[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6355958,"mediaKeyId","2217250-860d50a4b51c3bb0a0e61df89a401b41","parentId",2217250,"title","Somerville’s senior taxi program moved to operating budget; councilors press for outreach and discuss senior liaison role","audioSeconds",346,"startMs",2664000,"endMs",3010000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2217250-860d50a4b51c3bb0a0e61df89a401b41&start=2664&end=3010","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2217250-860d50a4b51c3bb0a0e61df89a401b41/thumbnail_2664000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6355958/Somerville-City/Middlesex-County/Massachusetts/Somervilles-senior-taxi-program-moved-to-operating-budget-councilors-press-for-outreach-and-discuss-senior-liaison-role","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6355958-668e848938b81a85546f750c27c98c95/orig.mp4?Expires=1776070337&Signature=CzNY8gUrdxP1lmHZlQrOvI9HdKYqihPdDOX5QTu2hIbySdFRsY2IbweJIepzyEapavE24RWVLZbGVYX2SiZ3HfRKGFGRlDnHwhl47Qgg1S7WskJEV71V3735DdW2Bg9vOlhXNP5kvXw~sA8QgjIrx3fpfSCx5rh0EbyNovLjTgJfFnlXEntF4oY5R0DQKLhxf-8ZihJvUtHslOLDrTAMOTyVTrj81xDo7TWy-9azU2FuxtusZ2FOlXuBpNbcj2283E8h7wE3BYxRo7oqkBwQI0rDc-PWTPwYPlwxrmE9lVy~PSDqXsld8we7YlMn1dLuYR-gC6tAWUBmJABlEdZBtQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Somerville City, MA","date","2025-02-04T00:00:00Z","article","Director Ashley Spelliotis presented the Council on Aging’s transportation program in response to Order 250041 and described the department’s ongoing services and constraints.

Spelliotis said Somerville’s senior taxi program provides door‑to‑door rides for Somerville residents aged 60 and over and for people under 60 with a permanent disability. The program offers rides for medical appointments and to food sources within Somerville. “Typically … 27% of our rides of the roughly 600 rides we provide a month is for food access. 65 to 70% of the rides are for routine medical care,” Spelliotis said. She said the taxi program transitioned from grant funding to the city operating budget and currently has about $10,000 per month in city operating support through the fiscal year.

Spelliotis described trip limits and eligibility: one routine medical ride per week (medical includes dentist, mental health, physical therapy) and two rides per month to a food source or pharmacy. The taxi contractor charges a flat Somerville fare (Spelliotis gave $14 as an example for in‑city trips) and higher rates for trips beyond city borders; councilors and staff discussed whether to allow occasional out‑of‑city grocery trips (for example, to a Daily Table in Cambridge) on a case‑by‑case or programmatic basis, noting costs increase with distance.

Councilors expressed concern about food cost inflation and seniors’ access to discounts and distant low‑cost grocers. Spelliotis said the Council on Aging offers other programs—community meals, social‑work assistance with SNAP and benefits, and subsidized catered meals at the centers—and that staff rely on multiple outreach channels including mail newsletters, newspapers, and social media.

The committee also took up Resolution 250040 and Resolution 241178 (requests to create a full‑time senior liaison position). Liaison Hutter said the administration met with advocates, including Mass Senior Action, and that the mayor and departments continue to discuss next steps; at the meeting Hutter said there were no immediate plans to create a new position and that any new staff would be part of future budget conversations. Councilors described the liaison role as an internal advocate to review street design, permitting, accessibility, and interdepartmental issues that affect seniors’ ability to age in place; the administration said departments already coordinate but welcomed continued advocacy and cross‑department collaboration.

