Community members are invited to join Mayor Katjana Ballantyne, the City Council, and School Committee at the 2025 City Hall Community Meetings. These meetings are held every fall in each of Somerville’s seven wards to share the latest City and neighborhood updates – and more – with community members. Not only do these hyperlocal gatherings offer an overview of the latest City news and projects right in your area, you can learn more about City programs and initiatives, meet your neighbors, and get the latest neighborhood crime stats. They’re also a great way to find ways to get involved and talk directly with elected officials and City staff.  

This year, Somerville block parties are getting even more fun. Funded by Mayor Ballantyne’s FY26 budget, the Block Party Play Kits are free, borrowable kits filled with games and equipment to help neighbors turn their street into a playground.

(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 Mayor Katjana Ballantyne

When most people hear the word “zoning,” they don’t exactly think “innovation.” Zoning is often seen as dry, technical, and bureaucratic. But in Somerville, we’re using zoning as a tool to do big things: protect the arts, tackle climate change, support small businesses, and grow an inclusive economy. Most recently, with four new zoning amendments I recently signed into law, we’ve cleared the path for a transformational new master plan at Somernova, a 7.4-acre innovation campus in Union Square.

Life in the Ville by Jimmy Del Ponte

One of my sisters’ former boyfriends had a 1967 blue “goat.” A GTO with 4 on the floor. It was the coolest car I had ever seen up until then. Even when he popped the clutch and the car ended up on the sidewalk in front of the Middlesex Bank on Highland Ave. in Davis Square. By the way, he was cited for recklessness and driving barefoot. But boy, was that car nice.

Members of the Somerville Kiwanis Club organized the drive for their annual school supplies donation program.

On August 19, the final step in our annual school supplies/backpack drive before final delivery was completed at the Somerville headquarters of PUMA North America. A great group of Kiwanis members, assisted by some friends and an amazing group of PUMA employee volunteers, was able to stuff all 200 high-quality backpacks with needed school supplies in less than an hour. After a quick group photo, the boxed backpacks were loaded onto member vehicles for delivery to Somerville High School and Prospect Hill Academy.

Fair Housing means no discrimination! Candidates for Mayor and City Council had the chance to present their views on non-discrimination in housing by answering a questionnaire from the Somerville Fair Housing Commission, a nonpartisan group of volunteers. We are sharing all the answers we received. The Commission hopes you, the voters, will use the candidates’ answers as you decide how to vote in the September 16 primary and the November general election.

The Somerville School Building Committee recently met to go over issues related to the Winter Hill Community Innovation School project.

By Norah Doyle

The Somerville School Building Committee met on August 18 to further discuss progress regarding the Winter Hill Community Innovation School project and the feedback received from the community surrounding it so far.

On Thursday, August 28, at 6 p.m., Mayor Ballantyne will host an Overdose Remembrance Event to remember the eight Somerville residents who passed away from a substance use-related overdose in 2024. This event will include the planting of eight purple flags on the Highland Ave. side of City Hall, and one larger flag representing all those lost in prior years. Attendees are welcome to bring a small item of memorabilia to honor their lost loved one. The event will conclude with a moment of silence and candle lighting. City Hall will be lit with purple lights in recognition of Recovery Month. The flag and light displays will remain for the entire month of September. August 28, 6 – 7 p.m. (Narcan distribution) City Hall Lawn, 93 Highland Avenue, Somerville.

As the Massachusetts Caucus of Women Legislators continues its 50th Anniversary celebration, August 31 marks a symbolic milestone: the 243rd day of the year, and the 243rd woman elected to serve in the Massachusetts Legislature.

To commemorate this moment, the Caucus launched a campaign earlier this year to highlight every woman who has ever served in the Massachusetts Legislature, one woman per day throughout 2025. With just 243 women elected in the entire 401-year history of the General Court, this year-long recognition honors both the trailblazers who came before and the leaders shaping our Commonwealth today.