Welcome to SomerVoice

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Want to be engaged in your community but short on time? Want to share your thoughts on the big projects happening in the City of Somerville when it is convenient for you? Looking for a deeper dive on a wide variety of civic topics that interest you? Welcome to SomerVoice, a site where we are listening to you -- where you can have your say on various projects, programs and topics that affect you and your neighbors. This is a new way for you to provide your input to elected officials and City staff quickly and easily -- it begins with just a click.

Whether you have 5 minutes or lots of time to share, you can contribute ideas to actively shape your community and strengthen the place you call home. Just click on what interests you, and get started today.

Why is the City of Somerville engaging online?

The City of Somerville prides itself on promoting a culture of meaningful public engagement on matters that affect our community. This engagement often takes the form of public meetings or providing written or verbal testimony. Our goal with SomerVoice is to provide a new, convenient way for people to learn more about the issues that affect their neighborhood and provide input on these issues.

  • It is a quick, safe and convenient way to have your say on a range of issues and topics.

  • It is a great way to keep up to date and contribute your views on issues affecting your community.

  • You can see what other community members think about an issue or topic, respond with your own views and engage in a discussion.

  • You do not have to attend community meetings at a set place and time, you can contribute at a time and place that suits you.

  • It allows for a range of different people, with different views to discuss matters that may impact their community.

How do I submit my feedback?

Each project on SomerVoice is a little unique depending upon the engagement level required for that project. Visit the project page that you are interested in and submit your feedback via the online discussion forums, quick polls, forms and surveys for each of the projects currently open for consultation.

To participate for the first time, simply:

  • Sign up for SomerVoice by clicking on the "Sign In" button or the “Register” button in the top right of any page

  • Choose a username and password

  • Complete a few quick questions about you

  • You will receive an email to validate your email address

  • Return to the website and click the "Sign In" button

Why do I need to register to this site to make a comment?

While registration is not required to access SomerVoice, it is necessary for many of the more interactive engagement opportunities. We ask you to register to the website for a few reasons.

  • It helps ensure that a broader set of perspectives have an opportunity to be represented by attributing feedback and frequency of feedback to individuals.

  • It promotes accountability and encourages people to provide more thoughtful responses because feedback can be attributed to them.

  • It also means that we can let you know any news if something major changes about the project.

Can I use this site anonymously?

When you register and post comments or interact with this site, it is associated with your chosen screen name. People will only know that you are posting if you share your screen name or pick a screen name people will associate with you.

What happens to my feedback/comments?

All comments, ideas and suggestions are collated and used by the relevant project teams to inform the development of strategies, programs and activities, or to gain an insight into community views and opinions.

Often, feedback provided online is used in conjunction with other face-to-face consultation activities such as meetings, open houses or surveys.

When each consultation closes, all contributions are compiled into a report, which will be presented to council or boards when considering the particular matter.

All feedback provided during consultation will be considered; however, this does not mean that every suggestion will affect the project or be adopted as proposed.

Note: All comments you make through this website will become public records for anyone to read.

Is my privacy protected?

The City will only use your email to contact you with updates and to invite you to participate in consultations. Your email address will not be distributed to any third party or used for any other purpose. We do not ask for your personal details or require them at any time as part of your participation. For more information, see the platform Privacy Policy.

However, please remember that your comments on this site are a matter of permanent public record.

Who can I contact about SomerVoice?

SomerVoice is coordinated by City of Somerville's Communications and Office of Strategic Planning & Community Development.

If you have a question regarding a specific project currently open for consultation, please contact the relevant project manager. Their contact details can be found in the "Who's listening" section for each project.

Want to be engaged in your community but short on time? Want to share your thoughts on the big projects happening in the City of Somerville when it is convenient for you? Looking for a deeper dive on a wide variety of civic topics that interest you? Welcome to SomerVoice, a site where we are listening to you -- where you can have your say on various projects, programs and topics that affect you and your neighbors. This is a new way for you to provide your input to elected officials and City staff quickly and easily -- it begins with just a click.

Whether you have 5 minutes or lots of time to share, you can contribute ideas to actively shape your community and strengthen the place you call home. Just click on what interests you, and get started today.

Why is the City of Somerville engaging online?

The City of Somerville prides itself on promoting a culture of meaningful public engagement on matters that affect our community. This engagement often takes the form of public meetings or providing written or verbal testimony. Our goal with SomerVoice is to provide a new, convenient way for people to learn more about the issues that affect their neighborhood and provide input on these issues.

  • It is a quick, safe and convenient way to have your say on a range of issues and topics.

  • It is a great way to keep up to date and contribute your views on issues affecting your community.

  • You can see what other community members think about an issue or topic, respond with your own views and engage in a discussion.

  • You do not have to attend community meetings at a set place and time, you can contribute at a time and place that suits you.

  • It allows for a range of different people, with different views to discuss matters that may impact their community.

How do I submit my feedback?

Each project on SomerVoice is a little unique depending upon the engagement level required for that project. Visit the project page that you are interested in and submit your feedback via the online discussion forums, quick polls, forms and surveys for each of the projects currently open for consultation.

To participate for the first time, simply:

  • Sign up for SomerVoice by clicking on the "Sign In" button or the “Register” button in the top right of any page

  • Choose a username and password

  • Complete a few quick questions about you

  • You will receive an email to validate your email address

  • Return to the website and click the "Sign In" button

Why do I need to register to this site to make a comment?

While registration is not required to access SomerVoice, it is necessary for many of the more interactive engagement opportunities. We ask you to register to the website for a few reasons.

  • It helps ensure that a broader set of perspectives have an opportunity to be represented by attributing feedback and frequency of feedback to individuals.

  • It promotes accountability and encourages people to provide more thoughtful responses because feedback can be attributed to them.

  • It also means that we can let you know any news if something major changes about the project.

Can I use this site anonymously?

When you register and post comments or interact with this site, it is associated with your chosen screen name. People will only know that you are posting if you share your screen name or pick a screen name people will associate with you.

What happens to my feedback/comments?

All comments, ideas and suggestions are collated and used by the relevant project teams to inform the development of strategies, programs and activities, or to gain an insight into community views and opinions.

Often, feedback provided online is used in conjunction with other face-to-face consultation activities such as meetings, open houses or surveys.

When each consultation closes, all contributions are compiled into a report, which will be presented to council or boards when considering the particular matter.

All feedback provided during consultation will be considered; however, this does not mean that every suggestion will affect the project or be adopted as proposed.

Note: All comments you make through this website will become public records for anyone to read.

Is my privacy protected?

The City will only use your email to contact you with updates and to invite you to participate in consultations. Your email address will not be distributed to any third party or used for any other purpose. We do not ask for your personal details or require them at any time as part of your participation. For more information, see the platform Privacy Policy.

However, please remember that your comments on this site are a matter of permanent public record.

Who can I contact about SomerVoice?

SomerVoice is coordinated by City of Somerville's Communications and Office of Strategic Planning & Community Development.

If you have a question regarding a specific project currently open for consultation, please contact the relevant project manager. Their contact details can be found in the "Who's listening" section for each project.

Page last updated: 25 Sep 2019, 03:40 PM