Mayor Joseph A Curtatone is pleased to announce the launch of a new community process to update SomerVision: Somerville’s Comprehensive Plan 2010-2030 and create SomerVision 2040.

Please join the Somerville Office of Strategic Planning and Community Development, Ward 2 Alderman JT Scott, and Alderman at Large Stephanie Hirsch for the third in a series of community meetings, on Tuesday, December 18, to review renovation plans and the proposed construction schedule for the new Allen Street Playground. The meeting is scheduled for 6 to 7:30 p.m. in the Academy Room at the Public Safety Building at 220 Washington St.

Please join the Somerville Office of Strategic Planning and Community Development, Ward 2 Alderman JT Scott, and Alderman at Large Stephanie Hirsch for a community meeting on Monday, December 17, for an update on remaining work to be completed at Lincoln Park in the Spring of 2019. The meeting is scheduled for 6 to 7:30 p.m. in the Argenziano School cafeteria, 290 Washington St. For more information or with any questions about the project, please contact Arn Franzen at AFranzen@somervillema.gov.

Join City staff on Wednesday, December 12, at 6 p.m. at the Central Library, 79 Highland Ave. for the fourth in a series of public quarterly meetings where updates about parking changes, new data collection, and strategies for impact mitigation will be discussed. All interested persons are encouraged to come including residents and local business owners, as well as City and school staff. 2019 meeting dates will be announced soon.

The City of Somerville was recognized, earning a national Gold award from AAA Northeast for education and outreach efforts within the community aimed to protect and educate citizens. Accepting the award on behalf of the department was Lt. James Polito and Sgt. John Gobiel. In addition to this award, Somerville Traffic Safety Officer Steven Johnson was recognized and awarded the “Traffic Safety Hero of the Year” award for his success and efforts to educate and protect the citizens of Somerville.

Citing concerns over health impacts on youth, the Somerville Board of Health voted on December 13 to restrict the sale of electronic nicotine delivery systems (e-cigarettes) and menthol cigarettes in Somerville. The new regulations will end the practice of allowing such products to be sold in retail establishments open to youth. Starting April 1, 2019, the sale of both menthol and e-cigarettes will be restricted to 21+, adult-only tobacco retail stores. Somerville is the first municipality in the Commonwealth to pass such regulations.

Are you a Somerville resident with 15 minutes to spare? The City of Somerville would appreciate your response to a shared mobility survey that will help us plan for future transportation needs. The survey, which takes about 15 minutes to complete, asks questions about your current modes of transportation as well as options you might consider in the future, like autonomous vehicles.

The City of Somerville’s legislative body will officially become the Somerville City Council (formerly the Board of Alderman) on January 31, 2019. The name change was approved when Gov. Charlie Baker signed a home rule petition on January 1 requesting the switch to City Council.

“I am very happy not to be called an elder man anymore,” said City Council President Katjana Ballantyne.

 The Somerville Office of Prevention and the Somerville Health & Human Services Department invite you to join in a World Café style presentation of the 2018 Somerville High School Student Health Survey results on Thursday, January 31, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Somerville High School Culinary Arts Bistro (use atrium entrance).