The City of Somerville Community Preservation Committee (CPC) is seeking public comment on Fiscal Year 2021 Community Preservation Act (CPA) funding applications for historic preservation and open space projects. This year, more than $430,000 is available to support projects in these categories. Feedback from residents will help inform the CPC’s award recommendations. 

The City received two applications in the open space category:

The mobile testing unit will accept patients by appointment at roaming locations. You must call one of the phone numbers below to make an appointment during regular City Hall business hours (Monday-Wednesday, 8:30 a.m. -  4:30 p.m.; Thursday, 8:30 a.m. - 7:30 p.m.; Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.). Please leave a message if no one answers. Staff members may be receiving a high volume of calls and will return your call as soon as possible.

As part of the City’s ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone and the Somerville Board of Health announced Halloween guidance and related updates today. They strongly urge all community members to forgo trick-or-treating in favor of lower-risk activities as defined by the Centers for Disease Control such as at-home activities and holiday crafts.

A COVID-19 update ResiStat meeting planned for today, October 20, and a ResiStat meeting geared toward seniors planned for tomorrow, October 21, have been postponed. New meeting dates will be announced as soon as they are available. For more information on this fall’s series of ResiStat meetings, visit the City’s website.

Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone and City Council President Matt McLaughlin announced today their intention to undertake a comprehensive review of the City’s charter, committing to working together to complete this effort as expeditiously as possible. The charter is the City’s constitution and determines how the City is structured and run. It establishes the responsibilities of the Mayor, City Council, School Committee, and other decision-making bodies and informs governance in Somerville.

The Somerville Public Schools and the City of Somerville will be jointly hosting a second online Schools Reopening Town Hall on local efforts related to the 2020/2021 school year amid the coronavirus pandemic, including updates on building ventilation efforts and COVID-19 testing plans. The meeting is scheduled for Thursday, October 29, at 6 p.m. Spanish, Portuguese, and Haitian Creole interpretation will be available.        

Participate in the Town Hall online or by phone:

The MBTA is hosting a virtual public meeting on Thursday, November 5, at 6 p.m. to discuss the Porter Square Retaining Wall Repairs project. The meeting will include a project overview, anticipated construction schedule, and Q&A.
 
This project will make critical safety-based infrastructure repairs to the retaining wall under Somerville Avenue and along the Commuter Rail right-of-way. Work began earlier this fall and is expected to continue through the summer of 2021.
 

Three of Somerville’s polling places have been relocated for the November 3 election to accommodate COVID-19 safety measures. All other polling locations will remain the same as they were for the September primary election. If you plan to vote in person on November 3, don’t forget to double-check your polling location.

To help support the holiday spirit, the City of Somerville and the Somerville Arts Council are offering some fun ways to celebrate Halloween safely this year. The City is hosting a citywide Howl-o-Ween, inviting community members to don a face covering and then give their best Halloween growls, ghost boos, or to just politely holler out their COVID-19 woes and frustrations (keep it family friendly, please) from their doors and windows at 6:30 p.m. on Halloween, Saturday, October 31.

Learn more at https://www.somervillema.gov/departments/elections/vote-by-mail