Our sincere condolences thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of Arthur J. Roderick on his passing.

Arthur J. Roderick was a wonderful person who will be sadly missed here in Somerville. Continue reading Somerville Remembering Arthur J. Roderick →

We would like to cordially invite the general public to an open meeting to discuss the ramifications and current policies concerning the special needs, autistic individuals, and all other disabled children that the city may not provide enough needs to meet their demands. Continue reading Somerville Mayoral Candidate William Tauro to Host Meeting on Dec 10th from 6PM-7PM to Discuss Ramifications and Current Policies Concerning The Special Needs, Autistic Individuals, Disabled Children That the City May Not Provide Enough Needs to Meet Their Demands →

By Bob Katzen

The senate 40-0, approved an estimated $46 billion fiscal 2021 state budget that uses $1.5 billion from the state’s Rainy Day Fund to help cover expenses. The budget increases spending by 5.5 percent over last fiscal year’s 2020 budget. The Senate added $36.1 million in additional spending during two days of debate. The package also includes a controversial amendment that would allow abortions after 24 weeks in the case of lethal fetal anomalies and lower the age from 18 to 16 that a minor can choose to have an abortion without parental or judicial consent. Continue reading APPROVE $46 BILLION FISCAL 2021 STATE BUDGET →

By Bob Katzen

The senate 33-7, approved a budget amendment that would allow abortions after 24 weeks in the case of lethal fetal anomalies and lower the age from 18 to 16 at which a minor can choose to have an abortion without parental or judicial consent. Continue reading INCREASE ABORTION ACCESS →

By Bob Katzen

The senate 4-35, rejected an amendment that would change the current law under which credit card companies process transactions and send the money from the sale price and the sales tax directly to the merchant. The merchant then has up to 50 days to send the sales tax portion to the state. Continue reading REQUIRE CREDIT CARD COMPANIES TO PAY SALES TAX DIRECTLY TO THE STATE →

By Bob Katzen

The senate 7-32, rejected an amendment that would allow bars and pubs to apply for food service establishment permits in order to be designated as restaurants for purposes of the phased reopening. It also directs local licensing authorities to expedite review and processing of these applications. Continue reading ALLOW STATE TO EXPEDITE FOOD LICENSES →

By Bob Katzen

The Senate 12-27, rejected an amendment that would cap delivery fees charged by third parties like GrubHub, DoorDash and Uber Eats at 15 percent of the order price until 45 days after the COVID-19 state of emergency ends. When the pandemic struck, many restaurants were not equipped to offer online ordering or delivery and are forced to rely heavily on these delivery companies. Continue reading STATE TO CAP FOOD DELIVERY CHARGES →

By Bob Katzen

This bill provides a stimulus check to taxpayers who use an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) and who are not eligible to obtain a Social Security number. The state-funded stimulus check would be equal to the federal stimulus checks of $1,200 for individual filers, $2,400 for joint filers and $500 per child that is currently provided by the federal government through the CARES Act. It will also provide $10 million to immigrant aid organizations.
Continue reading STIMULUS CHECKS TO IMMIGRANT TAXPAYERS (S 2659) →

By Bob Katzen

Bill (H 4516) – Allows cities and towns the option to charge a 2 percent surtax on current property taxes to help build or repair affordable housing or provide rental vouchers in the community. The surtax would take effect only upon approval by a two-thirds vote of the local city council or board of selectmen and acceptance by the voters as a ballot question at the next regular municipal or state election. Continue reading ALLOW CITIES AND TOWNS TO IMPOSE A 2 PERCENT SURTAX ON PROPERTY TAXES →

Bill (H 4727)provides $1,000 to Massachusetts residents with a 1- or 2-person household earning up to $84,000 annually; 3-person household earning up to $105,000 annually; and 4 or more-person households earning up to $131,000 annually. Each household with a dependent would receive an additional $500 per dependent. Continue reading STATE TO PROVIDE $1,000 TO FAMILIES (H 4727) →

By Bob Katzen

Associate SJC Justice Kimberly Budd was confirmed as the next chief justice of the SJC after she was unanimously confirmed 7-0 by the Governor’s Council to succeed the late Chief Justice Ralph Gants. When sworn in, she will make history and become the first Black woman to lead the state’s highest court.
Continue reading KIMBERLY BUDD CONFIRMED AS CHIEF JUSTICE OF THE STATE’S SUPREME JUDICIAL COURT (SJC) →

By Bob Katzen

U.S. Attorney Andrew Lelling’s Office and the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division have concluded an investigation into conditions at Massachusetts prisons and say that the conditions violate the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution.

The report determined that there is reasonable cause to believe that the Massachusetts Department of Correction (MDOC) fails to provide constitutionally adequate supervision to prisoners in mental health crisis; fails to provide adequate mental health care to prisoners in mental health crisis; and violates the constitutional rights of prisoners in mental health crisis by using prolonged mental health watch under restrictive housing conditions. As a result of these failures and conditions, prisoners in mental health crisis have engaged in self-harm and have died or seriously injured themselves while on mental health watch.

“Our investigation found cause to conclude that the MDOC fails to properly supervise and accommodate prisoners suffering from serious mental health issues,” said Lelling. “The conditions at MDOC facilities show how systemic deficiencies in prison facilities can compound each other and amount to constitutional violations. MDOC has cooperated with our investigation from the beginning and we look forward to working with state prison authorities to implement reform measures.”

“Unfortunately, we are not surprised,” said Carol Rose, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts. “Far too many people are incarcerated in conditions that threaten their health, safety and human dignity on a daily basis. From providing adequate mental health care to slowing the spread of COVID-19, Massachusetts must do more to save the lives of people in jails and prisons. Above all, Massachusetts must downsize the footprint of its criminal legal system for the sake of public health and justice.”

Help plan for the future of the Assembly Square neighborhood by participating in one or more virtual sessions of the City’s Assembly Square Neighborhood Plan Update Public Design Charrette. Sessions are planned for Monday, November 30, through Friday, December 4, and will allow residents to share their ideas, talk with their neighbors, and learn more about Assembly Square planning. Continue reading Assembly Square Neighborhood Plan Update Public Design Charrette, 11/30-12/4 →

New somervilleremembers.org site features photographs of empty chairs in community locations to represent residents who have died due to coronavirus Continue reading Somerville Artists Honor Lives Lost to COVID-19 →

The City of Somerville is currently seeking applicants for a community member position on the School Opening Advisory Group. The Advisory Group will make COVID-19 data-based recommendations to the Mayor and Superintendent on school closures and reopenings. Continue reading Somerville’s School Opening Advisory Group Seeks Community Member →

By Arthur Moore

Back in the fifties we lived on Hinckley Street. Tiny apartment. Kinda normal back then as many people lived in tiny places with lots of children. Actually one bedroom but we made do with three boys in a tiny bedroom thanks to my dad making bunk beds. My parents had what would be the dining room. The place was heated from a kitchen stove that had a kerosene heater in it. And a kerosene heater in the living room.
Continue reading Thanksgiving on Hinckley Street →