On September 11, the Massachusetts House and Senate passed legislation filed by Rep. Christine Barber and the Somerville delegation entitled An Act establishing a charter for the city of Somerville.

This bill was filed on behalf of the City of Somerville to replace the city’s current charter. The existing charter dates back to 1871 – the year Somerville became a city – and aside from minor changes, the last significant update was in 1899. In 2020, the Mayor and City Council established a Charter Review Committee, comprised of both residents and elected officials, to conduct a comprehensive review and propose updates to strengthen and modernize the city’s government structure. After 16 months of work – including 32 committee meetings, over 10 public events, 85 public comments, and more than 1,000 survey responses – the Committee released its recommendations in August 2022.

A state statute aimed at informing voters by mail about binding questions on the ballot was a key topic of discussion at the recent Somerville City Council meeting.

By Harry Kane

Registered voters need all the information they can get before making decisions during election season, which is why City Councilors are debating the adoption of a state statute that would inform voters by mail about binding questions on the ballot.

The recent public meeting held by the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) yielded many pro and con responses from those in attendance.

By C. Scott Morris

The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) drew praise and criticism from the public during a meeting last Tuesday, Sept. 9, about a new construction project.

A resolution submitted by Councilor J.T. Scott requests updates from the mayor on measures to curtail the use of identity-concealing masks by ICE agents.

By The Times Staff

At the latest meeting of the Somerville City Council held on September 11, lawmakers condemned the use of face masks by immigration agents, requesting identification standards and submitting a resolution that, while mostly symbolic, may assist with the eventual ban of masks worn by ICE agents.

Mayor Katjana Ballantyne and the City of Somerville Department of Veterans’ Services invite the community to join the 4th Annual Health and Wellness Day on Saturday, September 20, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Lincoln Park (290 Washington St.). This free, family-friendly event is designed to promote wellness for all ages and to connect Veterans, first responders, and their families with health and wellness resources. For questions or more information, please contact the Department of Veterans’ Services at 617-625-6600 x 4700 or veterans@somervillema.gov.

(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 Jeffrey Shwom

As a resident and writer, I’m advocating for a centralized information system for all civic meetings in Somerville for the benefit of all of us … and selfishly, for me as a journalist.

Our government is coming back from summer break in 2025. Fall is in the air, and so are back-to-school and back-to-work routines. September is also here, and with it, a month of renewal, new habits, and new starts. Maybe someone new or old wants to learn about our government and go to a meeting or become informed locally. It is an election year, too! This is my palette to paint with, to inform my fellow residents and visitors. I cherish it … until I remember the information is all over the place.

*

These make ahead breakfast sandwiches will save you plenty of time during the week whether you’re off to work or school. They can also be frozen if you want to make extra.

The “What the Fluff?” festival hits Union Square once again soon, an event that has grown in the hearts of so many here.

For all these years, Marshmallow Fluff has been a favorite snack food for many, while others could, frankly, take it or leave it. Either way, few would argue that the annual festival itself is chock full of fun and frivolity for everyone who attends.