SOMERVILLE POSITIVE FORCES UPDATE

Over the summer, SCAP Program Director, Lovelee Heller-Bottari and SPF Alumni Youth Leaders came together for to identify top issues facing their peers around substance abuse and related issues.   Through our 10-session summer SPF Social Marketing Club, youth leaders developed social marketing skills to develop social marketing campaigns targeting their peers, parents, and the general community to promote positive social norms and correct misperception around substance use.   Some campaign topics include: Marijuana Myths and Facts; Alcohol Poisoning Signs and Symptoms; Types of Bullying; Bystander Power and Bullying Reporting; Social Host Liability; and Promotion of Positive Youth Activities such as Meditation, Athletics and Clubs.  In addition to developing print marketing ads, youth also developed social marketing messages to accompany print ads.  Be on the look out for our posters, posts and tweets coming this fall.  

For more information about SPF and our prevention projects and/or to get involved, please contact Lovelee Heller-Bottari, SCAP 

Program Director at lheller@somervillema.gov or 617-625-6600 x4322. 

Open Letter of Thanks Regarding Historic Green Line Extension Funding Vote

OCTOBER 1, 2013

The Green Line Extension took a monumental step forward last Wednesday when the MassDOT Board of Directors voted to approve a $393 million contract to fund the construction of the first three stations. Yes, you read that right: Phase II of the Green Line Extension is now on schedule for an early 2017 opening of the Lechmere, Union Square and Washington St. stations. To celebrate this truly momentous news, I’d like to thank everyone who made this possible. 

Foremost, I want to thank Gov. Deval Patrick and MassDOT Sec. Richard Davey for remaining committed to the Green Line Extension. Such a massive project needs local, state and federal government on the same page, and both Gov. Patrick and Sec. Davey have been resolute in their commitment. They know that making smart, long-term infrastructure investments and building a 21^st century transportation system is critical to the Commonwealth having a 21^st century economy. I look forward to hosting Gov. Patrick and Sec. Davey in Somerville soon not only to mark this milestone but to celebrate it. 

Thanks are also due to the MassDOT Board of Directors for their bold vote, MBTA General Manager Beverly Scott for advocating for strategic investments in expansion and the Boston Region Metropolitan Planning Organization for their continued support. Our Beacon Hill delegation of Sen. Pat Jehlen, Rep. Denise Provost, Rep. Carl Sciortino and Rep. Tim Toomey has showed tremendous resolve with their support at the state level, while the Somerville Equity Transportation Partnership and Friends of the Community Path have provided the grassroots support that helped fuel this monumental step forward. We must also thank the Board of Aldermen for supporting the Union Square urban renewal plan that makes the new T station feasible, and all Somervillians for their dogged advocacy as well (We just don’t give up, do we?).

Our 20-year comprehensive SomerVision plan sets goals of creating 30,000 new jobs and 6,000 new housing units in the city, all while creating the walkable, bikeable, transit-oriented neighborhoods that reduce our reliance our cars and benefit our local economy. Completing the Green Line Extension is a significant factor in reaching those goals. In Somerville, we have always invested today with an eye on tomorrow, and investing in the Green Line Extension today means billions of dollars pumping through the entire Massachusetts economy in the years to come. 

This funding has been a long time coming. Thanks to Gov. Patrick, Sec. Davey and all of our partners at the state level that we’ve worked with through the years, it’s happening now.  But we’re not done. With all parties continuing to work together, we are seeking to secure federal funding to complete the project, and with this $393 million as matching funds, our case for receiving New Starts funding is all the stronger. Route 16, here we come. 

Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone

Health Department Reminder

The City of Somerville Health Department issued a reminder today that with warmer temperatures expected this week, residents are advised to continue to take precautions against mosquitoes, which may carry diseases such as EEE or West Nile Virus.

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health released the following statement and prevention tips last week: “Even as cooler temperatures begin arriving in the state, the fact is that the threat of mosquito-borne illness will continue until the first hard overnight frost,” said DPH State Public Health Veterinarian Dr. Catherine Brown. “In the meantime, it’s vitally important that we continue taking common-sense precautions against mosquito bites: use insect repellant, cover up, and avoid outdoor activities at dusk and after nightfall when mosquitoes are at their most active.”

Avoid Mosquito Bites

• Apply Insect Repellent when Outdoors. Use a repellent with DEET (N, N-diethyl-m-toluamide), permethrin, picaridin (KBR 3023), oil of lemon eucalyptus [p-methane 3, 8-diol (PMD)] or IR3535 according to the instructions on the product label. DEET products should not be used on infants under two months of age and should be used in concentrations of 30% or less on older children. Oil of lemon eucalyptus should not be used on children under three years of age.
• Be Aware of Peak Mosquito Hours. The hours from dusk to dawn are peak biting times for many mosquitoes. Consider rescheduling outdoor activities that occur during evening or early morning
• Clothing Can Help Reduce Mosquito Bites. Wearing long-sleeves, long pants and socks when outdoors will help keep mosquitoes away from your skin.

Mosquito-Proof Your Home

• Drain Standing Water. Mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water. Limit the number of places around your home for mosquitoes to breed by either draining or discarding items that hold water. Check rain gutters and drains. Empty any unused flowerpots and wading pools, and change water in birdbaths frequently.
• Install or Repair Screens. Keep mosquitoes outside by having tightly-fitting screens on all of your windows and doors.

Protect Your Animals

Animal owners should reduce potential mosquito breeding sites on their property by eliminating standing water from containers such as buckets, tires, and wading pools – especially after heavy rains. Water troughs provide excellent mosquito breeding habitats and should be flushed out at least once a week during the summer months to reduce mosquitoes near paddock areas. Horse owners should keep horses in indoor stalls at night to reduce their risk of exposure to mosquitoes. If an animal is diagnosed with WNV or EEE, owners are required to report to Department of Agriculture (DAR), Division of Animal Health by calling 617-626-1795 and to the Department of Public Health (DPH) by calling 617-983-6800.

Available Affordable Homeownership Opportunity

On behalf of Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone, the Housing Division is pleased to announce the availability of a 2 bedroom, 2 bath unit for purchase located at 181 Cedar Street. The condominium is new construction and is offered through the City's Inclusionary Housing Program.

Unit #4 is a two bedroom, two bathroom unit being offered at a price of $170,380 to an income eligible household with a minimum of two people. The unit is restricted to households earning up to 80% of Area Median Income. The Area Median Income limit for a household of two people is $53,900 and for a household of three people, it is $60,650. Please note that these income limits are gross income limits.

Requirements to Apply:

• Households making up to 80% Area Median Income. 
• Must be a first time homebuyer household (cannot have owned a home, or an interest in a home, in the preceding 3 years)
• Must be a minimum household of two people
• Must have taken or be enrolled in a first time homebuyer training class (http://www.chapa.org/looking-for-housing/homebuyer-workshops). Certificates of Completion of a First Time Homebuyer Training Class must be within 3 years of the date of application to be eligible.

 Eligible buyers may also be eligible to access up to $5,000 in Closing Cost Assistance from the City of Somerville. Eligibility requirements apply.

Timeline to Apply:

•  A mandatory information will be held on Thursday, October 3, 2013 at  6pm at the Somerville Central Library at 79 Highland Ave. in the 1^st floor meeting room.
•  The application deadline is 4 pm on Thursday, October 24, 2013. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Documents Required for a Complete Application:

• Completed application
• Current mortgage pre-approval from any lending institution for a 30 year fixed rate standard mortgage
• Completed first time homebuyer certificate or documentation of enrollment in a first time homebuyer training class
• Evidence that you live or work full-time in Somerville.  This can be a copy of a lease, a utility bill or a current paystub.

Please contact me with any questions.

Vicki

Vicki Wairi

Program Specialist

City of Somerville

Office of Strategic Planning and Community Development

Housing Division

50 Evergreen Av

Somerville, MA  02145

617.625.6600 x 2588

617.666.8035  fax

Weekly E-mail Updates - Sent out Saturday, 9-28-13

Big happenings with East Somerville By Design coming up this week.  A three day public design session starts on Monday, September 30th.  Please click here for more information.  You can also click here for even more information.  It all takes place right here in Ward 1 - the team from the City will set up camp for 3 days in the store front located at 122-124 Broadway.  This is your chance to have your voice be heard.

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Lots of hydrant flushing happening in the Ward - click here for more details.

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Check out what is happening with the Somerville Arts Council by clicking here or you can visit there website by clicking here.

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Though the latest fire in Somerville is not believed to be suspicious please know that the appropriate officials are still investigating and please follow the arson prevention and fire safety tips listed here - just click.

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Remember all Board of Aldermen meetings are listed on the City web site as well as agenda and minutes - just click here.

