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Welcome to the Winter Hill discussion forum. Some members of our community are eager to have a place to post interesting news, chatter, events, or any sort of discussion related to living in the Winter Hill neighborhood of Somerville, MA. This is an outgrowth of the Winter Hill Neighborhood Association's (WHNA) outreach efforts.
Mission statement (6/16/17): The WHNA's mission is to bring together all residents of Winter Hill to protect and improve upon the things we love about our neighborhood and to have a say in its future by building unity among neighbors.
This is modeled on the successful community forum of Davis Square: https://davis-square.dreamwidth.org/ Thanks to Ron Newman for help in learning about the features of community forums and for wise moderation advice.
We hope to collect useful information about community issues, businesses, services, and sometimes just gossip or interesting tidbits related to our neighborhood.
Other Winter Hill relevant links:
Facebook group: http://bit.ly/WHNAfacebook
Google groups (mailing list): http://bit.ly/WHNAGoogleGroup
This forum: http://bit.ly/WHNAforum
WHNA is currently holding regular meetings on the first Wednesday of each month, 7pm, often at the St. Polycarp community room or the Mystic Activity Center. But sometimes the meeting will be held in other neighborhood locations. We'll post the current meeting details prior to each meeting.
I am Mary Mangan, current admin, and we'll see how this goes! Feel free to offer comments, suggestions, guidance, or any other thoughts you have on how this community should evolve. Off we go!
New social media route experiment, kbin
Jun. 18th, 2023 12:24 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
mem_winterhill Hey folks: I know it's a drag to watch yet another social media site and create new logins and such, but for those who might be interested there's a reddit-like alternative underway in early experimentation.
https://kbin.social/m/somerville
The m/somerville thing is analogous to a subreddit like r/somerville--but they call them "magazines" there. You can post a link to an article, upload an image, all the typical stuff.
It's hard to migrate, and I know that nobody wants to move until there's more content. But there's only more content if people contribute to it. Very chicken-egg status.
I used this FAQ to get started and begin to understand the terminology and functions: https://kbin.social/m/kbinfaqs@kilioa.org/t/20459/A-small-FAQ-to-hopefully-help-new-users-to-kbin
https://kbin.social/m/somerville
The m/somerville thing is analogous to a subreddit like r/somerville--but they call them "magazines" there. You can post a link to an article, upload an image, all the typical stuff.
It's hard to migrate, and I know that nobody wants to move until there's more content. But there's only more content if people contribute to it. Very chicken-egg status.
I used this FAQ to get started and begin to understand the terminology and functions: https://kbin.social/m/kbinfaqs@kilioa.org/t/20459/A-small-FAQ-to-hopefully-help-new-users-to-kbin
mem_winterhillVia the Somervoice email system, copy/paste of their email:
Join the Civic Advisory Committee – Apply today!
The next step in implementing the Winter Hill Urban Renewal Plan is to form a civic advisory committee to inform the project implementation from now through construction.
There are many steps in the redevelopment process and this committee will be a sounding board for the neighborhood through each phase. We are looking for a diverse group of Winter Hill residents, business representatives, and institutional leaders who are excited to gather ideas from the community and share updates with their neighbors.
If you love connecting people to what’s happening in Winter Hill and are excited about this transformation, we hope you’ll consider applying.
Scroll to the “Apply to CAC” tab or click here to learn more about the committee and to apply. Applications are due November 1st, 2021 at 11:59 p.m..
Fliers are available in English, Haitian Creole, Portuguese, and Spanish.
mem_winterhillFrom the Historic Preservation newsletter this week:
Save the Date for Our Walking Tour of Winter Hill This Fall!
On Sunday, October 3rd from 11 am - 1 pm, the SHPC will host a FREE walking tour of part of Somerville's Winter Hill Neighborhood! Led by cultural historian Ed Gordon, the tour will start at the Dunkin Donuts in Magoun Square (504 Broadway) and will wind through the neighborhood before finishing at Winter Hill Brewing Company (328 Broadway). With both several exterior and interior stops, the tour will explore the architectural history of the storied neighborhood! For more information, check out the tour flyer here. Sign ups in advance appreciated, but not required, to bwilson [at] somervillema.gov.
Not sold on the idea of walking? Check out this piece from WBUR about the terrific benefits of walking for everyone who is able, featuring research undertaken by Shane O’Mara in his recently published book “In Praise of Walking: The New Science of How We Walk and Why It’s Good for Us". Walking is a great way to get to know and experience our vibrant city, whether by joining our walking tours, participating in our "I Spy Somerville" Challenges, or just exploring on foot for enjoyable exercise!
mem_winterhill
This came through the Winter Hill Neighborhood Association mailing list, but is also now posted on the city calendar.
https://www.somervillema.gov/events/2021/08/28/charter-review-committee-kickoff-event
GLX update meeting | Dec 9 2020, 6:30pm
Nov. 30th, 2020 04:32 pmmem_winterhill
Via GLX announcements email:Notice of Green Line Extension (GLX) Project Public Meeting
Please join the GLX project team for a general project update. This presentation will feature a visual tour of the project showing the latest progress on construction activities.
The meeting will be held via a Zoom webinar.
When: Dec 9, 2020 06:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Topic: GLX Public Meeting - General Project Update
Register in advance for this webinar:
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
For more information on GLX visit www.mass.gov/glx
mem_winterhillI have to dig into this a bit more. But it strikes me that it bears watching. Things from Cambridge sometimes drift.
https://www.cambridgeday.com/2020/11/24/some-see-opportunity-for-neighborhood-groups-others-see-attempt-at-undermining-on-a-pretext/
https://www.cambridgeday.com/2020/11/24/some-see-opportunity-for-neighborhood-groups-others-see-attempt-at-undermining-on-a-pretext/
mem_winterhill
Hi folks--sorry for the light posting during the pandemic. But there are still some events underway that neighbors should be aware of. This meeting coming up is one of them.https://www.somervillema.gov/news/public-hearing-winter-hill-urban-renewal-plan-1118
The Somerville City Council will hold a public hearing on the Winter Hill Urban Renewal Plan, on Wednesday, November 18, starting at 6 p.m. There are two ways residents can submit testimony:
- To attend and be heard, enter this link exactly as it appears into your internet browser any time before the meeting: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/9179575600740006156. You can also find this link on the City Council’s online meeting calendar. You will then be asked to register, and after registering, you will receive an email with instructions to join the webinar.
- If you are unable to attend but wish to be heard, you may send written comments by mail to the City Clerk at 93 Highland Avenue, Somerville, MA, 02143, or by email to cityclerk@somervillema.gov. Please submit comments no later than noon on Wednesday, November 18.
mem_winterhill
Hoping you are all staying safe as we continue to push through this unusual time. One of the concerns that the city has is that the typical cooling centers and places to go for relief are not available because of the distancing we must continue to pursue. And as the temperature rises, there could be consequences around this. So the city has created a site about keeping cool in the time of Covid. Please check out the tips and information here: https://www.
Also, I was asked to highlight a program to donate air conditioners and fans for folks who might not be able to access them. The "Give Help" tab over there has the details, but I'll post them here too.
§ When: Saturday June 27, 2020, 8:00AM-1:00PM
§ Where: 1 Franey Rd., Department of Public Works
§ What: Drop off NEW air conditioners and box fans. For safety reasons, all donated equipment must be new and in original packaging.
§ Why: Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, we’ll all be spending more time at home, and that’s the safest place to stay cool. A new, efficient air conditioner or fan can help our senior friends and neighbors stay safe and comfortable at home.
The Council on Aging will distribute the donated cooling equipment on the basis of medical and financial need.
Related to this, I've heard of concerns that people who typically don't stay home and run the air conditioner usually are going to have unprecedented utility bills. Keep that in mind, and if you have resources to spare, maybe donate to the Somerville Cares Fund on that page to help out.
And finally, if you have a street tree near your house, consider giving it a drink! I was listening to the weather folks this week who were becoming concerned about the recent dryness. It would be great if we can keep our trees growing and shading!
PS: Please share this around your networks widely. Heat can be a real health risk on top of our other issues right now.
