Click on link below to read August 13th, 2024 The Somerville Medford News Weekly Print Edition Online August 13th, 2024 The Somerville Medford News Weekly Print Edition Online (1)
Continue reading August 13th, 2024 The Somerville Medford News Weekly Print Edition Online →

By Bob Katzen

“Survivors of sexual assault already have so many obstacles to overcome when bringing their experiences forward. We have tools to hold perpetrators accountable and help survivors but unaddressed delays minimize the injustice experienced by survivors and place others at risk for potential assaults. The Executive Office of Public Safety and Security needs to take these matters seriously, and ensure these kits are being tracked correctly, processing kits on time and in accordance with the law.” Continue reading This Week’s QUOTABLE QUOTES On Beacon Hill →

By Bob Katzen

The Senate approved and sent to the House a bill that would extend employment protection for workers employed through a temporary hiring agency. These workers, if they are victims of domestic assault, could not have their contract terminated if they miss a reasonable amount of time for certain appointments. Covered appointments include doctor’s appointments, hospital stays and court dates. This would mirror the protections currently granted to bona fide employees of a company.
Continue reading DOMESTIC ASSAULT AND JOBS (S 2934) →

By Bob Katzen

Gov. Healey signed into law legislation designed to benefit veterans in the Bay State by broadening the definition of a veteran, increasing tax credits and state benefits for which they are eligible and modernizing the services on which they rely.
Continue reading VETERANS BENEFITS (S 2817) →

By Bob Katzen

The House and Senate approved and sent to Gov. Healey a measure that would require a manufacturer or person that sells Firefighting Personal Protective Equipment to any person or government agency, to provide, beginning January 1, 2025, written notice to the buyer, at the time of sale, if the equipment contains toxic per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance chemicals, known as PFAS. The seller would also have to provide the reason the chemicals were added to the equipment. Beginning on January 1, 2027, the bill prohibits any person from manufacturing, knowingly selling or distributing any equipment containing intentionally added PFAS chemicals.
Continue reading PROTECT FIREFIGHTERS (S 2902) →

By Bob Katzen

Gov. Healey signed into law legislation changing how a family is defined in state law.

Supporters said the new law would ensure legal parentage equality by protecting LGBTQ+ families, and children born through surrogacy and assisted reproduction, in forming the legal bond of a parent-child relationship. They said the measure would dismantle archaic legal barriers to basic parenting responsibilities for modern families, opening the door to legally attend and make decisions during medical appointments, manage a child’s finances, participate in educational decisions and provide authorizations for a child’s travel. Continue reading PARENTAGE EQUALITY (S 2906) →

By Bob Katzen

The Senate 40-0, approved and Gov. Healey signed into law legislation that would provide police officers who have suffered a violent act injury, 100 percent regular compensation and pension benefits, until they reach the age of mandatory retirement. Violent act injury is defined as “a serious and permanent personal bodily injury sustained as a direct and proximate result of a violent attack upon a person by means of a dangerous weapon, including a firearm, knife, automobile, explosive device or other dangerous weapon.” Continue reading DISABILITY PENSION FOR POLICE OFFICERS (S 2887) →

By Bob Katzen

The House 155-2, overrode Gov. Healey’s veto of $5 million (reducing funding from $10 million to $5 million) for the Food Security Infrastructure Grant Program which was created to ensure that individuals and families have access to food, especially food that is produced locally, and equitable access to food. The program also seeks to ensure that farmers, fisherman and other local food producers are better connected to a strong, resilient food system to help mitigate future food supply and distribution disruption.
Continue reading $5 MILLION FOR FOOD SECURITY (H 4800) →

By Bob Katzen

The House 155-2, overrode Gov. Healey’s veto of $800,000 (reducing funding from $12.7 million to $11.9 million) for the Department of Agriculture. The veto includes cuts of $100,000 from the Massachusetts Food Trust Program; another $100,000 from the Buy Local effort; and the entire $250,000 for local food policy councils.

