Somerville voters will have the option to vote by mail in the upcoming City preliminary election on Tuesday, September 14, and general election on Tuesday, November 2. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts has approved voting by mail for all municipal elections in the state in 2021, and local voters should be receiving vote-by-mail notices from the Secretary of State’s office in the coming days.

Several days of oppressive heat and humidity are forecasted for the Boston area through at least Friday, August 13, and residents are urged to take precautions to stay safe. The National Weather Service is warning of dangerously hot conditions that could feel like 109 degrees outdoors. Review the following heat safety tips and ways to keep cool in Somerville. Most importantly, do not leave children or pets in a vehicle even if the windows are open, drink plenty of fluids, stay out of the sun, and limit your outdoor activity.

Cooling Center Opened

With the fast-spreading Delta variant driving an increase in COVID-19 cases both locally and nationally, the City of Somerville is moving to require all people wear face coverings in indoor public settings regardless of whether they have been vaccinated against the virus. At their upcoming meeting on August 19, the Board of Health will consider a mandate with a potential immediate start date of Friday, August 20, 2021. As with previous masking orders, children under the age of two would be exempt.

Absentee ballots are now available for voters who qualify to vote absentee. In order to be eligible to vote by absentee ballot in Massachusetts, a voter must be prevented from voting at the polling place on election day due to absence from the city on election day, physical disability, or religious belief.

Six Somerville organizations received “Keep Cool Somerville” grants to pilot projects improving resilience to extreme heat this summer.

Keep Cool Somerville, a partnership between the City of Somerville and Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC), invited groups to propose small-scale projects to address the health impacts of climate-driven heat.

The 2021 Keep Cool Somerville grantees are:

The depths of the suffering borne by the people of Haiti in recent decades -- whether hunger, disease, natural disaster, or economic crisis – seems fathomless. But the gauntlet of hardship faced by this island nation has not extinguished the spirit of its people. Even after Saturday’s earthquake, Monday’s tropical storm, the ravages of COVID-19, and the recent assassination of President Moïse, Haitians continue to strive to help one another. They are determined, as we should be too. 

Thursday, August 19, 2021

As a reminder, three of Somerville’s polling places have been relocated as of the current 2021 election cycle. All other polling locations will remain in the same location as they were in 2020. Before voting in the September 14 preliminary election, don’t forget to double-check your polling location. This preliminary election will narrow the field for Mayor, Ward 5 City Councilor, and Ward 7 City Councilor.

This is an important severe weather message from the City of Somerville. Governor Baker is urging the public to stay home this Sunday, August 22nd, due to the expected arrival of tropical storm Henri, which may gain hurricane strength. We urge you to pay attention to news and weather updates throughout the weekend and heed all warnings. Forecasts may change, but it’s best to prepare now for potentially severe or life-threatening weather. Dangerous winds, high rain totals, flooding, tree fall, and widespread power outages are possible.

The City of Somerville is seeking resident volunteers to join the Somerville Pedestrian and Transit Advisory Committee (PTAC). Founded two years ago, PTAC provides input on policies, plans, and projects that impact public transit riders and pedestrians. The committee consists of transit and pedestrian commuters; persons with disabilities; seniors, youth, and students; business and institutional representatives; lower-income residents; and transit or pedestrian advocates. 

All City staff must be fully vaccinated by November 1, 2021

Certain exemptions and accommodations will be allowed

Somerville School Committee to review vaccination requirements for the Somerville Public Schools at Monday, August 30, meeting