See you distantly around the Hill!
mem_winterhillVia STEP: https://www.somervillestep.org/online-public-green-line-meeting/
Wednesday, June 24, 5:30-7 pm
Register here
GLX project officials will make information available on:
* Project Overview and Benefits
* Construction Update and Look-Ahead
* Work Forecast, Locations, and Hours of Operation
Wednesday, June 24, 5:30-7 pm
Register here
GLX project officials will make information available on:
* Project Overview and Benefits
* Construction Update and Look-Ahead
* Work Forecast, Locations, and Hours of Operation
mem_winterhill
There's a nice piece here about the potential pedestrian and bike trails that would include parts of Somerville and beyond.https://mass.streetsblog.org/2020/06/10/trail-advocates-plot-new-routes-to-link-e-somerville-to-charles-river/
snippet:
The trail feasibility study analyzes two critical links that would connect to the under-construction Community Path Extension, which will eventually run from Davis Square to Lechmere: one connection would run northward, linking the new Community Path to the Mystic River Greenways network near Assembly Square; the second connection would zig-zag southwest into Cambridge, and connect to the proposed Grand Junction path (which is funded and is currently being designed for construction).
Trail feasability study [PDF]: http://pathfriends.org/scp/FinalStudy/CPX_Connection_Study_200601_Report-small.pdf
mem_winterhill
Via the "Foss Park Friends" mailing list:Hi Everyone
You are invited to participate in a Community Meeting (via ZOOM) reporting on research done by the CAFEH research team on how traffic related air pollution and noise affects the health and wellbeing of Somerville residents.
to register go here
https://tufts.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_YHwhMwWoTUG5w56zK83vvg
Jun 1, 2020 05:00 to 6:00 PM
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Benjamin Echevarria Jr.
Executive Director
The Welcome Project
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You are invited to participate in a Community Meeting (via ZOOM)
reporting on research done by the CAFEH research team on how traffic
related air pollution and noise affects the health and wellbeing of
Somerville residents.
At the meeting we will cover what we have learned about the
impact of traffic related air pollution on health, the results of
noise testing along I-93 and how noise pollution affects our health.
And, We will present the results of recent air pollution monitoring
during the Covid pandemic when traffic has been very reduced in
comparison to the more typical heavy traffic traveling through
Somerville.
mem_winterhillAt this week's city council meeting about Public Health and Public Safety, data was presented about the cases in our area that I thought was interesting.
The full meeting agenda and video can be seen here: http://somervillecityma.iqm2.com/Citizens/Detail_Meeting.aspx?ID=3147
The full meeting agenda and video can be seen here: http://somervillecityma.iqm2.com/Citizens/Detail_Meeting.aspx?ID=3147
mem_winterhillWe got an email from the city asking for thoughts on community spaces--please take the survey and share your thoughts on the needs
Although we can't currently gather, the City is looking ahead to identify community spaces that currently exist and determine what additional space may be needed. We are looking at spaces that are indoors and managed by nonprofit or government entities. Ultimately, this research will help the Somerville community make well-informed decisions about how to reuse City-owned property and surface other opportunities to provide the spaces that our residents need. Fill out our survey to help us incorporate your feedback: https://bit.ly/Community-Space
Hello from social distance, neighbors! Hope everyone is staying safe.
This week we were asked to share a survey with the group, via Lauren Drago from the city's strategic planning office. They are interested in what the residents need in terms of community indoor spaces to share. Below I will paste the survey request. If you have some thoughts on this, please click through to their survey and share your needs and ideas. This is not limited to Winter Hill, by the way--it's a general survey of needs across the city. This might affect other social groups you are part of--interest groups, hobby groups, volunteer groups, etc. Think broadly, not just Broadway.
Feel free to post this to other networks (facebook, nextdoor, other neighbor groups, whatever).
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Although we can't currently gather, the City is looking ahead to identify community spaces that currently exist and determine what additional space may be needed. We are looking at spaces that are indoors and managed by nonprofit or government entities. Ultimately, this research will help the Somerville community make well-informed decisions about how to reuse City-owned property and surface other opportunities to provide the spaces that our residents need. Fill out our survey to help us incorporate your feedback: https://bit.ly/Community-SpaceThanks so much for your help with this,
Lauren
Lauren S. Drago
Urban Revitalization Specialist
Mayor's Office of Strategic Planning & Community Development
mem_winterhillVia East Somerville Main Streets--an opportunity to get some tasty and unusual foods and support some local small business folks. You order ahead of time, pick up on Sunday.
https://www.eastsomervillemainstreets.org/market
https://www.eastsomervillemainstreets.org/market
mem_winterhillHello neighbors--
As you likely expect, the Winter Hill Neighborhood Association in-person meetings will go on hiatus until there are changes in the recommendations from the public health scientists. Of course, we will still be available by forum, Facebook, and our email list. If you need something, have neighborhood issues, or have interesting information--do continue to share.
