Beware the Ides of March!

IDES: The 15th day of “full months” and the 13th day of “hollow months” – one day earlier than the middle of each month in the ancient Roman calendar.

NONES: The 7th day of “full months” and 5th day of “hollow months” 8 days (“nine” by Roman reckoning) before the Ides in every month.

Springing Forward - March 18, 2024 Cambridge City Council meeting

Here are the things I found interesting this week:First Sign of Spring

Manager’s Agenda #5. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the City of Cambridge retaining its AAA rating from the nation’s three major credit rating agencies. (CM24#42) [text of reports]

This is almost routine at this point. I can’t even remember when we last failed to get a “triple triple”. One thing that struck me in the Moody’s report was: “Cambridge’s assessed value projected to decline by 2% in 2025 before recovering in 2026.” I don’t believe there’s any way that residential assessed values could be falling, so any drop is likely due to lower commercial assessed values. There’s also this: “The city’s assessed value is projected to flatten over the next couple years including a 2% decline in total assessed value that is projected in 2025. The decline in total AV is driven by a projected 7% decline in commercial value in 2025 and projected 2% decline in 2026. The declines are driven primarily by the challenges in the commercial office space sub-sector as a result of work-from-home options that have taken hold in many companies and industries in the city and across the nation. The residential sector is projected to see no change in 2025 values followed by a projected 2% increase annually beginning in 2026 through 2028.” The S&P report has this cautionary note: “We could lower the rating if reserves were to decrease significantly without a plan for restoration or if debt service and retirement costs were to pressure the city’s finances.”

Manager’s Agenda #6. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to recommendations for the block rates for water consumption and sewer use for the period beginning April 1, 2024 and ending March 31, 2025. (CM24#43) [text of report]

The notable increases in the water rate last year and this year actually exceed the increases in the sewer rate, but it has generally been the reverse for some time. It costs far more to lose water than to supply it.

water-sewer rates FY25

*All rates are per CcF. CcF is an abbreviation of 100 cubic feet. One CcF is approximately 750 gallons

Order #4. That the City Manager is requested to work with relevant City departments and meet with the MBTA and City of Boston in advance of the July Red Line shutdown about the implementation of a fare-free 1 bus program.   Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Siddiqui, Councillor Azeem, Vice Mayor McGovern

Order #5. That the City Manager is requested to work with the Law Department and Community Development Department to study whether the City Council could add maximum lot area per dwelling unit, maximum setback requirements, and minimum floor area ratios in some districts or as part of an overlay in the Zoning Ordinance and whether the City Council could require a special permit for a down conversion in developments that would result in a net loss of housing units.   Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Azeem, Councillor Wilson, Councillor Nolan

I am very leery of this proposal - especially if it is interpreted to apply to existing buildings. During the days of rent control, the requirement that a “removal permit” was required prior to joining units was routinely used to prevent property owners from doing very reasonable things. For example, when I bought my triple-decker, the apartment where I now live had been operated as a rooming house, and the City treated it as 5 housing units. I had to use my tenure dating back to 1978 in the building to be allowed to legally restore the floor back to the apartment it had been for over fifty years. Had I not been able to do this, it would not have been possible for me to continue owning or living in the building. Many years later, I now occasionally consider the possibility of occupying two floors of the building, and I would be outraged if our elected officials took away my flexibility to do that. The devil, as is often said, is in the details. There is a very creepy mindset in the minds of some elected officials that personal freedom should always take a back seat to their political agendas.

Order #7. That the City Manager is requested to direct the Community Development Department to work with the chairs of the Housing Committee on zoning language that effectively promotes multi-family housing, including inclusionary units, citywide.   Councillor Azeem, Vice Mayor McGovern, Councillor Siddiqui, Councillor Wilson

While I generally agree with the idea of allowing multi-family housing citywide, I really don’t think that this Order should be quoting a class project by a Harvard freshman in making assertions (some of which are demonstrably false) regarding the history of zoning in Cambridge.

Order #9. That the City Manager is requested to work with relevant City departments and report back to the City Council with recommendations for adjusting parking permit fees to better align with associated costs.   Councillor Nolan, Councillor Azeem

Once again, if this is simply a matter of adjusting fees to cover the administrative costs of the resident parking permit program, then fine. On the other hand, if the intention is to use increased fees to carry out yet another social engineering program, then I hope this goes nowhere fast.

Order #10. That the City Manager is requested to work with relevant City departments to develop ways to fund support of decarbonization and clean energy projects and technical assistance for property owners of all types especially those with limited resources, with an initial focus on work associated with BEUDO emissions reduction requirements.   Councillor Nolan, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Pickett, Councillor Siddiqui

As I have said before, if the City wants to provide incentives to change energy sources or provide greater efficiencies for homeowners, then I’m totally on board with that. I am, however, mindful of the woefully inadequate electrical infrastructure in Cambridge (look up sometime to see how many streetlights are connected to extension cords over the street to get their power) and the potential consequence of increased electrification. I also encourage everyone to read the recent March 14 New York Times article “A New Surge in Power Use Is Threatening U.S. Climate Goals”. - Robert Winters

Comments?

Gerry Burke, who helped turn Doyle’s pub into a Boston institution, dies at 83

by Bryan Marquard, Boston Globe Staff, Mar 10, 2024

The Prophets: Bayard Rustin

The 1960s civil rights hero, who was sidelined because he was gay, predicted the rise of identity politics and affirmative action
  – and how they would divide us today. (by Coleman Hughes, The Free Press, March 9, 2024)

Why schools should bring back eighth-grade algebra

Lack of diversity in advanced math classes is a problem, but leveling down is the wrong solution.
by Marcela García, Boston Globe Columnist, Mar 8, 2024

Official Cambridge results from the March 5, 2024 Presidential Primary:

Presidential Preference and State Committee (PDF)

Democratic Ward Committee (PDF) [Note: I was elected as a write-in candidate to the Ward 6 Committee. - RW]

Republican Ward Committee (PDF)

Libertarian Ward Committee (PDF)

Local Walks/Hikes [more listings (BWMG, AMC, DCR, etc.] - Open to All. Suggestions Welcome.
Boston Walking Meetup GroupSun, Mar 17. Middlesex Canal, Winchester/Medford. [BWMG] 3- to 4-mi. level history walk will follow the route of the Middlesex Canal through parts of Medford and Winchester. Sites along the way include the aqueduct and mooring basin, those segments of the canal bed and berm visible off the parkway, and the stone wall of the Governor Brooks estate, in Medford. Meet 1:30pm DST at Sandy (Shannon) Beach lot at Upper Mystic Lake on Mystic Valley Pkwy., 1.3 mi. N of Rte. 60. Joint w/Middlesex Canal Association. Info: www.middlesexcanal.org. L Robert Winters [Meetup Group Listing: https://www.meetup.com/boston-walking/events/299573528/] Boston Walking Meetup GroupSun, Mar 17. Fresh Pond Sunset Walk. [Boston Walking Meetup Group] Meet at 6:00pm DST at intersection of Huron Ave. and Aberdeen Ave., Cambridge. Boston Walking Meetup GroupSun, Mar 24. Fresh Pond Sunset Walk. [Boston Walking Meetup Group] Meet at 6:00pm DST at intersection of Huron Ave. and Aberdeen Ave., Cambridge.
If you would like to walk and talk (politics, mathematics, or anything else), I am almost always on the Fresh Pond Sunset Walk every Sunday (see above). - Robert Winters

Daylight Savings Time

Marching Fourth - March 4, 2024 Cambridge City Council meeting

Lion and the LambPerhaps this is the year we’ll march in like a lamb and out like a lion. There are some interesting things circling around - notably the recent Feb 28 Finance Committee meeting where City staff made it abundantly clear that the City Council might want to be just a bit less ambitious and expansive in their requests to fund everything under the sun. They are anticipating tax levy increases for the next few fiscal years in excess of 10%, and this may translate into very large jumps in property taxes - especially for single-, two-, and three-family homes. [Don’t worry, condo owners, you will likely continue to get the sweetest deal in town. The main message was “The City is at a critical inflection point and will need to take action to preserve future financial stability.”

Perhaps the two most substantive items on the week’s agenda are the final report from the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF) and the Central Square Lots Study Report.

Manager’s Agenda #5. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the final report from the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF). [text of report]
pulled by Wilson to announce that there will be a Public Safety Committee meeting on this on Apr 2, 3-5pm; Referred to Public Safety Committee 8-0-1 (Toner Absent)

Manager’s Agenda #6. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the Central Square Lots Study Report. [text of report]
pulled by Wilson - a says outreach was unsatisfactory, loss of Starlight Square; Yi-An Huang responds to questions about representation, nature of process of the study, role of councillors in facilitating community feedback; McGovern questions about Request for Information (RFI), Melissa Peters responds about RFI and planning for Central Square rezoning, trade-offs, housing options; Yi-An Huang refers to Lots Study as a “test fit”, desire for housing, including “affordable”, need to bring Cambridge Redevelopment Authority into process, possibility of joining with adjacent (privately-owned) properties [Note: this was exactly the point I made in the Central Square Advisory Committee (CSAC) meeting on this - especially in regard to the privately-owned lots at Prospect/Bishop Allen and building on Green Street adjacent to parking lot at Pleasant (currently hosting Needle Exchange)]; McGovern on Starlight (Lot 5) and how its loss would be upsetting to many; Yi-An Huang notes that he has discussed with with CSBID, City financial support for Starlight/Popportunity - uses phrase “square within the square”, possibility of housing, performance space, and parking at this location; Siddiqui expresses disappointment that there will be a limited Starlight season this year with an early end, notes ARPA award to support it, says there is community support to extend it; Pickett wants to reconcile Lots Study and planning for zoning changes; Melissa Peters says Lots Study and zoning planning are parallel processes, RFP will come after the zoning is completed; Pickett asks about continuing community engagement; Nolan concerns about long-term planning [Hey, isn’t there a committee with that name?], suggests citywide survey, impacts on City budget - both capital and operating budgets, quantifying value of Starlight Square; Azeem bemoans loss of Starlight, need for alternatives, offers comments on various lots and properties; Sobrinho-Wheeler uptalks; Simmons wants to refer to NLTP Committee, expresses hope for Starlight, notes decades of studies on Central Square - brings up slide (from CCJ site), Central Square as a cultural district, how this fits in with ongoing MAPC study, shallow referencing of “people of color”, dissatisfaction with degree of outreach, 44 years with 24 studies - “hurry up and wait”; Yi-An Huang notes that this “test fit” utilized past studies; disagreement about whether there is a call for action or additional feedback and study; Yi-An Huang (correctly) notes that Starlight was built as a temporary structure during Covid and that focus now should be on future alternatives; Wilson references long gap between ideas/suggestions and actions; Pickett speaks to how NLTP will take this on; McGovern expresses a “blitz” of meetings on this; Referred to NLTP 8-0-1 (Toner Absent)

Manager’s Agenda #7. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 24-4, regarding recommendations and legal opinions for adjusting transportation related fees and other considered changes based on the conversations in committee on Dec 6, 2023. [text of report]
pulled by Nolan - wants to raise resident parking permit fees w/low-income discounts, fees based on vehicle size; City Solicitor Megan Bayer responds; Placed on File 8-0-1 (Toner Absent)

Manager’s Agenda #8. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to a communication regarding the American Rescue Plan Act’s (“ARPA”) definition of “Obligation.” [text of report]
pulled by Sobrinho-Wheeler - what happens to unspent ARPA funds; Magan Bayer says these go back to U.S. Treasury if unspent; Matt Nelson provides additional information; Nolan asks if this has been communicated to nonprofit organizations; Yi-An Huang responds in the affirmative; Pickett wants to know what unallocated funds remain; Wilson comments; Placed on File 8-0-1 (Toner Absent)

Manager’s Agenda #9. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 24-7, regarding a review of the Final Report of the Charter Review Committee. [text of report]
pulled by Pickett - reminder (from Toner) to councillors to forward their questions to Councillor Toner; Placed on File 8-0-1 (Toner Absent)

Resolution #4. Condolences on the death of Paul Ryder.   Councillor Toner

Order #1. That the Executive Assistant to the City Council confer with the Dedication Committee to consider a request for a dedication in a suitable location in honor of Paul Ryder.   Councillor Toner
Order Adopted 8-0-1 (Toner Absent)

Order #5. Tenant Protection Resources.   Councillor Siddiqui, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Vice Mayor McGovern, Councillor Azeem, Councillor Wilson
pulled by Siddiqui; comments by Siddiqui, McGovern, Sobrinho-Wheeler, Nolan, Wilson, Simmons; Order Adopted as Amended 8-0-1 (Toner Absent)

Committee Report #1. The Economic Development and University Relations Committee held a public hearing on Thurs, Feb 15, 2024 to discuss the current lab, office, and retail vacancies in Cambridge and their expected impact on City revenues in the near and long term. [text of report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 8-0-1 (Toner Absent)

Comments?

