These are just some of the municipal meetings and civic events for the coming week. More are on the City of Somerville website.
Fair housing ordinance update
Fair Housing Commission, 3 p.m. Thursday. The commission provides updates on its fair housing questionnaire for council candidates running in this fall’s elections and a potential update to a fair housing ordinance seeking to add protected classes. The Metropolitan Area Planning Council awarded Somerville funds in March to help with “fair housing engagement,” leading to discussion on to use these technical assistance funds. Review and updates on 2024 and 2025 annual reports is expected too. Watchable via videoconferencing.
Funds to aid affordable housing
Affordable Housing Trust Fund, 5:15 p.m. Thursday. The group introduces Sheniqua Roper, a recently hired housing programs coordinator and city liaison, and talks about how to allocate the fiscal year’s funds and set criteria for proposals. Last year, the trust set aside $400,000 of Community Preservation Act money to support housing assistance programs, including for rental assistance. Watchable via videoconferencing.
Asking neighbors about addition
Ward 1 Neighborhood Meeting, 6 p.m. Tuesday. A development team in East Somerville wants to replace an existing deck with a sunroom and smaller deck at 1 Myrtle St. Councilor Matt McLaughlin and the city host this community meeting alongside the renovators as they seek to add a glass vestibule that connects to the back of the house. Watchable via videoconferencing.
Preserving a 19th century home
Historic Preservation Commission, 6:45 p.m. Tuesday. The commission asks whether a two-story house at 80 Irving St. near Davis Square should be “preferably preserved” after the owners requested demolition and the city determined in July that the structure was historically significant.The building was built between 1874 and 1884. Watchable via videoconferencing.
Navigating an electric challenge
Zoning Board of Appeals, 6 p.m. Wednesday. Owners of a new 12-unit building at 872 Broadway, Powder House Square, seek relief on an electrical transformer placement in the front yard – where in May the city issued a permit allowing a temporary installation. According to planning documents, owners could not get an easement along the property line for the rear and putting one down a maintenance hole wasn’t feasible due to long lead times, while Eversource, the public utility, requires a pad-mounted transformer. The builders already updated the building façade to meet city requirements. Watchable via videoconferencing.
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