will be available onsite, or you can download one here. If you need assistance, please call 311 (617-666-3311).

SomerStreets: Carnaval returns to shake up East Somerville
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The SomerStreets 2021 season will start in a modified format, featuring a series of smaller events on Saturday and Sunday, June 5 and 6 (rain dates June 12 and 13). Performances will be limited to 150 attendees, and most will require a ticket to attend. Tickets are free, but attendees will need to preregister through the Somerville Arts Council at somervilleartscouncil.org/somerstreets.

Celebrate Pride in Somerville this month at the city’s annual flag raising and Big Gay Dance Party. 

First, join Mayor Curtatone and the Somerville High School Gender and Sexuality Awareness Alliance (GSA) on Wednesday, June 9, at 3:00 p.m. to raise the Pride flag in honor of LGBTQ+ Pride Month and LGBTQ+ Youth Pride. The ceremony will take place on the City Hall concourse at 93 Highland Avenue. Mayor Curtatone, Somerville LGBTQ+ Liaison Jack Treanor, Somerville High School teacher and GSA Advisor Julia Post, and a GSA student representative will speak at the event. 

High temperatures are expected this week in the Boston area. We urge residents to review the following heat safety tips, and consider some ways to stay cool in Somerville as well as precautions to take to avoid overexposure to the heat.