Check out the latest episodes of Cambridge InsideOut: Tuesdays, 6:00pm and 6:30pm on CCTV

If you would like to be a guest (or co-host) one of these Tuesdays, let me know. - RW

The CCTV studios are open again, but we’re still doing remote live broadcasts for now.
We may also produce some pre-recorded Cambridge InsideOut shows (with guests!).
Next Live Shows on CCTV: Tuesday, March 19, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
We may also produce some shows independently.
Episode 611 (Tues, Mar 5, 2024 at 6:00pm) [materials] [audio]
Topics: Super Tuesday; Iran voting boycott vs. campaign for “No Preference”; Trump vs. Biden; ward committees; City Council less dysfunctional, more collaborative w/City Manager; Finance Committee - levy projections, call for restraint, need to maintain excess levy capacity; use of operating budget for affordable housing has consequences; anticipated 10%+ annual increases in levy coming; fewer building permits - revenue not subject to Prop 2½ limits; commercial values relatively flat - shift of levy from commercial to residential; within residential, condos get sweetest deal after residential exemption and most of the increases borne by single-, two-, and three-family properties; need for intervention now to avoid future need for overrides; councillors had luxury for years in not having to think about limitations; FY24 consolidated spending categories; note that every stick of affordable housing (deed restrictions) has de minimis tax revenue - receive far more value in services that tax generated
Episode 612 (Tues, Mar 5, 2024 at 6:30pm) [materials] [audio]
Topics: PERF report - good recommendations, positive evaluation of CPD practices, less-lethal options, CPD first in Mass. with policy on releasing names of involved officers; Central Square Lots Study, zoning changes; other assets, adjacent properties; everyone loves Central Square until they don’t; demise of current Starlight, need for replacement; contradictory signals on more information vs. take action; exclusively “affordable housing” creates net financial negative in perpetuity - math doesn’t work; plan in concert with privately-owned adjacent lots; the never-ending study of Central Square; not just bigger - need to make things better, more creative, more interesting; death of Paul Ryder; Charter Review next steps, desire to control process, facets of City government via Special Acts that should be part of Charter or at least be referenced; housing-related orders re: real estate transfer tax and municipally-funded vouchers (a real budget buster); the more we fund affordable housing the wider the gap in affordability
Episode 609 (Tues, Feb 20, 2024 at 6:00pm) [materials] [audio]
Topics: Local News - Cambridge and beyond; Valentine's Day - 46 years; City Council Goals & Objectives; the ordeal of facilitation and training; the value of informality and interaction in committee meetings; 311 vs. SeeClickFix vs. an Ombudsman vs. a simple phone call; benefiting from the existence of a problem; pros and cons of a good idea; upside-down priorities - the essential difference between a city manager and a strong mayor system
Episode 610 (Tues, Feb 20, 2024 at 6:30pm) [materials] [audio]
Topics: Ambiguity in affordable housing – buy vs. rent, market vs. subsidized; the DEI lens - one lens in addition to effectiveness, efficient delivery of services, and transparency; Envision – quote it when it suits you, ignore it when it doesn't; the mythology of Central Square progress; Cycling Safety update - drawing conclusions from the inconclusive; Community Safety update - tiptoeing around the HEART problem; foreign policy or not; Charter Review Report gets political right out of the gate
Episode 607 (Tues, Feb 6, 2024 at 6:00pm) [materials] [audio]
Topics: Charles Fried and a Capitol tale; Peter Valentine archive; Mapping Black Cambridge; campaign finance wrap-up; Gaza capitulation and activist misbehavior; the long history of foreign policy at the Cambridge City Council; City gobbling up Central Square; what’s in store for ’24
Episode 608 (Tues, Feb 6, 2024 at 6:30pm) [materials] [audio]
Topics: Foreign policy; Charter Review Final Report - manager vs. mayor, voting age, non-citizen voting, even-year elections, citizen assemblies – a critique; dysfunction in how we involve residents in decision-making; City Council “finding itself”, coming to terms with prioritization; City Council committee appointments; fending off the socialists; smart ideas vs. unreasonable mandates; better ways to manage public meetings with less Zoom and more interaction
Episode 605 (Tues, Jan 16, 2024 at 6:00pm) [materials] [audio]
Topics: Shout out to DPW; OCPF reports due Jan 20; Council committees pending; Clean Slate at Jan 8 Council meeting; Jerry’s Pond; dealing with the nonresident protesters and bad political theater
Episode 606 (Tues, Jan 16, 2024 at 6:30pm) [materials] [audio]
Topics: Looking back at the 2022-23 City Council term and ahead to the 2024-25 term; single-issue advocacy at the root of the problem, need for cost/benefit analysis - examples with transportation, housing, energy; Charter considerations; phantom Traffic Board; confounded analysis of slate voting; and a Big Wish for better Squares and more fun
Episode 603 (Tues, Jan 2, 2024 at 6:00pm) [materials] [audio]
Topics: City Council and School Committee Inaugural Meetings - entertainment courtesy of PSL (Party for Socialism and Liberation); Mayor Denise Simmons; protests and groupthink; Simmons appointments guaranteed better than predecessor; Charter considerations pending; Resignation of Harvard President Claudine Gay and other Harvard observations; university presidents as fundraisers
Episode 604 (Tues, Jan 2, 2024 at 6:30pm) [materials] [audio]
Topics: Globe article on Bernie Goldberg, Brookline Lunch; Charter Review Committee - horror of Zoom-only process, nothing binding, strong mayor vs. manager form, bad behavior of CRC member(s), voting age, non-citizen voting, term length, recall provisions, at-large PR elections, citizen assemblies, citizen petitions, citizen initiative petitions, late proposals rejected, policy order vs. “action” orders; some highlights/lowlights of 2022-23 City Council term
Episode 601 (Tues, Nov 21, 2023 at 6:00pm) [materials] [audio]
Topics: Notable Passings: Teresa Neighbor, Gregg Moree, Kevin Glynn; a personal tale of candidacy, the politics of personal destruction, the lack of a viable local press, and “taking one for the team”; Gaza takes center stage; municipal election results - City Council and School Committee; election mechanics, configuration files, ballot data files; the problem of ballot order dependence and how to fix it
Episode 602 (Tues, Nov 21, 2023 at 6:30pm) [materials] [audio]
Topics: Replacements in the event of a vacancy; The Comedy of Voting Errors; Ward/Precinct #1 Vote distribution; neighborhood bases of support; great disparity in voter turnout among precincts and disproportional representation; #2 Vote Distribution from the ballot data; Cost per #1 Vote; some history of proportional representation historically and in the United States and in Massachusetts; Question: Proportional to what?
Complete list of all episodes (2013 - present)

Stories from the Archives: The History of Voting In Cambridge for African Americans and Women
hosted and written by Alyssa Pacy, Archivist at the Cambridge Public Library; produced by Peter Levine, CCTV

Paul RyderVery Sad News

Paul Ryder (Mar 8, 1952 - Feb 26, 2024), former Director of Recreation for the City of Cambridge, passed away yesterday (Feb 26, 2024). Paul’s family is currently in the process of making arrangements. Paul was a great friend to many. - RW
Keefe Funeral Home

“Nobody or nothing else was like Paul Ryder.” David Gardiner

Paul Ryder, a longtime resident of Stoneham, Massachusetts, passed away peacefully on February 26, 2024, at the age of 71 following a brief but devastating lung disease. He was surrounded by his dear family. Paul was married to the love of his life, Sheila, for 45 years. He was the proud and loving father to his two children, Alex and John. Born in Warwick, Rhode Island, he was the younger son of John and Peg Ryder. Paul was predeceased by his parents. He is survived by his wife Sheila; his daughter Alexandra Ryder and husband, Adam Carver of Deerfield, New Hampshire; his son John Ryder of Stoneham; his brother Alan Ryder (Nancy d.) of Cranston, Rhode Island; sisters-in-law Paula Whitesides (Walt) and Donna Mazzone (Elmo) as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins and wonderful friends.

Paul embraced life and played hard, established life-long friendships wherever he went. He called Rhode Island, Stoneham and Cambridge home. We knew him as a sentimental guy who retold stories of childhood baseball games, high school athletic feats, URI escapades, holiday card games and victories on golf courses nation-wide (most notably the Member/Guest championship in August 2023 at Cape Neddick Golf Course).

Paul was still closely connected with friends from Wyman Elementary School and Pilgrim High School. Paul went off to college at URI in 1970, with an eye on physical education and doing some good in the world. He met Phi Mu Delta brothers there and maintains those dear friendships to this day. After college, Paul taught in RI and Massachusetts before becoming Director of the newly refurbished Bird Street Community Center in Dorchester.

In 1982, he moved on to the City of Cambridge to serve as the Director of Recreation in the Department of Human Services Programs while not knowing single person in Cambridge. When he retired in 2016, he may have known every person in Cambridge. It was a perfect match for his idealism and enthusiasm. The city, the position and the people captured his heart. He guided construction and renovations of parks and athletic spaces and created recreation and social programs to enrich the lives of all Cambridge citizens. The Cambridge Program, The City Run, Jazz at Danehy, Fresh Pond Golf Course, Danehy Park, West Cambridge Youth Center, Old Timers Baseball Game and DePasquale Universal Design Playground all have his mark.

He was equally active in his community of Stoneham – a vocal coach in youth sports and most recently a member of the Stoneham School Building Committee. He loved his local golf league. He served on the Board for 10 years and also as Board Chair of Special Olympics Massachusetts. Paul worked with CHAMPSBoston and Robert Lewis Jr. to establish training programs for youth coaches and was recognized by The Boston Foundation as a “Changemaker of the Year” in 2012. He proudly received many honors and recognitions throughout his career.

Running was a wonderful part of Paul’s life, perhaps from the early days when he would run home for lunch from Wyman Elementary School. He ran a 4.24 minute mile in high school and, as co-captain of the Pilgrim High School track team, led the team to its first state championship. In 1989, he ran the Falmouth Road Race in honor of dear Alex. He organized countless road races throughout the years, hollering out directives to his colleagues, and enjoyed being there at the end to make sure the runners were comfortable at the finish line. He loved the VIP tent at The Boston Marathon and the Cambridge Classic Races, especially when John joined him in the works.

Fun, Friendship and Family were his creed. He loved and was loved beyond measure. Long may you run, Paulie.

