Labor Day Holiday Schedule

Alert Information

Labor Day Holiday Schedule

Monday, September 2, 2013

All City and School Offices will be closed for the Labor Day holiday.

Trash, Recycling and Yard Waste pickup will be on a holiday schedule all week, place refuse out one day after your normal pickup day.

Street sweeping will be suspended Monday, September 2.

Parking meter enforcement will not be in effect  Monday, September 2.

For more information, please call 311.

Somerville Cares About Pervention

During the month of September the Somerville Health Department and the Somerville Office of Prevention will host the Somerville Wellness Series which will be on SCATV at 6:30 p.m. on September 3, 10, and 17.  Please watch it on your TV or through livestream through the internet at http://www.scatvsomerville.org/. 

Also you can see the latest newsletter from SCAP by clicking here.

Distribing News

I just received some very disturbing news regarding some SHS students and in keeping with my policy of being open and transparent I am printing below a joint statement put out by Mayor Curtatone and Superintendent of Schools , Tony Pierantozzi.

August 30, 2013

Joint statement from Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone and Tony Pierantozzi, Superintendent of the Somerville Public Schools.

Earlier today, three members of the Somerville High School junior varsity boys soccer team were arrested on charges that include aggravated rape and assault with intent to rape that allegedly occurred at the annual sports camp in Western Massachusetts. We are disturbed and appalled that these crimes may have taken place and our thoughts and concerns are with the victims and their families. We thank Berkshire County District Attorney David Capeless and his office, Middlesex County District Attorney Marian Ryan, and the Massachusetts State Police for their speed and diligence in undertaking an investigation of these allegations, and also for working cooperatively with the Somerville Police Department and our school officials at every step of this investigation. 

These allegations were first reported to members of the Athletic Department at Somerville High School on Tuesday, August 27, 2013. The information was immediately reported to the appropriate authorities including the Department of Children and Families, and a criminal investigation immediately began under the direction of the Berkshire County District Attorney’s Office with support by State and Somerville Police. An internal investigation is ongoing. 

At this time, the thorough and meticulous investigation by the Berkshire County D.A.’s Office provides no indication that anyone other than the three individuals arrested have been implicated, and found that this was a single, isolated incident. No other victims have been identified. Our student-athletes are taught to be leaders in our community and they represent the highest and best values that our school and our community hold. We would like to thank the members of the soccer team for their compassionate support of the victims and their courage in coming forward to assist authorities with the investigation.

Our primary concern right now is for the victims and other members of the boys soccer team, as well as for other teams that attended the summer camp. Support services are in place for all those in need of such services. Informational meetings have been conducted for all team members and the parents and guardians of team members who attended the camp to ensure all have access to appropriate services. We will continue to provide these services including the support of the Trauma Response Network and counseling. Services are available to community members and school families who may need them, and an educational and support forum for the school and community members will be announced in the near future.

Our coaches, staff and teachers promote the importance of students working cooperatively and supporting one another at all times. We take great pride in the fact that our students are actively involved in creating caring and supportive school communities. We continue to emphasize to all students that any type of aggressive, criminal or demeaning behavior is unacceptable and will not be tolerated in the Somerville Public Schools.

As the investigation continues, and as our community processes this very disturbing information and comes together to heal, we ask that the privacy of student-athletes and families be respected.

NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE ARTS NAMES EAST SOMERVILLE MAIN STREETS, SOMERVILLE ARTS COUNCIL AMONG 2013 ‘OUR TOWN’ GRANT RECIPIENTS

East Somerville Main Streets and the Somerville Arts Council have been selected to received $50,000 from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), along with Mudflat Pottery School and the City of Somerville. That funding through the NEA’s Our Town grant program will support a project designed to celebrate and preserve the community’s cultural identity and foster community ownership in two projects in East Somerville: Chuckie Harris Park and the East Broadway Streetscape Project.

That project, Somerville’s Storytellers as Placemakers Project, will build off of the successes of previous ESMS and Arts Council events, and will consist of two phases; creating a cultural node around the newly reconstructed Chuckie Harris Park on Cross Street East, and converting the East Broadway Business District into a cultural corridor once the streetscape project is completed in 2014.

