When over 50 people abruptly arrived at the Martha’s Vineyard airport last Wednesday, the town reacted with compassion and empathy for their fellow humans. They reacted like Americans. They demonstrated that Sanctuary Cities and States do not merely exist as hypotheticals, but rather the response by Massachusetts proved we are more than ready to provide real help and safety for migrants.

The City of Somerville recognizes it was founded and built upon lands first inhabited by Indigenous Peoples of this region and acknowledges and honors these members of the community.

Mayor Katjana Ballantyne and the Somerville Arts Council are thrilled to share the latest City initiatives to protect existing artist studios and create new spaces for local artists.  

Mayor Ballantyne’s administration is currently taking proactive steps to engage with the Somerville arts and cultural community, including:

The Somerville Traffic Commission will host a special virtual meeting on Thursday, October 6, at 5:30 p.m. to review public comment and deliberate the City’s new draft safety plan for Holland Street. This meeting follows the special Traffic Commission meeting held on September 21, where Mayor Ballantyne and City staff presented the draft plan and Commissioners heard public comment. 

Committee identifies funding priorities for approximately $3 million annually across affordable housing, historic preservation, and open space projects

Applications due October 28