Please join Paul’s family in a Celebration of Life
Thursday March 7, 2024
Cocktail Hour and Greeting 12pm-1pm
Words of Remembrance 1pm-2pm
Reception and Celebration 2pm-4pm
Bear Hill Golf Club
2 North Street Stoneham, MA 02180

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to:
The Cambridge Program https://www.cambridgema.gov/DHSP/Recreation/specialneeds
c/o Janice Alger/DHSP - City of Cambridge
51 Inman St
Cambridge, MA 02139

Nicholas Shannon Memorial Fund
16 Pond Street
Stoneham, MA 02180

Gently Stepping Forward – February 26, 2024 Cambridge City Council meeting

City HallThe previous meeting featured some rather obvious jostling for position in the process of evaluating the recent Charter Review Final Report and deciding any charter change proposal. This week should bring even more of this power struggle when the question of “next steps” is taken up. The report has already been sent to the Law Department, the Election Commission, and perhaps more departments for review, but the question now is whether this should be initially vetted within the Government Operations Committee (chaired by Councillor Toner) or if Councillor Nolan (and perhaps others) will try to bypass that initial review by creating some kind of ad-hoc committee-of-the-whole so that she can gain more control of the process. This, of course, is intertwined with the election of Mayor Simmons who appoints all the City Council committees – and those appointments were done with some care.

I will say right now that some of the proposed Charter recommendations are virtually assured to be dead on arrival at the State House, but I don’t yet know if the Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government (or whatever committee takes up such matters) can take an à-la-carte approach to proposed city charters or if it’s all-or-nothing. Before any modified Charter can go before Cambridge voters, it must first clear this hurdle.

I will also say that there are some aspects of the structure of Cambridge government that really should be rolled into any new Charter but which the Charter Review Committee never considered, e.g. the Special Acts that established/empowered the License Commission, the Election Commission, the Traffic Board, the Cambridge Health Alliance, the Cambridge Housing Authority, and the Cambridge Redevelopment Authority. It is commendable that the Committee chose to consolidate most of the charter specifics that were only referenced in the Plan E sections of M.G.L. Chapter 43 (sections 93-116) - at the suggestion of the Collins Center staff who were advising the Committee - but this was incomplete, probably because of lack of expertise on those specifics within the Collins Center staff. This is especially true of matters involving our proportional representation elections (an essential component of Plan E). There may be good reasons to leave some of these out of the Charter, but since they are part of how we do business, these questions should at least be part of the current discussion. [Needless to say, this should have been discussed within the now-dissolved Charter Review Committee, but that’s another conversation that has much to do with how that committee was formed.]

Here are the agenda items that caught my eye this week:

Manager’s Agenda #2. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to appointments and reappointments of members to the Cambridge Bicycle Committee.
pulled by Nolan; PN wants committees to be “commissions” so that City Council would gain more control over these appointments, asks about whether diversity of opinion is a factor in appointments; Iram Farooq claims there is some diversity, but acknowledges that these committees are primarily advocates rather than representatives; Placed on File 8-0-1 (Azeem Absent)

Manager’s Agenda #3. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to appointments and reappointments of members to the Cambridge Pedestrian Committee.
pulled by Nolan; no additional comments; Placed on File 8-0-1 (Azeem Absent)

Manager’s Agenda #4. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, Policy Order Response #24-15 dated Feb 12, 2024 regarding drafting zoning language and related changes to allow for and encourage the continued growth, redevelopment, and evolution of Central Square. [text of report]
pulled by Sobrinho-Wheeler; JSW wants to know when this would go to Planning Board; Farooq says it goes to PB when petition is filed and during the process; Toner asks if this will build upon work already done; Farooq says YES, and that advisory committees need not be consulted (really?); Nolan suggests that better methods of informing community should be considered; Pickett asks if Central Square Lots study will be integrated and how; Farooq says study in its final stages; Wilson agrees re: communication with residents; Placed on File 8-0-1 (Azeem Absent)

Charter Right #1. That the Final Report of the Charter Review Committee be referred to the Government Operations, Rules and Claims Committee. [Charter Right – Simmons, Feb 12, 2024]
Toner says conversation should start in Gov’t Operations Committee; Nolan OK with starting there, but says it should not stay there - noting that she and Siddiqui are “deeply involved in this” (quite the understatement); Pickett draws parallel with how possible Rules changes are now being considered in committee; Siddiqui OK with starting in committee, but will participate and “brainstorming” with suggestion of a robust process; Toner explains process of culling ideas from councillors, legal questions, timeline; Wilson wants a community conversation around this; Referred to Gov’t Ops. 8-0-1 (Azeem Absent)

Resolution #6. Resolution on the death of Charles Fried.   Councillor Nolan


Order #1. That the City Manager is requested to present recommendations for the refinement and improvement of the housing permitting process to the City Council, with a focus on reducing delays, minimizing costs, and enhancing clarity and accessibility for all stakeholders.   Councillor Azeem, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Vice Mayor McGovern, Councillor Nolan
pulled by Toner; Toner proposed amendments; JSW wants to keep “affordable” language, wants to add other groups for consultation; Toner motion to change “affordable housing” to “housing” Fails 2-6-1 (MM,PT-YES; PN,JP,SS,JSW,AW,DS-No; BA-Absent); Toner motion on simplifying processes to all housing and not just “affordable” housing, McGovern says middle-income housing should be included; Adopted 8-0-1; JSW motion to amend Toner motion to add two additional groups Adopted 8-0-1; Toner motion as amended Adopted 8-0-1; Order Adopted as Amended 8-0-1 (BA Absent)

Order #2. City Council support of H.4138, The Affordable Homes Act, and urge legislators to retain the provisions for a location option transfer fee.   Councillor Nolan, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Mayor Simmons
pulled by Toner; Toner will vote NO on proposed transfer fee; Nolan says Council has supported transfer fee in the past, delivers a prepared speech, says that this would not enact a tax or fee but only permit that local option (this is unbelievably naive), notes that legislation would set the range of possible fees, says this is about local control (but this begs the question about other proposed “local control” proposal to allow municipalities to create their own rent control laws); Nolan suggests motivation for supporting this is so that other municipalities would enact such a tax (again, very naive); McGovern concurs with Nolan, quotes David Kale in asserting that commercial transactions are lion’s share and that some residential exemptions could be made, expresses desire to take in as much revenue as possible; Pickett asks how this relates to existing Home Rule Petition now before the State Legislature, notes that there is already a $4.56/thousand stamp tax by state and that this would be on top of that; JSW uptalks that Legislature could act on our and Somerville’s and Cambridge’s petitions or pass current legislation, deflects by asserting that revenue raised could be used for other purposes; Pickett wants homeowners to gain maximum value in the sale of their greatest financial asset; Wilson offers generalities and suggestion that this might not lead to a tax; Simmons notes that we do use CPA fund for this but characterizes this as a “shortfall” and that (unlimited) more money is needed, notes Envision report and suggests that what we are doing is not enough; Order Adopted 6-2-1 (JP,PT - No; BA Absent)

Order #5. That the City Manager is hereby directed to confer with the City Manager’s Housing Liaison, Community Development Department, and the Cambridge Housing Authority on the feasibility of municipally-funded housing vouchers.   Councillor Siddiqui, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Azeem, Councillor Wilson
pulled by Siddiqui; comments by Siddiqui, Sobrinho-Wheeler, Wilson, Pickett (who offers amendments); Nolan supports order and JP amendments; McGovern asks of motion-makers are OK with the amendments; Wilson supports amendments; both JP amendments adopted 8-0-1; Order Adopted as Amended 8-0-1

Order #6. That the City Manager is requested to report back to the City Council with the data analysis included in the Economic Feasibility Analysis provided to EOHLC as part of Cambridge’s MBTA Communities final compliance submission.   Councillor Toner, Vice Mayor McGovern, Councillor Nolan
pulled by Toner; Order Adopted 8-0-1

Comments?

Project of the Week — Local News Sources
If you have any additions or suggestions, let me know.

Gannett is ramping up on the advertising and editorial sides — but will it last?
(Feb 21, 2024 - Dan Kennedy, Media Nation)
“Gannett has hired 500 journalists since June of last year, with more to come in the months ahead. These are reporters, editors and visual journalists who, she said, will “bring strength back to local newsrooms, so that they can do the job of strengthening their local communities.””

The Patriot Ledger is the latest New England outlet without a physical newsroom
(by Aidan Ryan, Boston Globef, Feb 28, 2024)

your Arlington (Arlington)

Belmont Voice (Belmont)

Brookline News (Brookline)

Cambridge Civic Journal (Cambridge)

Cambridge Day (Cambridge, Somerville)

The Somerville Times (Somerville)

The Somerville/Medford News Weekly (Somerville/Medford)

Fig City News (Newton)

Newton Beacon (Newton)

Watertown News (Watertown)

Dorchester Reporter (Dorchester, Boston)

Caught In Dot (Dorchester, Boston)

Plymouth Independent (Plymouth)

Marblehead Current (Marblehead)

The Ipswich Local News (Ipswich)

The Salem News (Salem - covers Beverly, Peabody, Danvers)

Boston Globe

Boston.com

Boston Herald

Harvard Crimson

Harvard Gazette

The Tech (MIT)

Universal Hub (Boston)

Boston Neighborhoods

Allston

Back Bay

Bay Village

Beacon Hill

Brighton

Charlestown

Chinatown

Dorchester

Downtown

East Boston

Fenway

Hyde Park

Jamaica Plain

Mattapan

Mission Hill

North End

Roslindale

Roxbury

South Boston

South End

West End

West Roxbury

Nearby cities and towns

Arlington

Belmont

Braintree

Brookline

Burlington

Cambridge

Canton

Chelsea

Concord

Danvers

Dedham

Everett

Framingham

Gloucester

Lexington

Lynn

Malden

Medford

Milton

Natick

Needham

Newton

North Shore

Norwood

Quincy

Revere

Salem

Saugus

Somerville

South Shore

Waltham

Watertown

West of 495

Weymouth

Winthrop

Beacon Hill Times (Beacon Hill, Boston)

Boston Sun (Boston)

Charlestown Patriot-Bridge (Charlestown)

Chelsea Record (Chelsea)

East Boston Times Free Press (East Boston)

Everett Independent (Everett)

Jamaica Plain Gazette (Jamaica Plain, Boston)

Lynn Journal (Lynn)

Mission Hill Gazette (Mission Hill, Boston)

North End Regional Review (North End, Boston)

Revere Journal (Revere)

Winthrop Sun Transcript (Winthrop)

Gannett Holdings - wickedlocal.com

Cambridge Chronicle (Cambridge) - Gannett

Newton Tab (Newton) - Gannett

Waltham News Tribune (Waltham) - Gannett

Concord Journal (Concord, Lincoln)

Marblehead Reporter (Marblehead)

The Coastal Mariner (Marshfield, Scituate, Cohasset)

The Patriot Ledger (Abington, Braintree, Canton, Carver, Cohasset, Duxbury, Halifax, Hanover, Hanson, Hingham, Holbrook, Hull, Kingston, Marshfield, Milton, Norwell, Pembroke, Plymouth, Quincy, Randolph, Rockland, Scituate, Sharon, Stoughton, Weymouth, Whitman) - see note

Wellesley Townsman (Wellesley)

Mariner (Abington, Hanover, Norwell, Rockland)

The Beacon (Acton, Boxborough)

Transcript Tab (Allston, Brighton, Roslindale, West Roxbury)

Old Colony Memorial (Plymouth)

Provincetown Banner (Provincetown, Truro, Wellfleet)

The Advocate & Star (Arlington, Winchester)

Bedford Minuteman (Bedford)

Country Gazette (Bellingham, Foxborough, Franklin, Medway, Millis, Norfolk, Plainville, Wrentham)

Belmont Citizen-Herald (Belmont)

Herald Citizen (Beverly, Danvers)

Billerica Minuteman (Billerica)

Cape Cod Times (Bourne, Falmouth, Mashpee, Sandwich)

Chronicle Transcript (Boxford, Hamilton, Ipswich, Middleton, Topsfield, Wenham)

Braintree Forum (Braintree)

Cape Codder (Brewster, Eastham, Orleans)

Journal News Independent (Bridgewater, Easton, Mansfield, Raynham)

Brookline Tab (Brookline)

Burlington Union (Burlington)

Journal & Sun (Canton, Holbrook, Randolph, Stoughton)

Carver Reporter (Carver)

Eagle-Independent (Chelmsford, Littleton, Westford)

Transcript Bulletin (Dedham, Norwood, Westwood)

