Somerville Mayor's Transition Committee Gathering Large-scale Feedback

SOMERVILLE, MA — Nearly a month since inauguration, Mayor Jake Wilson and his Transition Team continue working to establish its new administration in Somerville.

After being elected in November, Wilson assembled the Committee led by former Mayor Joe Curtatone, who served as Mayor for 18 years between 2004 and 2022 before he was succeeded by Katjana Ballantyne. Ward One City Councilor and State Senate candidate Matt McLaughlin is also involved as the Vice Chair. According to Wilso, the committee’s work will be published in a public report in early March. The committee’s focus areas were established as improving city services, modernizing communication, being more available and accountable to constituents, strengthening efficiency, and building regional partnerships to solve challenges such as housing affordability, transportation, and public health.

“Over the past two months, the transition’s 18 policy subcommittees met regularly, each chaired or co-chaired and supported by transition staff and interns, to gather facts, compare experiences, and shape practical recommendations. More than 150 members took part, selected for both subject-matter expertise and lived experience, and united by a shared commitment to Somerville’s future,” Wilson said in a statement. Every committee produced a thoughtful document that includes an analysis of what’s working, what needs improvement, and where the city can seize opportunities, which will be published online for public review.”

He added that a multilingual Community Engagement Survey drew more than 700 responses, and that the feedback was provided to committee members so community input directly informed their deliberations and decisions.

The report will include themes that describe what is currently working in the city, what can be improved, and how best to improve it. Wilson expressed gratitude to all subcommittee members and residents who have taken part in this months-long process.

Curtatone said this process will not only improve the infrastructure of the city, but also build trust among constituents.

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