One Civic Act

Today, I joined back to back community meetings held for two applicants hoping to open recreational cannabis dispensaries. They’re both within a hundred yards or so of my house, so it was important to hear what they had to say. After the two hearings, nothing particularly problematic emerged.

Today, I joined my second meeting of the Somerville Alliance for Safe Streets. We’re moving quickly toward a summit at the end of February.

Today, I met with the director of organizing for the Community Action Agency of Somerville to see how I could help, either individually or as part of the Climate Coalition of Somerville. I also made a donation.

It was a busy day. Today, I joined our monthly planning call for the Least Developed Countries Fund bill. Today, I also joined our working session for the Rocky Mountain Institute building electrification accelerator program. Today, in the evening, I joined a public hearing to discuss Soemrville’s Affordable Housing Overlay proposal for its zoning.

Today, I joined a presentation and launch event for the Somerville Community Land Trust .

Today, I joined a panel on the local access television Somerville Labor Show, to talk about the Labor-Climate Summit. There were six of us on a lively discussion for about 90 months.

Today, I joined a call to thank Denise Provost, my state representative, for her service. She’s retiring when the legislative session ends, after six years on Somerville’s Board of Aldermen and 14 years in the State House. She’s been an unwavering rock representing the city.

Today, I did a seven-hour shift as a poll worker in Revere, Massachusetts for the national election. I was “tabulation inspector,” which essentially meant I staffed a voting machine and helped voters feed their ballots into the machines. I also processed mail-in ballots through the machine when voters weren’t using it. I was on my feet the whole time, so it was exhausting. But it was really rewarding helping people vote. Everyone is enthusiastic about being part of the election and very understanding when there were hiccups or delays. I was particularly excited when people told me they were voting for the first time.

Last year, I went to an “open walls” open house that a developer held, in partnership with a real estate agent, a green mortgage financer and a building energy rater. It was interesting to see how the developer was going about the “green flip,” as he called it. Today, I went to a real open house for the property, and got see the fruits of their labor and catch up with the realtor. Today, I also dropped off my ballot for the November 3 election at City Hall.

Today, I filled out my ballot for the election on November 3. I’ll be voting by mail, or actually dropping it off at City Hall when I can get down there.

Today, I attended a public meeting of Somerville’s Job Creation and Retention Trust board. This is a relatively new body that invests developers’ linkage fees into job retention and retraining efforts across the city. Very interesting to hear how the board’s first year investment have gone and to provide some input on next year’s investment priorities.

Elections are run by community members, giving up their day to help keep the wheels of democracy spinning. It’s often retirees who work the polls. But this year, the pandemic has made it dangerous for older citizens to work on the frontline with the public. Today, I attended a training session for poll workers in Revere, where I’ll be volunteering. (Actually, it’s paid, but I won’t accept the money.) Revere was hard hit by the pandemic so it’d be best for older workers to stay home.

The City of Somerville has been negotiating with Tufts University for some time now over payments in lieu of taxes (PILOT). Somerville residents are impacted by tax-exempt institutions in our communities that take advantage of city services without contributing revenues. Today, I signed a petition asking the City Council to hold a hearing to review and pass an ordinance governing PILOT.

Today, I made Kiva loan to Candace , a Mississippi caterer looking for a small loan to get her Black-owned, woman-owned business off the ground. Today, I also joined a city council meeting (online, of course), during which our Mayor presented the 2021 budget to the council.

Today, I attended a candlelight vigil for George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and others killed by police brutality and racist violence. This was a Somerville event, organized by people of color who have formed a new organization called Just Us Somerville . It ended with 8 minutes and 46 seconds of silence, after which we were asked to leave the area in the silence that George Floyd heard as he cried out for help in the last minutes of his life.

Today, I attended a presentation from a developer and its architect in the Boynton Yards area of Somerville. The good news is that the developer has embraced the sustainability aspects of Somerville’s new zoning code and made sure pass along additional questions.

Today, I joined a call to learn more about traffic-related impacts on air quality, as a result of the pandemic’s sharp reduction in traffic on the highways that cut across Somerville. The Somerville Transportation Equity Partnership has been at this for a long time and they had some interesting findings to share.

I’ve made a donation to, and connected with, the Mutual Aid Medford and Somerville (MAMAS) group . Today, I made another donation, in response to a fundraising campaign .

I recently connected with the Mutual Aid Medford and Somerville (MAMAS) group. Today, the new captain of our neighborhood pod reached and I connected with him. He’ll hopefully connect with a core group of neighbors so we can stay in touch and support one another. I also made a donation to MAMAS, to go toward a community member in need.

Today, I made a donation to the Somerville Cares COVID-19 Fund . The fund will provide emergency funding to Somerville residents and Somerville workers, regardless of immigration status, to help cover basic needs including, but not limited to, food, medications, rent, utilities, childcare, and other basic necessities. It’s hosted by the United Way and administered by the Community Action Agency of Somerville (CAAS).