The City of Somerville is currently seeking applicants for a newly created Fair Housing and Anti-Displacement Task Force to explore whether, and how, to incorporate principals of federal, state, and local fair housing and anti-discrimination laws into Somerville’s Zoning Code. This is a volunteer effort, and the aim of this initiative would be to determine whether zoning changes might help to mitigate the displacement of persons of color, immigrants, low- and moderate-income residents, persons with disabilities, and members of other protected classes that may result from new development.

Somerville residents have a few more free opportunities to learn gardening basics. After a successful pilot earlier this summer, the City’s Health and Human Services Department will host additional Growing Gardeners workshops for residents who are brand new to gardening in July and October.

The deadline to register to vote or update your party affiliation or address for the September 14 preliminary election is Wednesday, August 25, at 8 p.m. Massachusetts voters have the option to register online or via a paper form. To register by mail you can call (617) 625-6600 ext. 4200 and request a form be mailed to you, or you can download one from the Elections website.

On Sunday, August 1, three mobile clinics will be set up around the city to provide Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines to anyone 12 or older. Clinics will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the following three locations:

• Holy Bible Baptist Church, 64 College Ave.
• St. Anthony’s Parish, 12 Properzi Way
• Brazilian Presbyterian Church, 212 School St. 

Free food and a gift will be offered to anyone who gets a first or second dose at the clinics.  

Did your children make tons of macaroni artwork during quarantine? Did you find the postcard collections from your great-, great-, great-grandparents in your basement? Or are you an artist making lots of artwork and need to sell or exhibit? Yart Sale is an opportunity for you to showcase or sell artwork from the comfort of your yards, driveways, and porches and for art lovers to browse new work and maybe pick up a new piece or two. Think of it as a yard sale for art. 

Given the increasing case numbers of COVID-19, both locally and nationally, due to the emergence of the Delta variant, and in light of the CDC’s updated guidance on masking, the City of Somerville is strongly recommending all people wear face coverings in indoor public settings regardless of whether they have been vaccinated against the virus.

Improvements to Powder House Circle will be officially underway in mid-August as the City of Somerville makes a series of safety upgrades to benefit all road users. Powder House Circle is a high-crash intersection with an antiquated design. The City will convert the high-speed, chaotic rotary into a modern roundabout intersection using low-cost “quick-build” materials including pavement markings, signage, and flex posts.

The City of Somerville Elections Department is hiring polling place workers for the municipal elections on September 14 and November 2, 2021.  

Polling place workers will be paid $200 per day and work from 6:30 a.m. until shortly after the polls close at 8 p.m., with a two-hour break. You must be a registered Massachusetts voter to work at a polling place. No prior experience is necessary.  

Email personnel@somervillema.gov or call 617-625-6600 ext. 3300 to learn more today! 

Although both the federal and Somerville eviction moratoriums have been extended, Somerville is urging low- and moderate-income tenants and homeowners struggling to pay their housing costs to seek supports now to avoid later threats to their housing security.

The City of Somerville is seeking four community members to serve on a selection committee for the next Chief of Police of the Somerville Police Department (SPD). The next Chief will lead the department through an important moment in policing in Somerville, as the work of the reimagining policing process – led by the Racial and Social Justice (RSJ) Office under the leadership of RSJ Director Denise Molina Capers – will be in full swing. 

The Police Chief Selection Committee (PCSC) will be responsible for: