City of Somerville Announces Agreement Increasing School Crossing Guard Pay and Benefits

SOMERVILLE – Mayor Katjana Ballantyne is announcing that the City of Somerville, and the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), have successfully reached a collective bargaining agreement that will provide better wages and benefits for these essential public safety employees. Continue reading City of Somerville Announces Agreement Increasing School Crossing Guard Pay and Benefits

This Week’s QUOTABLE QUOTES On Beacon Hill

By Bob Katzen

“Mass Department of Transportation is excited to be taking this step toward a brighter future for our environment and for ourselves with the installation of a state-wide network of reliable fast-charging stations for electric vehicles. Fast-charging stations at convenient locations along major roads will absolutely lead to reduced air pollution, fewer gas-guzzling cars on our roads, and a willingness by people to make smarter choices which will help combat climate change.” Continue reading This Week’s QUOTABLE QUOTES On Beacon Hill

JUNK FEES

By Bob Katzen

A public hearing was held on Attorney General Andrea Campbell’s office’s recently proposed regulations cracking down on hidden junk fees. The proposed rules would require upfront total pricing of any items and services, disclosure about the nature and purpose of fees and taxes and make it easier for consumers to cancel trial offers and renewal fees. Continue reading JUNK FEES

Somerville Releases Strategic Study to Help Small Businesses Avoid Commercial Displacement

Mayor Katjana Ballantyne and the City of Somerville’s Office of Strategic Planning & Community Development (OSPCD) are announcing the release of Mitigating Commercial Displacement in Somerville, MA, a study commissioned by Somerville’s Economic Development team, and authored by graduate students from the Rappaport Greater Boston Advanced Applied Field Lab and the Bloomberg-Harvard Cities Field Lab at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government. Continue reading Somerville Releases Strategic Study to Help Small Businesses Avoid Commercial Displacement

City of Somerville Announces Agreement Increasing School Crossing Guard Pay and Benefits

Mayor Katjana Ballantyne recently announced that the City of Somerville and the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) have successfully reached an agreement to provide better wages and benefits for Somerville crossing guards. Highlights from the new contract terms include a 20 percent pay increase from $20 to $24/an hour and paid sick leave benefits. Continue reading City of Somerville Announces Agreement Increasing School Crossing Guard Pay and Benefits

You’re Invited to the 2024 City of Somerville Inauguration Ceremonies

The Somerville community is invited to attend the 2024 Inauguration celebration on Tuesday, January 2. At the Inauguration your elected officials get sworn in for their two-year terms in office, followed by addresses from the Mayor, President of the City Council, and Chair of the School Committee. Continue reading You’re Invited to the 2024 City of Somerville Inauguration Ceremonies

Somerville/Medford Remembering Toi Van Ngo

Obituary
Mr. Toi Van Ngo passed away at his Medford home; surrounded by his devoted family on December 21, 2023, he was 96. Born and raised in Bac Ninh, Vietnam he was the son of the late Loi Van Ngo and Dau Thi Nguyen.

The beloved husband of the late Hien Kim Do, he was the father of nine children and grandfather of many loving grandchildren and great grand children.

Visiting Hours will be held in the George L. Doherty Funeral Home, 855 Broadway (Powder House Sq.) Somerville on Friday, December 29th from 4:00PM to 8:00PM.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated in Saint Clement Church – Blessed Andrew Phu Yen Parish, on Saturday, December 30th at 10:00AM. Relatives and friends invited to attend. Continue reading Somerville/Medford Remembering Toi Van Ngo

Family Fun on the Farm MVES and COAs Host Caregiver Program at Equine Farm

Photo:Anne and Bryan Hamlin of Medford are pictured with one of the friendly horses at Ironstone Farm. The Hamlins were among group that visited the farm as part of Mystic Valley Elder Services’ Caregiver Support Program.

Mystic Valley Elder Services’ (MVES) Memory Café has been traveling this fall! Memory Cafés bring together people with memory loss and their family caregivers to share positive experiences and build support networks. Memory Cafés are offered as part of MVES’ Caregiver Support Program. Recently, the Memory Café visited Ironstone Farm, a therapeutic horse farm in Andover. Continue reading Family Fun on the Farm MVES and COAs Host Caregiver Program at Equine Farm

Volunteer Today for the Somerville Pedestrian & Transit Advisory and Somerville Bicycle Advisory Committees

Applications Due February 9, 2024

SOMERVILLE – The City of Somerville is seeking volunteers to join both the Somerville Pedestrian & Transit Advisory Committee (PTAC) and the Somerville Bicycle Advisory Committee (SBAC). PTAC and SBAC advise the City on projects, policy, and programs related to walking, bicycling, and transit as a means of transportation in Somerville and work to create a safer and more equitable built environment for people of all ages and abilities.
Continue reading Volunteer Today for the Somerville Pedestrian & Transit Advisory and Somerville Bicycle Advisory Committees