If you are spending a lot of time indoors, you can keep yourself entertained in a number of ways.
Northeastern has a course on dealing with our current Covid-19 issues. https://www.resilience-ed.org/ Hear from experts on how to say safe and sane during this drama.
The Somerville Public Library has great online resources. I love to watch The Great Courses on the streaming service Kanopy that you can access through our library. They also have great films from around the world. https://www.somervillepubliclibrary.org/books-movies-music-etc/watch
The online book collection isn't quite as extensive as the paper form, but I can always find something to read or listen to. I recommend the "Libby" app for audiobooks, and you can download books for reading too. But I mostly read on my Kindle just because I like the size better. But there are different platform choices over there. https://www.somervillepubliclibrary.org/books-movies-music-etc/read
Around the neighborhood: I hope that you are getting take-out food from our restaurants if you can. Obviously it's going to be a rough time for them. If you are a small biz person or staff member, our friend of Winter Hill Jennifer Atwood who is director of East Somerville Main Streets has a helpful page of resources that she's updating for local owners and employees. https://www.eastsomervillemainstreets.org/covid-19-updates
Be well, everyone. And wave from afar.
As you likely expect, the Winter Hill Neighborhood Association in-person meetings will go on hiatus until there are changes in the recommendations from the public health scientists. Of course, we will still be available by forum, Facebook, and our email list. If you need something, have neighborhood issues, or have interesting information--do continue to share. If you are spending a lot of time indoors, you can keep yourself entertained in a number of ways.
Northeastern has a course on dealing with our current Covid-19 issues. https://www.resilience-ed.org/ Hear from experts on how to say safe and sane during this drama.
The Somerville Public Library has great online resources. I love to watch The Great Courses on the streaming service Kanopy that you can access through our library. They also have great films from around the world. https://www.somervillepubliclibrary.org/books-movies-music-etc/watch
The online book collection isn't quite as extensive as the paper form, but I can always find something to read or listen to. I recommend the "Libby" app for audiobooks, and you can download books for reading too. But I mostly read on my Kindle just because I like the size better. But there are different platform choices over there. https://www.somervillepubliclibrary.org/books-movies-music-etc/read
Around the neighborhood: I hope that you are getting take-out food from our restaurants if you can. Obviously it's going to be a rough time for them. If you are a small biz person or staff member, our friend of Winter Hill Jennifer Atwood who is director of East Somerville Main Streets has a helpful page of resources that she's updating for local owners and employees. https://www.eastsomervillemainstreets.org/covid-19-updates
Be well, everyone. And wave from afar.
Update on Foss Park, Feb 2020
Feb. 27th, 2020 02:35 pmmem_winterhill
Recently there was an uproar when we found out that DCR is going to remove 8 mature oak trees from the park. This was after the widely disputed decision to include a fake turf field, so many residents were vocal about more assault on our green spaces. Pat Jehlen sent out this memo which was posted to the Green and Open Somerville mailing list. Pasting in full:
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MEMO
Senator Jehlen, Representatives Barber, Connolly and Provost with staff members met with Commissioner Montgomery and Deputy Engineer Raul Silva at the state house on Tuesday, February 25.
About trees, we learned that:
- The new plan reorients the turf field slightly. It will be larger, to accommodate not only soccer but football.
- The 5 oak trees will be preserved, but the 3 ash trees previously planned for removal will be removed, along with another three.
- The trees will be replaced with 12-15 new trees. They will be planted in the fall, after construction.
- DCR tree staff will meet with Somerville’s Urban Forestry Committee to plan what kind of trees will be placed where.
- We urged that some trees be placed to shield the playground from car exhaust.
- There will also be a shade structure, with concrete pad and picnic tables, on the Fellsway West side.
- The contract has been awarded.
- Some activities, including snow fencing and marking, will begin the second week of March.
- Heavy construction will be from April to June, ending in time to avoid interference with the pool opening.
- The field should open in August.
- Construction vehicles will not be allowed to park on Fellsway West.
