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Newstalk – April 17
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Mayor Katjana Ballantyne and Somerville’s Inspectional Services Department announced Somerville’s 2024 Integrated Pest Management (IPM) plan. Aimed at enhancing rodent management efforts, the updated plan incorporates Integrated Pest Management principles to effectively address rodent issues across residential, public, and commercial areas within the city. The detailed presentation of the City of Somerville’s Integrated Pest Management will take place at the city’s Board of Health meeting on Thursday, April 18, at 6:00 p.m. Community members, stakeholders, and interested parties are encouraged to attend the meeting, which will be hosted on Zoom, and participate in discussions surrounding rodent management strategies. Interested attendees can join the meeting here: somervillema.gov/events/2024/04/18/board-health-meeting.
April 17
Our View of the Times – April 17
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It began after a bad oil spill that took place in 1969 off the coast of California. A year later, the first annual Earth Day was celebrated to demonstrate universal support for environmental protection and responsible stewardship of the planet and its inhabitants.
Pot shops
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Life in the Ville by Jimmy Del Ponte
Recreational marijuana stores are popping up all over the city. Ball Square, Davis Square and East Somerville to name a few. I surveyed people from around the city on their feelings toward this. Each new comment is in quotes.
That Ratio
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By Chris Dwan
Budget season in Somerville is starting off with a cool tone that approaches austerity. The School Committee has been told to expect a budget that will fail to cover mandatory increases like seniority-based pay raises. The City Council heard last Thursday that any new initiatives will need to fit in less than $15M.
Davis Sq. merchants get double dose of distressing news
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By Jack Connolly
Jackconnolly422@gmail.com
Somerville City officials attended a meeting called for by Davis Sq. merchants last week to discuss the unhoused people, addicts frequenting Davis Sq. on a daily basis, and their open drug use and drug dealing happening in area parks, including the plaza next to 7/11. Much mention was made about disturbances apparently arising from patrons of the Brightview clinic on Highland Avenue, acting up throughout Davis Sq. Before and after visits to the Brightview office.
Newstalk – April 10
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Mayor Katjana Ballantyne, Ward 7 Councilor Judy Pineda Neufeld, and city staff invite community members to attend a groundbreaking ceremony Wednesday, April 10, at the Dilboy Auxiliary Fields (300 Alewife Brook Pkwy.) at 1:00 p.m. Construction kicks off this spring to transform the Dilboy Auxiliary Fields into a state-of-the-art sports and recreational facility with natural turf fields. Highlights of the work include full reconstruction of the baseball and softball fields, installation of a sand-slit drainage system, new sports lighting, and more.
April 10
Our View of the Times – April 10
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It’s not just another three-day weekend, folks. It’s a huge part of our national – and regional – heritage.
Patriots’ Day was established over 100 years ago to commemorate the Battles of Lexington and Concord in 1775, the first battles of the American Revolutionary War. Re-enactments are staged and speeches are given, and a generally festive air of patriotic zeal pervades.
Somerville Lumber: Big store with a small store feel
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Life in the Ville by Jimmy Del Ponte
This article first appeared in the February 22, 2014 edition of The Somerville Times.
“Before there was Home Depot or Lowe’s, my family always went to Somerville Lumber for any home project that needed to be done.” Somerville Lumber was located on McGrath Highway in the area where Stop & Shop is now. You may remember the huge American flag that flew over Somerville Lumber.
Letter to the Editor – Somerville Climate Forward
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Mayor Ballantyne and Director Blais,
In order to mitigate the disastrous effects of climate change and create safe and healthy schools that reflect the community’s values, Somerville must do all it can to reduce carbon emissions from its largest municipal source: school buildings. We applaud the City’s work to update the Climate Forward plan, Somerville’s plan to reduce carbon emissions in the city, and the aim for Somerville to be carbon net-negative by 2050. However, to be a serious plan that can achieve this goal, the Climate Forward update must have a bold, detailed, and clear timeline for the decarbonization of municipal buildings, especially school buildings. We implore you to listen to community feedback and include these strategies.
Newstalk – April 3
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The city’s Public Safety for All Task Force invites Somerville community members to attend an Emergency Response Community Workshop tonight, Wednesday, April 3, from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. The workshop will take place at the Somerville High School Cafeteria, 81 Highland Avenue. Attendees will hear a brief update about the Task Force’s work, be introduced to key terms for the workshop, and be asked to respond to questions to help inform emergency response recommendations to the mayor. Food and drink will be provided during the event as well as children’s activities. Learn more at: https://www.somervillema.gov.
April 3
Our View of the Times – April 3
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Spring has finally arrived, and with it comes the inevitable regular street sweeping activities throughout the city.
As inconvenient and annoying it may be to comply with schedule, it is an inescapable fact of life for us all and we must make the adjustment accordingly.
Somerfest
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Life in the Ville by Jimmy Del Ponte
With another summer getting closer I thought we would take a look back in time to a city program called Somerfest. Let’s look back to the early ‘70’s. Bands were paid to perform in the streets. A staff of teens were paid to set up for the shows. My own band, Shadowfax, did a lot of these gigs.
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