Expanded network adds 12 new charging ports at locations citywide

SOMERVILLE – Community members are invited to a ribbon cutting ceremony on Thursday, August 6, at Prospect Hill Park (68 Munroe St.) at 11 a.m. to celebrate the recent installation of six new electric vehicle (EV) charging stations in Somerville, adding 12 new publicly accessible charging ports across the city at no cost to Somerville thanks to state funding.
Continue reading Somerville Expanding Electric Vehicle Charging Network, Ribbon Cutting Thursday, 8/6 →

By Bob Katzen

“Every wrong-way crash is a reminder that we can and should do better to prevent the heartbreak, loss and generational pain caused by preventable wrong-way driving accidents. While no law can undo that pain, we have a responsibility to learn from these tragedies and do everything in our power to prevent them from happening again. This [bill] will save lives and cannot happen soon enough.” Continue reading THIS WEEK’S QUOTABLE QUOTES ON BEACON HILL →

Secretary Of state Bill Galvin released the ballot position of the nine questions that will appear on the November 3, 2026 ballot.

Ballot question numbers this year were assigned at the direction of First Deputy Secretary Michelle Tassinari, the Director of the Elections Division. The questions were not ordered randomly but instead were ordered in a manner intended to maximize space on the ballot, with the length of the question summaries being the primary consideration.
Continue reading ORDER OF NOVEMBER BALLOT QUESTIONS →

By Bob Katzen

The Healey Administration announced the launch of phase one of a statewide Accessory Dwelling Unit Incentive Program that will help homeowners determine whether building an ADU is right for their property, including understanding site conditions, local permitting requirements, utility needs, preliminary design options and high-level cost estimates before investing significant time and resources in an ADU project. ADUs, also known as granny flats or in-law apartments, are small residential living spaces that are located on the same lot as another home.
Continue reading ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS (ADUs) →

By Bob Katzen

The House gave initial approval to a bill that would make the American lobster the official state crustacean.

“This bill is about celebrating and uplifting a significant sector of the state’s blue economy, our historic maritime culture and a sustainable fishery,” said House sponsor Rep. Joan Meschino (D-Hull). “I am glad to file this bill in partnership with the Massachusetts Lobstermen Association and help to honor a crucial industry in the commonwealth.”
Continue reading OFFICIAL STATE CRUSTACEAN (H 5335) →

By Bob Katzen

The House, on a voice vote without a roll call, gave initial approval to a bill, requested by some third-grade students at Hadley Elementary School, to make asparagus the official state vegetable. Other areas in the nation are also working to designate their state as the asparagus capital of the world.
Continue reading MAKE ASPARAGUS THE OFFICIAL STATE VEGETABLE (H 5088) →

By Bob Katzen

The House, on a voice vote without a roll call, gave initial approval to legislation that would prohibit an insurance company from including in an insurance policy, a rider that prohibits the insured from hiring or using a public insurance adjuster or a public insurance adjusting firm. The measure has already been approved by the Senate. Additional approval is needed in each branch prior to the bill going to Gov. Maura Healey.
Continue reading ALLOW CONSUMERS TO USE INSURANCE ADJUSTERS (S 785) →

By Bob Katzen

Gov. Healey held a ceremonial signing for two new laws in the state budget that she already signed on July 9. The laws strengthen protections for young people, support survivors of sexual assault and hold offenders accountable. These include the elimination the statute of limitations for rape cases when new DNA evidence identifies a suspect, as well as a provision to close a loophole that allowed adults in positions of authority to exploit 16- and 17-year-olds.
Continue reading SUPPORT SURVIVORS OF SEXUAL ABUSE →

By Bob Katzen

The Senate approved, on a voice vote, without a roll call, a $575 million economic development package. Senators added millions of dollars in local projects for their districts to the original bill proposed by the Senate Ways and Means Committee.
The House has already approved a different version of the measure and a conference committee will hammer out a compromise version.
Continue reading $575 MILLION ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PACKAGE (S 3178) →

By Bob Katzen

Senate 31-8 approved an amendment that would change the conditions under which a current law (known as 62F), approved by voters on the 1986 ballot, is triggered. That law requires that annual tax revenue above a certain amount collected by the state go back to the taxpayers. The amendment would only allow the law to be triggered if “the net state tax revenues in the fiscal year are less than 7.5 per cent of the total statewide personal income for the calendar year ending in the fiscal year as determined by the Bureau of Economic Analysis in the United States Department of Commerce.”
Continue reading CHAPTER 62F – CHANGE WHAT TRIGGERS A REFUND TO TAXPAYERS (S 3178) →