Committee members did not adopt a hiring decision at the meeting; councilors who sponsor the liaison proposals said they will continue to advance the request through the budget process and asked administration to continue interdepartmental coordination on mobility and housing issues for seniors.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Somerville City Equity Committee - 2025-02-03","oneSentenceSummary","Director Ashley Spelliotis told the committee that Somerville’s senior taxi program now runs on city operating funds (about $10,000 per month), supports roughly 600 rides per month, and sets limits of one routine medical ride per week and two food/pharmacy trips per month per rider.","taxTitle","Somerville City, Middlesex County, Massachusetts","taxId",4564,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6355962,"City officials say Korean and Vietnam memorials should return to high‑school lawn this year; councilors press for physical signage",240,1485000,1725000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2217250-860d50a4b51c3bb0a0e61df89a401b41&start=1485&end=1725","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2217250-860d50a4b51c3bb0a0e61df89a401b41/thumbnail_1485000.jpg","/articles/6355962/Somerville-City/Middlesex-County/Massachusetts/City-officials-say-Korean-and-Vietnam-memorials-should-return-to-highschool-lawn-this-year-councilors-press-for-physical-signage","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6355962-cb1da909b054598ad0525700c100459b/orig.mp4?Expires=1776070337&Signature=U2KmpV7i5XHfuFRyMJL2JH0fzNGr~VU6HAz-W3IdYU7e2-U-xPR4aDVpxJ277BscWA-HBcSWRYIJH9QuLvqxic-BPII6Dv6sRaqPTBj0poR7zp-khA8jaUrg1MDCTL0IsWtz7R9-UgeEdvaAbCioaedD5g46~3slKMLyx9R5TCrkTDftml-n0GG-du16Cou-rMpoP9n9Pe6gmDga82Xq70q9P2~5v2osSpBCTEmFvtiMCQmSPEn8nGafA4lZiwBZAvv2nqzouGDJKCCq01mhZ6vWmoV0Io8wnVnlONMUe5eJZruV1WQnHE7qMLuE0KuKKXkRU4thDv4tHEHihgOD2w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City Councilor at‑large Kristen Strezzo and committee members pressed city staff on Resolution 250062 and Order 250042, asking when two veterans memorials removed from the City Hall concourse and high school campus would be reinstalled.

Director Louisa Olivera presented design slides and a project timeline. She said the first phase covers the Korean and Vietnam memorials and that the city will put the project out to bid on Feb. 14, with construction slated to begin in April and completion expected in late summer. “Construction will begin in April and will hopefully be completed in the summer,” Olivera said.

Councilors pressed for better on‑site communication for veterans. Strezzo asked for “some form of communication somewhere in that region” and suggested a temporary sign so veterans would see that the memorials are returning this year. Olivera said the administration had posted project information on the city’s project page and was coordinating communications with veteran services; Liaison Hutter and Director Hutter acknowledged the need to meet veterans where they are and said the administration is discussing press releases, community outreach and contacts with veterans groups.

Councilors also asked whether other memorials planned for the City Hall concourse would return soon. Liaison Hutter said decisions about the remaining memorials require capital investment planning and are still under development; staff continue to evaluate whether some memorials might be better placed elsewhere in the city. The mayor, Hutter said, has made the project a priority and is personally invested in returning memorials.

There was no formal vote recorded on the resolutions during the committee; members thanked staff for the timeline and urged administration to pursue visible, non‑digital notices in addition to web postings and a timed press release.","Director Louisa Olivera presented a timeline saying bids will go out Feb. 14, construction begin in April and the two memorials could be back on the Somerville High School lawn by late summer; councilors urged physical signage and a press release so veterans who don’t use the web know a plan is underway.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6355968,"Somerville launches pilot of free menstrual-product dispensers in six city locations",580,126000,706000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2217250-860d50a4b51c3bb0a0e61df89a401b41&start=126&end=706","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2217250-860d50a4b51c3bb0a0e61df89a401b41/thumbnail_126000.jpg","/articles/6355968/Somerville-City/Middlesex-County/Massachusetts/Somerville-launches-pilot-of-free-menstrual-product-dispensers-in-six-city-locations","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6355968-f114a14b43e8f8953a6e43ec0584db8d/orig.mp4?Expires=1776070337&Signature=dPlnX2GfIOm-udR73NKU66L7aKTl4raLm1IxzXdkRQP5FQqExV3gr89rB-Vlz2t-f1Z-2t22lk7~BanUq-j8L~oMIcMMqf3JP~Ps9B96UN5EV0ta2FpreUce~5niuC-3BppXy50WMj1UCVAGiD9sTryxYCBunx80zNDIkubCcqA82Z7WBm60h37ntC1YlC5yGNi6c256GULgm8y~rMYNMwNDUWoxl5dEbXQoFAPD2K7wIuZjMU9X55qpqbtm2VCNO7UEu~taSbFeDebqLeSCcQ4W~~cSelHEPPjsivgUTNOubJpwOqCz02xPVM7DnvC7mrEmSDCFsgERgHPom0n4lw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City Councilor at‑large Kristen Strezzo asked the director of Health and Human Services to update the committee on Order 250039, which requests information on the availability and accessibility of free menstrual products in city‑owned restrooms.

The pilot program, Director of Health and Human Services Karen Carroll told the committee, launched in late fall and places six dual dispensers that dispense both tampons and pads at high‑traffic sites aimed at teens and adults. “We targeted teen center activities or teen spaces,” Carroll said, listing locations as the Edgerly (teen programs), Powder House (Parks & Recreation teen activities), Soya at 42 Cross Street, the HHS annex (case management and housing services), and two dispensers at Project SEWP. Carroll said the vendor, Citron, installs and maintains the machines and refills them “every 28 days.”

