Committee identifies funding priorities for approximately $2 million annually in affordable housing, historic preservation, and open space projects

Are you a Somerville resident with a passion for affordable housing, historic preservation, and parks and open space? Read on! Applications are now being accepted to serve on the Community Preservation Committee (CPC), which oversees the selection of projects to be recommended for funding by Community Preservation Act (CPA) revenues.

Two important deadlines for the Tuesday, November 3, election are coming up.

The deadline to register to vote or update your party affiliation or address is Saturday, October 24, by 8 p.m. Massachusetts voters have the option to register online or
via a paper form. To register by mail you can call (617) 625-6600 ext. 4200 and request a form be mailed to you, or you can download one from the Elections website, www.somervillema.gov/elections.

Even though the MA eviction moratorium expired, Somerville residents are still protected under our local moratorium, which prevents the physical act of removing tenants who’ve been evicted in Court; it also applies to homeowners & small businesses who’ve been foreclosed on.

Corinne Lofchie is an Elder Care Advisor and SHINE Counselor at Somerville-Cambridge Elder Services.

By Nathan Lamb

Medicare Open Enrollment runs from October 15 to December 7, and it’s the one time of year that all Medicare recipients can change between any of the Medicare plan options. Medicare plans often change, so we recommend reviewing coverage annually, to ensure that your coverage will still be a good fit in the coming year.

Somerville-Cambridge Elder Services (SCES) provides free and unbiased Medicare counseling through a program called SHINE (Serving the Health Insurance Needs of Everyone). We asked SCES SHINE counselor Corinne Lofchie for some tips on Medicare Open Enrollment 2020, and this was her advice:

On Thursday night, the city held a ResiStat meeting on coronavirus-related housing issues. Highly recommended viewing for anyone currently facing a housing issue or for anyone seeking up-to-date information about various city, state and federal housing regulations and programs during this pandemic.

The City of Somerville will hold 14 days of early voting ahead of the Tuesday, November 3, elections. All early voting will take place at Somerville City Hall, 93 Highland Ave., and the schedule is as follows:

Here is the COVID-19 update for Friday, October 16. Please also check somervillema.gov/covid19 for information and resources that are updated frequently.

Residents urged to substitute safer activities for higher-risk traditional trick-or-treating

As part of the city’s ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone and the Somerville Board of Health announced Halloween guidance and related updates today. They strongly urge all community members to forgo trick-or-treating in favor of lower-risk activities as defined by the Centers for Disease Control such as at-home activities and holiday crafts.