The Press (Dover, Medfield, Sherborn)

MetroWest Daily News (Framingham, Hudson, Marlborough, Natick)

Record Citizen (Georgetown, Newburyport, North Andover)

Hingham Journal (Hingham)

Village News (Hopkinton, Northborough, Shrewsbury, Southborough, Westborough)

Kingston Reporter (Kingston)

Lexington Minuteman (Lexington)

Free Press Observer (Malden, Melrose, Reading, Saugus, Wakefield)

Courier Sentinel (Marion, Mattapoisett, Rochester, Wareham)

Beacon Village (Maynard, Stow)

The Transcript & Journal (Medford, Somerville)

Needham Times (Needham)

Newton Tab (Newton)

Pembroke Mariner & Express (Pembroke)

Times Advocate (Sharon, Walpole)

Sudbury Town Crier (Sudbury)

Swampscott Reporter (Swampscott)

Watertown Tab (Watertown)

Wayland Town Crier (Wayland)

Weston Town Crier (Weston)

Weymouth News (Weymouth)

Gannett is ramping up on the advertising and editorial sides — but will it last?
(Feb 21, 2024 - Dan Kennedy, Media Nation)

Malden Advocate (Malden)

Everett Advocate (Everett)

Revere Advocate (Revere)

Saugus Advocate (Saugus)

Commonwealth Beacon (statewide but includes local news)

Axios Boston

WGBH news

WBUR

masterlist.com

Bay State Banner

Patch.com/massachusetts

California is forging ahead with food waste recycling. But is it too much, too fast?
by Amy Taxin, The Associated Press, Feb 18, 2024


Mapping Black Cambridge: 1790-1820 (Joan Brunetta and Eve Loftus, supported by Leventhal Map & Education Center)
Snapshots of Black life in a New England city from the first four federal censuses, 1790–1820

Random Thoughts - February 14, 2024

In addition to the romanticism of Valentine’s Day, this day also marks the day I moved to the Cambridge/Boston area - 46 years ago. While this means that I can never be a True Cantabrigian, my consolation is that many lifelong Cambridge residents have adopted me as a kind of lost cousin. In fact, my move to Cambridge happened on the first day that buses were running from New York to Boston after the Blizzard of ’78, so it’s always easy for me to remember when I first washed up on the shores of the People’s Republic.RW

I spent a couple of hours yesterday attending a Special City Council meeting called for the purpose of updating the City Council Goals that were most recently updated over 5 years ago in October 2017. It’s likely that the statement of Guiding Principles and City Council Goals will change little, though perhaps they’ll get a bit more specific than the rosy generalities issued in 2017.

I have to say that I have never enjoyed meetings like this where participants stumble about trying to say something relevant that might get the attention of the facilitator. I will add that these exercises often seem more like justifications for keeping “facilitation companies” going than actually producing anything useful. I might say the same thing of most “team building” exercises and virtually all “trainings” - online or in-person. Especially in the context of elected officials who are endlessly competing for credit or attention, the notion that you can train competition into collaboration seems a bit naive. They’ll either do it or they won’t.

That said, there were a few moments of wisdom, reality, and perhaps even redefinition. For example, at least one councillor noted the difference between City Council orders and committee work. This is something I appreciate – over the years I have come to view many policy orders as “drive-by orders” where some random idea is tossed into the public arena or perhaps lifted from some other municipality. Committee work used to be more like a serious detailed discussion that welcomed public participation. That hasn’t really been the case in recent years - unless you are one of the privileged few who function more like “10th councillors” thanks to your affiliation with a lobbying group that also endorses candidates in the municipal election. Everyone else just gets their two or three minutes to make a short statement before being terminated by the Chair. I liked it better when if you actually offered constructive ideas at a committee meeting you might actually be involved in a back-and-forth discussion with the councillors. Nowadays you just perform and exit - unless you are among the politically privileged.

One suggestion made at yesterday’s meeting was that the City Manager and staff should send out weekly general updates of current topics being worked on by City staff. City Manager Yi-An Huang welcomed the idea but also expressed concern about “granularity” as he noted that at any given time there are ~2000 employees working on different things. Was the suggestion to have “weeklies” really be just about getting updates on the usual “hot topics” like bike lanes, BEUDO, and plans for recently-acquired City properties? It was also not made clear if these “weeklies” would be just for councillors or if they would be publicly available. Also unanswered was how such a protocol might mesh with the current daily updates to which many of us are subscribed.

One suggestion was that there should be a 311 system - a single point of contact for resident complaints and inquiries. This brought two things to mind. First, this sounds a lot like SeeClickFix – which is supposed to be the place for residents and elected officials alike to report problems. There seemed to be some sense that this system may not be functioning as well as it should be, and that when there is no response or action the calls go to city councillors. My experience has been that some kinds of SeeClickFix reports get an almost immediate response, and others languish for months or even years. It doesn’t help that some people view SeeClickFix as just another social media outlet on which they can bitch and moan about things that often go well beyond what the City can or should do. The other thing that came to mind was the proposal from over 20 years ago to create an Ombudsman Office that would respond to resident requests. That proposal went down in flames when councillors realized that responding to such complaints was an essential part of their political existence and that transferring that responsibility would only hurt their role in providing “constituent services”. In short, councillors often benefit from the existence of a problem.

Yesterday’s facilitator suggested that city councillors should be asking questions more than making statements. The response from some councillors was that this really doesn’t work in the context of a City Council meeting where you have to wait your turn to be recognized by the Chair and where technically all remarks are made through the Chair. I would note that in committee meetings this kind of questioning and back-and-forth conversation at least used to be common (and useful). It was also pointed out that the Open Meeting Law actually thwarts this kind of questioning and collaboration.

When the facilitators displayed their distillation of apparent City Council priorities (presumably based on some kind of questionnaire), the results were both predictable and misleading. The same can be said of the periodic Resident Surveys conducted on behalf of the City. Affordable housing always tops the list but rarely, if ever, is there any clarification of what that actually means. In one sense, it’s likely that 100% of residents want their housing to be affordable, but does that mean that they want to be able to buy a home on the open market at an affordable price, or does it mean that they want the City to subsidize the purchase? The same goes even more significantly when it comes to renting an apartment. I believe most renters simply want to see more affordable rents, and not necessarily that they want the City to subsidize those rents, but you would never know that from the Resident Survey or from the councillors’ prioritization.

It is worth noting that many, perhaps most, things that residents care about are not directly addressable by city councillors, the City administration, or from any level of government. Kindness, mutual respect, neighborliness, and voluntarism form the glue of society and likely have more to do with the satisfaction of living in a town or city than anything that was ever woven into a City Council policy order.

I was especially impressed when Deputy City Manager Owen O’Riordan noted that a major portion of City expenditures are in infrastructure, yet there was not even a mention of this in the list of City Council priorities. Perhaps this serves to highlight the difference between the politics of being an elected councillor and the management by City administration. Indeed, one of the greatest problems with a popularly-elected mayor as CEO is that it almost guarantees a greater share of attention and resources toward popular concerns and a corresponding decrease in focus on matters like infrastructure and municipal finance. I hope our current group of councillors keep this in mind as they debate possible Charter changes. It is, in fact, this focus on such matters by City management that allows the elected councillors to focus on more visible populist concerns.

Mayor Simmons bemoaned the fact that DEI (diversity, equity, inclusion) was way down on the list of priorities, but stated that “this should be the lens through which we look at things.” It’s certainly one such lens, but fiscal responsibility, effective service delivery, responsiveness, and transparency are also pretty good lenses through which to look at and evaluate what we do as a city.

There was an interesting back-and-forth about the Envision plan and how it is often quoted or ignored depending on what you want or don’t want. There also continues to be a lot of misinterpretation of the goals and metrics in that report - especially in the area of housing.

Regarding Central Square, City Manager Huang stated that many of the goals contained in past studies have already been implemented - noting, in particular, bike lanes and outdoor dining. In fact, there is little mention of bike lanes in these past studies (perhaps due to how long ago the studies were produced), and much of the outdoor dining came about not from past studies but as an emergency response to the Covid epidemic as a means of helping some local businesses to economically survive. Indeed, the only significant new developments in Central Square happened independently of past studies, e.g. the Mass & Main (Normandy/Twining) zoning petition. It is my understanding that some new zoning proposals may be forthcoming based, in part, on some of the considerations of the C2 Study (from over a decade ago), but we’ll have to see where that road leads. – Robert Winters

Comments?

Cambridge LGBTQ+ Commission Members Sought

Feb 26, 2024 – Cambridge City Manager Yi-An Huang is seeking persons interested in serving on the Cambridge LGBTQ+ Commission (LGBTQ+ Commission).

The LGBTQ+ Commission was established under Chapter 2.125 of the Cambridge Municipal Code. The function of the Commission is to advocate for a culture of respect and monitor progress toward equality of all persons with regard to sexual orientation and gender identity and expression, and to promote policies and practices that have a positive effect on the health, welfare, and safety of all persons who live, visit, or work in the city with respect to sexual orientation and gender identity and expression. Commissioners are expected to be knowledgeable about the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals and must live or work in Cambridge.City Seal

Commissioners are expected to:

The City of Cambridge and the LGBTQ+ Commission are committed to advancing a culture of anti-racism, diversity, equity, and inclusion and is seeking Cambridge residents who represent the diversity of Cambridge. All board and commission members in Cambridge must have the ability to participate in a collaborative process, consider diverse ideas and perspectives, and interact effectively with individuals and groups with a variety of identities, cultures, backgrounds, and ideologies. Women, persons of color, veterans, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

The LGBTQ+ Commission consists of up to 20 members appointed to 3-year terms.

Board and commission members in Cambridge do not generally receive compensation for their time. However, the city has explored the possibility of offering a stipend for high time commitment boards. Serving on the LGBTQ+ Commission does not require a high time commitment and therefore is not under consideration for a potential stipend at this time.

The deadline for submitting applications is Monday, March 25, 2024. Applications can be submitted using the City of Cambridge’s online application system at Cambridgema.gov/apply. A cover letter and resume, or an overview of relevant experience, can be submitted during the online application process. Paper applications can also be obtained at the City Manager’s Office at Cambridge City Hall, 795 Massachusetts Avenue.

For more information, contact Carolina Almonte at 617-349-4396 or calmonte@cambridgema.gov.

Members Sought to fill Cambridge Library Board of Trustees Vacancy

Feb 12, 2024 – Cambridge City Manager Yi-An Huang is seeking to fill a vacancy on the Board of Trustees for the Cambridge Public Library.City Seal

Library trustees are volunteer community representatives, library advocates, and leaders in the establishment of goals and policies for the Cambridge Public Library system. Trustees are a vital link between the library staff and the community and work to ensure the quality of library services, collections, and programs, and to make certain that the library reflects and is relevant to the community.

Trustees are appointed by the City Manager following City Council confirmation to serve a 3-year term. Board members are expected to attend monthly board meetings, committee and community meetings, appropriate continuing education workshops or conferences, and library programs as their schedules allow. Monthly meetings are usually held on the first Tuesday of the month at 5pm, virtually and in-person in the Cambridge Public Library Board Room, 449 Broadway.

Ideal candidates will have an interest in and passion for public libraries and an understanding of the importance of the public library as a center of information, culture, recreation, and life-long learning in the community. Candidates should also have knowledge of the community, including an awareness of diverse social and economic conditions, needs and interests of all groups. Strong verbal and written communication skills, including public speaking skills are required. Trustees work productively as a team. It is also important for candidates to understand how the role of the public library is evolving and how information technology and societal changes inform the library’s future.

The City of Cambridge is committed to advancing a culture of antiracism, diversity, equity, and inclusion. All board and commission members in Cambridge must have the ability to work and interact effectively with individuals and groups with a variety of identities, cultures, backgrounds, and ideologies. Women, minorities, veterans, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Applications can be submitted to the City Manager’s Office using the City’s online application system at Cambridgema.gov/apply. A cover letter and resume or applicable experience can be submitted during the online application process. For more information about the role of Library Trustees, contact Maria McCauley, Director of Libraries at mmccauley@cambridgema.gov.

