Chris Dwan is the co-chair of the Urban Forestry Committee and worked with city councilors on the ordinance which goes into effect August 1. A “significant” tree is one that measures 8 inches or more in diameter. — Photo by Denise Keniston

By Denise Keniston

The city of Somerville passed an updated and cohesive Tree Preservation Ordinance making it harder for homeowners and developers to cut down trees on their private property.

Development plans for the Central Hill campus area are being finalized in preparation for a spring 2020 start.

By Erin Nolan

Community members voiced both concern and excitement over the future plans for the Central Hill campus at the first community meeting this past Monday, July 22.

The city wants to hear ideas from young people about the future of Somerville. Teens are invited to share their thoughts and concerns about important topics like housing, education, and job training and access at a SomerVision 2040 Youth Forum tonight, Wednesday, July 31, at 5:00 p.m., in the Central Library auditorium, 79 Highland Ave. SomerVision 2040 is an ongoing effort to reexamine and update Somerville’s comprehensive plan – SomerVision. The community-developed plan set priorities around many issues; including housing, open space, transportation, sustainability, the local economy, and education. To learn more about the ongoing SomerVision 2040 process, visit www.somervision2040.com. While there, you can also sign up to get SomerVision 2040 updates.

(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.)

As the deaths of Cheryl Pauline Richards this past weekend and Allison Donovan in February remind me, Somerville is not yet a safe city for pedestrians or other vulnerable road users, and cannot claim to be a “Vision Zero” city. The question is, is the Mayor and his administration interested in becoming one, or are they satisfied with reacting to each tragedy with sorrow and then hastily applying safety patches? Is he too focused on making press-worthy announcements about big, aspirational goals like Vision Zero, SomerVision, and Somerville Climate Forward to implement the everyday changes that make these goals a reality? According to the City website, “Vision Zero Somerville reaffirms the City’s commitment to multi-modal road safety.” But does it?

#Loyal2Local shoppers are being rewarded by Union Square Main Streets business every Saturday, now through November 23.

Love the Union Square Farmers Market and #LoveUnionSquare? Union Square Main Streets businesses are rewarding you for being #Loyal2Local.

On Saturdays after you shop the Union Square Farmers Market,  visit the Market Lead tent for a special sticker to wear proudly as you #ShoptheSquare.  The Union Square Farmers Market is open Saturdays 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Eagle Feathers #184 – The Square

By Bob (Monty) Doherty

Washington Street was first called the Road to Newtowne, the original name of the City of Cambridge and the home of American’s first college, Harvard. Later, she became a much-traveled thoroughfare that was laid out through today’s Union Square.

The state legislature has taken its first step to move forward a bill that would require public notice in the event of sewage discharges into waterways. The legislation, sponsored by Senator Pat Jehlen (D-Somerville), Representative Linda Dean Campbell (D-Methuen), and Representative Denise Provost (D-Somerville), received a favorable vote on Wednesday from the Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture, the first threshold the bill must pass to become law. The bill’s advancement this early in the two-year legislative session is an indicator of strong interest among lawmakers and Committee leadership.

It’s been over ten years, and now the inevitable has come to pass. Parking meter rates in Somerville are going up by 25 cents per hour.

The city is quick to point out that the new rate of $1.25 per hour is in line with other neighboring communities, so it’s only fair.

Somerville’s Vanessa Goh #26 kicks off for the winning games against the Cali War on July 13 in the Women’s Football Alliance National Championship held on Golden, CO.

Somerville resident Vanessa Goh has recently won the Women’s Football Alliance National Championship with her team the Boston Renegades. Born in Davis, CA with a B.S. in Environmental Science from UCLA, Vanessa is currently pursuing her Master’s degree in Sustainability at Harvard University Extension School.

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I had the good fortune to interview the doyenne of the Boston-area theatre scene, actress, playwright and director Paula Plum. I talked with Plum about her professional experience, and the play she is directing at the Hub Theatre Company in Boston, Steel Magnolias, playing through August 3.