Provost L. Rafael Reif Elected as the 17th President of MIT

May 16, 2012

To the Faculty, Students, Staff, Alumni and Friends of MIT,

It is with great pleasure that I share with you the news that this morning, the MIT Corporation voted to elect MIT's Provost, L. Rafael Reif, as the 17th President of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dr. Reif will assume his new responsibilities on July 2, 2012.

You can learn much more about our president-elect in a news article that can be found on MIT News.

We hope that many of you will be able to attend a special MIT Community Meeting and Reception this afternoon at 2:00pm in Room 10-250, where Dr. Reif will be welcomed by our community for the first time as president-elect. Immediately following that meeting, there will be an informal reception in Lobby 10, where you will have a chance to greet Dr. Reif and his family.

For those of you not able to attend the meeting, it will be webcast live; you will be able to access the webcast from the MIT homepage (http://web.mit.edu). The webcast will be archived, so you can view it after the event as well.

I look forward to celebrating this wonderful occasion with you all.

Most sincerely,
Kirk D. Kolenbrander,
Vice president and Secretary of the Corporation

Cambridge celebrates Speaker Thomas P. O’Neill, Jr. with panel discussion moderated by MSNBC’s Chris Matthews
Will Join Tip O’Neill’s Family to Discuss the Former Speaker’s Life and Legacy

Chris Mathews, host of MSNBC’s “Hardball,” and long time aide to Speaker Thomas P. O’Neill Jr., will visit Speaker O’Neill’s hometown of Cambridge to moderate a panel discussion with members of the Speaker’s family.  This discussion will explore Speaker O’Neill’s Cambridge roots and his lasting commitment to the community.  The panel, organized by the Speaker Thomas P. O’Neill, Jr. Centennial Committee, in conjunction with the O'Neill Family and the City of Cambridge, will kick off a year of events taking place throughout Cambridge to commemorate the Centennial of Speaker O’Neill’s birth in 1912. This event is free, open to the public and handicap accessible.

Panelists:

• Chris Mathews, host of MSNBC’s “Hardball,” long time aide to Speaker O’Neill
• Thomas P. O’Neill III; son of Speaker O’Neill; CEO of Boston-based O’Neill and Associates
• Rosemary O’Neill; daughter of Speaker O’Neill; Former Officer, United States Foreign Service
• Susan O’Neill; daughter of Speaker O’Neill; President of Susan O’Neill Associates
• Thomas O’Neill, Jr.; grandson of Speaker O’Neill; Benefits Specialists, Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance

When: Tuesday, May 22; 7:00pm–8:30pm. Press may arrive to set up at 6:30pm.

Where: Cambridge Public Library Lecture Hall (enter through main entrance on Broadway), 449 Broadway, Cambridge, MA 02138

Some observations for consideration regarding the Forest City proposal
to extend the Cambridgeport Revitalization Development District

written by Bob Simha, May 14, 2012

The rezoning proposed by Forest City for property owned by MIT and Zevart M. Hollisian, trustee of the Garabed Hollisiian Trust raises a number of issues:

The Forest City proposal would build on a little over one half of the "All Asia" block (50,000 sq. ft.). A 221,000 square foot laboratory building of which 13,000 square feet on the ground floor would be for 3-5 retail stores. The building would be 165 feet in height, almost twice the height of the adjacent Novartis (former Necco Building). It would leave undeveloped the remaining half of the block which is occupied by an MIT dormitory, a gas station, a small luncheonette, a one story fabrication shop and a small apartment house. Forest City has stated that it could not secure agreements from the remaining landowners in order to propose the redevelopment of the entire block.

The development of only a portion of the all Asia Block at a new density and height would result in establishing new and higher values for the remaining diverse properties, lowering the possibility that the remainder of the block would be developed in the near future and would run the risk of requests for even higher densities in the future when some developer, most likely MITIMCO, succeeds in assembling the remaining parcels that it does not own in the block.

The proposal also suggests that the construction of a 145 foot high, 14 story, 130 unit rental housing tower would respond to community demands for more housing in Central Square and is in some way a quid pro quo for the ability to build additional commercial space on Mass. Avenue. This proposal eliminates one of three open spaces in the University Park project and claims that the introduction of a smaller landscaped entry way at Mass. Ave. would suffice to balance the loss of existing open space.

There were no community benefits presented by Forest City/MIT in their proposal. All of the developments proposed are revenue generators for Forest City and their development partners. The community is entitled to demand compensation for this additional private development.

