Continue reading SMEA Somerville Municipal Employees Association “IN UNITY THERE IS STRENGTH” Tonight at Union Square in Somerville →

Click on link below to read June 11th, 2024 The Somerville Medford News Weekly Print Edition Online June 11th, 2024 The Somerville Medford News Weekly Print Edition Online
Continue reading June 11th, 2024 The Somerville Medford News Weekly Print Edition Online →

By Bob Katzen

“After a stay in the hospital, most patients are eager to get back home. These grants will allow patients to return to their homes and communities sooner and in a safe and supported environment.” Continue reading This Week’s QUOTABLE QUOTES On Beacon Street →

By Bob Katzen

The Elections Laws Committee has recommended passage of a bill that would allow a candidate for public office to use campaign funds for childcare while the candidate is campaigning on his or her own behalf or attending events directly related to his or her campaign.
Continue reading CHILD CARE FOR CANDIDATES FOR PUBLIC OFFICE (S 422/H 669) →

By Bob Katzen

The House 29-127, rejected an amendment that would allow cities and towns to count mobile homes as homes that count toward the Chapter 40B law that enables local Zoning Boards of Appeals to approve affordable housing developments under flexible rules if at least 20 percent to 25 percent of the units have long-term affordability restrictions. Continue reading COUNT MOBILE HOMES (H 4070) →

By Bob Katzen

House 32-126, rejected an amendment that would require the Department of Housing and Community Development to develop and promulgate regulations allowing a city or town affected by the zoning provisions of the MBTA Communities Act to appeal for relief from those provisions. Any appeal would have to be based on at least one of the following criteria: the community’s inability to meet the drinking water supply or wastewater requirements necessary to support the housing units authorized by the law’s zoning provisions; the inability of municipal transportation infrastructure to safely accommodate the increased population attributable to this housing development; any adverse environmental impacts attributable to the development of housing units under this act; and any adverse impacts on historic properties. Continue reading APPEAL MBTA COMMUNITIES ACT (H 4707) →

By Bob Katzen

The House 27-130, rejected an amendment that would waive the requirements of the MBTA Communities Act for cities and towns that have met their Chapter 40B affordable housing threshold. The Chapter 40B law enables local Zoning Boards of Appeals to approve affordable housing developments under flexible rules if at least 20 percent to 25 percent of the units have long-term affordability restrictions.
Continue reading WAIVER FROM MBTA COMMUNITIES ACT (H 4077) →

By Bob Katzen

The House 145-13, approved and sent to the Senate a bill which supporters said includes $6.5 billion in bond authorizations, tax credits and several policy initiatives that promote housing production, facilitate the development of affordable housing and preserve public housing in Massachusetts.
Continue reading $6.5 BILLION HOUSING PACKAGE (H 4070) →

Obituary
Sunrise: November 11, 1931 – Sunset: May 31, 2024

Mathilde LaFleur “Grun, Ti Mat, Grun Tutoon, Coco”- With profound sadness, we announce the passing of Mathilde LaFleur, affectionately known as “Grun, Ti Mat, Grun Tutoon, Coco,” who departed this life peacefully on May 31, 2024, at the age of 92 in Malden, Massachusetts. Born on November 11, 1931, in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Mathilde lived a life rich in love, faith, and community service. Continue reading Somerville/Medford Remembering Mathilde LeFleur →