Friend:

The City of Somerville filed a joint lawsuit with the City of Chelsea in federal court today to stop efforts by the Trump regime to force local participation in immigration enforcement activities.

The move comes after a month of intimidation tactics aimed at both sanctuary cities and the immigrant community. Recently we saw Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Boston issue a press release naming Somerville despite the City not actually playing any role in that case. And ICE was caught re-issuing old press releases on enforcement efforts with 2025 dates to give the false appearance of higher levels of enforcement activity.

This past weekend, Federal "border czar" Tom Homan stated he was coming to Boston and "bringing hell" during a bombastic speech. The comments came following of words with Boston Mayor Michelle Wu regarding Boston's status as a sanctuary city.

Somerville has been a sanctuary city since 1987 and passed the Welcoming Community Ordinance in 2019, with the City Council reaffirming that in November following the 2024 election. These policies are a recognition of the fact that being in the United States without proper immigration documentation is a civil offense, not a criminal offense, and that local law enforcement bears no responsibility for carrying out enforcement of federal initiatives.

Studies have repeatedly found that sanctuary city policies make communities safer, since they give everyone -- regardless of immigration status -- the confidence they can seek assistance when victimized without being targeted themselves by law enforcement over immigration status. But the new federal administration is talking about coming after federal funding for sanctuary city communities, and the City's suit seeks to prevent that while standing up for a sensible, data-informed policy that makes Somerville safer.

I stand with my immigrant friends, neighbors, and constituents at a time when they are under threat. This is no time for wavering in the face of bullying and scare tactics from the Trump regimet. We know we are on the right side morally and practically with our policies, so we need to stick to our principles here.

Now here's a look at some other key things happening around Somerville:

Tower proposed for Davis Square

Elm Street Tower Davis Square

An overflow crowd packed the Community Baptist Church on February 12 for a community meeting hosted by Copper Mill, the firm looking to develop the stretch on the north side of Elm Street from The Burren to Grove Street. This was the fifth and latest in a series of meetings on the potential project, but by far the most heavily-attended meeting so far. A high-profile flyer war over the proposed development put the issue on the radar of a lot more people than previous meetings. More


Funding for traffic enforcement

The Idaho Stop

At our February 13 regular meeting, the City Council approved the acceptance of a $60,000 Municipal Road Safety Grant from the state. This grant is a major source of funding for traffic enforcement badly needed in our city, and it also has been a source of controversy over the years. Fortunately, the traffic enforcement programs and the policies around these programs have evolved recently, to the point where this year's grant acceptance was approved by the council with no opposition. More


Public safety task force final reports released

Public Safety for All Task Force reports

The Public Safety for All Task Force, Civilian Oversight Task Force, and Anti-Violence Working Group all released final reports with recommendations on January 28, then held a community meeting on February 4 to go over those final reports and field questions from the community. This work had picked up steam noticeably in the past year to fulfill the City's commitment nearly five years ago to a process of "Reimagining Policing" following the 2020 death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis Police. More


New school decisions & timeline

Somerville MSBA timeline

The Construction Advisory Group (CAG) was formed last year and is tasked with making recommendations to the Mayor on the site of the new school being constructed for the Winter Hill Community Innovation School and potential unification with the Benjamin G. Brown School. At the CAG's December 18 meeting, an updated Somerville-specific timeline of our Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) process was shared, with projected dates given all the way to the end. More

 

Utility rate spikes

Bill Sticker Shock

I'm getting contacted by constituents with complaints over dramatic rate hikes in both gas and electric bills. Rep. Mike Connolly has taken the lead in questioning the large increase in distribution charges, and Gov. Maura Healey has gotten on board with calls for the independent Department of Public Utilities (DPU) to revisit rate increases approved in November. The initial response from DPU and the utilities has underwhelmed, with rate payers being given just a five-percent break on distribution charges in March and April, that the utilities can recoup later -- with interest!

Distribution charges have increased by between 30 and 40 percent for most utilities over the past two years. The utilities cite higher expenses for their obligations like the Mass Save program. However, the balance sheet tells a different story, with Eversource reporting $811 million in profit last year and giving their CEO $18 million in compensation.

Speaking of electric bills, If you aren't already participating in Somerville's Community Choice Electricity (CCE) program, definitely look into this. CCE subscribers typically pay a lower -- and sometimes much lower -- rate than Eversource's basic residential rate. And the CCE rate is fixed, whereas the Eversource rates can fluctuate based on the time of year.


Affordable housing proposal community meeting

297 Medford St Community Meeting

Join the Somerville Community Land Trust and Just A Start on Wednesday, March 5, at 6 PM in the auditorium of the Somerville Public Library (79 Highland Ave) for a community meeting to learn more about potential plans to build a 100-percent affordable housing development at 297 Medford Street. Formerly the site of A-Plus Auto Body, the property currently is vacant and located just steps from the Gilman Square stop on the E Line.


McGrath Grounding federal funding update

McGrath Boulevard

In my last newsletter I celebrated the more than $43 million in federal funds committed to grounding the McGrath Highway. Now comes word that these funds might be clawed back as part of the Trump Department of Transportation's "woke" rescission memo targeting funding awards that reference equity or climate goals. The excellent StreetsBlog Mass wrote about the situation last week, and this is something worth following.


Upcoming Campaign Event

March 2 Campaign Fundraiser

Join us in-person at Winter Hill Brewing Co. on Sunday, March 2, from 2 to 4 PM for an event raising funds for our mayoral campaign. We'll have food beginning at 2 PM and a speaking program.

If you're unable to make the March 2 event, we'll be hosting an virtual fundraiser on Zoom from 7 to 8 PM on the evening of Wednesday, March 19. Say tuned for more details!

You can support our campaign financially by making a donation to the campaign via our ActBlue. There is a $1,000 per person per year limit on campaign contributions, but anything you are able to give is hugely appreciated:

February 2025 campaign contribution form


Want to get involved in Somerville?
Multiple-member bodies (our boards, committees, and commissions) are a crucial part of our municipal government and a fantastic way to get involved in your community.

The Administration also currently is seeking members for the following multi-member bodies:

Did You Know...?
Somerville ordinance allows residents and property owners to shovel snow and ice into the street to melt, under certain conditions:

  • if the temperature is 40 degrees or more
  • if tt is during daylight hours
  • if the snow or ice is broken up first

Office hours
I'm holding my February office hours this week on Thursday, February 27, from 5 to 6:30 PM in the City Council Committee Room at City Hall (93 Highland Ave). Come chat about whatever is on your mind -- and stick around for the City Council regular meeting to follow at 7 PM!

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 weeks ahead
Here's a list of what's on my calendar in the coming weeks:

-Jake

Jake Wilson

About

Somerville City Councilor-At-Large (he/him/él)