Some thoughts for consideration:

The project exceeds the height of all the adjacent buildings most prominently the Novartis/Necco building and even with set backs will create and overwhelming presence on Mass. Avenue when combined with the new Novartis Building being built on land leased from MIT on the east side of Mass. Ave. The character of Mass. Ave. will become quite overbearing. The height of the building should not exceed the Necco Building and should adhere to the current restriction of 80 feet. The current design shows a lobby/corridor through the building connecting Mass. Ave. and Green Street. The developer should be encouraged to develop a ground floor plan that allows for a gallery/arcade of shops that line a passage between these streets thereby offering more smaller retail opportunities to smaller merchants and at the same time encourage more people to use this path to get to the food market and the existing garage. This may generate more revenue for the developer and reduce the amount of dead common area in the evening.

The treatment of Blanche Street as the site for loading docks for this new development will mean that both sides of Blanche will be dominated by large loading docks and be relatively inhospitable to pedestrians...as it is now.

The construction of both the Novartis and the proposed Forest City project would add almost 3/4 of a million square feet to an area whose transportation infrastructure capacity is already overtaxed.

The height of the proposed residential building was not placed in the context of Central Square. We were not told how the height of this building (14 stories) compares to the Cambridge housing authority building between Green and Franklin Street. No shadow studies were presented. The proposal did not point out the important visual impact that this tower building would have on creating an identifying image for Central Square. Visible from both the Mass. Avenue and the Main Street entrances to the city, the quality of the architecture for this building, if it goes forward, should require a much higher standard of design and the developer should be encouraged to retain design services of the same level of quality that Novartis used in the design of its nearby building.

The housing is presented as a response to the community expression of housing needs and as a pseudo gift. One of the goals for more housing in both the Red Ribbon and Goody/Clancy Central Square report was to provide housing that would be accessible to people who work in the Central Square area and any new housing should offer more affordable ownership opportunities. This proposal appears to be aimed at the high rent market that Forest City serves at their developments at Sidney and Landsdowne Street.

The community may prefer to have more ownership rather than rental housing to help introduce more people with a longer term interest in the square. Coop or condo housing on leased land is a very common practice in many American cities and we have such a project on Pleasant Street in Cambridge developed by Harvard University and occupied by both University and non university people. This type of development does not carry land cost in the unit sales and results in lower prices for housing units.

In addition, there are some outstanding needs in the adjacent neighborhoods that could be satisfied in exchange for any additional development potential that is awarded. For example ,the additional FAR they have requested might be dependent on Forest City and MIT completing the assembly of land on Pacific Street Park between Brookline and Sidney in order to complete the Pacific Street park . If the petitioners assemble and donate that land to complete the park the city could permit them to transfer the development rights to a new building ..This is how the existing park was developed...MIT contributed the land to the park in exchange for the transfer of development rights which were used in the development of the Grad Housing on Pacific and Sidney Streets...The same principal could be applied to the Forest City proposal.

Another point that should be raised concerns the displacement of people now using the park space that is proposed for the new housing project. Where will they go? What will be the impact on other parts of Lafayette and Central Square? More people, more need for active and passive open space. - Bob Simha

Comments?

Tues, May 15

4:00pm   The City Council's Ordinance Committee will conduct a public hearing on the petition of Forest City/MIT to amend the Zoning Ordinance by extending the Cambridgeport Revitalization Development District from Green Street out to Massachusetts Avenue in the area adjacent to Blanche Street and further to provide for the potential development of a residential building on Sidney Street between Massachusetts Avenue and Green Street. This hearing to be televised.  (Sullivan Chamber)

Hello Recycling & Composting Neighbors!

In this issue:

StoryTrade at Open Studios, 5/19
2012 Go Green Awards, 5/22
Rain Barrel Sale Through 5/31
Hazardous Materials
Donate That Stuff
Plastic Bags
Tours, Tours, Tours!

StoryTrade at Open Studios, 5/19
Back in the Day... Timeless Stories About Reducing, Reusing and Recycling. As part of Cambridge Open Studios, StoryStream and Cambridge Recycling will have a StoryTrade, a unique storytelling event to share stories about reducing waste, consuming less and choosing to reuse. Our ancestors were natural recyclers. For centuries everybody knew how to make-do, keep the wolf from the door, scrape by, and improvise. Folklore is full of imaginative responses, basic needs, waste and greed. And there are countless stories that show how to live in elegant simplicity. Come hear folktales and share your personal stories of creative, sustainable living. Saturday 5/19, 2-4pm, Porter Square Books, 25 White St.

