These are just some of the municipal meetings and civic events for the coming week. More are on the City of Somerville website.
Final budget approvals
City Council, 7 p.m. Thursday. Next year’s budget is as ready as it will ever be, and the council is set to decide what is approved or removed from the mayor’s $362 million request to fund city operations. The mayor is trying to push more funding for schools and “small reductions” for other core city services. Elsewhere, councilor Naima Sait orders the administration to do a better job notifying Magoun Square businesses of construction projects and holding the Eversource utility more accountable in the area. Businesses have been affected by Central Broadway water main upgrades, with water being routed aboveground from fire hydrants and, separately, experiencing two power outages in early June. Also, councilor Ben Ewen-Campen requests information about how the city’s engineering team plans to make a Community Path crossing safer at School Street. As it stands, the crossing changes grade, includes a sharp turn and is narrow for pedestrians and bikers. The recent advocacy effort is led by Ben Orenstein, a resident who ran briefly for council before dropping out of the race in May. In-person at the second-floor chambers at City Hall, 93 Highland Ave., Central Hill, or watchable via videoconferencing.
Family fun day returns
Parks and Recreation Department, 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday. Summer is here and the city kicks off its summer recreation programs with an all-ages Family Fun Day. Activities include games, arts and crafts, music and more. At Conway Park, 550 Somerville Ave., Ward 2. In the event of bad weather, the event moves to nearby Founders Memorial Skating Rink, 8 Garden Court, Ward 2.
Condo conversion rights review
Housing and Community Development Committee, 6 p.m. Monday. The committee continues discussion about the economic impact felt by small businesses from federal immigration policy changes, a conversation begun in March with the city’s economic development director. Councilor Matt McLaughlin asked the committee to connect with the director of housing stability for ideas concerning ways the city can strengthen its condominium conversion and tenant protection laws. The city updated the ordinance in 2023, which McLaughlin said was applied at the state level. The mayor requests approval for various housing and community development funds, including how the city plans to use some of the $1.6 million it got during pandemic recovery for reducing homelessness and making housing more stable. In-person in the committee room second-floor chambers at City Hall, 93 Highland Ave., Central Hill, or watchable via videoconferencing.
From two to five housing units
Ward 4 Neighborhood Meeting, 6:30 p.m. Monday. A landowner wants to build five units of housing by demolishing the current two-unit residential structure on a property behind a convenience store and dumpling restaurant. Councilor Jesse Clingan hosts. The applicant for 6 Wheatland St. is represented by Adam Dash & Associates. In-person at the Elizabeth Peabody House, 275 Broadway, Winter Hill.
A stronger
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