Affordable Rental Opportunities at Assembly Row

PLEASE NOTE APPLICATIONS AND THE LOTTERY PROCESS ARE BEING HANDLED THROUGH AVALONBAY COMMUNITIES, INC.

Email mablueskies@avalonbay.com for an application.  The onsite trailer to pick up applications at Assembly Square should be available later this week.  Call Avalon Bay to confirm.  

AS A COURTESY APPLICATIONS MAY BE PICKED UP AT CITY HALL ANNEX, HOWEVER, MUST BE SUBMITTED TO AVALONBAY.

AFFORDABLE HOUSING AVAILABLE

Avalon at Assembly Row/AVA Somerville

Avalon at Assembly Row and AVA Somerville are  BRAND NEW Smoke Free apartment home communities with Professional On-Site Management, Outdoor Heated Pool, Private Fitness Center, Shuttle to Sullivan Square Station and a total of 56 low and moderate income affordable apartments.  Community is now under construction, occupancy will begin in October of 2013.  An Information Session has been scheduled for Thursday, July 18^th at 6 pm at the  J.F. Kennedy Elementary School Cafeteria, 5 Cherry St. Somerville.”  Interested persons please register with the Community. 

Studios, 1, 2 and 3 -bedrooms apartments in Somerville, MA

Low and Moderate-Income Guidelines Apply

**Somerville residents and those who work full time in Somerville are given local preference.**

Open enrollment period July 8th, 2013  through August 8th, 2013

*In order to be included in the lottery, all applications must be in hand or postmarked by August 8th, 2013. 

The lottery will be held on August 16th, 2013.

Applications may be requested and submitted via fax, in person or email to:

Avalon at Assembly Row

P.O. Box 45377

Somerville, MA 02145

Phone: 855-211-8154

Email: MABlueskies@avalonbay.com

Office Hours:

Mon-Wed-Fri  9:00am – 4:00pm

Thursday 10:00am - 7:00pm

Saturday 10:00am – 2:00pm

Monthly Rents (Low Program)*                              Monthly Rents (Moderate Program)*

Studios:         $664                                            Studios:      $843

1 Bedroom:   $657                                  1 Bedroom: $896

2 Bedrooms:  $761                                 2 Bedroom  $1068

3 Bedrooms:  $842                                 3 Bedroom   $1190

*Avalon at Assembly Row and AVA Somerville Residents are responsible for gas, electric, water/sewer, phone, and cable utilities.

Section 8 Applicants are encouraged to apply.

Household Maximum 50% AMI                                      Household Maximum 80% AMI

1 person household:        $33,050                    1 person household $47,150

2 person household:        $37,800                    2 person household $53,900 

3 person household:        $42,500                    3 person household $60, 650 4 person household:        $47,200                    4 person household $67,350

5 person household:        $51,000                    5 person household $72, 750

6 person household:        $54,800                    6 person household $78,150

                                                           

                                                Rates and Income Limits May Change With or Without    Notice

AvalonBay Communities, Inc.

Equal Housing Opportunity

CAVALIA GIVES PREFERENCE TO SOMERVILLE RESIDENTS IN HIRING FOR ODYSSEO

I worked hard with the Mayor and his administration - actually putting forth a Resolution back in June - on securing local jobs from Cavalia while they will be here in Somerville.  I am happy we were able to work this out.

The City of Somerville is pleased to announce that Cavalia, Inc. has agreed to give preference to Somerville residents during interviews for jobs at the northeast U.S. premiere of Cavalia’s equestrian ballet, Odysseo, coming to Assembly Row this summer.

Cavalia will hold interview days for job applicants at its big top at 101 Grand Union Boulevard in Somerville, behind Home Depot, on Monday, July 29 and Tuesday, July 30.

“I’m extremely pleased and grateful that Cavalia has agreed to the City’s request to ensure Somerville residents receive preference for jobs during Odysseo’s run at Assembly Square,” Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone said. “In addition to creating local jobs for service staff and union, this production has the potential to bring up to $10 million in revenues for local businesses including restaurants, hotels and more.”

Employees with experience in customer service are sought, such as those who have worked front of the house for events and businesses, in hospitality, restaurants and bars or similar positions. Cavalia also seeks employees who can work long and flexible hours.

“Cavalia’s production of Odysseo is not only bringing jobs to the city, but visitors to East Somerville who can partake in the fantastic array of businesses in our neighborhood,” said Ward 1 Alderman Maureen Bastardi. “This is a wonderful opportunity to cultivate employment opportunities for East Somerville workers and to shine a spotlight on our diverse and thriving local business district.”

