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The Tufts Daily
Where you read it first | Wednesday, May 7, 2025

News | Local


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Local

Somerville Mayor Ballantyne announces reelection bid for 3rd term

On March 24, Somerville Mayor Katjana Ballantyne officially announced her reelection bid. She is seeking a third term since her initial election in 2021, facing declared challengers including Somerville City Councilors at-Large Jake Wilson and Willie Burnley Jr., as well as Somerville resident Jason Mackey.


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Local

Medford officials continue zoning overhaul after approving Salem Street rezoning

The City of Medford’s plans to revise and modernize zoning laws across the city recently resulted in rezoning in the Salem Street Corridor District. Medford City Council is planning new zoning with the help of consulting group Innes Associates and feedback from councilors and residents. Adopted by Medford City Council on March 11, the process followed the standard four-step procedure of proposal, review and recommendation by the Community Development Board and commentary from residents. 







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Local

New ordinance proposal aims to reform Medford’s Human Rights Commission

After a yearlong process, the Medford City Council proposed a new draft of the ordinance for the city’s Human Rights Commission. Established to protect the civil rights of Medford residents, particularly on issues of housing, the current version of the ordinance required modernizing, according to City Councilor Justin Tseng, who led the proposal.


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Local

Somerville City Council decision leaves inclusion of divestment ballot question to community

Somerville City Council voted to file a ballot initiative for Somerville’s divestment from companies in business with Israel on Thursday night, requiring activists to collect about 5,500 voter signatures to secure the question a spot on the city’s November ballot. The council’s 9–2 vote was preceded by a rally organized by Somerville for Palestine, attended by hundreds of Somerville community members outside Somerville City Hall.


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Local

Todd Evans inaugurated as Medford fire chief after 11 months as interim chief

Medford Fire Chief Todd Evans was sworn into his role on Feb. 24, with the inauguration ceremony taking place on Mar. 12. He had served as interim chief for 11 months, following the retirement of Chief John Freedman. The chief was chosen via assessment center examination. According to the city’s press release, Chief Evans earned the highest score out of two candidates on the assessment center exam. Mayor Breanna Lungo-Koehn had interviewed all five deputy chiefs, including Evans, in March 2024 to choose an interim chief.






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Local

Somerville City Council approves allocation of nearly $3 million in funding from Community Preservation Act

The Somerville City Council voted to approve the allocation of nearly $3 million in funding collected through the Community Preservation Act on Feb. 13. These funds will go to various projects throughout Somerville related to the preservation of historic buildings, maintenance of public open spaces, affordable housing initiatives and support for local nonprofits and community organizations.


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Local

Somerville City Council passes resolution supporting Tufts full-time lecturers in contract negotiations

The Somerville City Council passed a resolution in support of a contract for Tufts full-time lecturers in a meeting on Feb. 13. The resolution was sponsored by City Councilor at-Large Willie Burnley Jr., who also participated in the union’s walkout in January. Two full-time lecturers were invited to speak at the meeting, where council members expressed overwhelming support for Tufts FTLs.