SOMERVILLE –  The City of Somerville recently released a first-of-its-kind local workforce development strategic plan, the Talent Equity Playbook. The report highlights Somerville’s current and future jobs environment and labor market, workforce development resources, community priorities, actionable workforce development strategies, and ways to measure progress.

SOMERVILLE – The City of Somerville recently received formal notification from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) that the City’s Assessment of Fair Housing Report has been accepted without conditions.

Members of the public are invited to attend and speak at a July 9 Public Hearing on proposed changes to the Demolition Review Ordinance, which currently regulates the demolition of structures 50 years of age or older that are not within an existing Local Historic District. The hearing, held by the Board of Aldermen Legislative Matters Committee of the Whole, will take place Monday, July 9, 6 p.m., at City Hall in the Aldermanic Chambers. At 6 p.m., the hearing will be preceded by a presentation on the ordinance by Director of Planning George Proakis.

Members of the public are invited to attend and speak at a July 9 Public Hearing on the application of the Union Square Neighborhood Council (USNC) to be designated by the City as the neighborhood council for the Union Square area.  Responsibilities of the designated council will include negotiating a Community Benefits Agreement with the Union Square Master Developer, Union Square Station Associates, as well as providing a representative voice for the neighborhood in present and pending proceedings of significance before City departments, boards, and commissions.

Beginning on July 19 and lasting through the weekend, the greater Boston area could see temperatures well into the 90s, with heat index values over 100 degrees. We urge residents to review the following heat safety tips, and consider some ways to stay cool in Somerville as well as precautions to take to avoid overexposure to the heat.

SOMERVILLE – Thanks to Solar Flair, Solarize Somerville resident participants, and the City of Somerville, local non-profit CASPAR, Inc. (Cambridge and Somerville Program for Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Rehabilitation) expanded its far-reaching positive impacts on the community, and now they’re helping out the environment too. The organization was previously selected to receive a 5kW solar array donation that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions – and lower utility bills.

Please join Somerville Commissioner of Veterans’ Services Bryan Bishop, Ward 5 Alderman Mark Niedergang, and project design team CBA Landscape Architects on Tuesday, August 21, for the final community meeting to discuss the redesign of Henry Hansen Park. The community meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. in the third floor conference room of the Visiting Nurse Association, 259 Lowell Street. The design team will present the final design concept for the park redesign.

Although timelines are subject to change, current plans for the construction of the Green Line Extension (GLX) call for the full closure of the Broadway Bridge, just east of Ball Square, for one full year beginning in late 2018. While the bridge is closed, detours will be in place for cars, bikes, pedestrians, and MBTA bus routes 80 and 89.

SOMERVILLE – Each year, only 15 percent of all unwanted clothing in the United States is donated or recycled while approximately 14.3 million tons of clothing (or about 80 pounds per person) end up in landfills. To help divert more clothing out of the local waste stream, the City of Somerville will soon offer a program that makes it easier for residents to recycle unwanted clothes and accessories.

Join Mayor Joseph Curtatone and Ward 5 Alderman Mark Niedergangon Friday, August 24, at 9 a.m. for the ribbon cutting ceremony at Hoyt Sullivan Playground. Located at 117 Central St., Hoyt Sullivan Playground design highlights natural features and encourages exploratory adventure play.