Click on link below to read June 25th, 2024 The Somerville Medford News Weekly Print Edition Online June 25th, 2024 The Somerville Medford News Weekly Print Edition Online (1)
Continue reading June 25th, 2024 The Somerville/Medford News Weekly Print Edition Online →

By Bob Katzen

“The clerk will modify the members and tell them that a roll call is in progress.”
—The closed captioning words that appeared on the screen of the live coverage online of the House of Representatives when the speaker announced, “The clerk will NOTIFY the members and tell them that a roll call is in progress.”
Continue reading This Week’s QUOTABLE QUOTES On Beacon Hill →

By Bob Katzen

The House gave initial approval to a bill that would require that cities and towns include a Transportation Demand Management (TDM) element in their master plans. Sponsors say that TDM studies policies aimed at giving people effective, reliable transportation options, often by spreading travel across modes, locations, routes and times of day. Continue reading CITIES AND TOWNS (H 3396) →

By Bob Katzen

The House gave initial approval to another Xiarhos proposal that would expand Nero’s Law, passed in 2022, that requires EMS personnel to provide basic emergency treatment to a police dog and use an ambulance to transport the dog injured in the line of duty to a veterinary clinic or veterinary hospital, Continue reading EXPAND NERO’S LAW (H 2423) →

By Bob Katzen

The House gave initial approval to a measure that would require superintendents of medium- and maximum-security prisons to block inmates from accessing free weights or any other exercise equipment that is not secured.
Continue reading FREE WEIGHTS IN PRISONS (H 2422) →

By Bob Katzen

The House gave initial approval to legislation that would amend current law which imposes a fine between $10 and $100 on anyone convicted of illegal possession or use of fireworks. The bill would increase the penalty, in areas with a population density of 1,000 or more persons per square mile, to a fine of between $200 and $500 and/or a prison sentence or up to six months. Continue reading ILLEGAL FIREWORKS (H 3634) →

By Bob Katzen

The House gave initial approval to a bill that would require all new automobiles sold in the state after January 1, 2026 to be equipped with adaptive beam headlight technology which is currently used in other parts of the world including Europe, China and Canada.
Continue reading REQUIRE ADAPTIVE BEAM HEADLIGHT TECHNOLOGY (H 3419) →

By Bob Katzen

The House gave initial approval to a bill that would prohibit pet shops opened after January 1st, 2025 from offering dogs, cats and rabbits for sale. Pet shops existing prior to January 1, 2025 would be exempt from the law.
Continue reading PROHIBIT SALE OF DOGS, CATS AND RABBITS IN NEW PET STORES (S 2820) →

By Bob Katzen

Gov. Maura Healey signed into law a bill that would prohibit the posting of sexually explicit images of another person online without their permission— commonly referred to as “revenge porn.” The practice is often used by ex-spouses or ex-partners. The measure was recently unanimously approved by the House and Senate.
Continue reading REVENGE PORN AND TEEN SEXTING (H 4744) →

By Bob Katzen

The Senate 4-35, rejected an amendment that would require the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to report annually to the House, the Senate and the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, on any increased rates of recycling that can be attributed to the provisions of the new plastics law.
Continue reading REQUIRE REPORTING (S 2830) →

By Bob Katzen

The Senate 8-30, rejected an amendment that would make the up to 10 cent fee for paper bags optional for retailers to charge. The amendment would replace a section of the bill that requires stores to charge 10 cents for recycled paper bags with 5 cents retained by the retailer and 5 cents used to fund environmental protection measures.
Continue reading MAKE PAPER BAG FEE OPTIONAL (S 2830) →

By Bob Katzen

The Senate 38-2, approved a bill that would ban single-use plastic bags; make straws and plastic utensils available by request only; require stores to charge 10 cents for recycled paper bags with 5 cents retained by the retailer and 5 cents used to fund environmental protection measures; make it easier to recycle; create a statewide program for recycling large plastic objects including car seats; prohibit single-use plastic bottle purchases by state agencies; require do-not-flush labeling for non-flushable wipes made of plastic; and implement statewide composting.
Continue reading BAN SINGLE-USE PLASTIC BAGS AND MORE (S 2830) →

By Bob Katzen

The House 153-0, approved and sent to the Senate a maternal health bill that would require certified professional midwives and lactation consultants to be licensed; encourage the creation of more freestanding birth centers; expand access to postpartum depression screenings; and raise awareness of pregnancy loss and perinatal mood and anxiety disorders.
Continue reading MATERNAL HEALTH (H 4773) →

SOMERVILLE – Mayor Katjana Ballantyne and the Somerville Arts Council are inviting the community to NibbleFest, a celebration of Nibble Kitchen’s five-year anniversary at Bow Market, on Sunday, June 30, from 12-4 p.m. at Bow Market (entrance by 345 Somerville Ave). Continue reading Somerville Celebrating Five-Year Anniversary of Nibble Kitchen Restaurant and Business Incubator Community Invited to Join NibbleFest Celebration on Sunday, June 30, from 12-4 p.m. at Bow Market →

Improved wages and benefits codified in new union contract

SOMERVILLE—Mayor Katjana Ballantyne on behalf of the City of Somerville has reached a new agreement with the union representing its Fire Alarm Operators for a new contract, providing improved wages and benefits for a valued set of City workers.
Continue reading Mayor Ballantyne Announces New Union Agreement Increasing Pay & Benefits for Fire Alarm Unit →

Mildred Frances (Allen) Teixeira, aged 84, passed away peacefully, with her family by her side, on Saturday, June 15, 2024, after a courageous fight with cancer. Continue reading Somerville/Medford Remembering Mildred Frances (Allen) Teixeira →

Enjoy biking? Join the City’s Mobility division for a pop-up event: try out BlueBikes (e-bikes too!), learn about current Mobility projects in the city, and register for annual and income-eligible BlueBikes memberships. Continue reading Two individuals at a BlueBikes station to get bikes →

BARTER, Edward J. Sr. – Of Medford, formerly of Somerville passed away on Wednesday, June 19, 2024. He was 85. Continue reading Somerville/Medford Remembering Edward J. Barter Sr. →

Palmacci, Patricia L. (Bears)- Of Somerville, passed away at home on Friday, June 21, 2024. She was 84 years old.

Complete obit to be posted.

A Funeral Procession from the George L. Doherty Funeral Home will be held on Monday, July 1st at 9:30 AM. Followed by a Funeral Mass celebrated in St. Clement Church, 64 Warner St., Medford at 10:30 AM. Continue reading Somerville/Medford Remembering Palmacci, Patricia L. (Bears) →

David J. Marks, Of Somerville and Richlands, NC was born, raised, and educated in Somerville, passed away peacefully at the age of 62 on June 19, 2024. Continue reading Somerville/Medford Remembering David J. Marks →

Community Party Including Music, Food, and Fireworks Will Begin at 6 p.m. on Thursday, June 27

SOMERVILLE – Mayor Katjana Ballantyne is inviting Somerville to kick off their Fourth of July festivities by joining Somerville’s annual Fourth of July Fireworks Celebration at Trum Field (541 Broadway) on Thursday, June 27 (rain date Friday, June 28). Continue reading Somerville Invited to Join Fourth of July Community Fireworks Celebration →

Open House Will Showcase Proposed Street Safety Improvements and Collect
Neighborhood Feedback

SOMERVILLE – Mayor Katjana Ballantyne, Ward One Councilor Matthew McLaughlin, and City of Somerville Continue reading Somerville Hosting Tufts Street Reconstruction Community Open House, Wednesday, July 10 →