Winter Hill Neighborhood Association

New social media route experiment, kbin

2023-06-18T16:25:27Z

Posted by: 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

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Apply to join the Winter Hill Urban Renewal Plan's Civic Advisory Committee

2021-10-07T13:49:24Z

Posted by: mem_winterhill

Via 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.

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Winter Hill walking tour, October 3 2021 | 11am-1pm

2021-09-19T17:48:01Z

Posted by: mem_winterhill

From 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!

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Charter Review Committee Kickoff Event | August 28, 2021 - 3pm

2021-08-25T16:51:01Z

Posted by: 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

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GLX update meeting | Dec 9 2020, 6:30pm

2020-11-30T21:36:42Z

Posted by: mem_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

https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_EOA6uxlbRzKUYEVWoSHouQ

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

For more information on GLX visit www.mass.gov/glx

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Some see opportunity for neighborhood groups, others see attempt at undermining on a pretext

2020-11-25T03:12:31Z

Posted by: mem_winterhill

I 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/

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Public Hearing On Winter Hill Urban Renewal Plan In Somerville On November 18 2020

2020-11-14T17:35:58Z

Posted by: 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.

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Staying cool around Winter Hill in pandemic times

2020-06-19T19:29:22Z

Posted by: 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.somervillema.gov/keepcool

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!

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Online public Green Line meeting #GLX | June 24 5:30pm

2020-06-10T16:06:00Z

Posted by: mem_winterhill

Via 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

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Trail Advocates Plot New Routes to Link East Somerville to Charles River

2020-06-10T16:02:12Z

Posted by: 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

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Community meeting on Traffic Pollution in Somerville | Jun 1, 2020 05:00 PM

2020-05-21T12:31:41Z

Posted by: 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

--
Benjamin Echevarria Jr.
Executive Director
The Welcome Project

++++++++++++++

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.

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Covid-19 case data by Somerville zip code and week

2020-05-19T19:55:36Z

Posted by: mem_winterhill

At 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

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Survey on Community Indoor Space needs; share your thoughts

2020-05-07T20:38:09Z

Posted by: mem_winterhill

We got an email from the city asking for thoughts on community spaces--please take the survey and share your thoughts on the needs

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).

+++++++++++++++++++++

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

Thanks so much for your help with this,

Lauren

Lauren S. Drago

Urban Revitalization Specialist

Mayor's Office of Strategic Planning & Community Development

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Sunday May 10 | Pre-order + pickup market via East Somerville Main Streets

2020-05-04T17:45:35Z

Posted by: mem_winterhill

Via 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

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Covid-19 is the real deal. Stay safe out there, neighbors.

2020-03-20T20:00:12Z

Posted by: mem_winterhill

Hello 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.

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Update on Foss Park, Feb 2020

2020-02-27T19:47:26Z

Posted by: mem_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:

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

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.

About construction, we learned that:

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.

About communication, we expressed dissatisfaction with the process so far. We learned that:

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

About future developments, we learned that:

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

We will continue to advocate for public meetings, for both information and input.

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Progress on the Somerville Climate Forward plan

2020-02-20T18:22:56Z

Posted by: 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.

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Somerville's Community Choice Electricity (CCE), explained

2020-02-14T21:44:32Z

Posted by: mem_winterhill

I 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/

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Hi Mary,

Have you been solicited by "green" electricity suppliers like CleanChoice Energy? Maybe you want to support renewable energy, but are skeptical if your money will actually go toward shifting our electricity away from fossil fuels. You're right to be skeptical!

Don't take the bait.

Your community already has a great community electricity aggregation program, ensuring that everyone in town is helping to add more renewable energy to our electric grid with each and every bill (affordably). But the competing offers from other suppliers are not so green.

Here's a quick summary of why your community's program is better.

When you buy green electricity, you want this to happen.

But guess what? It doesn't always. You can buy renewable energy to line someone's pockets, or you can buy renewable energy to help build more of it. How do you tell the difference?

In MA & RI, laws require that utilities and suppliers buy an increasing amount of local "Class 1" or "new" renewable energy on our behalf. This creates an incentive to build renewable generators in New England, and by voluntarily choosing to add more Class 1, your whole community is driving up demand.

Most "green" electricity suppliers only offer what's required by law, and the rest comes from projects that don't need your money. If it's not Class 1, you're doing nothing to help shut down fossil fuel plants in our region, or anywhere else.

Lucky for you, your community's aggregation is focused on Class 1. If your interest is piqued, go more in depth on our blog: https://blog.greenenergyconsumers.org/blog/there-are-three-ways-to-buy-green-electricity-two-are-good-and-one-is-bad

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Gondola? Who asked for a gondola?