The deadline for submitting applications is Monday, March 18, 2024.

Members Sought for City of Cambridge Planning Board

Feb 12, 2024 – The City of Cambridge is seeking members to serve on the Planning Board. All Cambridge residents are invited to apply.City Seal

The Planning Board is made up of Cambridge residents who make recommendations and decisions about urban development on behalf of the City of Cambridge. The Planning Board has seven full members and two associate members who are appointed by the City Manager, and then approved by the City Council to serve a 5-year term. All members can participate in Planning Board discussions.

The Planning Board meets regularly in a public forum to discuss the City of Cambridge’s urban planning objectives, and apply them in the following ways:

Anyone who lives in Cambridge can apply to serve on the Planning Board. You don’t need to be a homeowner. The city is committed to advancing a culture of antiracism, diversity, equity, and inclusion. All board and commission members in Cambridge must have the ability to work and interact effectively with individuals and groups with a variety of identities, cultures, backgrounds, and ideologies. Women, Black, Indigenous and other people of color, veterans, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

No specific professional background is needed to serve on the Planning Board. However, since a big part of the Planning Board’s role is reviewing building plans and designs, it is important that members have a strong interest and enthusiasm for urban design and how it shapes the community. Successful members of the Planning Board will be able to:

We strongly suggest that people who are interested in the Planning Board attend or watch a Planning Board meeting. Visit www.cambridgema.gov/planningboard to learn about upcoming meetings. Archived video of meetings can be found on the City’s website here (then scroll to “Available Archives” / “Planning Board”).

By state law, all board members must complete a training in ethics and conflict-of-interest laws. The City’s Law Department also provides training and assistance to Planning Board members on legal issues. The City of Cambridge provides training to employees on topics including Preventing Sexual Harassment and Valuing Anti-Racism, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. These trainings will be available to Planning Board members and may be required.

The Planning Board is supported by professional planning staff in the Community Development Department, with added support from the Traffic, Parking and Transportation Department, the Department of Public Works, and others. Staff give written reports to Planning Board members on cases that are before them, and are also available if members have questions. Staff may also develop training on other topics that are relevant to the Planning Board’s work and may direct Planning Board members to training offered by outside organizations.

The Planning Board usually meets 2-4 times each month on Tuesday evenings at 6:30pm. Meetings can last about 3-4 hours. Members are expected to attend most meetings. Members can expect to spend about 2-4 hours before each meeting reviewing materials such as plans and documents, which are sent to members about 5 days before each meeting. Some members find it helpful to visit sites that they are reviewing in person, but it is not required.

The Massachusetts Open Meeting Law usually requires meetings to be in person. However, the Planning Board has been meeting remotely under the temporary Open Meeting Law provisions established during the COVID-19 pandemic and may continue to meet remotely through March 2025. For remote meetings, Planning Board members must have a computer or other device with an internet connection, camera, and microphone that can support video conferencing. It is also helpful to have a private place to attend remote meetings without distractions.

Planning Board members receive $6,000 per year as a stipend. This stipend is meant to offset the annual out-of-pocket costs that members might pay to make it possible to serve on the Planning Board, such as child care, transportation, and other expenses.

People interested in being considered should apply by using the City’s online application system at Cambridgema.gov/apply and selecting “Planning Board” in the list of Current Vacancies. During the application process, you should provide a cover letter to explain why you are interested in being on the Planning Board, and a résumé or summary of applicable experience. Experience can include both professional and volunteer work.

The deadline for submitting applications is Monday, March 18, 2024.

If you have questions, contact Swaathi Joseph in the Community Development Department at 617-349-4668 or sjoseph@cambridgema.gov or visit www.cambridgema.gov/planningboard

Volunteer Opportunities - Cambridge Boards & Commissions (click for details)

Cambridge Planning Board - Deadline Mon, Mar 18, 2024

Cambridge Library Board of Trustees Vacancy - Deadline Mon, Mar 18, 2024

Cambridge LGBTQ+ Commission Members Sought - Deadline Mon, Mar 25, 2024


Gerry-Mander"Gerrymander" Born in Massachusetts

Feb 11, 2024 – On this day in 1812, a political monster — the “Gerrymander” — was born in the Massachusetts State House. Governor Elbridge Gerry signed a bill that created oddly-shaped voting districts in several parts of the state. The lines of these districts gave Gerry’s party an advantage in the upcoming election. An artist added a head, wings, and claws to the strange shape that was the governor’s new home district and declared it looked like a salamander. A quick-witted friend decided a better name was “Gerry-mander.” Within a month, the image appeared as a cartoon in the local papers and gerrymander [later pronounced with a soft “g”], entered the English language. The term has referred ever since to any deliberate redrawing of voting districts to influence the outcome of an election.

[Click here for the rest of the story.]

Note: Those of us who have a reverence for history pronounce “gerrymander” with a hard “g”. After all, a man’s name is a man’s name.

Coming up soon (more details here):

Mon, Mar 18

5:30pm   City Council meeting  (Sullivan Chamber and Zoom)

Tues, Mar 19

3:00pm   The City Council’s Finance Committee will hold a public meeting to review and discuss the FY25 Capital Budget and to continue the Dec 12, 2023 City Council discussion on Public Investment Planning and to discuss City Council budget priorities and goals.  (Sullivan Chamber and Zoom)

6:00pm   School Committee Meeting  (Attles Meeting Room, CRLS)
The next Regular Meeting will be held on Tues, Mar 19 at 6:00pm for the purpose of discussing any and all business that may properly come before the Committee.

6:30pm   Planning Board Meeting  (Remote via Zoom)

General Business

1. Update from the Community Development Department

Public Hearings

6:30pm   PB-396 (continued from 6/6/2023) – Withdrawal Request
48-50 Bishop Allen Drive (Materials)

6:45pm   PB-400 (continued from 11/21/2023) – Withdrawal Request
8 Thingvalla Avenue (Materials)

General Business

2. PB-368
Volpe Third Street Park – Design Review (Materials)

3. PB-385
180 Fawcett Street – Special Permit Extension (Materials)

Wed, Mar 20

5:30pm   Cambridge Redevelopment Authority Board meeting  (The Foundry Building, Workshop 6, 101 Rogers Street or via Zoom)

Thurs, Mar 21

6:00-8:00pm   Fresh Pond Reservation Master Plan Advisory Board  (Water Treatment Facility, 250 Fresh Pond Parkway, and Zoom)

Mon, Mar 25

5:30pm   City Council meeting  (Sullivan Chamber and Zoom)

Tues, Mar 26

3:00pm   The City Council’s Finance Committee will hold a public meeting to receive a status update on the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding in Cambridge, as well as to review and discuss the Police Department budget for FY25 before it is submitted to the City Manager, as required under Cambridge Municipal Code Chapter 2.74.040.  (Sullivan Chamber and Zoom)

6:00pm   Virtual Special School Committee Meeting  (Zoom)
There will be a Virtual Special Meeting of the School Committee on Thurs, Mar 14, 2024 at 6:00pm for the purpose of a Budget Workshop to review the FY25 Proposed Budget. The Meeting is anticipated to end by or before 8:00pm. No votes will be taken and there will not be Public Comment.

Wed, Mar 27

12:00pm   The City Council’s Health and Environment Committee will hold a public hearing to discuss regional coastal flood resilience interventions required to address increased vulnerability due to climate change risk.  (Sullivan Chamber and Zoom)

Thurs, Mar 28

5:30pm   Cambridge Election Commission  (Zoom)

I. MINUTES

II. REPORTS

1. Assistant Director’s Report

2. Commissioners’ Reports

IV. ACTION AGENDA

Old Business

- Presidential Primary, March 5, 2024
- Election Debrief

New Business

- Scheduling of the Board of Election Commissioners’ Annual Organizational Meeting

Mon, Apr 1

5:30pm   City Council meeting  (Sullivan Chamber and Zoom)

Tues, Apr 2

3:00pm   The City Council’s Public Safety Committee will hold a public hearing on the State of Policing and Community Safety in Cambridge with an update on recommendations from the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF) report.  (Sullivan Chamber and Zoom)

Mon, Apr 8

5:30pm   City Council meeting  (Sullivan Chamber and Zoom)

Wed, Apr 10

3:00pm   The City Council’s Transportation and Public Utilities Committee will hold a public hearing to discuss how the city factors potential street congestion into street re-design, monitors and adjusts for street congestion (especially in newly reconfigured areas such as North Mass Ave., Garden Street, and Inman Square/Cambridge Street) and understand its impacts on residents, businesses, and public safety. In addition, the Committee will review and learn how the City is planning for potential impacts on Cambridge streets of DCR’s plan to reduce Memorial Drive from four lanes to two lanes between the JFK Street and the Eliot Bridge.  (Sullivan Chamber and Zoom)

Mon, Apr 22

5:30pm   City Council meeting  (Sullivan Chamber and Zoom)

Wed, Apr 24

3:00pm   The City Council’s Transportation and Public Utilities Committee will hold a public hearing on the Digital Navigator Pilot Program (DNP), a collaborative effort between the City of Cambridge Information Technology Department, Cambridge Public Library, Cambridge Public Schools Department, Just A Start, and Cambridge Community Television (CCTV) to discuss how this initiative is designed to support residents’ digital needs.  (Sullivan Chamber and Zoom)

Mon, Apr 29

5:30pm   City Council meeting  (Sullivan Chamber and Zoom)

Catching Up on the (Official) Cambridge NewsCity Seal

GIS Data Download Updates (Mar 5, 2024)

Cambridge Celebrates Women’s History Month (Mar 5, 2024)

$6K-$30K COVID Recovery Grants For Cultural Nonprofits (Mar 5, 2024)

Cambridge Police Release Results of Police Executive Research Forum (PERF) Independent Review of January 4, 2023 Officer-Involved Shooting (Mar 4, 2024)

Cambridge Gives Residents an Opportunity to Vote on How to Spend a Record-High $2 Million and Improve the City Through Capital and Operating Projects (Mar 4, 2024)

Kendall Square Construction Projects (Mar 1, 2024)

2023 East Cambridge Commercial District Assessment Report (Feb 29, 2024)

Listen to the new "STEAM Rises" Podcast! (Feb 28, 2024)

City of Cambridge Fire Alarm Boxes (Feb 27, 2024)

Current Board Vacancies: LGBTQ+ Commission, Planning Board, Cambridge Public Library Board of Trustees, Danehy Park Improvements Plan Working Group (Feb 26, 2024)

Volunteers Sought to Serve on the Cambridge LGBTQ+ Commission (deadline 3-25-24) (Feb 26, 2024)

Parking Meter Fees Will Change to $2 per Hour in Kendall Square (Feb 26, 2024)

Early Voting Underway for the 2024 Presidential Primary (Feb 26, 2024)

“Take Care” Series: A Virtual Informational Group for Caregivers (Feb 26, 2024)

Draft One-Year Action Plan for FY2025 HUD Grants Available (Feb 26, 2024)

Work Impacting Magazine, Green and Franklin Streets Beginning Wed, Feb 28 (Feb 26, 2024)

Data Spotlight: Explore Traffic Patterns on Miovision Dashboard (Feb 26, 2024)

Recruit Firefighters (Feb 26, 2024)

Community Safety Department Begins Responding to Needle Pickup Calls (Feb 23, 2024)

Mass Ave Planning Study (MAPS) Working Group - Meeting 2 (Feb 22, 2024)
Thurs, Mar 14 from 6:00pm-7:30pm for the second regular meeting of the Mass Ave Planning Study Working Group

February 2024 Community Safety Department Update (Feb 22, 2024)

Next Low-cost Rabies Vaccination Clinic (for dogs only) (Feb 21, 2024)
Sat, Apr 6 from 9:00-11:00am, Cambridge Public Works, 147 Hampshire St.

