As part of the mobility safety upgrades announced in September, a series of roadway improvements on western Washington Street will be installed starting in mid-November. The project is supported in part by the MBTA’s COVID-19 safety initiative for bus riders and will be installed by the City.

Continue reading Somerville Washington Street Mobility Improvements Planned for Mid-November →

By Bob Katzen

Voters rejected a proposed law that would implement a voting system known as “ranked-choice voting” in which voters rank one or more candidates in order of preference. If one candidate receives more than 50 percent of the first-place votes, that candidate would be declared the winner and no other rounds would be necessary. Continue reading RANKED VOTING QUESTION IS REJECTED BY VOTERS →

By Bob Katzen

Voters approved a proposed law that would require that motor vehicle owners and independent repair facilities be provided with all mechanical information needed to diagnose and repair cars as well as perform routine maintenance starting with 2022 models, over a secure open access platform that independent repair shops can access, when authorized by the car’s owner.

Continue reading RIGHT TO REPAIR QUESTION IS APPROVED BY VOTERS →

By Bob Katzen

The House approved and sent to the Senate legislation that would ban 11 toxic flame retardants from children’s products, bedding, carpeting and residential upholstered furniture sold or manufactured in Massachusetts, except for inventory already manufactured prior to December 31, 2021.

Continue reading BAN TOXIC FLAME RETARDANTS BILL (H 4900 →

By Bob Katzen

The Senate on a voice vote without a roll call approved and sent to Gov. Charlie Baker a fiscal 2020 supplemental budget to close out the books on fiscal year 2020. A key provision to help fund the budget diverts the scheduled automatic transfer of capital gains tax revenue estimated at $400 million to the state Rainy Day Fund. Continue reading FISCAL 2020 SUPPLEMENTAL BUDGET →

By Bob Katzen

The House gave initial approval to a bill that would require the Registry of Motor Vehicles to establish a distinctive license plate for recipients of the Massachusetts Medal of Liberty. The medal, which conforms to the standards and protocol of the U.S. Military Purple Heart, is provided to the next of kin of Bay State service men and women who were killed in action, died in service while in a designated combat area or died as a result of wounds received in action. Continue reading MEDAL OF LIBERTY LICENSE PLATES →

Ten StoryWalksⓇ to be installed throughout the city

SOMERVILLE, MA — The Somerville Public Library, the Somerville Family Learning Collaborative (SFLC), the Beautiful Stuff Project, and Shape Up Somerville announce a collaboration on a series of StoryWalks® throughout the city in November, which is National Family Literacy Month. Continue reading Somerville Agencies Collaborate on StoryWalksⓇ for National Family Literacy Month →

Our sincere condolences thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of Francis “Frank” Xavier Buckley on his passing.

Continue reading Somerville Remembering Francis “Frank” Xavier Buckley →

Just wanted to pass on some thoughts on Somerville’s dear leader Joe Curtatone in Somerville.

Lighting up the Prospect Hill Tower in blue to symbolize the presumptive win by the Democratic Biden-Harris Team. But Curtatone has no problem telling firefighters to take down Blue Lives Matter flag. Outrageous! Continue reading Somerville/Medford News Weekly Speakup Line:Curtatone has no problem lighting up Prospect Hill Tower in blue when it comes to his crooked party but not for when it comes to the police who protect us →