What is Somerville
@whatissomerville.bsky.social
What's happening and what's interesting in Somerville, Massachusetts.
Classy change, Mr mayor elect 👍 👍
December 12, 2025 at 3:56 PM
Classy change, Mr mayor elect 👍 👍
Loving the pre-9 am AI post Mr mayor elect
December 12, 2025 at 1:57 PM
Loving the pre-9 am AI post Mr mayor elect
It's reassuring to hear that Vice Chair Hunter agrees that this was just an honest mistake. I think that probably clears things up!
December 3, 2025 at 11:32 PM
It's reassuring to hear that Vice Chair Hunter agrees that this was just an honest mistake. I think that probably clears things up!
With soooooo many more city staff being added in the past 10 years, I certainly wish we had more to show for it, especially in that small/medium-sized "things" category.
I've got time for shortcomings and failures! I'm running out of time for well-intentioned nothingness.
🤷
I've got time for shortcomings and failures! I'm running out of time for well-intentioned nothingness.
🤷
December 1, 2025 at 8:07 PM
With soooooo many more city staff being added in the past 10 years, I certainly wish we had more to show for it, especially in that small/medium-sized "things" category.
I've got time for shortcomings and failures! I'm running out of time for well-intentioned nothingness.
🤷
I've got time for shortcomings and failures! I'm running out of time for well-intentioned nothingness.
🤷
But more often than not, it seems that the pursuit of perfection -- and, accordingly, the fear of imperfection -- defines how quickly (read: slowly) things get done. Both big and small things, mind you.
December 1, 2025 at 8:07 PM
But more often than not, it seems that the pursuit of perfection -- and, accordingly, the fear of imperfection -- defines how quickly (read: slowly) things get done. Both big and small things, mind you.
And it's not that everything should be done faster. Obviously, in your biggest, most impactful things we should be striving for perfectly balanced perfection and execution (public safety changes, building safely, etc.).
There's little room for error on the most grave of issues, yes.
There's little room for error on the most grave of issues, yes.
December 1, 2025 at 8:07 PM
And it's not that everything should be done faster. Obviously, in your biggest, most impactful things we should be striving for perfectly balanced perfection and execution (public safety changes, building safely, etc.).
There's little room for error on the most grave of issues, yes.
There's little room for error on the most grave of issues, yes.
I feel a lot of work/departments/executives have lost sight of the value in working efficiently and quickly. Sure, things might go wrong sometimes, but even having a point of reference for fixes and updates IS iterative. It's a lot better than having nothing to show from the pursuit of perfection.
December 1, 2025 at 8:07 PM
I feel a lot of work/departments/executives have lost sight of the value in working efficiently and quickly. Sure, things might go wrong sometimes, but even having a point of reference for fixes and updates IS iterative. It's a lot better than having nothing to show from the pursuit of perfection.
Agreed on fractious and on council comment. Feel like there aren't many metrics to go by. Not that everything CAN be metric-ized, but, you know...
I also feel that Somerville has a SEVERE case of "perfect is the enemy of good." Only my two cents, but it feels pervasive everywhere you look.
I also feel that Somerville has a SEVERE case of "perfect is the enemy of good." Only my two cents, but it feels pervasive everywhere you look.
December 1, 2025 at 8:07 PM
Agreed on fractious and on council comment. Feel like there aren't many metrics to go by. Not that everything CAN be metric-ized, but, you know...
I also feel that Somerville has a SEVERE case of "perfect is the enemy of good." Only my two cents, but it feels pervasive everywhere you look.
I also feel that Somerville has a SEVERE case of "perfect is the enemy of good." Only my two cents, but it feels pervasive everywhere you look.
Reposted by What is Somerville
My condolences
October 30, 2025 at 10:10 PM
My condolences
Yeah, I think it is. Also might be Union Square Main Streets but I don’t know.
Central Square has advertisements for a lot of their businesses on public infrastructure in Cambridge.
Central Square has advertisements for a lot of their businesses on public infrastructure in Cambridge.
September 13, 2025 at 2:05 PM
Yeah, I think it is. Also might be Union Square Main Streets but I don’t know.
Central Square has advertisements for a lot of their businesses on public infrastructure in Cambridge.
Central Square has advertisements for a lot of their businesses on public infrastructure in Cambridge.
Reposted by What is Somerville
Councilor McLaughlin says that Somerville's new charter passed the Massachusetts Senate today, is before the governor for signature, and could well be on the ballot in five weeks.
He would like to not put that at risk with a last minute change to the rules.
16/?
He would like to not put that at risk with a last minute change to the rules.
16/?
September 11, 2025 at 11:48 PM
Councilor McLaughlin says that Somerville's new charter passed the Massachusetts Senate today, is before the governor for signature, and could well be on the ballot in five weeks.
He would like to not put that at risk with a last minute change to the rules.
16/?
He would like to not put that at risk with a last minute change to the rules.
16/?