LGBTQ Resources Story Map (Feb 21, 2024)

Cambridge Adopts PDDL License for Open Data: A Milestone for Enhanced Usability and Public Trust (Feb 16, 2024)

CPD’s Traffic Enforcement Unit Helps MIT Students Research Virtual Traffic Stop Technology (Feb 15, 2024)

Current Board Vacancies: Planning Board, Cambridge Public Library Board of Trustees, Danehy Park Improvements Plan Working Group (Feb 13, 2024)

Members Sought for Danehy Park Improvements Plan Working Group. Application Deadline is 3-11-24. (Feb 13, 2024)

Members of the Cambridge Fire Dive Rescue Team participated in the Search for a Missing Person (Feb 13, 2024)

Advance Removal and Depositing for the Presidential Primary, March 5, 2024 (Feb 13, 2024)

Mass Ave Planning Study - Community Meeting #1 (Feb 12, 2024)
on Thursday, February 29 from 6:00pm-7:30pm

Happy Valentine’s Day (Feb 12, 2024)

Members Sought for City of Cambridge Planning Board (Feb 12, 2024)
Application Deadline is 3-18-24

Member Sought to fill Cambridge Library Board of Trustees Vacancy (Feb 12, 2024)

Cambridge Police Share Crime Prevention & Safety Tips After Emerging Pattern of Housebreaks (Feb 9, 2024)

City of Cambridge Closures and Service Information for Presidents Day Holiday - Mon, Feb 19 (Feb 9, 2024)

Cambridge Community Safety Department and Public Safety Partners Visit and Learn from Durham Community Safety Department’s Holistic Empathetic Assistance Response Team (Feb 7, 2024)

New Exhibition: How We Care For 280+ Public Artworks (Feb 7, 2024)

Apply to Cambridge Works to Get Paid Job Experience! (Feb 7, 2024)

GIS Data Download Updates (Feb 6, 2024)

City of Cambridge Launches Digital Navigator Pilot Program with Local Partners to Support Residents’ Digital Needs (Feb 6, 2024)

Police Commissioner Visits Student Officers at Cambridge-Northeastern Police Academy (Feb 5, 2024)

Kendall Square Construction Projects (Feb 1, 2024)

Fire Headquarters Temporary Relocation (Feb 1, 2024)

Cambridge Public Library to Host A Pre-Valentine’s Day Poetry Reading and Discussion (Feb 1, 2024)

Two Former City of Cambridge Leaders Receive Fresh Pond Stewardship Award (Feb 1, 2024)

Apply to DHSP Summer Camps and Programs! (Feb 1, 2024)

Food Business Basics Training Program (Feb 1, 2024)

City Hall Front Entrance Closed for Construction June 6 - August 1 (June 2, 2022)
Request: Please relocate the flags over the entrance so that the message from Frederick Hastings Rindge is no longer obscured.

City Hall Inscription - Frederick Hastings Rindge

Rules? We don’t have to follow no stinkin’ rules!

Updated January 3, 2024 - In the 2022-23 City Council Rules, there are two items that have been often ignored in recent City Council terms:

Rule 28. Every committee of the City Council to which any subject may be referred shall report on the subject within a reasonable time from the time of referral. Any committee report that has not been signed by the Chair of the committee within seven days after submission of the committee report by the City Clerk will be placed on the City Council agenda unsigned…

Rule 29. Minutes shall be kept of all committee proceedings. All minutes, reports, and papers shall be submitted to the City Council by the City Clerk or their designee. Recommendations of each committee shall be made to the City Council for consideration and adoption.

As if communication through the Tunnel of Zoom wasn’t bad enough, some committee Chairs apparently have not seen fit to keep either their colleagues or the public informed unless they were present at the meeting or chose to view a recording of the meeting. There are reasons why minutes of a meeting are taken. Not everyone wants to suffer through a recording of a long and possibly boring meeting, and a voluminous transcript is not a substitute for good (succinct) minutes.

Here is the current record of deliquency [Chair]:

Ordinance Committee (15 missing reports)
2023 [McGovern, Zondervan]: June 21, June 28, Aug 3
2022 [McGovern, Zondervan]: OK
2021 [Carlone, McGovern]: Jan 27, Apr 29, June 10, July 26, July 28, Sept 29, Nov 16, Dec 15
2020 [Carlone, McGovern]: Aug 26
2019 [Carlone, Kelley]: Oct 3, Oct 16, Oct 23

Finance Committee (3 missing reports)
2023 [Carlone, Nolan]: OK
2022 [Carlone, Nolan]: Mar 2
2021 [Carlone, Simmons]: July 27, Dec 1
2020 [Carlone, Simmons]: OK
2019 [Simmons]: OK

Gov’t Operations, Rules & Claims (1 missing report)
2023 [Mallon]: OK
2022 [Mallon]: OK
2021 [Simmons]: OK
2020 [Simmons]: OK
2019 [Devereux]: Nov 12

Health & Environment Committee (4 missing reports)
2023 [Nolan]: OK
2022 [Nolan]: OK
2021 [Zondervan]: June 9, July 14
2020 [Zondervan]: OK
2019 [Devereux, Zondervan]: May 29, Oct 15

Neighborhood & Long-Term Planning, etc. (4 missing reports)
2023 [Carlone]: Sept 27, Dec 13
2022 [Carlone]: OK
2021 [Nolan]: Mar 4, June 9 (minutes exist, but never reported)
2020 [Nolan]: OK
2019 [Carlone, Zondervan]: OK

Public Safety (6 missing reports)
2023 [Zondervan]: OK
2022 [Zondervan]: May 18
2021 [Zondervan]: June 22, July 28, Oct 14, Nov 17, Dec 21
2020 [Zondervan]: OK
2019 [Kelley]: Sept 24, Oct 30, Dec 17, Jan 3 (2020)

Econ. Development & University Relations (4 missing reports)
2023 [Toner]: OK
2022 [Toner]: Apr 13, June 15
2021 [Mallon]: Jan 13
2020 [Mallon]: Aug 11
2019 [Siddiqui]: OK

Human Services & Veterans (2 missing reports)
2023 [McGovern]: June 13
2022 [McGovern]: OK
2021 [McGovern]: Aug 10 (joint w/Civic Unity)
2020 [McGovern]: OK
2019 [Mallon, Siddiqui]: OK

Housing Committee (2 missing reports)
2023 [Simmons]: OK
2022 [Simmons]: OK
2021 [Simmons, Sobrinho-Wheeler]: OK
2020 [Simmons, Sobrinho-Wheeler]: Mar 3, Oct 28
2019 [Siddiqui, Simmons]: OK

Transportation & Public Utilities (0 missing reports)
2023 [Azeem]: OK
2022 [Azeem]: OK
2021 [Sobrinho-Wheeler]: OK
2020 [Sobrinho-Wheeler]: OK
2019 [Devereux]: OK

Civic Unity (1 missing report)
2023 [Simmons]: OK
2022 [Simmons]: OK
2021 [Simmons]: Aug 10 (joint w/Human Services)
2020 [Simmons]: OK
2019 [Simmons]: OK

Most Delinquent:
Carlone (17), McGovern (14), Zondervan (13), Kelley (7), Simmons (5),
Nolan (3), Devereux (3), Sobrinho-Wheeler (2), Mallon (2), Toner (2)

Number of Missing Reports:
2023 (6), 2022 (4), 2021 (21), 2020 (4), 2019 (10)

Cambridge Municipal Election News

Who has been raising and spending money? [Feb 2, 2022 - present]
(source - Mass. Office of Campaign and Political Finance)
Note: Expenditures last updated Jan 31, 2024.
Note: You may have to “Clear Cache” in order to refresh some of the embedded charts/tables for campaign finance.

City Council Campaign Finance - Sorted by Receipts
CC campaign finance 2023

2023 Cambridge Candidate Pages     Calendar of 2023 Election-related events


City Council Campaign Finance - Sorted by Expenditures
Expenses


Periodic OCPF Bank Reports
OCPF Periodic Bank Reports

Union Contributions to Candidates - Incumbency Protection

 
Union Contributions

 
  
Union donations to candidates

School Committee Campaign Finance
School Committee Campaign Finance


Cost per #1 Vote - City Council 2023 Cost per #1 Vote - School Committee 2023
 
City Council Cost per #1 Votes
 
School Committee Cost per #1 Votes

New Video Series Opens With Focus on Cambridge’s Charter Leading to Plan E

Civic View Episode 1The Cambridge City Charter: From Town Meeting to Plan E premiered on Monday, May 15 at 5:30pm on CCTV Channel 9 and is now viewable on YouTube.

Created by a multi-generational team of writer-narrators John Pitkin and Robert Winters, both long-time Cambridge residents, and director Gregorio Leon, a 2016 graduate of CRLS and Emerson College, the video is introduced by WGBH’s Jim Braude. The Cambridge’s City Charter: From Town Meeting to Plan E combines historical documents, images, maps, and statistics to present a provocative half-hour overview of Cambridge’s first 94 years as a city and the origins of the current Plan E charter.

The episode examines our shared history through the lens of the City Charter and local elections. It shows how the Town Meeting style of government became impracticable and led to the consolidation of Old Cambridge, the neighborhood around Harvard College, with the villages of Cambridgeport and East Cambridge to create the city of Cambridge, chartered by the Commonwealth in 1846. The half-hour video presents a provocative and visually engaging review of the expansion of Cambridge as bridges linked Old Cambridge to Boston in the 18th and early 19th century, as migration drove population growth, suffrage expanded, and participation in local elections increased.

The second episode of Cambridge Civic View, now in production, will look at the 83-year history of the current Plan E charter. Since 1940, Plan E has defined our local government, given us the existing system of nine City Councillors with a City Manager as our chief executive, and established the ranked-choice proportional representation voting system used to elect our Councillors and School Committee.

Together, the first two episodes in the series will provide background and perspective on the issues facing Cambridge’s Charter Review Committee as it proposes changes to the Charter and for Cambridge citizens when they vote on whether to adopt proposed changes.

In November, Cambridge will elect a new City Council of nine at-large Councillors and a School Committee of six. Cambridge Civic View strives to engage and inform all residents, whatever their policy priorities and political values, on civic issues and how our municipal government and local democracy are working.

Cambridge’s City Charter: From Town Meeting to Plan E will be also be shown on CCTV Channel 9 (and on the web at https://www.cctvcambridge.org/channel-9/) at the following times: 4:30pm on Wed. May 17, 6:30pm on Fri. May 19, and 12:00pm on Sun. May 21 and is available for streaming from YouTube and for classroom use.

Comments?

A chronology of the 1972 conflict over Proportional Representation in Cambridge
(posted Feb 24, 2023)

Cambridge City Charter Study Group

I would like to informally gather a group of concerned Cambridge residents to form a Study Group to better understand the Cambridge City Charter - past, present, and future - in detail. What are the strengths and weaknesses of the current Charter? How did we come to have the current (Plan E) Charter? What improvements to the governmental form and election methods might be advisable? [References]

This Study Group would be separate from the “official” Cambridge Charter Review Committee that was recently appointed by several city councillors. Among other things, this group can monitor the official review committee, discuss and critique any proposals coming from that committee, and independently propose alternatives. If you are interested, please let me know. - Robert Winters

original proposed 1846 Charter
(this is not the same as what was passed
and sent to Cambridge voters!)
1846 Charter
(approved by Legislature and
Cambridge Town Meeting)
1846 Charter w/amendments
through 1890 appended

(as approved by Legislature and voters)
1891 Charter
(as approved by Legislature and voters)
1915 (Plan B) Charter
(as approved by voters)
1940 (Plan E) Charter
(as approved by voters)
M.G.L. Chapter 43: CITY CHARTERS
M.G.L. Chapter 43B: HOME RULE PROCEDURES
M.G.L. Chapter 43C: OPTIONAL FORMS OF MUNICIPAL ADMINISTRATION ACT

Tues, Jan 23

5:30-7:30pm   Charter Review Committee Virtual Meeting #35  (Zoom) – Final Meeting
Note: The fact that the requirement for Charter Review is part of the revised Plan E Charter means that appointments to the committee should have been made by the City Manager subject to review by the full City Council. Instead, all of the appointments were made by an ad-hoc group of 4 councillors without any review of the full City Council. Archived recordings of virtual meetings are available here. The official site is: cambridgema.gov/charterreview
Index of agendas, minutes, and video recording links

Featured recent stories in the Cambridge Chronicle (the paper of record) - with some comments:

Cambridge ChronicleIf you would like to subscribe or pick up a free paper copy at various sites, I encourage you to do so. It really is The Paper of Record - even if it is currently understaffed and in need of rejuvenation.