- DCR reiterated that the turf field will have a low fence with an unlocked gate to keep dogs off the field.
- There is not time for a full public meeting before activity begins on the field.
- DCR will issue a press release next week with their plans, and a link to images on a website.
- We will continue to ask for an opportunity for people to ask questions
- In the fall, the pool will be enlarged and repaired.
- DCR will work with the city and DOT to
- make a gate in the fence where it’s already cut
- Plan a crosswalk and lights for folks to cross McGrath at Blakeley Ave to Stop & Shop
mem_winterhill
Via the "Sustainaville" monthly newsletter from the city:It has been just over one year since Somerville Climate Forward was released and departments across the City have been hard at work implementing the priority actions identified in Somerville's community climate action plan. We are thrilled to report progress in each of the thirteen priority action areas of the plan. The new progress report summarizes work completed over the past year and provides a preview of what is underway for 2020. We are committed to completing annual reports of our progress towards our ambitious climate goals.
Some highlights from the past year include:
- Over $500,000 of the Fiscal Year 2020 budget was dedicated to implementing Climate Forward priorities.
- The Office of Sustainability and Environment added a new Energy Manager position, growing the office to 4 full-time staff.
- The City's Engineering Department developed a detailed stormwater model of the city and used it to understand what parts of the city are likely to flood during storms today and with the changing climate in the future.
- The 2020 Somerville Community Choice Electricity program doubles the additional amount of renewable electricity in the standard option from 5% to 10% above the state requirement.
- Somerville’s first bi-directional bus lanes were installed on Broadway and over 4 miles of bike facilities were installed throughout the city.
You can download and read the full report at somervillema.gov/climateforward.
mem_winterhillI just got this email from GECA. I bought my car through their electric vehicles program. But I liked this and wanted to post it because I thought their explanation of the Class 1 green energy was helpful. People who I spoke with had concerns about that, but I didn't explain it as well as they do here. It supports the production of local green energy by funding projects around this area.
Somerville's program details: https://cce.somervillema.gov/
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Gondola? Who asked for a gondola?
Feb. 14th, 2020 11:08 ammem_winterhill
Via the SomPedTransit mailing list, I was alerted to the floating [ahem] of a proposal to replace the pedestrian/cyclist bridge across the Mystic with a gondola. No, seriously, stop laughing. It was in the Globe.Globe: https://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/02/07/business/everett-officials-envision-aerial-gondolas-city-hall-casino-assembly-station/
Reply: https://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/02/07/metro/walkers-cyclists-worry-that-an-everett-gondola-would-cost-them-crucial-connection/
Non-Globe piece that doesn't require subscription: https://patch.com/massachusetts/somerville/environmental-advocates-push-back-against-encore-gondola-proposal
This is, of course, insane. Low volume, subject to breaking, in a windy area... I rarely state my own opinion on these things here, trying to be a bit neutral. But this is a hard NO from me if it replaces the bridge.
That said, we joked about how this might actually work up Winter Hill if we can't get a north-south bus route. But no, this is just kidding.
Examples:
I was about to have kittens about the gondola, and then I was remembering a trip to Pittsburgh where they have this fun tram up a nearby hill that takes you to this kind of sweet view and there's an ice cream place up there...it doesn't suck.
I definitely don't want a gondola system to come at the cost of a bike/ped bridge. That said I had seen a City Beautiful YouTube video about gondola systems recently and I've been day dreaming about a line running from the casino through Assembly to Ten Hills, the tops of Winter and Spring Hills and onward to Harvard via Conway Park.
Maybe I just hate climbing hills.
I prefer the TransitTrebuchet.
Plus a footbridge, of course.
Pushback from Mystic River Watershed folks: https://mysticriver.org/news/2020/2/10/mystic-river-watershed-association-calls-on-state-and-encore-to-partner-on-mystic-river-pedestrian-and-bicycle-bridge
Anyway: I draw your attention to the Draw Seven park upcoming meeting where influencing the decision on the bridge might be worthwhile.
https://whna.dreamwidth.org/53669.html
Edit to add: the last meeting I recall on the Pedestrian bridge is here: https://whna.dreamwidth.org/16420.html You can download the slides that make the state's own case for the bridge form.
mem_winterhillVia the city's Economic Development team email:
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