The Senate did not act on the veto so the veto stands and the $800,000 was eliminated.
Continue reading $800,000 FOR DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FOOD PROGRAMS (H 4800) →

By Bob Katzen

The House 155-2, overrode Gov. Healey’s veto of the entire $1.5 million for the Massachusetts Sewer Rate Relief Fund which was established in 1993 to help reduce the rising costs of sewer services in the Bay State.

The Senate did not act on the veto so the veto stands and the $1.5 million was eliminated.
Continue reading $1.5 MILLION FOR WATER AND SEWER RELIEF (H 4800) →

By Bob Katzen

The House 128-24, Senate 37-2, approved and Gov. Maura Healey signed into law a housing bill that would authorize $5.1 billion in borrowing to spur housing production in the Bay State.
Continue reading $5.1 BILLION FOR HOUSING (H 4977) →

As the risk of disease rises, continue to protect yourself from mosquitoes and ticks this season.

SOMERVILLE–
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) has
announced
the first positive human case of West
Nile Virus (WNV) and first animal case of
Eastern Continue reading Prevent West Nile Virus as First Human Case Confirmed in Massachusetts →

Margaret Klessens is 100 years young on August 17th 2024. She is a World War II Army Veteran born and raised in Charlestown Mass. She moved to Somerville in 1962 where she raised her family. Continue reading Somerville Resident Margaret Klessens Turns 100 →

SOMERVILLE – On Tuesday, September 3, 2024 the Commonwealth of Massachusetts will hold its State Primary Elections.

The offices on the ballot for this election include:
U.S. Senator
U.S. Representative
Governor’s Councillor
State Senator
State Representative
Register of Deeds
Clerk of Courts Continue reading Somerville Voting Information for State of Massachusetts Primary Elections →

Community Stories Will Help Inform City’s Anti-Displacement Efforts

SOMERVILLE – Mayor Katjana Ballantyne and the City of Somerville’s Department of Racial and Social Justice Continue reading Join Somerville’s Anti-Displacement Task Force Video Series to Share Your Story and Help Combat Displacement →

Meshell Ndegeocello’s New Album,
No More Water, Just Released!

We can’t wait for next month! Grammy-winning musician Meshell Ndegeocello will grace Arts at the Armory’s Spotlight Series and Performance Hall on Friday, September 20th. Continue reading Meshell Ndegeocello at Arts at the Armory Sep. 20 →

Somerville, MA– Grammy-winning musician Meshell Ndegeocello will grace Arts at the Armory’s Spotlight Series and Performance Hall on Friday, September 20, 2024. Continue reading The Center for Arts at the Armory’s Spotlight Series Presents Grammy-Winning Meshell Ndegeocello in September 2024 →

Citywide hydrant maintenance keeps hydrants ready in case of fire;

Temporary water discoloration may occur but water is safe to drink

SOMERVILLE– The Somerville Fire Department will begin the annual inspection and flushing of all fire hydrants citywide on Monday, August 12, 2024, Continue reading Fire Department to Conduct Hydrant Flushing August 12-24 →

Applications for two general public volunteer members due Friday, August 30

SOMERVILLE– The City of Somerville is currently seeking two general public volunteer members for the Community Preservation Committee (CPC). All Somerville residents
are welcome to apply.
Continue reading Join Somerville’s Community Preservation Committee →



William (Billy) Tauro is an individual of compassion, generosity, ethics and respect.

Billy’s parents came from Italy and his father served in the military here. As was true of my Uncle Larry (Navy), Billy’s father was in the D Day Invasion.

In Somerville, Massachusetts, all the Veterans statues and plaques were removed and put in storage. As one the those receiving this email bcc said, this is disgraceful. Continue reading A letter to Belmont Residents from Jane Schapiro Regarding William Tauro For Registrar of Deeds →