Somerville Passed 7 Laws in 2024
So I read every one!
(This post is about statutory changes. To read about 2024’s changes to our zoning, see Somerville Upzoned 12 Lots in 2024).
In 2024, the Somerville City Council met 25 times and passed 7 ordinances:
Ordinance 2024-02 added a small clarification of which set of guidelines governing biotechnology labs take precedence in the city.
Ordinance 2024-04 restructured the city’s Water and Sewer Department finances, moving from a system where waterworks revenue flows to the city generally and reduces taxes to one where the department retains those funds and must sustain itself on them.
Ordinance 2024-05 required the city to install 29 miles of separated bike lanes by 2030 (as outlined by the Somerville Bike Network Plan). It also required the city to make any improvements described in the plan any time it undertakes significant work on a road (assuming that road appears in the plan).
Ordinance 2024-06 updated the salary structure for non-union city positions by adding two new steps to the existing pay scale.
Ordinance 2024-07 increased the fares that traditional taxis can charge from $1.95 for the first ⅛ mile and $0.45 for each additional ⅛ mile to $3.80 and $0.50 respectively. (This change did not affect Ubers or Lyfts, which are considered livery vehicles).
Ordinance 2024-10 established safety requirements for construction and demolition projects.
Ordinance 2024-11 changed the effective date for Somerville's net zero emissions standard for new construction and major renovations. The original law was set to take effect on January 1, 2025. This amendment creates two possible trigger dates for implementation: either 180 days after Somerville joins the state's Fossil Fuel Free Demonstration Project (a pilot program allowing certain cities to ban fossil fuels in new construction), or when the state legislature approves Somerville's Home Rule Petition (which would directly authorize the city to implement these standards).
In addition, the Council updated its own internal rules, and the state legislature made a very small change to the city’s Licensing Commission (the Massachusetts state legislature can pass laws that just concern Somerville, but that is a subject for future posts).
Finally, Somerville also updated the Zoning Ordinance 8 times, which you can read about here: Somerville Upzoned 12 Lots in 2024.
That’s it!