A series of workshops will be held where local artists and community partners will collaborate to organize hands-on community events with themes of Culinary Culture, Dance, Music, Oral Storytelling/Literature and Visual Arts. Partners will also capture stories of local residents and business owners, host a storytelling tour, and engage residents in a Storytelling Mural with Mudflat Pottery School. All activities will culminate in a large community festival which will celebrate the rich cultural diversity of the neighborhood, and the vibrant business district, as well as the new infrastructure changes.

The NEA announced last month 59 Our Town grants totaling $4.725 million and reaching 34 states in the Our Town program’s third year of funding.Through Our Town, the NEA supports creative placemaking projects that help transform communities into lively, beautiful, and sustainable places with the arts at their core. The grantee projects will encourage creative activity, create community identity and a sense of place, and help revitalize local economies. All Our Town grant awards were made to partnerships that consisted of at least one nonprofit organization and a local government entity.

“This is an exciting time to announce the Our Town grants as a national conversation around creative placemaking advances and deepens,” said NEA Acting Chairman Joan Shigekawa. “The NEA leads on this topic not only through our funding but through webinars, publications, and research. With these resources, we will help to ensure that the field of creative placemaking continues to mature, enhancing the quality of life for communities across the country.”

“We’re proud that Somerville is receiving national recognition through this grant for our commitment to the arts, cultural and creativity, and that we can invest even further in the amazing transformation taking place in East Somerville,” said Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone. “Even as East Somerville evolves into a more vibrant and thriving neighborhood, this funding allows us to preserve the rich cultural history of the neighborhood, its diversity, and its character. Thanks to organizations like East Somerville Main Streets, the Somerville Arts Council and Mudflat Pottery School, fostering community ownership is easy in Somerville. I’m happy we can partner with these great organizations to receive this funding and make this project happen.”

The NEA received 254 applications for Our Town this year. Grant amounts ranged from $25,000 to $200,000 with a median grant amount of $50,000. For a complete listing of projects recommended for Our Town grant support, please visit the NEA website at arts.gov.

NEW “SOMERSTREETS” EVENT DEBUTS ON HOLLAND STREET SEPTEMBER 8th

The City of Somerville will host its newest event in the annual SomerStreets series on Sunday, September 8^th from noon to 4 p.m. Strike Up the Bands @ SomerStreets will take place along Holland Street between Davis Square and Teele Square and will include live music at Johnny D’s Uptown and PJ Ryan’s Pub as well as children’s activities, family-friendly programming, and student-friendly fun (Welcome back, students!) throughout the afternoon. This is the first time the festival has been hosted on Holland Street. The final SomerStreets event of the year is planned for Sunday, October 27^th, on Somerville Ave.

SomerStreets is the City’s Open Streets Initiative, which closes sections of roadways one Sunday per month to promote and support active living – walking, biking, running, dancing, etc.

Along Holland Street activities for children, students, and adults of all ages will include, but are not limited to:

·         Live music at PJ Ryan’s and Johnny D’s Uptown Restaurant & Music Club stages

·         Rock Climbing Wall

·         The Davis Flea @ Buena Vista Parking Lot (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.)

·         Boston Cornhole Tournament

·         Zumba

·         Craft fair

·         Children’s activities at Hodgkin’s Park

Additionally, a “Beerfest” will be sponsored by local establishments, Johnny D’s Uptown Restaurant & Music Club, PJ Ryan’s and Rudy’s Café each of which will sell beer, wine and food  outside on Holland Street to patrons with appropriate I.D Orleans Restaurant will offer food, but no alcohol.

“This latest addition to our annual SomerStreets series coincides with the return of local university students to the area, and it provides a great opportunity for new and returning students to connect, or reconnect, with their new neighborhood,” said Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone. “All SomerStreets events offer opportunities for residents of all ages, and we hope to create a new niche in the Teele and Davis Square area through this series for students with a welcome back celebration.”

For the September event, road closures and parking restrictions will apply as follows:

·         No Parking on Holland St. from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Street closed to all vehicles 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

·         All side streets leading onto Holland St. will temporarily be converted to two-way traffic to allow residents to get to and from their homes, including: Buena Vista Road; Thorndike St.; Irving St.; Simpson Ave.; Jay St.; Gorham St.; Paulina St.; Elmwood St.; Claremon St.; and Moore St.