Cambridge’s ‘Duke’ of bartending inducted into Hall of Fame (Dec 27, 2022, subscribers only)
At 86 years old, longtime Cambridge resident Daniel “Duke” Pugliese was just inducted into the Bartender Hall of Fame after a career filled with giving to charity, pouring drinks and listening to people pour out their soul.

Fuel assistance applications available for Cambridge, Somerville residents in need (Oct 18, 2022)

Trees have a story to tell, on your next walk in the woods take in the natural history (Oct 17, 2022)

Star Market and Shaw's acquired: What to know about the Kroger-Albertsons deal (Oct 14, 2022)

MA electricity, gas prices going up 64 percent compared to last year (Sept 22, 2022)

Measure to limit wildlife-killing rat, mice poisons is in Senate hands (Sept 22, 2022)

Somerville, Medford rents rise as landlords tout Green Line Extension (Sept 22, 2022, subscribers only)

Removing dams restores river ecology, but the process can take years (Sept 15, 2022)

Is the drought making MA water unsafe? Here's where e-coli outbreaks have been reported (Sept 12, 2022)

Coalition says just enforcing waste bans would greatly reduce trash (Sept 9, 2022)

Plans show Cambridge nightclub, music venue could become 6-story hotel (Sept 7, 2022)

PHOTOS: Oldtime Baseball Game honors Jim Corsi (Aug 25, 2022)

Beware the Asian longhorned beetle and lanternfly, Mass residents advised (Aug 17, 2022)

Governor’s desk crowded with almost 70 measures still pending (Aug 11, 2022)

Plan E Cambridge City Councils - At A Glance (Mayor in bold)Comments?

Plan E Cambridge School Committees (and Mayors) At A GlanceComments?

In case you were wondering about how to make Cambridge’s PR elections independent of how the ballots are counted…

Election Method Comparison – STV/Cincinnati vs. Fractional Transfer – 2021 Cambridge City Council Election (posted Jan 15, 2022)

March-????? Programs (and Beyond) at Fresh Pond Reservation

These events are FREE and open to the public. Children are welcome in the company of an adult.

Fresh Pond Reservation will remain open to the public daily from dawn to dusk. You are all invited to enjoy nature as spring crawls across the landscape of the City’s active drinking water reservoir protection land. Please continue to respect the property by picking up after your pup, making sure all trash makes it to proper receptacles, and respecting all life by leaving only footprints and taking only photographs. The Ranger Station and public restrooms are open from 7am to 7pm. In addition, portable restrooms are available in the parking lots.

Interested in Volunteering? Get hands on and give back to the land! Contact Ranger Tim at tpuopolo@cambridgeMA.gov to find out more!

Unless otherwise specified, please contact Martine at 617-349-6489 or fpr@cambridgema.gov for any RSVPs or questions!

Would you like to join Friends of Fresh Pond Reservation? Membership is $10 and can be paid online or sent to 31 Mt. Pleasant St., Cambridge, MA 02138.

Keep up to date on events at the Pond. Visit the Friends group website at http://friendsoffreshpond.org to learn more about Friends group activities and the reservation and its inhabitants.

A Remembrance of Chip Norton, Watershed Manager for the Cambridge Water Department

Upcoming Programs


Cambridge Public Schools (official website) Cambridge School Committee website
School Committee Meetings School Committee Members & Subcommittees
The Unofficial Guide to School Choices for the Cambridge Kindergarten Lottery

HOW TO BREAK A POLITICAL MACHINE
pictures added Mar 27, 2021 scanned from original magazine
[Collier’s Magazine, January 31, 1948]
Comments?

THE MUNICIPAL SITUATION IN CAMBRIDGE
A Paper read at the Annual Meeting of the National Municipal League at Chicago, April 28, 1904

by Henry N. Wheeler, President of the League
preceded by a Program of the Work of the League for 1904
[original PDF]

Cambridge InsideOut Episodes on CCJ Forum

Cambridge InsideOut currently airs every first and third Tuesday at 6:00pm and 6:30pm with producers/hosts Robert Winters and (sometimes) Patrick Barrett. We will have other guest hosts as well. All shows are posted on YouTube after broadcast.

[complete list of shows - with links to YouTube videos (and now audio too!)]

Cambridge InsideOut Episodes 611-612: March 5, 2024 (solo w/Robert Winters)

Cambridge InsideOut Episodes 609-610: Feb 20, 2024 (solo w/Robert Winters)

Cambridge InsideOut Episodes 607-608: Feb 6, 2024 (solo w/Robert Winters)

Cambridge InsideOut Episodes 605-606: Jan 16, 2024 (solo w/Robert Winters)

Cambridge InsideOut Episodes 603-604: Jan 2, 2024 (solo w/Robert Winters)

Cambridge InsideOut Episodes 601-602: Nov 21, 2023 (solo w/Robert Winters)

Cambridge InsideOut Episodes 599-600: Sept 19, 2023 (w/Patrick Barrett)

Cambridge InsideOut Episodes 597-598: Sept 5, 2023 (w/Patrick Barrett)Patrick & Robert on Cambridge InsideOut

Cambridge InsideOut Episodes 595-596: August 1, 2023 (w/Patrick Barrett)

Cambridge InsideOut Episodes 593-594: July 18, 2023 (w/Patrick Barrett)

Cambridge InsideOut Episodes 591-592: June 20, 2023 (w/Patrick Barrett)

Cambridge InsideOut Episodes 589-590: June 6, 2023 (w/Patrick Barrett)

Cambridge InsideOut Episodes 587-588: May 2, 2023 (w/Patrick Barrett)

Cambridge InsideOut Episodes 585-586: April 4, 2023 (w/Patrick Barrett)

Cambridge InsideOut Episodes 583-584: Mar 21, 2023 (w/Judy Nathans)

Cambridge InsideOut Episodes 63 and 64 with Glenn Koocher
We had a great time doing these shows with the man who invented the original Cambridge InsideOut - Glenn Koocher.

Cambridge InsideOut on CCTV during 2013-2014 featured co-hosts Susana Segat and Robert Winters.
Cambridge InsideOut on CCTV during 2015-2022 features co-hosts Judy Nathans and Robert Winters.
Cambridge InsideOut on CCTV during 2022-2023 features co-hosts Patrick Barrett (sometimes) and Robert Winters.

History - Kendall Square and the Cambridge Redevelopment Authority

MBTA Role in Cambridge Center Project – Kendall Station Urban Initiatives Project, 1979-1989 (Feb 13, 2014 by Thad Tercyak)

Kendall Square Urban Renewal Project: Six Pivotal Episodes (June 8, 2013 by Thad Tercyak)

Kendall Square Urban Renewal Project, Initial Years, 1963 to 1982 (July 12, 2012 by Thad Tercyak)

Kendall Square Urban Renewal Area – Cambridge Redevelopment Authority (Apr 5, 2012)

Open for Comments - CCJ Forum

List of all CCJ Forum posts (2009 – present) – reverse chronologically with author’s name (originally Aug 14, 2022 - updated automatically)

Current City of Cambridge Board and Commission Vacancies (updated Feb 27, 2024)

Gently Stepping Forward – February 26, 2024 Cambridge City Council meeting (posted Feb 24, 2024)

Random Thoughts – February 14, 2024 (posted Feb 14, 2024)

Having Recently Secured World Peace, the Cambridge City Council Presents its February 12, 2024 Agenda (posted Feb 12, 2024)

Cambridge Municipal Election News – 2023 (originally posted Oct 25, updated periodically)

How Can We Miss You When You Won’t Go Away – January 29, 2024 Cambridge City Council meeting (posted Jan 29, 2024)

More to Come – January 22, 2024 Cambridge City Council meeting (posted Jan 23, 2024)

The New City Council Begins to Take Shape – Jan 8, 2024 Cambridge City Council meeting (posted Jan 5, 2024, updated Jan 8)

Plan E Cambridge School Committees (and Mayors) At A Glance (originally posted Jan 21, 2022, updated Jan 1, 2024)

Plan E Cambridge City Councils At A Glance (originally posted Jan 21, 2022, updated Jan 1, 2024)

It’s Mayor Simmons – and I couldn’t be happier (posted Jan 1, 2024)

Municipal Election Voting Comparison: 2021 vs. 2023 (and then some) (posted Dec 16, 2023)

Voter Success and Number of Candidates – Cambridge Municipal Elections (updated Nov 26, 2023)

Rally at City Hall – Oct 9, 2023 (posted Oct 10, 2023)

What is the main message of The Crucible? (posted Oct 7, 2023)

Now It’s My Turn To Speak – by Robert Winters (Oct 2, 2023 - message from candidate Robert Winters)

New Video Series Opens With Focus on Cambridge’s Charter Leading to Plan E (posted May 16, 2023)

Municipal Broadband or Municipal Boondoggle (posted Mar 13, 2023)

A chronology of the 1972 conflict over Proportional Representation in Cambridge (posted Feb 24, 2023)

Arlington to Harvard Square on a Bicycle (by John Allen, posted Jan 31, 2023)

Alice Wolf: 1933-2023 (posted Jan 28, 2023)

An Idea Whose Time Has Come Again – Redress of Grievances (posted Jan 26, 2023)

Completing the Square [originally posted June 11, 2013]

On Love and Elections (Dec 26, 2022 by David Goode)

Sheila Doyle Russell – City Councillor, Mayor, and Friend (posted Dec 13, 2022)

ADDRESS OF THE MAYOR UPON THE FIRST ORGANIZATION OF THE CITY GOVERNMENT – 1846 (posted Dec 11, 2022)

HISTORY OF CAMBRIDGE – Rev. Lucius Paige, 1877 – INDIAN HISTORY (posted Nov 25, 2022)

A word or two about Cambridge property tax increases (posted Nov 1, 2022)

April 1 Cambridge News – Somerville Invades Cambridge! (posted Apr 1, 2022)

Election Method Comparison – STV/Cincinnati vs. Fractional Transfer – 2021 Cambridge City Council Election (posted Jan 15, 2022)

City of Cambridge Releases Comprehensive Digital Equity Study (posted Apr 20, 2021)

HOW TO BREAK A POLITICAL MACHINE – Collier’s Magazine, Jan 31, 1948 (posted Sept 24, 2020, updated Mar 27, 2021)

A few observations on density (posted Feb 16, 2021)

Cambridge Growth Policy – Toward a Sustainable Future (posted Oct 31, 2018)

The Advent of PR in Cambridge (Nov 10, 2013)

Completing the Square (June 11, 2013)

On becoming a True Cantabrigian (Dec 29, 2012 by Glenn Koocher)


April Fools’ Day - 2022 (and here)

April Fools’ Day - 2017 (and here)     April Fools’ Day - 2016 (and here)

April Fools’ Day - 2015 (and here)     April Fools’ Day - 2013 (and here)


The Advent of PR in Cambridge
originally published in the Cambridge Civic Journal on Feb 12, 1998

Central Square Advisory Committee 2011/2012 Recommendations (Nov 28, 2012)

Introduction: Memorandum from the Central Square (K2C2) Advisory Committee 2011/2012 on its Final Recommendations
Full Report (reformatted in HTML) Goals
Public Places to Build Community Public Places elements
Retail, Cultural and Non-Profit Diversity Housing
Connecting People to the Square Foster a Sustainable Future for Central Square
Leverage Future Private and Public Investments Definition of Central Square Districts
Zoning Recommendations Transfer of Development Rights
Transportation Recommendations Location Specific Issues
Comments?

