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Much has changed since my last newsletter and I wanted to take a minute to acknowledge the stress and uncertainty that many of us are now navigating amidst the evolving COVID-19 pandemic. The City of Somerville, Somerville Public Schools, and the state have many resources to help those in need during this difficult time. If you haven't already, I encourage you to sign up for City alerts to stay up to date on the latest news and updates. Additional information about COVID-19, new policies, and resources for residents can be found at www.somervillema.gov/coronavirus.
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Street sweeping postponed to April 15, textile recycling and waste drop-offs suspended
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Due to efforts to limit the spread of COVID-19 and to respond to the pandemic, a number of regular City services have been suspended. Regular curbside trash, recycling and yard waste pickup will continue following the regular schedule, but textile recycling and waste drop-offs are suspended until further notice. Updates will be shared through City communication channels and Waste Wizard will stay up to date with information on trash and recycling services.
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Tips to keep your energy usage and utility bills down while staying at home
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Most of us are at home a lot more than usual while social distancing. We are using our computers, TVs, and ovens more than ever before. The good news is that laptops and TVs won’t spike your electricity bills too much. While there will be increased usage from these devices they are fairly efficient so they should not increase costs too much. However, the real energy guzzlers are the items you would least expect – your laundry machine, dryer, refrigerator, dishwasher, stove, and oven – especially if these are electric appliances. One way you can cut back is to cook as small as possible – use small pots and pans with lids on to trap heat better, use toaster ovens or microwaves in place of the large oven. Only run the dishwasher once it is totally full – don’t do half loads. This also applies to washing machines and dryer loads. Lastly, while it may be tempting to always look and see what snacks are in your fridge, opening and closing the door releases cool air and then forces the fridge to turn on to cool it again – only open the fridge and freezer when you need to.
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Update on SustainaVille Week
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This time of year I would typically be announcing our lineup of events for SustainaVille Week, Somerville's annual community celebration of sustainability and climate action. Unfortunately, we have had to cancel all SustainaVille Week events this year. We are exploring other ways to keep you all engaged with our work and with others in the community who are taking action on climate change.
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I hope you and your loved ones are all doing well and staying safe!
Sincerely,
Hannah Payne
Sustainability Coordinator, Office of Sustainability and Environment
www.somervillema.gov/sustainaville
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