Friend:

We're in the midst of Fall Community Meeting season. Despite a packed committee meeting schedule and some soccer coaching obligations, I've managed to make five of the six ward meetings held to date this fall. And I've really enjoyed seeing and talking to so many of you there. Ward 3 is the one meeting I was unable to attend, due to that conflicting with a Public Health and Public Safety Committee of the Whole meeting held at the same time. However, I will go back and watch the video of that meeting when it's eventually posted to the City's GovTV YouTube channel.

These meetings are an opportunity for the Administration and City staff to communicate information to the public -- and for constituents to get their questions answered. I do prefer the format trialed this past spring, where Civic Day featured poster session-style "booths" for different City departments and divisions, with the public free to roam and engage with the whoever they might have a question for or want to learn more about. Then there were the Slice of the City events in each ward that allowed for questions and conversation between constituents, electeds, and department heads in a less formal setting.

There is one ward meeting remaining: the rescheduled Ward 6 Fall Community Meeting is Monday, October 21 at 6:30 PM -- with pizza beginning at 6 PM -- at the Somerville Community Baptist Church (31 College Ave). Based on the turnout for the recent Davis Square Safety Meeting, I'm expecting a large crowd for this, so get there early! Then there's a virtual All Ward Fall Community Meeting the following night (Tuesday, Oct. 22) on Zoom.

If you were unable to attend your ward's meeting or if you had a question you were unable to get answered, you always can email your question to [email protected]. Or just contact me and I'll make sure it gets answered!

Here's some of what's happening around Somerville:

Yes on 6 invests in Somerville

This year Somerville voters have the opportunity to invest in our community by doubling the Community Preservation Act funding with a Yes vote on Question 6. The local ballot question asks voters whether they should increase the current 1.5-percent CPA property tax surcharge to the maximum of 3 percent, in order to double the current CPA funding supporting affordable housing, open space like parks and playgrounds, recreation, and historic preservation. These are all areas that I hear from constituents about wanting to fund, so increasing that financial support with a relatively tiny property tax increase to individual property owners is a no-brainer. More

2024 state ballot questions

If you're doing your research on ballot questions before mailing in your mail-in or absentee ballot or voting early or on November 5 in person, here are my thoughts and recommendations on the five state-wide ballot questions before Massachusetts voters this year:

In short: Vote YES on all five state ballot questions -- all six ballot questions including the local ballot question, Question 6! More

Getting serious about traffic enforcement

At the September 22 City Council regular meeting, I enthusiastically co-sponsored an order introduced by City Council President and Ward 3 Councilor Ben Ewen-Campen asking the Police Department to change strategy and focus on issuing monetary citations for motor vehicle violations, particularly dangerous behavior like speeding and running stop signs and red lights. In recent years the department had embraced an educational approach that primarily issued warning citations -- typically around 90 percent of the time! -- rather than monetary fines. While well intentioned, this strategy doesn't seem to have done much to quell the increasing chaos and danger on our streets as a result of scofflaw drivers who apparently fear no reprisal. So it's time to try something different: real enforcement with consequences. More

Davis Square update

On October 9, an overflow crowd packed into the Community Baptist Church in Davis Square for a meeting with the Mayor, City staff, and Police Department leaders -- with a decent number of people turned away at the door due to overcrowding. The turnout was evidence of the public's concern about the situation that has unfolded in Davis Square in recent months. An encampment in Seven Hills Park grew to more than 15 people in August, and a death in the park bookended by two violent incidents had people nervous about safety in the area. Meanwhile, the growing tragedy of homelessness on display in Davis Square has many in our city despairing over what can be done here locally to address a regional and national crisis. More

Central Library resumes normal hours

Somerville's Central Library returned to its regular operating hours earlier this month. This resolved a highly-publicized and controversial five-week ordeal that saw the main branch of our library system close on weekday afternoons around release for Somerville High School and Next Wave / Full Circle next door on Central Hill. More

r/Somerville AMA on Oct. 23

I'll be doing a second AMA (Ask Me Anything) on the r/Somerville community on Reddit on Wednesday, October 23, from 6:30 to 8:30 PM. (You can read the earlier AMA from January 2023 here.) This is an opportunity for the community to pepper me with questions about anything and everything you'd like to know. The r/Somerville community is pretty much the best social media around for discussion of local issues, so I'd encourage you to give it a try if you're looking for something better than Facebook and whatever Twitter is called these days. 

City Council Spotlight

I was featured on GovTV's latest City Council Spotlight, where we talked Central Library, Davis Square, traffic enforcement, and more. You can watch the full program here.

