Notices

Extreme heat and high humidity is expected in Somerville and the region over the coming days with feels-like temperatures up to 110 degrees. At this time, the National Weather Service has issued an Extreme Heat Warning for Sunday through Tuesday, June 22-24. Taking steps to keep cool is very important during extreme heat as the forecasted conditions can cause heat illness if proper precautions are not taken.

An Extreme Heat Warning means that dangerous heat is expected. Reschedule outdoor activities and stay indoors as much as possible. Those without air conditioning are encouraged to find a place to cool down, especially during the hottest part of the day. Consider City buildings, listed below, or staying with nearby family or friends who have air conditioning.

Staying Cool in Somerville

• Air-Conditioned City Buildings:

o If you don’t have air conditioning, you can seek relief from the heat in air-conditioned City buildings. 

o Anyone is welcome to visit the Somerville Public Libraries during their regular hours, some of which are also open Saturday and/or Sunday. For locations and hours, visit somervillepubliclibrary.org.

o Seniors are also welcome to visit Council on Aging Senior Centers, which offer a wide range of activities on weekdays. For locations, hours, and activity information, visit somervillema.gov/coa.

• Outdoor Water Features

o Many Somerville city parks have water features that run from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. The water sprays are on timers and stop for 20 minutes between cycles.

o All splash pads are currently open for 2025 with the exception of Conway Park and Dickerson Playground.

o Water feature information is available in multiple languages under the “Stay Cool Outside” section of the City’s Keep Cool webpage at somervillema.gov/keepcool.

• Outdoor Pools

o For more info on Somerville and area pools, visit somervillema.gov/pools.

o Dilboy Pool’s regular hours are daily 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. for the public. Early morning lap swim time is Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. More information at somervillema.myrec.com.

o Latta Brothers Memorial Pool at Foss Park is open daily 11:15 a.m. - 6:45 p.m. More information at mass.gov/swimming.

o Spray decks are also open at each pool 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.

o Admission to both pools is free.

Safety Tips

Heat safety tips and ways to keep cool in and around Somerville are below. Safety tips are also available in multiple languages on the City’s website at somervillema.gov/keepcool.

Top 5 Heat Safety Tips: 

1. Never leave children or pets unattended in a car or other vehicle, even for a quick errand and even if the windows are open. 

2. Stay indoors as much as possible during extreme heat. Limit outdoor activity to the morning and evening hours, avoid direct sunlight, and rest often in shady areas.

3. Drink plenty of water. Avoid alcohol and caffeinated or very sugary drinks. 

4. Wear lightweight, loose-fitting clothing.   

5. Stay informed: Follow City social media pages and contact 311 for the latest information on places you can visit to cool off.  More information at somervillema.gov/socialmedia and somervillema.gov/311.

Take Care of Yourself and Others:  

• Check on relatives, friends, and neighbors who don’t have air conditioning or who are more likely to be affected by the heat. These groups may include older adults, infants and children, people with chronic medical conditions, and people who are pregnant.  

• If you see anyone out in the heat who appears immobile or disoriented, call 911 so they can receive the necessary help. 

Learn to Recognize Signs and Symptoms of Heat Illnesses:  

• Heat stroke  

o If someone is showing signs of heat stroke call 911 immediately. Heat stroke is a medical emergency. Signs of heat stroke include a body temperature over 103°F; hot, red skin; a fast and strong pulse; nausea; headache, dizziness or confusion; and possible unconsciousness. While waiting for help to arrive, move the person to a cool area and cool them down with cool wet towels or a cool bath. DON’T give them fluids.  

• Heat exhaustion  

o Look for: heavy sweating; cold, pale, and clammy skin; a fast, weak pulse; nausea or vomiting; muscle cramps; tiredness or weakness; dizziness; headache; fainting  

o Move to a cool place, loosen your clothes, cool down with cool wet towels or a cool bath, and sip water. Get medical help if you are vomiting, your symptoms get worse, or your symptoms last longer than one hour.  

• Heat cramps  

o Look for: heavy sweating during intense exercise, muscle pain, spasms  

o Stop physical activity, move to a cool place, and drink water or a sports drink. Get medical help if cramps last longer than one hour, you’re on a low-sodium diet, or you have heart problems.  

Tips For Pet Parents:  

• Never leave your pet in your car or vehicle, even if the windows are open. 

• Don’t leave pets outside for long periods of time.  

• Provide plenty of fresh water and, if outside, leave the water in a shady area.  

• Don’t let dogs linger on hot asphalt.  

• Know the symptoms of overheating in pets, which include excessive panting or difficulty breathing, increased heart and respiratory rate, drooling, mild weakness, stupor, or collapse.   