Jobs during Odysseo’s run at Assembly Square include: food and beverage, merchandise, box office, ushers, parking attendants, cashiers, bussers and barmen/women, dishwashers, kitchen attendants, stable assistants, and runners and drivers for the tour services department. All employees are hired on a temporary contract for the duration of the show’s run, initially set for seven weeks, starting on Aug. 5.

“We are committed to local jobs and workforce development as demonstrated in our Jobs Advisory Committee’s goals and objectives, whether through working with employers such as with Cavalia and long-term employers, building the skills of our workforce to help connect them to emerging local career opportunities, taking advantage of educational resources, and collaborating with public and private interests to support our efforts,” said Mayor Curtatone.

Cavalia Inc. is applying for a permit that would allow up to a 12-week run at Assembly Row with a target opening night of August 7 and an initial target run of eight weeks, which could be extended to the full 12 weeks based on ticket sales. 

CITY TO SEEK RESIDENT FEEDBACK ON ACCESSIBILITY PLAN

An exhaustive six-month self-evaluation of the City’s accessibility will be developed into a living, multiyear action plan over the next two months, with the help of the community, in an effort to ensure that residents have equal access to the city’s streets, sidewalks, buildings, parks and programs.

The Self-Evaluation Plan, required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), includes both a physical inventory of the City’s infrastructure and existing policies, practices and procedures regarding accessibility, identifying existing barriers. Completed by the non-profit Institute for Human Centered Design (IHCD) Firm of Boston and delivered to the City on June 30, the plan is now under internal review by each City department for additional feedback.

Equally vital to the drafting of the Self-Evaluation is public input. To that end, the draft report will be published on the City’s website in early August for public review and comment, leading up to a public meeting tentatively targeted for mid-September. The City will accept questions and comments on the draft report via e-mail or phone that will be answered prior to or at the public meeting. Both internal and external feedback will be incorporated into the final report.

A Transition Plan, also required by the ADA, will be written based on that self-evaluation and following the public comment period will--even more importantly--detail the methodology for removing those barriers.

“We all benefit and are all enriched when all Somerville residents can take part in our community,” said Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone. “This Self-Evaluation Plan tells us what we need to do to make sure that happens. The Transition Plan, shaped by the community, will guide the City’s efforts to ensure equal access for all City places, spaces and programs. It will serve as a living document, updated frequently, to reflect Somerville’s evolution and serve as the City’s accessibility roadmap for the future. Public feedback is critical to assisting the City in prioritizing the barriers and issues identified in the plan that, if addressed, can make an immediate and meaningful difference in residents’ daily lives. I am committed to seeing this plan accomplished in full and the City proactively maintaining accessibility throughout our community.”

“The singular goal of the ADA is to bring individuals with disabilities out into the open, enabling them to lead full lives and participate in every aspect of their community,” said Betsy Allen, ADA Coordinator for the City of Somerville. “Both the Self-Evaluation Plan and the Transition Plan are tools to help them lead more integrated lives. That’s why feedback from them is so critical in this effort to make Somerville a model of inclusivity.” 

Residents can also contribute in this effort by volunteering to serve on the Somerville Commission for Persons with Disabilities, which meets monthly and will work with the ADA Coordinator in knocking down barriers. To learn more about the Commission, contact ADA Coordinator Betsy Allen at 617-625-6600 extension 2323 or by email at ballen@somervillema.gov.

SPOT AN ISSUE IN SOMERVILLE? THERE’S AN APP FOR THAT!

Residents who spot a pothole, an unshoveled sidewalk, a burned out streetlight or other quality of life issues in Somerville can now report those issues to the City immediately, along with a photograph, using the Commonwealth Connect smartphone app.

Somerville has already received national recognition for the City’s 311 customer service helpline. With the addition of the Commonwealth Connect smartphone app, created by the City of Boston with the company SeeClickFix and funded by a state grant, it becomes even easier to report issues to the City and have those issues promptly addressed.

Residents can download the app for both iPhone and Android phones and, after taking a few seconds to create an account using their email address, can report quality of life issues such as graffiti, sidewalk problems, damaged signs or roadways that need plowing or sanding

The app is available in the iTunes App store for iPhones or Google Play Store for Android by searching for “Commonwealth Connect.” Direct links to the app are available here: iTunes and Google Play Store. 

Residents may input a description of the issue and document it with a photo. The app will automatically locate where the resident is using the app, or residents can adjust the location of the issue. Each submitted report will then automatically create a work order that will be submitted to the proper City of Somerville department, and residents can track the progress of each work order through the app and the SeeClickFix website.

“This is a tremendous benefit to our residents. Efficient delivery of services and open, transparent governments are two key values in the City of Somerville,” said Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone. “This app helps us accomplish both those goals and connects our residents with City services and information they need. It’s another step toward empowering our residents and engaging them in caring for the neighborhoods that form the heart of our community.”

Commonwealth Connect was developed by the City of Boston’s office of New Urban Mechanics with SeeClickFix under the name “Citizens Connect” in 2009. With the support of a Community Innovation Challenge Grant from the Patrick Administration, Boston launched Commonwealth Connect in January, and is providing more than 50 Massachusetts communities free use of the app for the next three years. 

“The Patrick Administration is committed to providing communities with tools and resources to improve the delivery of services our citizens want,” said Secretary of Administration and Finance Glen Shor. “Commonwealth Connect is just one more example of how we are creating innovative ways to empower the people of Massachusetts to build stronger and safer communities."

“The fact that Commonwealth Connect app will immediately create a work order when a report is submitted is a huge lift for our residents and for 311,” said Somerville Director of Constituent Services Steve Craig. “We will be able to respond to issues even faster and our work will be transparent thanks to the ability of residents to track the work order’s progress. We’re excited to put this tool in residents’ pockets to keep Somerville clean, safe and beautiful.

  

App on iTunes for iPhone: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/commonwealth-connect/id585785702?mt=8

App on Google Play Store for Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=gov.cityofboston.commonwealthconnect

Somerville's 10th Annual National Night Out

It's America's Night Out Against Crime!
Somerville's 10th Annual National Night Out" (NNO) for the City of Somerville, a unique crime/drug prevention event sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch (NATW), has been scheduled for Tuesday, August 6, 2013.
 
Last year's National Night Out campaign involved citizens, law enforcement agencies, civic groups, businesses, neighborhood organizations and local officials from over 15,000 communities from all 50 states, U.S. territories, Canadian cities and military bases worldwide. In all, over 34 million people participated in National Night Out 2010.

NATIONAL NIGHT OUT is designed to:

• Heighten crime and drug prevention awareness;
• Generate support for, and participation in, local anticrime programs;
• Strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships; and
• Send a message to criminals letting them know that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.

So, if we can bring together the City of Somerville, young and old, we can make a difference in people's lives. We will have tables, activities, and performances that can be fun and informative at the same time.

And finally, if you could pass this information on to anyone else that you think would like to participate, please do so.

Celebrate East Somerville

2013 ‘SOMERPLAY' LOCATIONS ANNOUNCED

The City of Somerville announces the 2013 SomerPlay locations! Launched earlier this spring, SomerPlay is the City’s newest innovative program encouraging community building in Somerville so as to increase the amount of time children play together within each neighborhood. It is based on author Mike Lanza’s Playborhood. SomerPlay program concepts were submitted by Somerville residents, with 11 proposals having been accepted. The neighborhood Zone leaders are inviting children and adults from all over Somerville to join in any of these SomerPlay activities. Ten series remain this summer, as follows:

·         Josephine Ave SomerPlay Zone: Each Sunday afternoon, July 14^th through September 1^st

·         Prospect Hill SomerPlay:  Each Sunday afternoon, July 14^th through August 25^th

·         Growing Center SomerPlay (Vinal Ave):  Sunday, August 11^th

·         Great Urban Campout (Lincoln Park):  Friday July 12^th to Saturday, July 13^th (overnight)

·         Lexington Park SomerPlay Day:  Sunday afternoon, July 21^st

·         Madison Street Block Party:  Saturday afternoon, July 27^th

·         Linden Ave Block Party:  Sunday afternoon, July 28^th

·         Highland Road SomerPlay Zone:  Sunday afternoons, July 28^th and September 1^st

·         Fremont Ave. End-of-Summer Party:  Sunday afternoon, September 1^st

·         Outside on Oxford (Oxford St):  Sunday afternoon, September 14^th

For the most up-to-date information and to find a Zone in your neighborhood, please visit: www.somervillefamilies.com. 

Through SomerPlay, the City is supporting Zones throughout Somerville, created by residents, businesses, churches or other community members that aim to create activities for residents of all ages and that include a component for children.

With any questions, please contact Stephanie Hirsch at SHirsch@somervillema.gov or 617-625-6600 ext 2340.