2020-02-14T16:23:25Z

Posted by: mem_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.

https://www.visitpittsburgh.com/directory/duquesne-incline/

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.

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More Star Market meetings, including Spanish and at Mystic

2020-02-11T19:35:39Z

Posted by: mem_winterhill

Via the city's Economic Development team email:

Updated Timeline on Consideration of a Winter Hill Urban Renewal Plan

Since December, the City has been gathering feedback about whether the community would support an urban renewal plan in Winter Hill.

Councilor Clingan has asked us to extend the conversation for another month to ensure that even more voices can be heard before we make a recommendation for next steps to the Somerville Redevelopment Authority. That means you have until March 15 to share your feedback on next steps! Here's how:

Reunión de la comunidad de Winter Hill / Community Meeting in Spanish
La ciudad de Somerville está reuniendo comentarios sobre un posible plan de renovación urbano en Winter Hill. Esta iniciativa ayudaria a saber que te gustaria ver en el sitio vacante de Star Market y podría apoyar otros objetivos de la comunidad en el vecindario. Únase a la conversación en español y comparta su perspectiva.
Jueves, el 13 de Febrero de las 6:00 - 7:00 pm / Thurs., Feb. 13, 6:00 - 7:00 pm
Escuela de Winter Hill / Winter Hill Community School, 115 Sycamore St, Somerville, MA

Councilor Clingan's Community Meeting [Corrected Date]
Ward 4 Councilor Jesse Clingan will be hosting a meeting at the Mystic Activity Center, and staff will be present to discuss the possibility of an urban renewal plan and gather more feedback.
Monday, March 2, 6:00 pm
Mystic Activity Center, 530 Mystic Ave, Somerville, MA

Online Feedback
You still have time to share your feedback online as well! Click the "Surveys & Forms" tab and you can provide the same feedback we are gathering at our community meetings.
Sunday, March 15
SomerVoice

Somerville Redevelopment Authority Meeting
Staff will be sharing the results of our community engagement and recommending a path forward at the March SRA meeting. We will still be providing an update at the February 19 meeting as previously planned, but not making a recommendation about whether to move forward with an urban renewal plan until March. We will share slides from both meetings on SomerVoice.
Wednesday, March 18, 5:30 pm
Location TBD

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DCR Public Meeting - Draw Seven Park Renovation - Tuesday, February 25, 2020 (Snow Date: Thursday, F

2020-02-08T00:07:27Z

Posted by: mem_winterhill

Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation

Public Meeting

DRAW SEVEN PARK RENOVATION

Tuesday, February 25, 2020 - 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.*

(Snow Date: Thursday, February 27, 2020 – 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.)

Partners Health Care Assembly Room – Room B, 1^st Floor

309 Revolution Drive, Somerville, MA 02145

At this public meeting, DCR will present and obtain input on a proposed schematic design for Draw Seven Park.

The presentation will be viewable after the meeting on DCR’s website at

https://www.mass.gov/service-details/materials-from-past-meetings. The public will be invited to submit comments after the public meeting, with a deadline for receipt by DCR of close-of-business on Tuesday, March 17, 2020. Comments may be submitted online at https://www.mass.gov/forms/dcr-public-comments or by writing to the Department of Conservation and Recreation, Office of Public Outreach, 251 Causeway Street, 6^th Floor, Boston, MA 02114.

Please note that comments submitted to DCR may be posted on the DCR website in their entirety, and no information, including personal information, will be redacted.

If you have questions or concerns or would like to be added to an email list to receive DCR general or project-specific announcements, please email Mass.Parks@state.ma.us or call 617-626-4973.

*In case of inclement weather, please see www.mass.gov/dcr to see if the meeting has been postponed to the snow date.

EDIT: adding my thread of live-tweeting from the meeting with images https://threadreaderapp.com/thread/1232445821179715591.html

Download the slides from the state [PDF]: https://www.mass.gov/doc/draw-seven-park-renovation-meeting-presentation/download

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Green New Deal Town Hall | Sen. Markey Feb 13, SHS, 6:30pm

2020-02-06T21:55:48Z

Posted by: mem_winterhill

Via: https://www.facebook.com/events/2479015989080787/

In February 2019, Senator Ed Markey and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez introduced the historic Green New Deal resolution, a bold set of goals that calls for a national mobilization to transform the economy, fight climate change, and create millions of jobs. In Congress, Ed is fighting for the climate action we need to avert a catastrophe.

Central to the Green New Deal resolution is ensuring a democratic, inclusive process for determining how we move forward as a nation. Ed invites you to join him in Somerville for a town hall discussion on the Green New Deal and more.