Join Somerville’s 248th Annual Grand Union Flag Raising 

Program begins at 11:30 a.m. with Procession from City Hall to Prospect Hill

SOMERVILLE – Mayor Katjana Ballantyne and the Somerville Museum will kick off the New Year on Monday, January 1, 2024, with a ceremony for the anniversary of the “Grand Union” flag-raising ceremony at Prospect Hill Park. Continue reading Join Somerville’s 248th Annual Grand Union Flag Raising 

This Week’s QUOTABLE QUOTES On Beacon Hill

By Bob Katzen

“Farmers are on the front lines of an increasingly volatile climate. When the farming community is hurting, we are hurting. Our administration has been committed to helping these farms in their time of need. The agricultural industry is instrumental in our food system and the overall economy. We hope this funding will go a long way towards ensuring this sector remains resilient.” Continue reading This Week’s QUOTABLE QUOTES On Beacon Hill

SENATORS’ SUPPORT OF THEIR PARTY’S LEADERSHIP IN 2023 THROUGH DECEMBER 15

By Bob Katzen

The percentage next to the senator’s name represents the percentage of times the senator supported his or her party’s leadership so far in 2023 through December 15. The number in parentheses represents the number of times the senator opposed his or her party’s leadership.
Continue reading SENATORS’ SUPPORT OF THEIR PARTY’S LEADERSHIP IN 2023 THROUGH DECEMBER 15

THE SOMERVILLE ELECTION STALL-OUT

By Richard Scirocco

A correspondence detailing only a few of the Election violations by the Somerville Election personnel was served on the State and Federal Officials on the 17th of November 2023. A quick response from the Secretary of States legal representation responded with a standard
delay of “addressing other issues seperately”. As time is of the essence, and major impact to decisions are made, i.e. policies ,raising of taxes, etc. , the State Legal Department policy was exercising their preference of not acting immediately, but, it appears instead waiting out the timeline until the swearing in of a candidate. Continue reading THE SOMERVILLE ELECTION STALL-OUT

Kiwanis Club of Somerville, Somerville Lions Club, Somerville Rotary Club Host our Annual Toys For Tots Luncheon

SOMERVILLE: On Thursday, December 14th, the Kiwanis Club of Somerville, along with our friends from the Somerville Lions Club and Somerville Rotary Club hosted our annual Toys For Tots luncheon at the Mount Vernon Restaurant. Continue reading Kiwanis Club of Somerville, Somerville Lions Club, Somerville Rotary Club Host our Annual Toys For Tots Luncheon

A Message From Medford Mayor Breanna Lungo-Koehn:Transforming Medford High School

We have just taken a major step forward toward our goal of transforming Medford High School!

The Massachusetts School Building Authority voted to move our application into the Eligibility Phase of the School Building Process. We’re now that much closer to reimagining the facility and strengthening our learning environment for students, teachers and staff. Continue reading A Message From Medford Mayor Breanna Lungo-Koehn:Transforming Medford High School

Somerville/Medford News Weekly Speakup Line:Assembly Row And City Of Somerville Not Playing By The Rules

Dear Billy T and Somerville/Medford News Weekly Speakup Line,

I spoke with you earlier today.

The main issues that I see in this situation is A. discrimination from the landlord B. The cities policy on wait list for inclusionary housing is anti disability in ADA accessible as well as the fact that this has been going on for years and nobody bothered to notice which means that ADA accessible needing people have not been getting the units they needed for years. C. the fact that the unit that I live in was approved by the city inclusionary housing, engineers, building department, zoning department, and the apartments as being ADA when in fact it is in complete violation of all ADA building codes. Continue reading Somerville/Medford News Weekly Speakup Line:Assembly Row And City Of Somerville Not Playing By The Rules

This Week’s QUOTABLE QUOTES On Beacon Hill

“Well, I’m proud of the things that we were able to get done this year. You know, as I look back, and it’s a time of reflection to a certain extent, as I look back on the year, I mean, the budget that we passed that I signed, [had] really, really important investments, education, workforce, climate initiatives, housing. Tax cuts for the first time in over 20 years.”
—Gov. Maura Healey reflecting on her first year in office. Continue reading This Week’s QUOTABLE QUOTES On Beacon Hill

FINES FOR NOISE VIOLATIONS (H 2026)

