Heat wave this week, in case folks haven't heard already.
People in Somerville and Medford: MAMAS has an air conditioner redistribution project every spring/summer. If you have a working a/c to contribute, or if you are in need of one, take a look at the info on the website about this project!
https://mutualaidmamas.com/get-involved/ac-project/
If you are able to contribute $ to the community pool, that also helps tremendously.
#MutualAid #SomervilleMA #MedfordMA #SomerPoli #MAPoli
Just saw a new article in Working Mass on the Somerville layoffs and union organizing (what sounds like union busting, to me). #SomervilleMA #SomerPoli #unions #MApoli
By: Chris Brady SOMERVILLE – On May 20, Somerville Mayor Jake Wilson joined the Greater Boston Labor Council (GBLC) for their municipal legislative breakfast at the Somerville Armory. There, he gave a speech supporting unions. Somerville worker Kate Bossingham testified during a May 28 City Council meeting that after the breakfast, which was presumably paid […]
Relatedly, Jake Wilson posted an op ed in the Globe about the problems of CSO (Combined Sewer Overflow) and his plan to not fix all of it by year 2050, but fix a meaningful amount of the issue, at least. #SomerPoli
Wow. 1920 annual report of Somerville, page 282:
"The high cost of materials and labor has prevented the extension of the 'separate system' sewers and likewise storm drain construction work, except that absolutely necessary. No sewers have been petitioned for during the year and only a small amount of new construction work has been done."
Just thinking about how long we've been putting off CSO (Combined Sewer Overflow) project. OUCH. #SomerPoli
https://archives.lib.state.ma.us/entities/journalfile/d5f766cb-5b24-411a-97f1-c3e04bb3350c
Last night’s hearing is now available on YouTube for viewing (at 2x speed, even, should you so desire) here. #SomervilleMA #SomerPoli
Following up! Here’s the beginning of @somershade.bsky.social ’s thread about the budget hearing last night. #SomervilleMA #SomerPoli #MAPoli
https://fed.brid.gy/r/https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:xkngkuljerb2mnflvfdolyro/post/3mnin5fs2sk2k
Here are mtg details for the annual budget hearing that happens in ~17 hours. You can watch via Zoom or live in Somerville City Hall chambers. (If you’re there f2f, say hi to me & see if I remembered to bring a petition for people to sign!)
Hope Jake answers some fuckin’ questions about this budget. Laying non-union staff off & then increasing police budget ($25/hr INCREASE in overtime pay for some police positions??) … sure is some kind of proposal! #SomerPoli
Here’s @somershade.bsky.social ’s initial take on this year’s budget. #SomervilleMA #SomerPoli #MAPoli
The budget book for fiscal year 2027 went online quietly a couple of days ago. It’s not yet linked from the city’s main website, but it looks complete, and odds are good that this will be what the mayor presents to the City Council at a special...
Because next year’s budget seems SUPER relevant when considering layoffs of last week (incl potential union-busting activities involved in laying off staff who were known to have signed up for nascent SWU union!), plus the EXPANDING police budget … I’ll add to this thread to talk about this year’s budget. #SomervilleMA #SomerPoli #MAPoli
Here’s the FY27 budget book, which city council is will discuss tomorrow night/tonight at city hall, in the annual budget hearing: https://city-somerville-ma-cleardoc.cleargov.com/23272/902298/d
The GoFundMe to support the laid off City of Somerville staffers who were in the process of organizing a union is now at $4500 out of a $15k goal.
https://www.gofundme.com/f/unjustly-laidoff-somerville-public-workers
Crystal Huff (they/them)