DATE: Thursday, February 13th
TIME: 6:30pm – 8:00pm (Doors open at 6pm)
LOCATION: Somerville High School
ADDRESS: 81 Highland Ave., Somerville

Public Transportation: The high school is served by MBTA bus routes 80, 88, and 90
Parking: On street parking will be permitted in the surrounding area for non-residents from 6pm-8:30pm

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Growing Center seed sale and fundraiser | orders due March 1 2020

2020-02-06T20:21:55Z

Posted by: mem_winterhill

One of our upcoming "theme" meetings may be gardening! But ahead of that, you might want to place an order with our local garden group.

http://www.thegrowingcenter.org/seed-sale

Via reddit/r/somerville:

It's time to think spring and consider what seeds you want to plant in the 2020 growing season! Once again, we are happy to be partnering with High Mowing Seeds from Vermont, who offer us a percentage of seed sales to help support the Growing Center's activities.

Please check out the seed and seed kit information here and complete this form to place your order online by our deadline of March 1.

You can also order your seeds in-person from our Seed Sale & Swap on Saturday, Feb. 22 at the Somerville Winter Farmers Market, at the Armory, at 191 Highland Avenue. Please come say hello and bring some (labeled) seeds to share with your neighbors! It's always a fun way to share seeds and garden stories with others, while dreaming of the 2020 growing season!

Then, mark your calendars, because seed orders will be available for pick-up on March 21, 9:30am - 2pm at the Somerville Winter Farmers Market (if this won't work for you, please contact us to make other arrangements).

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Next Steps and Meetings for Winter Hill [Star Market Urban Renewal]

2020-02-06T14:59:34Z

Posted by: mem_winterhill

From the city Somerville Economic Development Team :

Thanks for Attending Our Meeting!

We had about fifty people join us Monday night for our latest community meeting on a possible Winter Hill Urban Renewal Plan. Thank you to Councilor Clingan and Winter Hill Brewing Company for having us, and to everyone who came by.

Below is our voting sheet that participants updated last night; we're still seeing support for an urban renewal plan including all sites except for the Brewery Block. This does not include voting on SomerVoice, which will be open until 2/17.

Beyond the voting, we heard a variety of different priorities highlighted:

Community Land Trust parcels for affordable housing and/or commercial
Commercial use / grocery stores
Some wanted no housing, some wanted affordable housing
Center for youth as well as space for the elderly
The importance of keeping parking/traffic in good shape, especially near the Elizabeth Peabody House.

Next Steps

2/13 - Reunión de la comunidad de Winter Hill: La ciudad de Somerville está reuniendo comentarios sobre un posible plan de renovación urbano en Winter Hill. Esta iniciativa ayudaria a saber que te gustaria ver en el sitio vacante de Star Market y podría apoyar otros objetivos de la comunidad en el vecindario. Únase a la conversación en español y comparta su perspectiva. Jueves, el 13 de Febrero de las 6:00 - 7:00 pm, Escuela de Winter Hill, 115 Sycamore St, Somerville, MA. (We have one more meeting, to be held in Spanish, on February 13 at 6pm at the Winter Hill Community School.)
2/17 - Online Feedback: You can still weigh in online at SomerVoice.SomervilleMA.gov until February 17.
2/19 - Presentation to the Somerville Redevelopment Authority: Staff will be sharing the results of our community engagement at the next SRA meeting on Wednesday, 2/19 at 5:30pm at the Somerville Public Library Central Branch Auditorium. There will be an opportunity for public comment, and we will share the slides on SomerVoice.

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Gilman Square roadway improvements community meeting | Feb 12 6pm

2020-02-03T17:00:21Z

Posted by: mem_winterhill

Join staff from the City of Somerville’s Mobility Division, City Councilors Jesse Clingan, Ben Ewen-Campen, and Matt McLaughlin, city Staff and Gilman Square Neighborhood Association (GSNA) for a community meeting about the future of Gilman Square, on Wednesday, February 12. Staff will present conceptual designs for intersection and road improvements that will support multi-modal transportation and future development in Gilman Square, and receive feedback from community members about the design.

The meeting will be held at the Winter Hill Community School, 115 Sycamore St., on Wednesday, February 12 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.

Interpretation in Portuguese, Haitian Creole, and Spanish will be available upon request by contacting Nancy Bacci at NBacci@somervillema.gov or 617-625-6600 ext. 2250.

Individuals with disabilities who need auxiliary aids and services for effective communication, written materials in alternative formats, or reasonable modifications in policies and procedures, in order to access the programs and activities of the City of Somerville or to attend meetings, should contact the City’s Director of Human Services, Nancy Bacci, at 617-625-6600 x2250 or NBacci@somervillema.gov.

EDIT POST-MEETING: Thread of tweets and impressions from the first part of the meeting. https://threadreaderapp.com/thread/1227747560233881600.html

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