By Bob Katzen

The Municipalities and Regional Government Committee held a hearing on legislation that would allow cities and towns to make a property owner responsible for the cost of excessive noise complaint calls made to the police about noise at the owner’s address. Under the bill, the property owner would be required to reimburse the city or town for each police call that exceeds more than ten in a calendar year. Continue reading FINES FOR NOISE VIOLATIONS (H 2026)

Somerville/Medford Remembering Sandra D. Ross

Obituary
On December 7, 2023 the greater Boston area lost one of its most delightful and fun-loving residents. Sandra DeShaffon Ross passed to the better life just months before her eightieth birthday, a source of great sadness for all those who know and love her. Among her final pronouncements, she reflected on her life with her customary cheerfulness, exclaiming, “What a ride! No regrets!” Continue reading Somerville/Medford Remembering Sandra D. Ross

Somerville/Medford News Weekly Speakup Line: How to Buy an Election

Disclaimer:The opinions and views expressed in the commentaries of Somerville/Medford News Weekly, Boston News Group’s News Publications belong solely to the authors of those commentaries and do not reflect the views or opinions of The Somerville/Medford News Weekly, Mass Publishing and Boston News Group, it’s publications, its staff or publishers.)

Dear Billy T and Somerville/Medford News Weekly Speakup Line,

By Robert L. Peters

1 – Make sure no money exchanges hands in a verifiable way.
2 – Blackmail. Elite Membership Prostitution Ring, Epstein-style.
3 – Big Tech Censorship Assistance.
4 – Schmooze with Royalty to Legitimize yourself.
5 – Mask your involvement with a Front.

​Crystalizing Public Opinion – 101 Continue reading Somerville/Medford News Weekly Speakup Line: How to Buy an Election

Somerville/Medford News Weekly Speakup Line: 300% increase through for elected officials, meanwhile we have female teachers who only got 3% raise and to get the funds for this 90k

Dear Billy T and Somerville/Medford News Weekly Speakup Line,

Okay am I the only one who has an issue with the fact Nicole Morell is trying to pull a sneak move and push this 300% increase through for elected officials, meanwhile we have female teachers who only got 3% raise and to get the funds for this 90k it will come from the school department???

Wow is all I have to say our teachers deserve better than this shame on you Nicole. I’m so disappointed.
Continue reading Somerville/Medford News Weekly Speakup Line: 300% increase through for elected officials, meanwhile we have female teachers who only got 3% raise and to get the funds for this 90k

Somerville COA December Press Outreach 12-1-23

Open Enrollment Begins on October 15th and runs to December 7th. Medicare recipients can change their health insurance plans for January 1, 2024. While having the freedom to change your health insurance plan can save you money, there are many health insurance plans and companies to choose from. You don’t have to make the decision alone, the Somerville Council on Aging has SHINE Counseling available in person, over the phone, or on Zoom to assist you with comparing what health insurance options are available for you. You can call Natasha Naim at 617-625-6600, ext. 2317 or Molly Pagliuca at ext. 2318 to book an appointment. Continue reading Somerville COA December Press Outreach 12-1-23

This Week’s QUOTABLE QUOTES On Beacon Hill

By Bob Katzen

“I promise all the constituents of this district that I will work hard to ensure that your interests are represented on Beacon Hill. I will work continuously to make a positive difference for our district and our commonwealth. I will always stand with the taxpayers, help small businesses and ensure that our state government is accountable.” Continue reading This Week’s QUOTABLE QUOTES On Beacon Hill

BAN HOSTILE ARCHITECTURE THAT TARGETS THE HOMELESS (H 3963)

By Bob Katzen

The State Administration and Regulatory Oversight Committee held a hearing on a proposal that would prohibit the state, the MBTA and cities and towns from constructing “hostile architecture” that supporters of the ban say targets the homeless and tries to push them out of certain areas. The bill defines hostile architecture as “any building or structure that is designed or intended to prevent unhoused individuals from sitting or lying on the building or structure at street level.” Continue reading BAN HOSTILE ARCHITECTURE THAT TARGETS THE HOMELESS (H 3963)

MA House of Representatives: 29.4 percent (47 representatives out of 160) have missed one or more roll calls

By Bob Katzen

THE HOUSE AND SENATE: There were no roll call votes in the House or Senate last week. This week, Beacon Hill Roll Call reports local representatives’ roll call attendance records for the 2023 session through December 1.

The House has held 70 roll calls so far in 2023. Beacon Hill Roll Call tabulates the number of roll calls on which each representative was present and voting, and then calculates that number as a percentage of the total roll call votes held. That percentage is the number referred to as the roll call attendance record. Continue reading MA House of Representatives: 29.4 percent (47 representatives out of 160) have missed one or more roll calls