The Somerville Public Library is seeking to fill two vacancies on its Board of Trustees, and all Somerville residents are invited to apply.
 

As neighboring communities are showing elevated rates of COVID according to data released from the state, Somerville’s Phase 3 Step 1 reopening will remain on hold. Somerville is focused on mitigating community spread, reducing the chances of an unmanageable spike, and providing a safe context to open schools later in the 2020-2021 school year.

Weather permitting, starting Monday, August 24, over the course of approximately two weeks, City contractors will mill and pave part of Medford St. (Partridge Ave. to School St.), as well as Properzi Way, Smith Ave., and part of Sycamore St. (Pembroke St. to Evergreen St.) as part of the City’s Pavement Management Program. 

Locations of Work

Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone, State Senator Pat Jehlen, State Representative Mike Connolly, City Council President and Ward 1 Councilor Matt McLaughlin, and City of Somerville staff invite you to a virtual meeting to discuss the community needs at the Kensington Connector. The Kensington Connector is the pedestrian crossing under I-93 at Mystic Avenue between the East Somerville neighborhood and the Assembly Square neighborhood. 
 

At a Monday, August 24, meeting with Phase 3 business owners, Mayor Joe Curtatone announced that, if the data continues to trend in the right direction, the City will consider a limited reopening for fitness centers, gyms, and indoor recreation facilities on approximately September 8. These businesses would be required to have an approved health and safety plan and meet stringent COVID-19 safety requirements.

In response to the immense need for community assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic, the City of Somerville has distributed $2,218,384 to local non-profit agencies to help residents with necessities such as rent, food, and childcare. The money is being distributed to people in need throughout Somerville via those non-profit agencies and referrals from the City’s Office of Housing Stability. In all, $1.825 million in CARES Act funding from the U.S.

As part of an MBTA initiative to make bus service more efficient and safer for passengers during the COVID-19 pandemic, Somerville will be installing a westbound dedicated bus lane along Washington St. in East Somerville between Tufts St. and McGrath Highway. In the eastbound direction, a dedicated protected bike lane will start at Joy St., linking with the protected bike lane that begins at New Washington St. This project is expected to be installed in September or shortly thereafter and will not require the removal of any parking spaces.

In recognition of International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD) on Monday, August 31, and National Recovery Month in September, advocates and officials in Somerville have united in their call for Somervillians to observe both events in a few simple but powerful ways to send a message of support and hope for recovery. 

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the City of Somerville have signed an Administrative Order of Consent in which the EPA has committed to coordinate with the City on remediation of Conway Field in accordance with federal and state environmental regulations.

The Somerville Public Library will close for contactless services at both Central Library (79 Highland Avenue) and the West at TAB (167 Holland Street) from August 31 through September 7 to accommodate voting in the primary election. Both locations will serve as polling places on September 1 and will remain closed through Labor Day for cleaning and sanitizing. The East Branch (115 Broadway) will continue to offer contactless pickup and printing throughout the week.