Celebrate the season at “Seize the Summer,” the August installment of the City’s SomerStreets festival, on Sunday, August 4, from 2 to 6 p.m. between Davis Square and Teele Square on Holland Street. SomerStreets is the City of Somerville’s take on the internationally-renowned Open Streets concept, closing busy city streets to vehicles, and opening them up for cycling, walking, dancing, running, and other modes of activity.

Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone and the Office of Strategic Planning and Community Development (OSPCD), in collaboration with Block Properties, LLC are pleased to announce the affordable rental opportunities for two rental apartments, both located at 3 Ward Street, Somerville.The apartments are available for rent through the Inclusionary Housing Program via an application and lottery process for income-eligible households with a combined gross income that meets the income eligibility requirements detailed below.

The Somerville Traffic & Parking Department announced this week that the rate for parking in metered spots within the city has increased to $1.25 per hour, a $0.25 increase. This increase is the first for meter rates in more than ten years. The Somerville Traffic Commission approved the new rates at their June 2019 meeting. The new rate is in line with other communities in the greater Boston area, and will help increase turnover of parking spaces in the city’s business districts and squares.

SOMERVILLE – On Thursday, August 1, join us at Seven Hills Park in Davis Square for live entertainment by Somerville youth leading up to this week’s SomerMovie Fest viewing of The Incredibles 2. At 6:30 p.m., catch a unique performance by participants in the Somerville Recreation Department’s “Run Like a Girl” program, a first-of-its kind gender-neutral empowerment program by ANIKAYA Dance Theater and local choreographer Wendy Jehlen.

The Somerville Public Library and St. Mark Community Education Program will host a free, 12-part Citizenship Interview Preparation Class on Saturdays this fall in partnership with Project Citizenship. The class is designed to prepare participants for all parts of their citizenship test, from literacy to U.S. history and government while improving English speaking and listening skills.  

Prospective students must have a basic level understanding of English and must hold a legal permanent resident card for five years, or three years if married to an American citizen.

To advance construction of the new Somerville High School (SHS), parking will no longer be available along the Central Library driveway off of Highland Ave. starting Monday, August 12. City contractors will establish a new work zone adjacent to the library to construct permanent utilities and foundations for the eastern wing of the new school. Library patrons will need to use on-street parking in the area for the foreseeable future. Two parking spaces on Highland Ave. at Walnut St. will be reserved for people with disabilities.
 

This fall, Somerville voters will have the opportunity to cast ballots for Mayor, Ward City Councilor, City Councilors-at-Large, and School Committee members. A preliminary election for Mayor and Ward 3 School Committee, similar to a primary election, is scheduled for Tuesday, September 10. On this date, voters will be voting to narrow down the Mayoral candidates to two candidates, and the Ward 3 School Committee candidates to two candidates. This is a nonpartisan preliminary and all voters may vote for any candidate running for either office.

The Davis Square Neighborhood Plan comment period has been extended to allow additional input from community members. Comments will now be accepted through Friday, August 30. The plan will then be presented to the Planning Board on September 5, 2019. Planning Board meeting details will be posted to the city calendar, so please check there for details.

The City of Somerville is accepting applications to fill 10 seats on the newly formed Pedestrian and Transit Advisory Committee. The committee’s input will support and guide city policies and plans to make improvements for public transit riders and pedestrians. Committee members will promote riding transit and walking and will work to create a more comfortable, safe, and enjoyable built environment for doing so. Community members committed to advocating for a robust multimodal transportation system are encouraged to apply to serve on the committee as members.

The Somerville Public Library is excited to announce the title of its tenth annual Somerville Reads campaign, The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson. Copies will be available at all three Somerville Public Library locations as of September 3, 2019.  Somerville Reads is a citywide reading initiative that encourages all Somerville residents to read and discuss the same book to promote literacy and community engagement.