Carroll told the committee each dispenser holds 28 tampons and 28 pads and that the vendor reported machines were “very low or close to empty” at refill visits so far. Based on that usage she estimated the pilot has already provided “in the 100s” of free products. She said the department will receive quarterly utilization reports from the vendor and expects to share a Q1 report in March or April.

Strezzo and other councilors raised questions about gaps, especially for younger students. Strezzo said parents reported pads and tampons distributed in some schools were adult sizes that can be difficult for middle‑school bodies to use. Carroll said the school department operates under a separate contract for school dispensers, and that HHS has been meeting with school staff to map gaps and consider sizing and placement. Carroll said schools fill their own dispensers and therefore do not automatically receive utilization data unless they track it internally.

Councilor Saeed asked whether the pilot had uncovered product quality or maintenance problems; Carroll said HHS had not received complaints about product quality but noted the pilot primarily serves teens and adults and that sizing for younger students merits further coordination with the school district. Carroll also confirmed the pilot is separate from the libraries’ longer‑standing program and that the city is exploring whether a standard citywide contract could generate efficiencies.

The committee did not take a formal vote on new policy; members thanked Carroll and marked the order complete while requesting the department send the utilization report when it becomes available.

The presentation and questions made clear the pilot is intended to identify service gaps and inform future purchasing and placement decisions, including whether school bathrooms and nurse’s offices need different sizes or dispensers that are easier for younger students to use.","City’s Health and Human Services department told the council the late‑fall pilot has installed six dual dispensers maintained by vendor Citron; machines hold 28 tampons and 28 pads each, are refilled every 28 days, and preliminary counts show high usage. The department will share a first quarterly utilization report in March or April.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6355952,"Committee to review city data after reports of inconsistent mail delivery affecting bills and notices",264,5967000,6231000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2217250-860d50a4b51c3bb0a0e61df89a401b41&start=5967&end=6231","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2217250-860d50a4b51c3bb0a0e61df89a401b41/thumbnail_5967000.jpg","/articles/6355952/Somerville-City/Middlesex-County/Massachusetts/Committee-to-review-city-data-after-reports-of-inconsistent-mail-delivery-affecting-bills-and-notices","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6355952-8bd7ea2e5644fa23f2d72fb066aaf05f/orig.mp4?Expires=1776070337&Signature=L9gVcILI2ouiLezR1xf~KRB80AX~l09~XDrhhvmsFKA5KiZywVx1~2Z2fQ6xY2Y5KKF7UdF1Xp3WNWea6GZJS7AbKO83XAtKfetCs3OZLgVdTcJm2ob6h6kDtxHDu49PBwKzOpaN4mst8jCRqQfNrgu2KjtUMEzCyHihEzZSZQWPX0WZjTJGbyn0d-3cXGtfcro2xfJeejs33Mbre-7wah4Uc8oNYg8hgnwZpYkVogNzPR96YjYi3krqLrZl4TuhGoktPVLVHtr42xRlnkL2xqU2fDoZGNytsEufHgceTTor7a8oo9idehaIrwpmICXABwapbYh8SGKc3Jc~29MURw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City Councilor at‑large Kristen Strezzo brought Order 240788 to discuss reports that inconsistent mail delivery in parts of Somerville has delayed municipal bills and other time‑sensitive notices. She cited constituent reports and national attention and said delayed mail has at times carried serious consequences.

The administration responded that departments that collect bills have not reported a significant increase in delinquencies directly attributable to late mail since the uptick earlier in the season, but staff said they will take a \"deeper dive\" to analyze the data across departments. Liaison Hutter said the city will look into whether standardized pathways or processes should be created to address cases in which residents did not receive notices on time.

Strezzo mentioned that U.S. Senator Ed Markey had intervened in some instances; the administration confirmed it would coordinate across billing departments to determine whether a formal process or customer relief pathway (for example, standardized review of late payments attributable to postal delay) is warranted. No formal vote or citywide relief program was adopted at the meeting; staff said they will report back after reviewing departmental data and discussing cross‑departmental procedures.","Councilor Kristen Strezzo raised Order 240788 about pockets of delayed or missing mail; administration said it has not seen a city‑wide spike in delinquent municipal bills attributable to postal delays but will take a deeper look and consider standardized processes to help residents who miss payments because of late mail.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Somerville’s senior taxi program moved to operating budget; councilors press for outreach and discuss senior liaison role

City officials say Korean and Vietnam memorials should return to high‑school lawn this year; councilors press for physical signage

Somerville launches pilot of free menstrual-product dispensers in six city locations

Committee to review city data after reports of inconsistent mail delivery affecting bills and notices