·         Bus routes 87 and 88 will be rerouted from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Thank you to the September event co-sponsors:  Shape Up Somerville; the Somerville Arts Council; Johnny D’s Uptown Restaurant & Music Club; Rudy’s Café; Orleans; and PJ Ryan’s.

The final SomerStreets event for 2013, “Monster Mashed-Up” will be held on Sunday, October 20^th along Somerville Avenue.

SomerStreets builds on the Shape Up Somerville healthy living initiative. Similar open streets events take place all around the world, providing space normally taken up by automobile traffic for people to be more active.

All SomerStreets events will run from 12 to 4 p.m., rain or shine. Residents who live directly on Holland St. should call Carlene Campbell-Hegarty at 857-523-9017 in advance or on the day of the event for assistance in leaving from or returning to your property safely.

Better Late Than Never

 Almost forgot last week's updates.  Sent via email 8-24-13.

Meeting
When:  Monday, September 16th from 6:30 - 8:30
Where:  Mt. Vernon Restaurant - 14 Broadway
This will be the 2nd neighborhood meeting regarding the proposed development at 2-4-6&8 Broadway.  In addition to myself, representatives from the City, the developers and the attorney representing the developers will be in attendance. 

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I attended a press conference on Monday, August 19th regarding the suspicious fires that have happened in our City.  If you did not receive the CTY call from the City you can sign up for them by clicking here.  You can read the press release and some fire safety tips by clicking here.  It is important that we remain vigilant and do our duty as citizens by reporting any suspicious behavior and by following the fire safety tips provided.  Houses and belongings can be replaced

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There will be some upgrades happening at the Capuano School Park (Glen Park) for more details you can click here. 
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Mark your calendars
Why:  The Grand Re-opening of the East Somerville Community School
When:  Tuesday, September 3rd - 6:30-8:30pm
Where:   East Somerville Community School (Cross Street Side)
Come help us celebrate the grand re-opening of the ESCS and tour the new state of the art facility. 

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This past Thursday night I had the honor of being part of a ceremony where slain M.I.T. police officer, Sean Collier, was finally made a Somerville Police Officer.  Sean, a Somerville resident, a member of the Somerville Auxiliary Police and Somerville Boxing Club volunteer was posthumously made a Somerville Police Officer.  Sean had always wanted to serve of the Somerville Police Force and would of been one of the Police Cadets we sent to the academy this past June.   Now Sean will forever be part of our Police Department - Badge #310 - you can see some photos from that evenings moving ceremony by clicking here.
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I love softball probably just as much as I love boxing.  Please check out a couple blog post - one by guest blogger Bob Schofield (click here) and one by yours truly (click here.)

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As always it has been great getting a chance to see everyone when I am out walking and knocking.  And as always I can't thank those of you who have graciously volunteered your time & energy to assisting me during this campaign. 

MEMBERS SOUGHT FOR COMMUNITY PRESERVATION COMMITTEE

Below is a press release I received today from the City.

Do you have a passion for parks, affordable housing, and historic preservation? The City of Somerville wants your help and is now accepting applications for four public positions on the newly formed Community Preservation Committee, which will oversee the selection of projects to be recommended for funding by an estimated $1.5 million in annual Community Preservation Act (CPA) revenues. Residents are encouraged to apply and applications must be submitted by Sept. 22, 2013.

Somerville voters overwhelmingly approved adoption of the CPA in November 2012. The act will raise an estimated $1.5 million in funding annually via a tax surcharge and state funds that are designated for major public investments in open space and outdoor recreation, affordable housing, and historic preservation. The Community Preservation Committee, required by the CPA, is tasked with evaluating Somerville’s needs in those three specific areas and making recommendations to the Board of Alderman on how CPA funding should be spent.

The committee consists of nine volunteers, including four members from the general public and a member from each of the following bodies: the Planning Board, the Conservation Commission, the Historical Preservation Commission, the Parks and Open Space Department, and the Housing Authority. The City is currently looking to fill the four general public positions. To ensure the most qualified applicants are selected, Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone has formed a planning team of City experts and community members to review applications, conduct interviews, and consider public feedback on candidates. From the group of applicants, they will nominate candidates for appointment for the Mayor to review. The Mayor will then submit candidate finalists to the Board of Aldermen for approval.