2012 Go Green Awards, 5/22
The City invites you to a breakfast to celebrate business and institutional leaders who have taken action to create a sustainable future.
  Tuesday, May 22
  265 Massachusetts Ave, MIT Museum
  Reception begins at 8:00am, ceremony at 8:30am.

The awards recognize exceptional environmental practices in five areas: energy use, transportation, waste reduction, storm water management, and climate protection. After the program, the special exhibit Rivers of Ice will be open to guests. Join business and community leaders on climate issues as we recognize this year’s award winners. Thank you to MIT for generously hosting. RSVP to randers@cambridgema.gov.

Rain Barrel Sale Through 5/31
Capture rainwater from your roof, store it in a rain barrel, and use later in your garden.  Buy a 60-gallon collection system for $69, a 40% discount. Offer valid through May 31. Barrels will be delivered Thursday, June 7, from 4-7 pm, at Cambridge DPW, 147 Hampshire St. If rainwater is not captured and allowed to soak back into the ground, rivers and streams do not have the chance to sustain or "recharge" themselves. By capturing rainwater, you can reduce stormwater runoff, conserve water and recharge groundwater.  To order online, see the new design and color options visit The Great American Rain Barrel Company website, click on “Community Programs” and select “Cambridge”. Or, call (800) 251-2352 and mention the Cambridge promotion.

Hazardous Materials
Don’t put hazardous items in the trash, get rid of them right. Here are some quick links on what to do with household hazardous products. Wondering about computer monitors/TVs, non-alkaline batteries, motor oil, fluorescent bulbs? What about small appliances, cell phones, printer cartridges, and prescription medicine? Syringes and needles can be brought to the Health Dept year-round at 119 Windsor St. The next special hazardous collection day is July 21 from 9am-1pm at the parking lot on Field St at Fern St by Danehy Park. We accept chemicals, fuels, paints, propane tanks. Please know dried out latex paint is accepted for trash pickup, lids off. Let evaporate outside or add kitty litter to speed drying.

Donate That Stuff – Don't Throw it Out!
Spring cleaning? Moving on? Want to save money - buy gently used items. Use Freecycle and Craigslist to get rid of and/or find furniture, household items and even clothing. Need a map and list of places to donate your stuff or get great deals? Click here (the City provides this info without endorsements).  Specifically, check out:

• MIT Student Furniture Exchange
  617.253.4293, 350 Brookline Street, open Tues/Thurs 10 am-4 pm and the first Saturday of the month 10 am-1 pm. Anyone can make a tax deductible donations of used furniture and household goods. Need valid university ID (MIT, Harvard, Suffolk, and BU) to make a purchase. Proceeds benefit the MIT Women's League Scholarship Fund. For more info email fx@mit.edu.
• Boomerangs
  Free pickup of furniture! 617-309-7220, 563 Mass Ave, open Mon-Sat 11am-8pm. Proceeds support AIDS Action to prevent new infections, support those affected, and tackle the root causes of HIV/AIDS. Donate clothing, furniture, media, housewares, kitchenware, linens, accessories, electronics. Check their website for specific info on donations.
• MA Coalition for the Homeless
  Call 781-595-7570 x13 for pickup. Donate kitchen tables/chairs, couches, sofa Chairs, ottomans, hutches, coffee/end tables, dressers, mirrors, rugs, bed frames, lamps, dishes, pots/pans, TV/Stereos, blankets/linens, and bookshelves/cabinets. For more info email Albenny@mahomeless.org.
• All clothing, shoes and household textiles are accepted by Goodwill, Salvation Army, Red Cross and Planet Aid. You can even donate items that are torn, stained, broken or missing something. Wearable clothing is resold and used by people, damaged clothing is recycled into wiping rags, and everything else is processed back into fibers remanufactured into paper, yarn, insulation, carpet padding, sound proofing, etc.

Plastic Bags
Residents can bring plastic bags to the Recycling Center during open hours, as well as at Harvest Coop, Market Basket, Shaws, Star Market, and Whole Foods. Bags must be empty, clean, and dry. Accepted bags include: grocery bags, bread bags, produce bags, retail bags (hard plastic & string handles removed), newspaper bags, dry cleaning bags, toilet paper, napkin, and paper towel wraps, furniture wrap, electronic wrap, zip lock bags (remove hard components), cereal box liners, tyvek (no glue, labels, other material), diaper wrap (packaging), plastic shipping envelopes (remove labels), case wrap (e.g. snacks, water bottles), and All CLEAN bags labeled #2 and #4. No frozen food bags, No prewashed salad mix bags, No bio-based bags, No compostable bags, No bubble wrap, No cling wrap. For more info visit www.plasticbagrecycling.org.