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Thanks to everyone who exercised their right to vote this past Tuesday during the Primary Election.  Unfortunately I did not make it to the November Election.  As you already know I LOVE WARD 1 and I will continue to serve you as your Alderman until the new Alderman will be sworn in the first week in January of 2014.  I will represent this Ward as if the job were mine again next year.  You can click here for the unofficial election results.

The field is now narrowed down to 2 men and I will be throwing my support behind Matt McLaughlin.  Matt is a young, intelligent, energetic individual who has been involved in Somerville for many years.  He is a Iraq war veteran and co-founder of "Save our Somerville."  I am looking forward to working with Matt these next couple of months helping him to get elected and I hope you will do the same.  If you click here it will bring you to Matt's Facebook page and if you click here it will bring you to his web page. 

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Something I forgot - sent out Sunday 9-29-13

I failed to mention that a ring was found at Ward 1's - Precinct 3 polling place - the Reilly-Brickley Fire Station on Broadway.  If you lost a ring please contact me or officer Nick Stiles.  It's a beautiful ring and I would love to find its owner. 

THREE-DAY EAST SOMERVILLE PUBLIC DESIGN SESSIONS BEGIN SEPT. 30

Somerville by Design turns 122-124 Broadway into a design charrette studio where residents and business community interact with City planners and consultants

The next phase of the City’s Somerville by Design community planning process in East Somerville will take place Monday, Sept. 30 through Wednesday, Oct. 2. A three-day public design charrette will give residents, the business community and other stakeholders numerous opportunities to interact with each other, and with City planners and consultants. This event will build on input from the East Somerville community gathered at a public Crowdsourcing and two public Visioning Sessions held earlier this year.

The design charrette offers daytime as well as evening opportunities for public participation and includes one-hour sessions on a variety of planning topics. A vacant storefront at 122-124 Broadway will be transformed into a design studio open to the public, with meeting spaces, working studios and gallery-style displays. Outside the studio, a “parklet” will be set up with moveable seating, café tables and plants. The program will culminate in a public “Pin-Up Presentation” at 7 p.m., Wednesday, October 3, at 115 Pearl Street.

The detailed schedule is as follows:

• Monday, September 30
• Location: 122-124 Broadway
• 9 a.m. – 8 p.m. - public Open Studios
• 11 a. m. – 12 p.m. and 3 – 8:30 p.m. – public stakeholder sessions (descriptions available at www.somervillebydesign.com)

• Tuesday, October 1
• Location: 122-124 Broadway
• 9 a.m. – 8 p.m. - public Open Studios
• 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. and 3:30 – 7:30 p.m. – public stakeholder sessions (descriptions available at www.somervillebydesign.com)

• Wednesday, October 2
• Location: 115 Pearl Street
• 7 – 9 p.m. – Pin Up Presentation

The Somerville by Design team recently held a three-day charrette in Davis Square and is posting the ideas generated at the event at http://www.somervillebydesign.com/.

Somerville by Design is a cutting-edge approach to community planning that uses resident know-how to solve challenging physical planning and urban design issues. It makes planning fun, using highly visual, interactive techniques such as "Open Studio" design sessions, neighborhood meetings, block walking and online surveys. Most importantly, it provides multiple ways for the public to get involved in generating and refining physical design plans that are driven by community members’ preferences and creative ideas. In 2012, hundreds of residents and businesspersons participated in the Somerville by Design "Station Area Planning Series" for Gilman Square, Lowell Street / Magoun Square, and Ball Square neighborhoods that will soon be served by the Green Line Extension.

Additional information is available on the City of Somerville website at www.somervillebydesign.com.

Latest Fire Does NOT Appear Suspicious

Joint Release City of Somerville and Office of the State Fire Marshal

For Immediate Release:   September 27, 2013

State Contact: Jennifer Mieth, (978) 567-3189

Somerville Contact: Chief Kevin Kelleher 617-625-6600 x8100

Somerville Fire Under Investigation: Does Not Appear Suspicious

State Fire Marshal Stephen D. Coan, Somerville Fire Chief Kevin W. Kelleher and Somerville Police Chief Thomas Pasquarello said last night’s fire at 327 Dickinson Street remains under investigation this morning but it does not appear suspicious in nature. At this stage, the investigative team is focusing on several possible accidental causes.

The fire is being jointly investigated by members of the Somerville Fire and Police Departments and state police assigned to the Office of the State Fire Marshal.

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Though the latest fire is not believed to be suspicious pleases know that the appropriate officials are still investigating and please follow the arson prevention tips and fire safety tips - click here to see.