“The diversity of expertise of Somerville residents is one of the greatest strengths of our city, as is our residents’ passion. The Community Preservation Committee will leverage those strengths to guide CPA funds towards the best possible uses,” Mayor Curtatone said. “Somerville works best when we involve the community in shaping our vision for the future and in our decision making process, from our long-term SomerVision comprehensive plan to our grassroots-oriented Somerville by Design neighborhood planning sessions. The Community Preservation Committee will once again tap the wisdom of our community, match with our City experts’ know-how, and build a better city for all.”

Committee members serve three-year terms, but initial appointments to the committee have been staggered, so therefore the City seeks to fill two one-year term positions, one two-year term position, and one three-year term position. Though it is ultimately the decision of the Community Preservation Committee to decide when and how often to meet, the City expects that it will meet one to two times each month in the evening. The inaugural meeting of the committee will likely take place in December 2013 or January 2014.

Being an effective committee member will require that you:

• Familiarize yourself with Somerville’s affordable housing, historic preservation, and open space/outdoor recreation policies and needs
• Familiarize yourself with the law (Community Preservation Act, MGL Chapter 44B) that governs the committee
• Attend meetings regularly
• Foster good relations with other city departments, boards, and commissions
• Listen to and be responsive to community feedback
• Use fairness and objectivity when making decisions

The planning team is seeking candidates who:

• Are supportive of all three programmatic areas of the CPA: affordable housing, historic preservation, and open space and outdoor recreation AND
• Have demonstrated a commitment to at least one of these areas.

In addition, the goal of the planning team is to create a balanced committee that includes members who:

·         Come from diverse demographic backgrounds

·         Represent all geographic areas of the City

·         Have financial expertise

·         Have project management experience

·         Are actively involved in the community

HOW TO APPLY:

Interested residents should complete the application available on the City’s website at http://www.somervillema.gov/sites/default/files/CPC%20application_8%2026%2013.pdf or outside the SomerStat Office at City Hall, 93 Highland Ave. Completed applications should be sent to Candace Cooper (ccooper@somervillema.gov or 617.625.6600 ext. 3306) by September 22, 2013. All residents are welcome to apply. No nomination is required to submit an application.

Please note that if you choose to apply for the Community Preservation Committee, your name and a portion of your application (a brief summary describing why you are a qualified candidate) will be posted on the city website for public review between September 23 and October 6. All community members are invited to provide feedback on candidates during this time. 

To find out more about serving as a CPC member, please visit the following websites:

http://www.somervillema.gov/cpa

http://www.communitypreservation.org/

BE A GOOD SPORT

I love softball probably just as much as I love boxing.  I use to play softball many – many years ago and unfortunately it was something that I was never very good at.  And anyone who witnessed me throwing out the first pitch at the opening game of the Somerville Girl’s Softball League will attest to that.  You can actually see some of those photos by clicking here.

The Somerville’s Youth Softball League not only teaches the basics of playing the sport but it also teaches the meaning of being a “good sport” – having good sportsmanship, encouraging friendships and team work, promotes good health and discipline as well as building confidence and self esteem – just to name a few. 

The Somerville’s Youth Softball League primary source of funding is registration fees paid by families when they register a child.  And like many programs there are many people involved who VOLUNTEER their time and energy into making sure the program is a success.  I can’t emphasis the word “Volunteer” enough – training, coaching, transporting, lugging around equipment and much more.  

I am grateful for all those who volunteer  their time and I am grateful our City offers great programs like the Somerville Youth Softball League BUT unfortunately having a limited source of funding doesn’t make it easy.  There is still operating expenses, tournament fees and equipment cost that need to be covered and this is where I am asking for your help.

If you haven't already please read a post by guest blogger and Ward 1 resident Bob Schofield regarding the most recent win by the Somerville Tsunami girls softball team, take some time and visit their website and please contact Bob at 617-625-8098 or rschofield@somervillesoftball.com to find out how you help sponsor a team.

I believe by providing options to the youth of our City - by having programs such as this - and by having positive, encouraging adults who volunteer their time and energy to mentor our youth that WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE.