Superintendent Search Concluding, Participatory Budgeting, and More!
FEATURE
US2 MISSING DIVERSITY, OTHER HIRING TARGETS
Union Square Neighborhood Council may issue non-compliance notice as City Council seeks more data
SHORTS
Last week for the Somerville Superintendent Search
In advance of the Somerville School Committee voting on its next superintendent next Monday, April 10, the Committee is inviting public feedback for review until the end of day, Thursday, April 6. Somerville residents can leave feedback via the form or during office hours. Footage of the most recent interviews with the superintendent finalists is available here.
Community Members Engage in Somerville Participatory Budgeting
Since Somerville launched its first participatory budgeting program—which allocates about $1 million toward city improvements, proposed and voted on by residents—the city has received hundreds of ideas. An interactive map on the city’s website shows the spread of ideas by type and location in Somerville. The City does not provide a running count of ideas by topic, but “streets & sidewalks” dominate the map, with runner-ups “parks & greenspace” and “community resources.” View the idea map here. Residents can submit ideas until May 20. Following a review slated for this summer, the community will vote October 13, 2023.
SAC hosting Cultural Capacity Plan Community Conversations
Following results from the Somerville Arts Space Risk Assessment Report, the Somerville Arts Council is holding a series of community conversations to guide the city in its Cultural Capacity Plan to support individuals, organizations and institutions involved in arts and culture work. In addition to attending community conversations (of which there are over 20), the Arts Council is encouraging residents to fill out a survey that would gauge their interest in getting involved in the Somerville Cultural Capacity Planning process.
Somerville’s Docent Program seeks more volunteers
The City of Somerville, in collaboration with the Somerville Museum, is seeking Volunteer Docents, May through October 2023.
Somerville’s Docent Program operates on a scheduled basis during the months of May through October. Public openings are offered twice a month, on specific weekend days and on Thursday evenings, at three historic sites—the Milk Row Cemetery on Somerville Avenue, Prospect Hill Tower above Union Square, and the Old Powder House in Nathan Tufts Park, off the Powder House rotary. The Docent Program was started at the cemetery in 2012 and expanded to include the two additional historic sites in 2017. All sites are ADA accessible.
- Each opening is of two hours duration
- Period clothing is expected (and if needed, provided)
- No prior experience required; simply bring a commitment to be trained, reliable, and enthusiastic!
- Additional options to participate in City celebrations, such as First Flag on January 1, Patriots” Day in mid-April, and Ghosts of Somerville at the cemetery in mid-October.
To apply, please send a letter of interest, citing any experience, to Brandon Wilson, coordinator, historic events and education for the City’s Historic Preservation Commission to bwilson@somervillema.gov or to Somerville City Hall, OSPCD, 93 Highland Ave., Somerville, MA 02143. Additional questions can be directed to Ms. Wilson at (617) 776-3938.
Somerville Patriots’ Day Colonial Fair
Monday, April 17, 2023 (Patriots’ Day)
10:00-11:30 a.m.
Foss Park on Broadway Near Fellsway West
Colonial clothing encouraged! Enjoy time-period refreshments! Play games!
Click here for more information.
Boston Women’s Parkour Workshop
Parkour Generations Boston
Saturday, April 8, 2023
10:00a.m.-7:00 p.m. (Full Day & Half Day Sign-up Available)
Somernova Dojo
15 Properzi Way
Somerville, MA 02143
This seasonal workshop aims to bring together female and non-binary participants of all ages (14-70+) to learn and practice parkour together. You will have the opportunity to explore a new part of your city, get to know yourself, and interact with your surroundings in a new and creative way. Sessions are taught by our experienced team of female coaches and are designed to accommodate a wide range of ability and fitness levels. Come join the fun! More information and sign up at: pkgenboston.com. Or email: boston.info@parkourgenerations.com.
This article is syndicated by the Somerville Wire municipal news service—a project of the IRS 501(c)(3) tax-deductible nonprofit Somerville Media Fund.
All Somerville Wire articles may be republished by community news outlets free of charge with permission and by larger commercial news outlets for a fee. Republication requests and all other inquiries should be directed to somervillewire@somervillemedia.fund.
SUBSCRIBE TO THE SOMERVILLE WIRE EMAIL NEWSLETTER: http://eepurl.com/hX3alr
Check out all our social media here: https://linktr.ee/SomervilleWire.
Ryan DiLello is the staff reporter for the Somerville Wire.
