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Local

Davis Square Neighborhood Council elects inaugural board

Community members in Davis Square elected the inaugural board of directors for the Davis Square Neighborhood Council (DSNC) last month. The nine-member body, according to its website, aims to give the community “a seat at the table” in shaping the neighborhood’s future, with its primary function ...




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Local

Candidate field for Medford elections largely set

The list of candidates running for mayor, City Council and School Committee in Medford has been largely finalized following the July 29 deadline to submit nomination papers. Our Revolution Medford, the progressive organization that supports a majority of incumbent members on the City Council and School Committee, announced its list of endorsements on Tuesday.







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Local

Medford School Committee votes to ratify contract with teachers association

On April 14, the Medford School Committee voted to ratify a contract with the Medford Teachers Association. The motion passed with all present members voting in favor. “I think the teachers union and the negotiating team from the school side did a great job getting the contract settled,” Medford Mayor Breanna Lungo-Koehn, who abstained from the negotiation because her sister is part of the school system, said. “I am just really, really excited that we got to this resolution.”



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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.