Click on link below to read March 19th, 2024 The Somerville Medford News Weekly Print Edition Online March 19th, 2024 The Somerville Medford News Weekly Print Edition Online (1)
Continue reading March 19th, 2024 The Somerville/Medford News Weekly Print Edition Online →

By Bob Katzen

“Hosting the inaugural ClimaTech summit is an incredible opportunity to show global climate leaders how Massachusetts is uniquely qualified to be the climate innovation lab for the world. We’re pioneering new industries and developing cutting-edge technologies that will power a healthier future, create high-quality jobs and ensure a sustainable future for our community.” Continue reading This Week’s QUOTABLE QUOTES On Beacon Hill →

By Bob Katzen

The House gave initial approval to a bill that would allow a person with certain eviction records, including no-fault eviction, eviction for non-payment of rent, fault eviction or eviction resulting in dismissal or judgment in favor of the defendant, to petition for the sealing of those records under certain circumstances. Continue reading SEAL EVICTION RECORDS (H 4356) →

By Bob Katzen

The House gave initial approval to a bill that amends a current law which provides that a non-profit group lose its civil liability protection if it pays any amount of stipend to a board member. The bill would allow the non-profit to retain its civil liability protection as long as the stipend is not more than $500. Continue reading $500 STIPEND FOR NON-PROFIT BOARD MEMBERS (H 4358) →

By Bob Katzen

The House gave initial approval to a bill that imposes a prison sentence of between 90 days and 2.5 years or a fine of between $500 and $5,000 on a person who assaults a transit worker while the transit worker is performing his or her duties. The measure also expands the definition of assault to cover flinging a bodily substance including blood, saliva, mucous, semen, urine or feces. Continue reading ASSAULT A TRANSIT WORKER (H 4355) →

By Bob Katzen

The House gave initial approval to a bill that applies the federal law known as the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act to any museums and state agencies that receive state or local funding in the state of Massachusetts. Continue reading NATIVE AMERICAN GRAVES PROTECTION AND REPATRIATION ACT (H 3248) →

By Bob Katzen

The House approved and sent to the Senate legislation that would prohibit employers from obtaining the credit reports of existing or potential employees except in certain circumstances including hiring for a position that requires national security clearance; a position for which a person is required by federal or state law to obtain a consumer report; and some executive or managerial positions at a financial institution. Continue reading BAN EMPLOYERS FROM ASKING FOR CREDIT REPORTS (H 1434) →

By Bob Katzen

Governor Healey has issued an executive order that would pardon misdemeanor marijuana possession convictions that occurred in Massachusetts before March 14, 2024. Continue reading GOVERNOR MAURA HEALEY MOVES TO PARDON MISDEMEANOR MARIJUANA POSSESSION →

By Bob Katzen

The Senate 7-32, rejected an amendment that would require a study which would make recommendations on employer-supported early education and care benefits, to include possible creation of a tax credit for employers that provide these early education and care benefits to their employees.
Continue reading CONSIDER TAX CREDIT FOR COMPANIES THAT PROVIDE EARLY EDUCATION AND CARE (S 2697) →

By Bob Katzen

The Senate 40-0, approved and sent to the House a bill aimed at making early education and care money more accessible and affordable for young families across the Bay State. The bill would make high-cost state grants for early education and care providers permanent; increase the income threshold to make more families eligible for childcare subsidies; and establish recommended salary and benefit guidelines for early childhood teachers commensurate with K-12 public school teachers. Continue reading EARLY EDUCATION AND CARE CHANGES (S 2697) →

Program delivering local housing support to help families often underserved by federal and state programs

SOMERVILLE – Mayor Katjana Ballantyne announced today the City of Somerville’s Office of Housing Stability’s (OHS) new Municipal Voucher Program that targets needed local support to families historically underserved by broader government housing programs. Continue reading Mayor Ballantyne Introduces Innovative Municipal Housing Voucher Program to Increase Housing Stability and Reduce Costs for Vulnerable Families →

