By Bob Katzen

The House gave initial approval to a bill making “Roadrunner” the official rock song of the commonwealth. Natick native Jonathan Richman led the group Modern Lovers who sang the tune as a 1970s ode to the joys of driving along Massachusetts’ Route 128 late at night. The bill is co-sponsored this year by Reps. David Linsky (D-Natick) and Denise Provost (D-Somerville).

Continue reading SENATE APPROVES ROADRUNNER OFFICIAL ROCK SONG OF MASSACHUSETTS →

By Bob Katzen

THE HOUSE AND SENATE. Beacon Hill Roll Call records local senators’ and representatives’ votes on recent roll calls. There were no roll calls in either branch last week. The House and Senate held only brief session as is the custom during Spring Break.

Continue reading Beacon Hill Roll Call Volume 43 – Report No. 16 April 16-20, 2018 →

Minibonds will allow residents the chance to earn tax-exempt interest while investing directly in Somerville’s future

Proceeds from the sale of minibonds will support projects like Lincoln Park renovation, West Branch Library design, street and sidewalk improvements, and more

SOMERVILLE – The City of Somerville will soon offer residents the opportunity to invest in Somerville’s future by purchasing minibonds. Minibonds not only allow purchasers to directly support the community’s collective goals by investing in the financing of some of Somerville’s capital projects, they also enable residents to earn tax-exempt interest. Continue reading SOMERVILLE TO OFFER RESIDENTS THE OPPORTUNITY TO PURCHASE MINIBONDS →

Somerville Affordable Housing Trust Fund now accepting proposals in two categories: 

Rental assistance programs or development projects creating affordable housing units

SOMERVILLE – The Somerville Affordable Housing Trust (SAHT) invites local residents, organizations, and businesses to submit applications for the funding of eligible affordable housing programs or projects via its annual distribution of Community Preservation Act (CPA) funds. Continue reading FY18 COMMUNITY PRESERVATION ACT AFFORDABLE HOUSING FUNDING APPLICATIONS NOW AVAILABLE: DEADLINE ‪MAY 23, 2018‬ →

GOOD MORNING – TODAY IS SATURDAY, April 21, the 111th day of 2018 with 254 to follow. Sunrise in the Boston area is @ 5:54 and sunset is @ 7:31. The moon is waxing. The morning stars are stars are Jupiter, Mars, Mercury & Saturn. The evening stars are Neptune, Uranus & Venus.

ON THIS DAY IN: 753 BC – Today is the traditional date of the foundation of Rome. Continue reading GOOD MORNING – TODAY IS by John Dwyer →

Mark Niedergang, Ward 5 Alderman

In this issue:

• New plan for Real Estate Transfer Fee Home Rule Petition

• Update on the Administration’s proposed citywide zoning overhaul

• Fields Master Plan, Draw 7 Park, and Conway field closure

• Construction in Ward 5: Cedar-Highland intersection closed 2 more weeks; Green Line Extension (GLX) construction to begin soon

• Upcoming events and meetings

New plan for Real Estate Transfer Fee Home Rule Petition

All owner-occupants, both sellers and buyers, will be exempt from the fee under a new plan developed by Alderman-at-Large Stephanie Hirsch, and supported by the Board of Aldermen (BOA) in a unanimous vote on April 11th. Continue reading Mark Niedergang, Ward 5 Alderman:Transfer Fee New Plan, Zoning Overhaul, Fields Master Plan, Construction in Ward 5 →

Thank you Mark (cc All Alderman, Goran Smiljic, Building Inspectors, The Somerville News Weekly, and Zone Smart Somerville, Attorney Joel Rosen, Attorney Dave Shapiro ),

Continue reading Reply To Letter to the Editor: Regarding Published Misinformation Regarding Demolition Review/Mr. Bingham’s Letter to the Board of Alderman →

To the editor,

‘The Somerville News Weekly’

Sir,

We are facing an attrition of affordable housing in the city. The affordable housing inclusionary regulations only include new construction, not the renovation of existing multi-family complexes into ‘Luxury apartments”.

Continue reading Letter to the Editor: Affordable Housing Somerville →