Beginning on Tuesday, June 1, additional reopening steps that allow for expanded athletic activities and indoor performances will go into effect in Somerville. Somerville is joining with Boston in rolling out these reopening steps on a delay from the State schedule. All of the newly allowed activities will be subject to regular City permitting and safety rules and sector-specific COVID-19 guidelines.

What changes in Somerville on June 1:

The Somerville Arts Council and Metropolitan Area Planning Council are conducting two surveys to find out if Somerville artists have stable access to space for their work. There are two surveys: one for individuals and one for organizations.

Mayor Curtatone is seeking applications from Somerville residents to serve on the Mayor’s Commission on Energy Use and Climate Change (CEUCC). The CEUCC advises the City and the Mayor’s Office of Sustainability and Environment on climate change and energy policy issues and assists the City in program design and outreach related to these topics. 

The City of Somerville Health and Human Services Department is partnering with Riverside Trauma Center to offer a free two-day virtual training in Psychological First Aid and Post-Traumatic Stress Management for individuals who live or work in Somerville.   
  

Starting today, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is accepting applications for its Emergency Broadband Internet Program. The program is part of the American Rescue Plan Act passed earlier this year and will offer a credit of up to $50 a month for residential Internet connections and $100 toward the purchase of a computer or tablet. Only one monthly discount and one device discount is allowed per household.

Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone submitted a $5 million proposal to the City Council to acquire the Somerville Armory building at 191 Highland Ave., which the Council approved by a unanimous vote at its May 13 meeting. The City would be acquiring the property via eminent domain and would preserve the facility for arts uses. It would be the first publicly owned arts and culture center in Somerville, a city known for its vibrant arts community. 

Additional activities and reopening guidelines in Phase 4, Step 2 of the State’s reopening plan will go into effect in Somerville on Saturday, June 19. Somerville will be joining Boston’s reopening schedule, which is on a three-week delay from the State’s plan.

Join a community meeting on Thursday, June 10, from 6 to 7:30 p.m., to learn about supervised consumption sites (SCS) data and research. At the meeting you can learn more about how SCS work, see data from a recently conducted needs assessment and evaluation that includes input from potential clients of the SCS and other community members, and ask questions and share feedback. A draft version of the needs assessment and evaluation will be available at www.somervillema.gov/SCS by Tuesday, June 8.

What is a supervised consumption site?

The City of Somerville seeks to fill one vacancy on the City’s Condominium Review Board. This position is open to Somerville renters or homeowners who are age 62 or older, who have a disability, or who earn 80% of the Area Median Income ($70,750) or less.

The Condominium Review Board is responsible for administering the City’s Condominium Conversion Ordinance, which governs proposed conversion of rental units to condominium units. The Board consists of five members who are appointed by the Mayor and approved by the City Council.

Residents age 12 and up are now eligible to get a COVID-19 vaccine. Please note that only the Pfizer vaccine has been approved for minors. Anyone under 18 getting a vaccine will need parent or guardian permission. Visit mass.gov/vaccine for more information.