The City is continuing the discussion as we reimagine the landscape of Somerville’s Junction Park. Join us for the second virtual meeting on Wednesday, June 29, at 6 p.m. to hear proposed plans, discuss future park programming, and to give your ideas for the space. Continue reading Imagine Somerville’s Junction Park
Daily Archives: June 27, 2022
Audit Advises Massachusetts Department of Higher Education to Ensure All Employees Receive Cybersecurity Awareness Training
BOSTON – Today the Office of State Auditor Suzanne M. Bump (OSA) released an audit of the Department of Higher Education (DHE), which identified that DHE did not ensure all employees responsible for managing and administering Governor’s Emergency Education Relief (GEER) Funds, completed annual cybersecurity awareness training. Continue reading Audit Advises Massachusetts Department of Higher Education to Ensure All Employees Receive Cybersecurity Awareness Training
Congratulations to Somerville High School Sweethearts Robert and Nancy (Noble) Barletta Celebrating 60th Wedding Anniversary
Robert (Bob) and Nancy (Noble) Barletta are celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary on Thursday, June 30, 2022. Bob and Nancy were Somerville High School sweethearts. Bob played on the football team and Nancy was a cheerleader. Bob went on to be a lieutenant at the Somerville Fire Department and Nancy spent 27 years as an Avon District Sales manager representing Somerville and Medford. Currently Bob and Nancy split time in Medford and Cape Coral, FL. They have 3 grown children and 9 grandchildren who they will be celebrating this terrific milestone with later this week. Continue reading Congratulations to Somerville High School Sweethearts Robert and Nancy (Noble) Barletta Celebrating 60th Wedding Anniversary
Somerville/Medford Remembering Rosemary M. Hanley
HANLEY, Rosemary (Murphy) – Of Somerville suddenly June 22, 2022.
Beloved daughter of the late Catherine Murphy.
Sister of Kathleen Lyons. Also survived by many loving neices, nephews and cousins. Continue reading Somerville/Medford Remembering Rosemary M. Hanley
Real Life Somerville Police Stories: (B&E for Misdemeanor)
On Sunday, June 26, 2022, I, Officer Sergio Garcia, was working patrol in full uniform during my assigned 12 AM to 8 AM shift. In the West District, cruiser 186. At approximately 06:26 AM, I responded to XXX Highland Ave for a report of a suspicious person. Continue reading Real Life Somerville Police Stories: (B&E for Misdemeanor)
Fellow Somerville Police Officers Rally For Deceased Fellow Officer
THIS WEEK’S QUOTABLE QUOTES ON BEACON HILL – BAY STATE GUBERNATORIAL ELECTION EDITION
Sen. Sonia Chang Diaz (D-Boston) dropped out of the race for the Democratic nomination for governor. Her name will still remain on the September Democratic primary ballot as June 10 was the last day a candidates can withdraw their name from the ballot. Her exit leaves Attorney General Maura Healey as the only Democrat actively campaigning for the Democratic nomination. Former Sen. Geoff Diehl and Chris Doughty are vying for the Republican nod.
Here are some quotes from Chang-Diaz upon her exit from the campaign: Continue reading THIS WEEK’S QUOTABLE QUOTES ON BEACON HILL – BAY STATE GUBERNATORIAL ELECTION EDITION
EXTEND TAX BREAKS TO MORE FARMERS (H 3059)
By Bob Katzen
The House approved and sent to the Senate a bill that would expand current law and make more farmers eligible for a favorable valuation of property process that results in a tax break. Under current law, to be eligible for the favorable valuation and the resulting tax break, a farmer must own and be farming a minimum of five contiguous acres of land. The bill would reduce the required number to two and not require the acres to be contiguous. The bill also reduces the required acres to two in cities or towns with a population of more than 50,000. Continue reading EXTEND TAX BREAKS TO MORE FARMERS (H 3059)
HIT AND RUN LAWS
By Bob Katzen
The House gave initial approval to legislation that would change a current law that imposes a fine of between $500 and $1,000 on any all-terrain vehicle (ATV) or other recreational vehicle driver who leaves the scene, without giving information to the driver of the other vehicle, of a hit and run accident that does not result in death. Continue reading HIT AND RUN LAWS
BAKER SIGNS ELECTION LAW BILL
By Bob Katzen
Governor Charlie Baker signed into law the bill making permanent the mail-in and early voting options used in Massachusetts in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. This version of the bill did not include the controversial section allowing same-day voter registration. Continue reading BAKER SIGNS ELECTION LAW BILL
REACTION ON BEACON HILL TO THE U.S. SUPREME COURT RULING STRIKING DOWN ROE V WADE
By Bob Katzen
There was swift reaction across the state to the Supreme Court’s ruling that the constitution does not confer the right to an abortion and that decisions about regulating abortion are now up to each of the 50 states.
Continue reading REACTION ON BEACON HILL TO THE U.S. SUPREME COURT RULING STRIKING DOWN ROE V WADE
$10.9 BILLION TRANSPORTATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE PACKAGE (H 4897)
By Bob Katzen
House 155-0, approved and sent to the Senate a nearly $11 billion transportation and infrastructure package that includes $400 million for the MBTA to address safety problems identified by the Federal Transit Administration’s Safety Management Inspection and $250 million for initial steps toward a western Massachusetts rail extension. Continue reading $10.9 BILLION TRANSPORTATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE PACKAGE (H 4897)
Citywide Parking Data & Potential Policy Changes
The City’s Mobility Division is hosting two opportunities virtually next week to discuss the findings from the Citywide Parking and Curb Use Study. Staff will discuss key learnings from data analysis and potential policy and occupancy recommendations to bring citywide parking policies in alignment with City goals, community values, and future needs. Attendees can provide feedback on the proposed recommendations to help inform next steps to policy changes.
Continue reading Citywide Parking Data & Potential Policy Changes
Pair of Community Listening Sessions to Address Future of 90 Washington Street Site
Mayor Ballantyne and the City of Somerville are hosting a pair of listening sessions next week to hear from the community about the future of 90 Washington Street. Participate in person on Tuesday, June 28, at 6 p.m. at the East Somerville Community School (50 Cross Street) or virtually on Wednesday, June 29, at 6 p.m.
Continue reading Pair of Community Listening Sessions to Address Future of 90 Washington Street Site
Somerville/Medford News Weekly Speakup Line: New Somerville City Councilor Jake Wilson Has No Clue
Dear Billy T and Somerville/Medford News Weekly Speakup Line,
Check out this crock of crap from a carpet bagger whack job Somerville City Councilor. He has no idea what he’s talking about. Welcome to Somerville you fool!:
FYI. From city councilor Jake Wilson’s newsletter today if you haven’t seen it
“I’ve had a number of folks ask me about the FBI’s arrest on Friday of local attorney and former Ward 5 alderman Sean O’Donovan on federal charges stemming from allegations of attempted bribery of the Medford police chief. This is an extremely sad development and the charges are gravely concerning. But I also want to stress the importance of due process here — and the presumption of innocence in our legal system.
Continue reading Somerville/Medford News Weekly Speakup Line: New Somerville City Councilor Jake Wilson Has No Clue