Domestic Violence Vigil on Oct. 30

The City's annual Domestic Violence Vigil will take place on Wednesday, October 30, at 6 PM in front of the East Branch Gold Star Memorial Library (115 Broadway) in East Somerville. I'll be taking part in this solemn occasion again this year as we commemorate the lives lost over the past 12 months to the scourge of domestic violence, while supporting survivors and calling attention to the problem in hopes of eradicating domestic violence.

The event is free and open to all, though attendees are encouraged to RSVP in advance here. Those in attendance will be invited to raise a candle in remembrance of domestic violence victims and participate in an interactive community art project raising awareness of domestic violence.

Note: In the event of rain, the vigil will move indoors down the street at Connexion (149 Broadway).

West Broadway Reconstruction open house

After sharing a concept design for the West Broadway Reconstruction project at an open house back in April, then collecting feedback from the community later in the spring, the City is sharing updated plans for the project at an open house in the West Somerville Neighborhood School cafeteria (177 Powder House Blvd) on Tuesday, October 22, from 6:30 to 8 PM.

City staff will be on hand to talk about the updated design and to talk to community members about their feedback as the City looks to address the high number of crashes on that stretch of Broadway. 

Elizabeth Peabody House Fall Festival

The Elizabeth Peabody House is a gem of a resource in our city, providing first-rate early childhood education, excellent out-of-school time programs, and helping address food insecurity in the area. EPH will be holding their annual Fall Festival in the parking lot in front of their location at 277 Broadway on Saturday, October 19, from noon to 4 PM.

The event will feature live music as well as entertainment for children, outdoor games, arts and crafts, and more! Admission is free and all are welcome -- though you're encouraged to RSVP here to help with the numbers planning.  

SomerStreets Monster Mash

On Sunday, October 20, between 2 and 6 PM, the Somerville Arts Council's SomerStreets Monster Mash will feature a Halloween parade with School of Honk at 3 PM, as well as food, performances, and activities for all ages. Join us for the City's annual spooky celebration named in tribute of Somerville native Bobby "Boris" Pickett, co-writer and performer of the famous 1962 novelty hit "Monster Mash." 

Please note that Somerville Ave will be closed to vehicle traffic between School Street and Union Square during the event, so please plan your travel accordingly if driving! 

 
Youth League Cohort

The City's Department of Racial and Social Justice is seeking community members between the ages of 14 and 18 to be Youth League members. These paid positions are an opportunity for our city's youth to bring the concerns and viewpoints of our young people to the forefront and have a voice in shaping the future of the city.

Interested? Apply here by October 24. 

Affordable Home Ownership Opportunities

Four below-market deed-restricted one- and two-bedroom condominiums are available to eligible first-time homebuyers. Learn about the units, as well as the application and lottery process here.

Join the Community Preservation Committee!
Multiple-member bodies (our boards, committees, and commissions) are a great way to be an active part of our city and contribute to the community. The Administration currently is seeking members for the following multi-member bodies:

• Conservation Commission
• Human Rights Commission (apply by 1/31/2025)
• Urban Forestry Commission (apply by 10/25/2024)
• Women's Commission (apply by 1/31/2025)

Support this work

Did You Know...?
The Police Department's Traffic Unit does targeted traffic enforcement at the request of City Councilors. If you see frequent unsafe driving in a specific intersection or stretch of a street in our city, please let me know about it by filling out this form and I'll request enforcement.

Office hours
I'm holding office hours on Saturday, October 26 at 11 AM at Winter Hill Brewing Co. (328 Broadway). These will be group office hours with State Sen. Pat Jehlen, State Rep. Christine Barber, Ward 4 City Councilor Jesse Clingan, and Ward 4 School Committee Representative Andre Green. Please come talk to us about school, city, and state issues!

If you'd prefer to meet individually, you can find a date and time to meet with me that works for you via my Calendly. 

The week ahead
A busy fall continues with more meetings -- council, committee, and community -- and some fun this week:

• Monday, October 21: Ward 6 Fall Community Meeting @ 6:30 PM (Somerville Community Baptist Church - 31 College Ave)
• Tuesday, October 22: Finance Committee meeting @ 6 PM (Zoom)
• Tuesday, October 22: All Ward Fall Community Meeting @ 6 PM (Zoom)
• Wednesday, October 23: r/Somerville AMA @ 6:30 PM (Reddit)
• Thursday, October 24: City Council regular meeting @ 7 PM (City Council Chamber & Zoom)
• Saturday, October 26: Halloween Block Party and Pet Spooktacular @ 3 - 6 PM (Chuckie Harris Park)

-Jake