Third Annual Event Will Feature Live Music, Games and Free Refreshments

SOMERVILLE – Mayor Ballantyne, the Somerville Commission for Women, Somernova, and the City’s Department Continue reading Mayor Ballantyne and Partners Invite Somerville Community to Women’s History Month Celebration →

Virtual Meeting Will Highlight Initial Design Concepts and Collect Neighborhood
Feedback

SOMERVILLE – Mayor Katjana Ballantyne, Ward 6 Councilor Lance Davis, and Ward 5 Councilor Naima Sait Continue reading Join the Morrison Avenue Flood Relief & Water Quality Improvements Community Meeting on March 25 →

SOMERVILLE – Are you passionate about contributing to the redevelopment and revitalization of Somerville’s neighborhoods? Consider applying for a position on the Somerville Redevelopment Authority (SRA) Board. The SRA is currently seeking applications for one open board position. The application deadline is April 15, 2024. Continue reading Join the Somerville Redevelopment Authority Board Help Shape the Future of Somerville’s Neighborhoods →

Obituary

Mrs. Gladys C. (Arritola) Gomez, of Medford, passed away surrounded by the love of her family on March 13, 2024 at the age of 84. Born and raised in Havana, Cuba, she was the daughter of the late Concepcion (Pubillones) and Julio Arritola. Continue reading Somerville/Medford Remembering Gladys C. (Arritola) Gomez →

Online Survey Now Available for Community to Share Ideas and Priorities for CPA-Funded Projects.
Virtual Public Hearing Will be Held on Wednesday, March 27, starting at 6:30 p.m.
Continue reading Somerville Community Preservation Act Program Seeks Input for Future Projects →

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

On behalf of an all-volunteer community planning committee, we invite you to sponsor Massachusetts’ sixth annual Our Community Salutes High School Enlistee Recognition Ceremony on May 19, 2024 at Gillette Stadium. Continue reading Somerville/Medford News Weekly Speakup Line: Sponsor MA high school seniors enlisting →

Obituary

Lisa “PIXIE” Ferrarini suddenly left our realm on March 11, 2024. The beloved mother of Briahnna and Joey, and Mema to Donminyk. Continue reading Somerville/Medford Remembering Lisa “PIXIE” Ferrarini →

This week Mayor Katjana Ballantyne announced the Somerville Office of Housing Stability’s (OHS) new Municipal Voucher Program to support Somerville’s most vulnerable families historically underserved by broader government housing programs. Continue reading Mayor Ballantyne Introduces Innovative Municipal Housing Voucher →

Obituary

Daniel Crawford Hargrove 65 of Cambridge passed away peacefully, March 14, 2024. Dan was the loving husband of Susan (Gray) Hargrove of Somerville and the adoring father of Daniel Hargrove. Continue reading Somerville/Medford Remembering Daniel Crawford Hargrove →

Obituary

Regina M. (Murphy) Sullivan, of Medford, passed away on March 16th surrounded by the love of her family, she was 70 years old. Continue reading Somerville/Medford Remembering Regina M. (Murphy) Sullivan →

Obituary
LaVoie Huard, Nicole K. – Of Billerica, passed away on Sunday, March 17, 2024. She was 39 years young. Continue reading Somerville/Medford Remembering Nicole K. LaVoie Huard →

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

Note: This letter was written and then read before the Medford City Council on Tuesday evening, March 12, 2024.

It expresses my thoughts on the state of the city of Medford’s elected city council body and the direction they are taking us.

Thank you!
Anthony D’Antonio Continue reading Somerville/Medford News Weekly Speakup Line:Medford Residents Speaking Up Against City Council →

Dear Neighbor,

I hope this email reaches you and your family in good health and safety. I wanted to briefly update you about my vote opposing legislation to ban the social media app, TikTok, and share an important new resource during tax filing season.

Banning TikTok is the Wrong Approach
Continue reading My Vote on the TikTok Ban and the IRS’ New Free, Direct Tax-Filing Program →