SOMERVILLE– Spring is nearly here and so are essential seasonal services for Somerville residents. The Somerville Parking Department and the Department of Public Works would like to remind everyone of the restart of important warm weather services:
Continue reading Somerville Street Sweeping, Yard Waste, and Hazardous Waste Services Restart in April →

Obituary
Edward (Ed) C. Bernis, of Somerville, MA passed away peacefully after a long illness, on Saturday, March 7, 2026, at the age of 77, surrounded by his loving family.
Continue reading Somerville/Medford Remembering Edward (Ed) C. Bernis →

SOMERVILLE— Somerville is kicking off a yearlong push to strengthen the connections between its residents, highlighting City programs, initiatives and community events under a united theme: 2026 is the Year of the Neighbor.
Continue reading Somerville Declares 2026 the Year of the Neighbor →

Obituary
Attorney David P. Skerry – A lifelong resident of Medford, passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday, March 11, 2026. He was 83 years old.
Continue reading Somerville/Medford Remembering Attorney David P. Skerry →

By Bob Katzen

“These 43 cities and towns are proving smart, forward-looking investments in clean energy deliver real returns for the communities they serve. These projects reduce long-term energy use, lower operating costs and cut pollution – freeing up resources that can be reinvested. We’re proud of the work Green Communities do every day to advance local clean energy goals and strengthen their economies.”
—Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper announcing the awarding of nearly $7 million to cities and towns to fund energy efficiency and clean energy projects.

Continue reading THIS WEEK’S QUOTABLE QUOTES ON BEACON HILL →

By Bob Katzen

Sen. Patrick O’Connor (R-Weymouth) and Rep. Joan Meschino (D-Hull) co-sponsored a late-filed bill that would make the American lobster the official state crustacean.
Continue reading OFFICIAL STATE CRUSTACEAN (HD 5691) →

By Bob Katzen

A late-filed bill would prohibit minors under the age of 16 from opening a social media account unless the account provides primarily videoconferencing,
e-mailing mailing or educational services. The measure would require the social media platform company to take reasonable steps to prevent children under 16 from having accounts and includes a requirement that applicants provide a birth certificate or valid government-issued identification, proving that they are over 16.
Continue reading BAN MINORS FROM BEING ON SOCIAL MEDIA (HD 5696) →

By Bob Katzen

The House gave initial approval, on a voice vote without a roll call, to a measure that would allow assessors, who deems it reasonably necessary, to enter any lands, waters and premises in Massachusetts to collect physical and functional data pertinent to the proper determination of said property’s fair cash value for the fiscal year tax roll. The bill does not allow entrance to an actual building.
Continue reading ENTER PROPERTY FOR INSPECTION (H 3212) →

By Bob Katzen

The House gave initial approval, on a voice vote without a roll call, to legislation that would allow cities and towns the option to freeze the valuation of any property in which the owner has lived for more than 30 years. The freeze would only apply to owners whose income does not exceed 100 percent of the area median income and whose liquid assets, excluding the home, are less than $100,000.
Continue reading FREEZE ASSESSED VALUE OF HOMES (H 3006) →

By Bob Katzen

The House gave initial approval, on a voice vote without a roll call, to a bill that would allow local tax collectors in cities and towns to waive interest, charges and fees, imposed on any homeowner for outstanding property taxes. The bill amends current law which allows the waiver only if the interest, charges and fees total $15 or less.
Continue reading ALLOW TAX COLLECTOR TO WAIVE INTEREST, CHARGES AND FEES ON UNPAID LOCAL PROPERTY TAXES (H 3266) →

By Bob Katzen

Senate President Karen Spilka (D-Ashland) announced her support for S 2157 – a bill that would make Atlantic Standard Time the standard year-round time in Massachusetts, and would put an end to the practice of switching between Standard Time and Daylight Saving Time. This means that people would no longer change the clocks in the Spring and Fall. The change would only take effect if two or more neighboring states (Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island or Vermont) also adopt similar legislation.
Continue reading CHANGE THE BAY STATE’S TIME ZONE (S 2157) →

By Bob Katzen

House 25-139, rejected an amendment to a current law that requires retail electrical suppliers to provide a minimum percentage of kilowatt-hour sales to customers from renewable energy generating sources. The amendment would eliminate the renewable energy requirement if compliance would not be cost effective or would result in additional costs to consumers. Continue reading GREEN ENERGY (H 5151) →

By Bob Katzen

House 25-128, rejected an amendment to a bill that supporters said would result in over $9 billion in savings for utility ratepayers over the next ten years.
Continue reading PROPANE FUEL (H 5151) →

By Bob Katzen

House 12-145, rejected an amendment to a bill that would prohibit the distribution of deceptive artificial intelligence (AI) communications within 90 days of an election, including audio or visual media which depicts a candidate with intent to injure their reputation or deceive a voter into voting for or against them.
Continue reading ALLOW FOR TRANSLATION AND TRANSCRIPTION (H 5093) →