• Animals with flat faces, like Pugs and Persian cats, are more prone to heat stroke. These pets, and pets that are older, overweight, or have heart or lung diseases, should be kept cool in air-conditioned rooms as much as possible.  

Other Ways to Stay Cool:

With public transportation, you can also visit nearby communities that offer water features or pools:   

• Visit cambridgema.gov/cdd/parks/waterplaymap for a Waterplay Map and cambridgema.gov/Services/recpoolsandswimming for pools in Cambridge.

• Visit the Parks and Fields page on arlingtonma.gov

• Visit boston.gov/heat for places to stay cool, pools, and splash pads

• Visit the Recreation Page on medfordma.org for parks and playgrounds

• Visit mass.gov/swimming for a list of state-managed Swimming Pools, Wading Pools and Spray Decks   

During hot weather, more people cool off in and around bodies of water. Learn how to keep yourself and others safe in and around water by reviewing Water Safety tips provided by the Commonwealth at mass.gov/water-safe

Note that Mondays' hydrant flushing has been cancelled. The Water Department will be hydrant flushing on Thursday (6/26) from 6 PM to 12 AM. The crews will be flushing the hydrants on the following streets:

Arlington St

Austin St

Autumn St

Bishop Place

Bonair St

Broadway (Mount Vernon St to Wheatland St)

Browadway Place

Brook St

Cross St (Broadway to Pearl St)

Cutter St

Dana St

Edmands St

Ellsworth St

Everett Ave

Florence St (Perkins St to Pearl St)

Franklin St (Broadway to Pearl St)

George St

Gilman Ter

Glen St (Broadway to Pearl St)

Hathorn St

Lincoln Ave

Lincoln St

Louisburg Place

Macarthur St

Melvin St

Montgomery Ave

Mount Pleasant St

Mount Vernon St

Myrtle St

Otis St

Pearl St (Crescent St to Gilman Terr)

Perkins Place

Perkins St

Pinckney St (Perkins St to Pinckney Pl)

Remick Court

Royce Place

Rush St

Webster St

Wellington Ave

Wesley St

Wheeler St

Wigglesworth St

Please note that adjacent streets to the flushing area may experience the same side effects to water quality and pressure as the flushing area.

Join Mayor Katjana Ballantyne and the Somerville Arts Council for our annual Fireworks Celebration at Trum Field on Wednesday, June 25th (Weather Date on Friday, June 27th)!

What’s New This Year:

In collaboration with the Somerville Museum and the Department of Racial and Social Justice, the evening will begin with a public reading of Frederick Douglass’s historic speech, “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?”

5:30–6:30 PM at the corner of Cedar and Broadway

Food vendors include:

Italian Wizard

Fried dough and lemonade

Dos Manos Kitchen

Premiere on Broadway

Public Tavern.

Entertainment Schedule:

6:30 PM – DJ Desy spinning tunes

7:45 PM – Live music by Search Party

9:00 PM – Get ready for the Fireworks Countdown!

The City of Somerville’s annual Water System Flushing Program will begin the week of May 13 and conclude in late October. This annual program flushes pipes at high velocities to clean water mains and maintain the highest possible water quality.

Flushing will be done on Mondays and Thursdays between 6 p.m. and midnight to minimize disruptions to water service. In most cases, residents will not notice any changes to their water service. However, some homes may experience a temporary, slight drop in water pressure and/or discolored water. In these cases, though the water may be discolored, it is safe to drink. Until the water runs clear, it is advisable to avoid washing laundry, especially white fabrics. If any rust stains appear on wet laundry, it should not be dried, and residents can call 311 (or 617-666-3311 from cell phones or outside the city) for a free bottle of rust remover.

Residents will be notified via signage when their neighborhood will be affected by the Flushing Program. For more information, please contact the Water Department by email at water@somervillema.gov, or call 617-625-6600 ext. 5850.

Household hazardous waste drop off events are held on the second Saturday of each month, April through November only, from 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. Must bring proof of residency.

WHERE: DPW Yard, 1 Franey Rd., Somerville, MA 02145

04/12/25

05/10/25

06/14/25

07/12/25

08/09/25

09/13/25

10/11/25

11/08/25

Please note that street sweeping resumed on April 1st and continue through December 31st. We recommend checking the posted signage on the street for the street sweeping schedule to avoid parking tickets.

Please note that curbside yard waste collection will resume on April 14. Yard waste collection will occur weekly for 4 weeks before switching to the alternative week schedule. The season will end on December 5. Yard waste may be put out on the scheduled day inside a barrel marked with a red “Yard waste only” sticker or in a paper yard waste bag. Yard waste only stickers may be picked up at the DPW, 1 Franey Rd or the City Hall Welcome Desk, 93 Highland Ave. 311 will mail out yard waste only stickers upon request.