Tours, Tours, Tours!
Cambridge residents and City employees are invited to tour Casella Recycling in Charlestown and Waste Management’s incinerator in Saugus. No children under 16. The tour lasts about 2 hours and involves walking on narrow catwalks and stairs, close to heavy equipment. You must be able to keep up with a group walking at a steady pace. We meet at DPW and carpool. Let us know if you can drive and how many people you can take. Email recycle@cambridgema.gov to sign up and we’ll send more info.

Recycling Tours: 5/17 (early afternoon), 6/6 (morning). Or, watch a short video at www.zero-sort.com.

Trash Tours: 5/22, 6/13 (all early afternoon)

• Missed recycling? Please call DPW at 617-349-4800 no later than 12 noon the day after collection, or use iReport, the City's new online and mobile app to request missed recycling/trash and more!

• Request for toters, brochures, stickers or posters? Use our online form.

• NEW! "Like" the Cambridge DPW on Facebook.

• Please note that during holidays weeks, trash, recycling and yard waste collection is delayed one day. Check the 2012 collection schedule online for full details.

Take the 50% recycling pledge today at www.cambridgema.gov/recycle and get a free sticker!
Recycle More. Trash Less.

If you support recycling and finding solutions to pollution, you may also find this interesting:
From garbage to fuel: Santa Cruz nonprofit pushes program to turn plastic pollution into power

Ducks in a Row - May 14, 2012 Cambridge City Council Agenda Highlights

This week's meeting is in many ways the set-up meeting preceding next week's meeting at which the FY2013 Budget will be approved. There are 5 loan authorization orders On the Table totaling $17,442,670 to cover various public works projects that will be voted this week to get all the ducks in a row. Beyond this, it's all miscellany.

Order #3. That the Mayor is requested to confer with relevant City staff and City Councillors and report back to the City Council on the status of the process for filling the City Manager and City Clerk positions.   Councillor Kelley

Orders like this one make me laugh. Councillor Kelley is the house obstructionist who always votes in the most contrary way in all matters relating to the City Manager. This has earned him the privilege of playing no role whatsoever in the eventual selection of the next city manager (he may have company). If any other councillor offers a substitute order, it will likely eclipse Kelley's order - even if the substitution is just a punctuation change. In matters of consequence, especially in matters such as this, I would expect the process to be begin with an Order from any of 6 councillors - a list that does not include Councillor Kelley.

Order #10. That the City Manager is requested to confer with the Cambridge Conservation Commission to provide an explanation of how the waiting lists for community garden plots work.   Councillor Cheung

This reminds me of the thoroughly unenlightened mandate laid down several years ago by the Community Development Department regarding the assignment of plots in community gardens. Rather than maintaining an organic mix of new gardeners and long-time gardeners, they proposed evicting any gardener who had tilled their plot for more than three years. It was disappointing to have the Community Development Department ripping the community out of community gardening. In contrast, the Conservation Commission staff generally kept a more balanced approach and I hope this is still the case. The best community gardens in Cambridge are generally the ones in which the gardeners manage their own affairs with adequate City support and minimal intrusion. They have always encouraged sufficient turnover for new gardeners.

Order #11. That the City Manager is requested work with the Traffic, Parking and Transportation Department and report back on a proposed plan of action to improve safety in area of Massachusetts Avenue and Vassar Street.   Councillor Cheung

I pass by this intersection often and the white bicycle marking where Phyo Kyaw was killed in late December is a chilling reminder of how suddenly a life can end. There are rumors circulating about the circumstances of that death, but the matter is now with the District Attorney and details are hard to come by. The intersection is rated as one of the city's most dangerous, but this is as much a function of the volume of traffic - motor vehicle, bicycle, and pedestrian - as it is about any design flaw. Indeed, it's just an ordinary intersection of two roads. It would be interesting to see a comparison between the frequency of accidents before and after the City "improved" Vassar Street with its absurd "cycle track" design and narrowing of the roadway. For those of us who bicycle in the road rather than on the sidewalk, that was no improvement. The City is planning to "improve" Western Avenue in a similar manner beginning later this year. - Robert Winters

Comments?