By Bob Katzen

Senate 5-34, rejected an amendment that would abolish the tax that the estates of people who die are required to pay following their death, before the money is distributed to any beneficiary. Current law only exempts the first $2 million and then imposes the tax on the remainder based on a graduated rate schedule ranging from 7.2% for estates just over $2 million to 16% for estates over $10 million.
Continue reading DEATH TAX/ESTATE TAX (S 3178) →

By Bob Katzen

Senate 7-32, rejected an amendment that would exempt from the state’s 5% income tax, up to $12,500 of income from overtime and up to $25,000 of income from tips,

Amendment sponsor Sen. Ryan Fattman (R-Sutton) said his amendment will put more money back in the pockets of hardworking individuals including restaurant workers, construction workers and countless other individuals who are doing everything right. He said they are working overtime, picking up extra shifts, relying on tips and yet they feel like they’re falling further behind because the cost of living has exploded and housing prices have climbed beyond the reach of many first-time homeowners. He noted that tipped workers earn their income by providing excellent service and putting in long hours and argued that if you work more, you should keep more of what you earn.
Continue reading EXEMPT INCOME FROM OVERTIME AND TIPS FROM THE INCOME TAX (S 3178) →

By Bob Katzen

House 119-33, approved and sent to the Senate legislation that would loosen restrictions on abortions that can be performed after 24 weeks of gestation. The bill removes existing requirements that limit abortions at 24 weeks of pregnancy or later to four specific medical circumstances, and instead allows licensed physicians and providers to rely on their best medical judgment when caring for patients.
Continue reading ABORTION (H 5595) →

Three-part public meeting series begins Tuesday, August 5, to explore a new tool for protecting affordable creative space

SOMERVILLE —The City of Somerville is inviting residents, artists, cultural organizations, and creative businesses to help shape what could become the first Municipal Cultural Trust in Massachusetts, a new tool designed to protect affordable creative space and prevent artist displacement.
Continue reading Somerville Seeks Community Input on First-of-Its-Kind Cultural Trust →

By Joe Viglione

Every summer I would look forward to Marvel Comics giant 25 cent Annuals. Sixty years later, at the age of 72, these summer movies have replaced that fun, simply don’t have time to read the comics anymore. Let me play Johnny Carson’s psychic character, Carnac the Magnificent and say I think Brand New Day will hit 2 billion dollars worldwide in revenue.
Continue reading Spiderman, Brand New Day – the 4th Installment of the Second Reboot →

Residents are invited to this annual citywide yard sale for art

SOMERVILLE –Somerville porches, driveways, and front yards will once again transform into mini galleries and pop-up markets as Yart Sale returns on Saturday, August 8, (rain date: August 9) from noon to 6 p.m.
Continue reading Join Somerville’s Yart Sale on Saturday, August 8 →

Explore local vendors, hop on a bounce house, enjoy music, food, and more

SOMERVILLE– Somerville Police Department and Somerville Recreation invite residents to a fun-filled evening of community connection at Somerville’s annual National Night Out event on Tuesday, August 4, at Dilboy Stadium (110 Alewife Brook Parkway) from 5 to 8 p.m. (rain date: Wednesday, August 5).
Continue reading Somerville to Host National Night Out August 4 for an Evening of Family-Friendly Fun →

Obituary
Brian Daniel Murphy – Of Medford, left us far too soon, pulling off the most epic “Irish Goodbye”. He was only 49 years young.
Continue reading Somerville/Medford Remembering Brian Daniel Murphy →

Obituary
William F. Fitzpatrick – Of Winchester, formerly of Somerville, passed away after a long period of declining health. He was just 53 years old. Born in Cambridge and raised in Somerville, William was the beloved son of the late William R. Fitzpatrick and Margaret Sally-Meaney and loving stepson of Donald Sally. Continue reading Somerville/Medford Remembering William F. Fitzpatrick →

SOMERVILLE—The City of Somerville’s Nibble Kitchen is serving up a rotating lineup of Peruvian, Guatemalan, and Ethiopian cuisine this summer at Bow Market in Union Square. The tiny space offers big rewards for diners – and chefs.
Continue reading Eat Your Way Around the World at Nibble Kitchen This Summer Peruvian, Guatemalan, and Ethiopian menus highlight how Somerville’s Nibble Program helps immigrant and women entrepreneurs build food businesses →

SOMERVILLE– On Tuesday, September 1, 2026, the State of Massachusetts will hold its Primary Election, which will narrow the candidate pool before the November Election on Tuesday, November 3.

The offices on the ballot for this election include:
Continue reading Somerville Sharing Voting Information for State Primary Election →