SOMERVILLE – On Nov. 19, 2015, the Somerville Board of Health voted to adopt amended tobacco regulations in the City of Somerville pertaining to sales of tobacco and nicotine delivery (e-cigarettes) products, as well as to smoking in workplaces and public places. The new regulations take effect March 15, 2016.

On Saturday, negotiators at the Conference of Parties (COP21) U.N. climate talks in Paris adopted a final agreement. We want to thank and congratulate President Barack Obama and Secretary of State John Kerry—along with their fellow world leaders—for succeeding in the difficult task of creating and adopting a deal that represents historic and meaningful progress to combat climate change.

SOMERVILLE – The Somerville Public Library and the Office of Somerville Commissions invite your participation in newly-created book discussion series on Race & Racism.
The Somerville Library Book Series on Race and Racism is a program that features three separate books and discussions, plus a panel discussion co-sponsored by the Office of Somerville Commissions from January to April on every third Thursday evening at the Main Branch Library (79 Highland Ave.) from 7 to 8:30 p.m.

SOMERVILLE – The Somerville Arts Council and the Housing Division of the Office of Strategic Planning and Community Development announced this week a public meeting to discuss a first-of-its-kind housing opportunity for Somerville artists. On Wed., Feb. 3, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Armory at 191 Highland Ave., City staff will present information about five (5) affordable rental units for certified artists as artist live/work space.

Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone invites all interested persons to two presentations and discussions on the City’s Athletic Fields Master Planning process on March 9 and 15. City park planners, Recreation staff, and SomerStat analysts will share data on permitted field usage citywide, discuss factors that guide field planning and maintenance, and lay out recommendations for field improvements and maintenance investments. A Q&A will follow and community members are invited to provide feedback. To enable more residents to participate, the same meeting will be held twice on different dates:

The City of Somerville is sponsoring the 2016 Urban Agriculture Ambassador Program (UAAP). Taught by Green City Growers, a Somerville-based urban agriculture company, the program is now seeking applicants for the 2016 class. The UAAP, which started as a pilot in 2013, will train 20 residents in urban growing techniques in exchange for 30 hours of volunteer service in garden projects across the city.

The Somerville High School Building Committee has two upcoming meetings planned where residents can learn more about options for future plans for Somerville High School and share their comments.

A regular meeting of the Building Committee is scheduled for Monday, March 14, at 5:30 p.m. at the Kennedy School, 5 Cherry St. This meeting will include updates on the process so far, information on what’s coming next, and an opportunity for public comment.

Are you a local entrepreneur interested in starting a business, but not sure where to start? Come to the City of Somerville’s second “How to Open a Business” Workshop on Thurs., March 31, from 6 to 7 p.m. at Canopy (212 Elm St., 3rd floor), to speak with City staff and business liaisons to learn more!

SOMERVILLE – IMPORTANT TRAFFIC PATTERN CHANGE! Beginning on Mon., April 11 (weather permitting), the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) will permanently close the off-ramp from McGrath Highway southbound to Somerville Ave., and will open a new at-grade, signalized connection from Somerville Ave./Medford St. to McGrath Highway northbound. The existing tunnel from Somerville Ave. to Washington St. will be permanently closed (see attached photo).

Traffic will be rerouted as follows:

SOMERVILLE – An urban grocer, Fresh Formats LLC, has filed building permit applications to open a fresh foods market at 240 Elm St. in Davis Square, the site of the former Social Security Building. Ongoing renovation of the building is underway and it is expected that the 11,000-square-foot ground floor will be a neighborhood market later this year.