Mayor Jake Wilson Announces Executive Team Results-focused hires to improve core services, strengthen accountability, and deepen community partnerships

SOMERVILLE — Mayor Jake Wilson today announced the full slate of Executive Office appointments, an experienced team to deliver on his results-first agenda: improving core City services, increasing efficiency, strengthening communications and transparency, delivering accessibility and accountability, advancing equity, and building regional partnerships that benefit Somerville residents.While many have been on board since inauguration, two new hires recently completed the team.
Continue reading Mayor Jake Wilson Announces Executive Team Results-focused hires to improve core services, strengthen accountability, and deepen community partnerships

THIS WEEK’S QUOTABLE QUOTES ON BEACON HILL

By Bob Katzen

“Many of those taken into custody are long-standing members of our communities—parents, caregivers and workers whose sudden detention leaves their families in crisis. This has had far-reaching consequences for their children, families our communities and the state of Massachusetts.”
— Gov. Healey demanding that ICE provide, in one week, complete and accurate information on every person arrested in Massachusetts since January 2025, including the identity of each individual, the legal basis for each arrest, case status, detention location, court jurisdiction and upcoming hearing dates.
Continue reading THIS WEEK’S QUOTABLE QUOTES ON BEACON HILL

MANDATORY RECESS FOR ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE SCHOOL SUDENTS (H 543)

By Bob Katzen

The House gave initial approval to a bill that would require that all elementary and middle school students receive at least 30 consecutive minutes of supervised, safe and unstructured free-play recess per school day — outdoors whenever the weather and air quality permits. If recess is held indoors due to weather or air quality, schools must use an appropriate space that promotes physical activity.
Continue reading MANDATORY RECESS FOR ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE SCHOOL SUDENTS (H 543)

BUILDING TRADES RECOVERY WEEK (S 2110)

By Bob Katzen

The House approved a Senate-approved bill designating the last week in April as Building Trades Recovery Week, for the Buildings Trades Employers Association to promote awareness of the dangers of opioids and substance misuse among workers in the construction industry. The measure needs final approved in both branches before it goes to Gov. Healey for her signature.
Continue reading BUILDING TRADES RECOVERY WEEK (S 2110)

$250,000 TO STRENGTHEN LOCAL FOOD ACCESS

By Bob Katzen

The Healey Administration announced $250,000 in Grants to strengthen local food access and support community food systems. Administered by the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources, the program supports emerging and established local food policy councils and food working groups as they build stronger, more resilient local food systems.
Continue reading $250,000 TO STRENGTHEN LOCAL FOOD ACCESS

DOG KENNELS (H 4849)

By Bob Katzen

The Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government held a hearing on legislation that would make changes to current dog kennel laws. Supporters said the bill updates Massachusetts law on animal welfare, kennel licensing and dog identification and provides that fines from animal cruelty enforcement will now be deposited into the Homeless Animal Prevention and Care Fund, which will expand to cover broader animal health and welfare measures.
Continue reading DOG KENNELS (H 4849)

PREGNANCY (HD 5650)

By Bob Katzen

The House sent to the Judiciary Committee a late-filed bill which would repeal a current law that provides that a parent who conceals the death of a child, “which if born alive would be a child born out of wedlock, so that it cannot be ascertained whether it was born alive or, if born alive, whether it was murdered, shall be punished by a fine of up to $100 or by imprisonment for up to one year.”
Continue reading PREGNANCY (HD 5650)

Somerville/Medford Remembering Paulette Laurore

Screenshot

Obituary
Paulette Laurore of Everett passed away on February 28, 2026. She was the beloved wife of the late Francisque Telcira. Visiting hours will be held at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah, located at 11 North St. Somerville, MA 02144, on Saturday morning, March 14, 2026, from 9:00 to 10:00, followed by a Funeral Service at 10:00. Interment will take place at Holy Cross Cemetery in Malden.
Continue reading Somerville/Medford Remembering Paulette Laurore

Somerville Awarded $500,000 “Complete Streets” Grant for Western Pearl Street

Grant to help fund transformation of street—enhancing safety and accessibility for all

SOMERVILLE—The Healey-Driscoll administration has awarded the City of Somerville $500,000 to help implement its redesign of western Pearl Street in Gilman Square as part of MassDOT’s complete streets funding program.
Continue reading Somerville Awarded $500,000 “Complete Streets” Grant for Western Pearl Street