This month, youth leaders as part of Somerville Positive Forces (SPF), a substance misuse prevention youth group that is part of the Somerville Cares About Prevention (SCAP) community-based coalition in Somerville’s Prevention Services division, took to their community to raise awareness about the risks associated with underage drinking. Nationally known as the Sticker Shock Campaign, youth gathered bags from alcohol stores and placed stickers on them reminding adults not to provide alcohol to people under 21 years old.

Exactly one year ago, I stood right here and shared my vision for how we’d work together to translate our progressive values into progress for all. Tonight, I’ll outline how we put that mission into practice this past year (...) ―Mayor Katjana Ballantyne

Mayor Katjana Ballantyne announces that the City of Somerville is now seeking proposals that aim to address the gender wage gap, particularly for women of color who face the greatest pay disparity. Programs that create and maintain employment opportunities for low- and moderate-income women residing in the city are sought. The grants are made possible by the City’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, the Job Creation and Retention Trust, City funds, and funds generated from development impact fees. Proposals will be accepted until January 31, 2023.

Mayor Katjana Ballantyne and the Somerville Arts Council are inviting residents to participate in the City's cultural capacity planning process. The cultural planning process aims to explore ways to strengthen and improve access to Somerville’s cultural assets. Community members can participate in a variety of ways, including joining a community conversation, self-nominating to serve as an Ambassador to the City and representing your artistic or cultural community on the Advisory Committee, or attending a town hall and sharing feedback on draft recommendations. 

Somerville’s Community Choice Electricity (CCE) program has posted the latest Electricity Disclosure Label, which describes the energy mix for all program options. The label can be found in the resources section on the program website CCE.SomervilleMA.gov.  

On Saturday, December 17, 2022, at approximately 10:20 a.m., Somerville Police responded to a business located in East Somerville for a report of an armed robbery and indecent assault, and battery.  Police met with a female store clerk who told police that she noticed the robbery suspect pacing back and forth while peering in the store window moments before entering the store where he displayed a handgun during the robbery.  The suspect received an undisclosed amount of cash from the clerk and fled the area on foot.

The City of Somerville Traffic Board will hold a virtual public hearing on Tuesday, December 20, regarding the Somerville Traffic Regulations Article 12-1 (“Pedestrian crossing ways or roadways”).  
 

The City of Somerville is seeking community members aged 16 years or older to participate in the 2023 Climate Forward Ambassadors program. Potential members should be interested in learning more, as well as educating others, about climate change, environmental justice and equity, and Somerville’s Climate Forward Plan.