Memorial Hall Library Competitors

CITY GOVERNMENT: Mayor Jake Wilson and the City Council govern the City of Somerville, dubbed the "Best Run City" in Massachusetts by the Boston Globe. Numerous national awards and recognition bestowed upon Somerville in recent years include ranking as a top ten Walk Friendly Community and a "Biker's Paradise", three "All America City" awards, four designations as a U.S. "100 Best Communities for Young People," and federal recognition for the Shape Up Somerville healthy living program. THE CITY ITSELF: Somerville just may be the most interesting 4.1 square miles in New England. Next door to Boston and Cambridge, Somerville is not just close to the abundance of history, high tech, top schools, and culture the Boston area offers, it's a central part of it. George Washington raised the first U.S. flag here, and today Somerville's diverse population of 81,000 spans all walks of life and hails from across the globe (more than 60 languages are spoken by students in our public schools). The City is known for its commitment to progressive ideals, thriving green-tech and innovation hubs, vibrant town squares packed with independent local businesses, a popular restaurant scene, ethnic markets, a proud blue-collar and immigrant heritage, a high-quality workforce, access to higher learning (including Harvard, MIT, and Tufts), and an active and always original arts and maker community (more artists per square mile live here than in any U.S. city other than NYC). Follow the latest on facebook.com/SomervilleCity and @somervillecity

Acton is a suburban community located 25 miles northwest of Boston with a full range of services including an active town government, top-notch libraries, a nationally accredited police department, a full-time fire department, and local and regional school systems that are ranked among the top in the state. Commerce continues to thrive and grow in Acton due in large part to its prime location along Routes 2, 27 and 111, the commuter train stop, and its proximity to Route 495. A wide range of retail stores and services, a community theater, various types of commercial recreation and several museums, can all be found in Acton.

Town outside of Boston MA