The Neverending Study of Central Square

Aug 11, 2012 - While preparing to write a series of essays on Central Square, I put together the following list of Central Square studies culled from a variety of sources. I have originals for most of these. If you know of any others, please let me know. - Robert Winters

Feb 1980 - CDD report entitled “Central Square - Commercial Area Revitalization District”

June 1980 - CDD booklet entitled “Facade Improvements” with focus on Central Square

Apr 1983 - “Central Square Report” produced by City Council’s Central Square Subcommittee (study began in 1980 or 1981)

1987 - A report produced in 1987 about a Subcommittee that allegedly built on the 1983 report (may be same as Central Square Action Plan)

Nov 1987 - Central Square Action Plan

1989 - Draft Central Square Development Guidelines

May 1993 - Results of the “Mayor’s Forum on Central Square”

Oct 1993 - Report by the Committee to Promote and Enhance Central Square Now!

Aug 1994 - A Study of the Visual Images and Signage of Central Square (CDD)

May 1995 - Central Square Improvements Project, Master Plan Report

May 1995 - An Urban Design Plan for Central Square (executive summary)

May 2001 - Summary Notes from “A Conversation about Central Square”

Feb 2000 - The Gibbs Report, Central Square Commercial Market Study - Executive Summary (June 30, 1999)

Oct 2004 - Central Square, Cambridge - Rising Fortunes at a Regional Crossroads (Rekha Murthy)

Dec 2004 - Reviving a Traditional City - Central Square, Cambridge, gets a facelift (Rekha Murthy)

June 2005 - Street Media: Ambient Messages in an Urban Space - a photographic analysis of Central Square, Cambridge, Massachusetts (Rekha Murthy)

2009 - CDD Central Square Customer Intercept Survey Report

2011 - Central Square Market Profile

2011 - Red Ribbon Commission Study Report

2012 - Goody/Clancy report and recommendations

2013 - K2C2 Final Reports (Dec 30, 2013)
K2C2 areaThe final reports for Kendall Square and Central Square are now available for download. Zoning discussions based on the recommendations of the K2 and C2 Advisory Committees, which are encapsulated in these reports, will continue in 2014.

Kendall Square Central Square Planning Study (K2C2)

Central Square Final Report 2013 Part 1, December 2013 (K2C2)

Central Square Final Report 2013 Part 2, December 2013 (K2C2)

Kendall Square Final Report 2013 Part 1, December 2013 (K2C2)

Kendall Square Final Report 2013 Part 2, December 2013 (K2C2)

This comprehensive planning effort guided by stakeholder advisory committees, City staff, and a team of multidisciplinary consultants led by Goody Clancy, developed a vision and master plan for Central Square, Kendall Square, and the area South of Main Street (including the Osborn Triangle) connecting the two squares. Both final reports are divided into two parts; in each case you will need to review both parts to read the entire report.

FYI - Current Rules and Goals: Cambridge City Council & Cambridge School Committee

City Council Rules 2020-2021 (provisionally adopted for 2022-2023 and pending amendments)

City Council Rules 2018-2019 (adopted January 29, 2018; provisionally adopted for 2020-2021 term on Jan 6, 2020)

City Council Rules 2014-2015 (adopted January 7, 2014, amended Feb 10, 2014 to reflect revised Council committees)

City Council Goals - FY2018 (current, adopted Oct 16, 2017)

City Council Goals - FY2012-2013 (adopted Dec 13, 2011)

City Council Committees (for the current term)


School Committee Rules (Adopted January 1, 2018; Revised June 19, 2018)

School Committee Rules (adopted January 7, 2008)    School Committee Goals (adopted October 7, 2008)

Civic Infrastructure - 2009

June 7, 2009 - Once upon a time there was a civic organization in Cambridge known as the Cambridge Civic Association (CCA). It was formed in 1945 out of several organizations that had been existed through the 1930s and that had lobbied the state legislature to create the Plan E Charter option (1938) which featured a city manager form of government and proportional representation elections for city council and school committee. These reforms were central to model charter reform movements active in the United States from the early 1900s. The central theme of the CCA in its early days was “good government” in the sense of being anti-patronage and for professionally managed local government. This changed with the introduction of rent control at the end of the 1960s after which the CCA shifted leftward and became permanently lashed to the mast of the rent control vessel. Though the CCA still exists on paper (I believe), it rapidly declined after the statewide abolition of rent control (late 1994) and essentially disappeared a decade later (early 2005).

I bring up the ghost of the CCA today only to point out that when it was created it had some very admirable goals. Here’s the original Mission Statement of the CCA:

Purposes: This association is formed for the following purposes:

  1. To promote businesslike, honest, and efficient conduct of local government, open to public scrutiny.
  2. To induce residents to take an active interest in the affairs of the City of Cambridge.
  3. To encourage and support the candidacy of men and women seeking election to public office and to support intelligent, wholesome leadership in public affairs.
  4. To assure that the best qualified persons are appointed to positions in the City government after consideration of all qualified candidates.
  5. To promote among the citizens of Cambridge equitable distribution and benefit of public services and equal opportunity for economic security, education, and social advancement.

These are pretty good founding principles for a civic organization and I’m tempted to say that some should be incorporated into the recently adopted City Council’s Goals for FY2010 (adopted Feb 2, 2009). In fact, of the 22 current goals, the only one that comes close is: “An increased level of recruitment and opportunities for membership on boards and commissions.” The current Council goals emphasize things like “fostering community” via block parties and such, though one has to wonder if the City should be promoting these activities or just getting out of the way so that people can foster community on their own. The goals also seem to put some emphasis on developing “successful nightlife campaigns” while mentioning nothing about promoting ordinary “daytime” economic activity that supports the everyday needs of residents.

One founding principle of the CCA that fell into disuse over the years is listed above as #3: To encourage and support the candidacy of men and women seeking election to public office and to support intelligent, wholesome leadership in public affairs. Indeed, I can personally testify to the fact that in its dying years the only reason the CCA made endorsements at all was because the CCA-endorsed incumbents wanted the benefit of having an advertised CCA slate of candidates that would help secure their reelection. There was precious little effort to recruit new candidates or to support them. Today, the benefits of incumbency are greater than ever. The cost of political campaigns have become absurdly high and most of the incumbents now have (City paid) staff who are inevitably political appointees who directly or indirectly assist in the reelection efforts of their bosses. The deck is increasingly stacked against challengers. Furthermore, the salary and benefits for elected councillors are now so sweet that it is unlikely that any of them would ever want to move on to another job.

With this background in mind, I would like to encourage all Cambridge residents to help level the playing field by finding out about this year’s challengers for seats on the Cambridge City Council and the Cambridge School Committee. This is not meant as a dig against any particular incumbent as much as an appeal to support the challengers in what is a difficult and laudable effort. Please see the Cambridge Candidate Pages for the current list of expected candidates. Then use your own judgment - don’t expect me or anyone else to do it for you.

Speaking of this year’s municipal election, there are some activists who are now expending great effort to attack the City Manager and most of the current City Council. That is not nor has it ever been the intention of the Cambridge Civic Journal or its editor. Candidates are now being seduced by financial promises from one angry fellow with a Brattle Street address and a basketful of grudges. Former CCA Executive Board members from its darkest and most manipulative days are oozing up from the civic swamp trying to at last make good on their failed campaigns of the early 1990s to oust city manager Bob Healy.

It’s entertaining to watch people who have primarily earned disrespect in their civic efforts try to capitalize on the recent Monteiro jury decision as a means of realizing their decades-old vendettas. Conveniently forgotten in their recent letters to Cambridge’s “oldest weekly newspaper” are the many achievements of City Manager Bob Healy, the strong financial position of the City, and the recent 8-1 vote of confidence bestowed upon Mr. Healy in granting him a three year contract extension. Also missing in this testimony is the fact that virtually all affirmative action in the hiring of employees and department heads has taken place on Mr. Healy’s watch. These letters also fail to divulge how long these writers have been carrying their jealousy and anger toward Mr. Healy for actually orchestrating progress in Cambridge while the best they could ever do is snipe from the sidelines. - Robert Winters

This Old Land of Cambridge - The true story of the geological history of Cambridge - by George Ehrenfried
Sadly, George passed away (Jan 5, 2010) at the age of 96. He led many a geology-themed hike with the AMC Local Walks/Hikes.

Selected City of Cambridge References:

Plan E Charter (Cambridge’s city charter)

Acts of 1921, Chapter 239 as amended (establishment of Cambridge Election Commission)

Mass. General Laws Chapter 54A (governing Cambridge’s PR elections)

Pen Portraits of Prominent People - by Henry J. Mahoney Editor, Cambridge Sentinel - 1923

This book was published c. 1923 and features very witty one-page “pen portraits” (with photo) of prominent Cantabrigians of the day. I’ll be adding names alphabetically as time permits. There are 182 portraits in the book.

It comes to mind that there may be some value in expanding these profiles to other prominent Cantabrigians who arrived on the scene after 1923, including prominent Cantabrigians of today. With this in mind, I extend the invitation to any and all who may wish to contribute their own “pen portraits” of Cambridge people. Contributions do not necessarily have to be in the style of Mr. Mahoney. Inclusion is, as always, subject to the erratic discretion of the editor.

Special thanks to Karen Welch for sending me the book. - RW

Political History of Cambridge in the 20th Century - by Glenn Koocher (Nov 2004); edited by Robert Winters (July 2006)
[An alternate edit of this essay appeared, along with many other valuable essays, in a centennial volume to be published by the Cambridge Historical Society in 2007.]

Which People’s Republic - by Bill Cunningham (1999)

Cambridge School Volunteers is looking for people who can give one to two hours per week to help students in the Cambridge Public Schools, grades K through 12. No experience necessary. Call 617-349-6794 or e-mail csv@cpsd.us for more details.

 
Robert Winters
Robert Winters, Editor
Cambridge Civic Journal
(about me - updated!!)
 
Philosophy of the CCJ Editor
 

faces
The Cambridge Civic Journal is an independent newsletter of civic affairs in the City of Cambridge, Massachusetts. It is published as a public service by Central Square Publications. All items are written by Robert Winters unless otherwise noted. [Of course, I do sometimes forget.]

Thoughts for these times:
Men never do evil so completely and cheerfully as when they do it from religious conviction. -- Blaise Pascal

“This is our fucking city, and nobody is gonna dictate our freedom. Stay strong.” -- David Ortiz

“The price good men pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men.” – Plato

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“The Number One thing I would emphasize is that journalists and bloggers would do well to see themselves as partners in the provision of information and that each can benefit greatly from the other. I’ve never seen this as a competition. It is especially true these days that local papers and young journalists are not very well-versed in the communities they serve. Much of the institutional memory has either died out or been bought out.” – Robert Winters, mathematician and creator of the Cambridge Civic Journal, an online publication about Cambridge, MA (rwinters.com)

Jorkin: “Come, come, Mr. Fezziwig, we’re good friends besides good men of business. We’re men of vision and progress. Why don’t you sell out while the going’s good? You’ll never get a better offer. It’s the age of the machine, and the factory, and the vested interests. We small traders are ancient history, Mr. Fezziwig.”

Fezziwig: “It’s not just for money alone that one spends a lifetime building up a business, Mr. Jorkin…. It’s to preserve a way of life that one knew and loved. No, I can’t see my way to selling out to the new vested interests, Mr. Jorkin. I’ll have to be loyal to the old ways and die out with them if needs must.”

Scrooge: “I think I know what Mr. Fezziwig means, sir.”

Jorkin: “Oh, you hate progress and money, too, do you?”

Scrooge: “I don’t hate them, sir, but perhaps the machines aren’t such a good thing for mankind, after all.”

Memorable scene in “A Christmas Carol



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