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A recently released report by the Somerville Clean and Open Elections Task Force includes 16 recommendations to increase voter participation, lower barriers to candidate participation, and increase the openness and transparency of the election process. At the request of Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone, two of the recommendations will soon be under debate by the Board of Aldermen: that for City and School Board elections only, the City seek home rule petitions from the State Legislature to lower the voting age to 16 and expand voting to non-citizens who would otherwise be eligible to vote.

Lead Paint Safe Somerville staff are using Lead Paint Poisoning Prevention Week, which runs from October 21 to 27, to remind residents about the dangers lead paint poses to young children. Although lead paint was banned in 1978, it is still present in many older homes and nearly 90 percent of Somerville’s housing was built prior to the ban.

The Somerville Board of Aldermen Committee on Land Use, and the Somerville Planning Board, invite all interested community members to a joint Public Hearing on the adoption of a new Somerville Zoning Ordinance. The Hearing will take place on Tuesday, October 30, at 6 p.m. in the East Somerville Community School auditorium, 50 Cross Street.

Mayor Curtatone, the Somerville Office of Strategic Planning and Community Development (OSPCD), and Assembly Row Condominium, Inc. are pleased  to announce an affordable homeownership opportunity for fifteen (15) condos at 275 Foley Street for income-eligible households with a combined gross income at or below 80% or between 81 to 110% of the Area Median Income. Please see the sales prices and descriptions of the affordable units below:

The 2018 “Somerville Reads” program officially begins on Saturday, November 3, with a block party at our East Branch Library beginning at noon! This Exit West inspired celebration will feature live music performances by local groups El Sistema Somerville and Grooversity, as well as refreshments, and activities for all ages.

The City of Somerville Elections Department is seeking polling place workers for the Tuesday, November 6, election. The Elections Department has openings for several polling place staff and one experienced warden. To be eligible to work in a polling place you must be a registered Massachusetts voter. For the warden position, you must have served as a warden previously in Somerville or another community. Polling place workers are paid $165 for the day and wardens are paid $225.

The City of Somerville’s Economic Development Division has launched Small Business Support, a technical assistance program for small and home-based businesses in the city, to provide expert coaching and financial support for local entrepreneurs.

The City of Somerville is developing a campus plan for Central Hill, home to City Hall, Somerville High School, the Central Library, and Central Playground. Please join us on Thursday, November  1, at 6 p.m. for a meeting in the High School cafeteria to help shape the plan. Our project consultants, SMMA, will present a conceptual design for Central Hill that incorporates the feedback from the last public meeting on September 25 and the survey responses from 187 residents. We welcome your feedback to help further refine the design for the campus.