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© 2026 The Somerville Times. All rights reserved.
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Newstalk – May 27
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Attend the FY27 Water and Sewer Rates Public Hearing. The City of Somerville Water and Sewer Department invites all community members to a hybrid public hearing to review proposed Water and Sewer rates for Fiscal Year 2027 on Thursday, May 28, at 6 p.m. Join in person at the Highlander Forum located at Somerville High School (81 Highland Ave.). This is a change of location from Franey Road to the High School. Virtually via Zoom: us06web.zoom.us/j/87092143821, Webinar ID: 870 9214 3821. If you’re unable to attend but would like to share feedback, please send comments by email: water@somervillema.gov with the subject line “RATE HEARING.” Comments must be received by 12 p.m. on May 28 to be conveyed to the Department during the hearing.
May 27
Our View of the Times – May 27
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After months of back-and-forth weather conditions, we are clearly running headlong into the bright, sunny days of summer after Memorial Day weekend.
What is more delicious to the young mind than that savory and unrivaled treat, summer vacation? A well-deserved reward for all the hard work and irreplaceable time invested in the previous school year.
Proceed with caution
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Life in the Ville by Jimmy Del Ponte
I used to love driving, but now I only drive when I have to.
I find myself staying in my house a lot lately. Oh yeah, winter just ended. That explains some of it, so I know the nice weather will force me to go out more.
Newstalk – May 20
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Somerville’s annual Memorial Day remembrance ceremony will be held at Veterans Cemetery on Monday, May 25, at 11 a.m. Community members, veterans, and city officials will gather to pay tribute to those who gave their lives in service to our country. The ceremony will include remarks from Mayor Wilson and the Director of Veterans Services, Jerome Thomas. Somerville Veterans Cemetery is located between Alewife Brook Parkway and North Street. Temporary accessible parking spaces are available on the cemetery side of Broadway. This year’s event timeline is a special observance of Memorial Day, Armed Forces Day, and the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The Remembrance Ceremony will take place rain or shine.
May 20
Our View of the Times – May 20
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It began as a way to memorialize the military casualties of the Civil War, and was originally termed Decoration Day. Decorating the graves of the countless multitudes of fallen soldiers helped to console the grieving survivors of the debacle while uniting the once-divided nation in a worthwhile common cause.
Friends for life
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Life in the Ville by Jimmy Del Ponte
I remember always being amazed at how many friends my father had. He was born in Somerville and loved living here. He used to march in the Memorial Day parade with the Italian American War Veterans every year. He was friends with a lot of politicians. Everywhere we went he knew someone. He’d stop in the middle of traffic to start “gas bagging” with someone he knew.
Public statement by the Somerville Human Rights Commission
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Somerville Human Rights Commission Statement on Anti-Muslim Hate Incident at Somerville High School Grounds on January 20th, 2026
Dear Somerville Community,
On January 20th, 2026, during a student walk out for immigrant rights, there was a hostile anti-Muslim hate speech incident on Somerville High School grounds against a Muslim teacher, who was present to ensure the safety of our Somerville High School students. A video of this hostile incident was widely circulated on social media, including the perpetrator’s public account (where more anti-muslim speech occurred) and the Somerville Community Facebook page.
Newstalk – May 13
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Celebrate Somerville’s Haitian community and honor Haitian Flag Day by joining a Haitian Flag raising ceremony on Monday, May 18. Hosted by the City of Somerville’s Office of Immigrant Affairs (SOIA), in partnership with the Haitian Service Providers Coalition (HSPC), all are invited to attend. The event celebrates Somerville’s Haitian community and honors the history and enduring spirit of Haiti. Attendees will hear from Mayor Jake Wilson and SOIA and HSPC staff. Where: City Hall concourse (93 Highland Ave.) When: 3 p.m., Monday, May 18. For more information, please contact 311 (617) 666-3311.
May 13
Our View of the Times – May 13
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It seems as though we cannot get enough of the farmers market scene in Somerville. They have become time-honored traditions and perennial mainstays of alternative commerce in the city.
There is something special about shopping for fresh produce, discovering unique arts and crafts vendors, and enjoying live entertainment in the open air. We feel a sense of camaraderie, too, as we gather to take in the sights, sounds, flavors, and aromas that permeate each market site.
Newstalk – May 6
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Broadway Magoun Open House. The City of Somerville is planning to reconstruct sidewalks, repave, and redesign the segment of Broadway that passes through Magoun Square (Winchester Street to Central Street) to improve safety, accessibility, comfort, and sustainability. The Mobility Division is hosting an open house to share preliminary design concepts that seek to address these concerns and provide a safer, more comfortable experience for everyone using the street. Wednesday, May 6, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., Arthur D. Healey School Cafeteria, 5 Meacham Street.
May 6
Our View of the Times – May 6
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Even in troubled times, even the worst of times, there is one particular beacon of goodness and light that pierces through the gloom to warm our hearts and lift our spirits – Mother’s Day.
While life as we know it has been far from normal in recent years, mainly due to political divisions and the like, this is one occasion that can restore a bit of normalcy and order for us as we pause to honor the beloved matriarchs of our families.
I was a teenage paperboy
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Life in the Ville by Jimmy Del Ponte
If you grew up in the ‘60s and ‘70s in West Somerville and delivered newspapers, you probably worked for Mr. Abe Learner. Abe was the boss. “Better get going” was one of Abe’s favorite sayings as he tried to get us out to start delivering our papers.
Letter to the Editor – Drinking Water Safety
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To the Editor:
Kudos to Somerville representative and House Environment and Natural Resources Committee Chair Christine P. Barber for advancing legislation (H.900) that would establish long-overdue testing and standards for private well water in Massachusetts (H.900).
Newstalk – April 29
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YUM 2026: A Taste of Immigrant City, Wednesday, April 29, 6 p.m., Arts at the Armory, 191 Highland Ave. Celebrate the unique flavors of Somerville’s immigrant-owned restaurants. Since 2010, The Welcome Project has brought together food, community, and advocacy at YUM: A Taste of Immigrant City – an annual night of fun and fundraising for programs that benefit immigrants in Somerville and Greater Boston. https://www.welcomeproject.org/yum2026.
April 29
Our View of the Times – April 29
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One thing can be said for sure about our great city: there is no want for creative energy and enterprise.
Consider all the wonderful artists who will be participating in this weekend’s Somerville Open Studios (SOS) event. Artisans and crafters of seemingly limitless disciplines and choice of media work and thrive right here among us humble, regular types who wouldn’t know a palette knife from a chainsaw.
Hippies
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Life in the Ville by Jimmy Del Ponte
In May of 1971 there was to be a huge anti-war demonstration in Washington DC.
I was a 16-year-old hippie with the hair, the beads and the bell bottoms. I had made friends with a bunch of people from Harvard Square and one of the guys was driving his Volkswagen bus to the demonstration. I decided that I had to go because of my deep beliefs against the war in Vietnam. But my problem was what was I going to tell my parents? They would definitely not let me go. But I went anyway and I was gone for two days.
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