HISTORICAL COMMISSION ANNOUNCES THIS YEAR'S PRESERVATION AWARDS

The Cambridge Historical Commission is pleased to announce the recipients of its annual Cambridge Preservation Awards. Inaugurated by the Commission in 1997, the program celebrates both outstanding historic preservation projects and notable individuals for their contributions to the conservation and protection of the city's architecture and history.

This year's Preservation Awards include exterior renovations at 101 and 195 Brattle Street, 44 Follen Street, 77 Hurley Street, the Garment District at 200 Broadway, and St. Mary Orthodox Church at 8 Inman Street. Other restoration projects receiving awards are the historic wall at the corner of Hawthorn and Brattle streets; the former Ford Assembly plant at 640 Memorial Drive; the Boston University Bridge; and the Shell Spectacular Sign at the corner of Magazine Street and Memorial Drive.

Individuals to be honored for their unique contributions to preservation are James Shea, for his distinguished career as Site Manager at the Longfellow House-Washington's Headquarters National Historic Site, and City Manager Robert Healy and his team for the restoration of historic paint colors in the public spaces of City Hall.

Participants in the Cambridge Community Development Department's Façade, Signage, and Lighting Improvement Program will receive Certificates of Merit for projects at 364 Broadway (Dwelltime), 877 Cambridge Street (Atwood's Tavern), 438 Massachusetts Avenue (CCTV), and 450 Massachusetts Avenue (Veggie Galaxy).

The Historical Commission celebrates the commitment of the individuals who worked on these projects to make Cambridge a more attractive and desirable place in which to live and work. The awards ceremony will take place on Thursday, May 17th, from 6:00-8:00pm in the Sullivan Chamber at Cambridge City Hall. The public is invited. For more information, please contact the Historical Commission at 617-349-4683.

May Programs at Fresh Pond Reservation

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

Budget Season - April 30, 2012 Cambridge City Council Agenda Highlights

The centerpiece of tonight's meeting is the FY2013 Budget. The Budget Hearings of the Finance Committee will commence this week. See schedule below.

Manager's Agenda #2. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, relative to a Planning Board petition to amend the Zoning Map of the City of Cambridge for an area along North Massachusetts Avenue.

From the report: "The petition amends the Zoning Map by changing the zoning of an area in the vicinity of Trolley Square and Linear Park from Business A-2 to Residence C-2B. This will allow a similar density to the current Business A-2 zoning district, but is limited to residential uses and provides increased setback and open space standards. The proposed map change is complementary to the proposed zoning text changes to the Mass. Ave. Overlay District previously submitted to the Council."

The meatiest items on the agenda are the annual Big Capital items to be financed by bonds. These are always introduced around the time of the submission of the annual budget. Here are this year's Big Ticket items:

Manager's Agenda #3. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, relative to an order requesting the appropriation and authorization to borrow $2,100,000 to provide funds for the replacement of the slate roof on City Hall and additional funds for the replacement of the roofs on the Ryan Garage and Simard Buildings at Public Works.

Manager's Agenda #4. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, relative to an order requesting the appropriation and authorization to borrow $5,000,000 to provide funds for improvements to the Kendall Square area including Main Street between Broadway and Ames Street including the reconstruction of streets and sidewalks and the installation of new pedestrian-scale public lighting, street furniture, trees, and other beautification measures.

Manager's Agenda #5. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, relative to an order requesting the appropriation and authorization to borrow $1,245,000 to provide funds for the acquisition of a ladder truck and pumper to replace vehicles that have been in service since 1994 and 1991, respectively.

Manager's Agenda #6. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, relative to an order requesting the appropriation and authorization to borrow $1,540,000 to provide funds for the design, regrade, drainage, and installation of new synthetic field surfaces on the soccer fields at Danehy Park.

Manager's Agenda #7. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, relative to an order requesting the appropriation and authorization to borrow $7,557,670 to provide funds for construction of sewer separation, stormwater management and combined sewer overflow reduction elimination improvements within the City's Alewife watershed.

The central item on tonight's agenda is the Budget Overview (672 KB PDF). It is always informative and usually very responsive to most of the concerns expressed by councillors during the months leading up to the submission of the budget. The Manager's presentation is invariable followed by well-deserved praise from most of the councillors. Indeed, their jobs are made so much easier because of the efforts of the City Manager's Office and the Finance Department to plan and provide adequate funding for all the services and programs that Cambridge provides. [Download the entire FY2013 Budget Book (18.2MB PDF)]

Unfinished Business #6. That the FY2013 City Budget be referred to the Finance Committee, with the exception that the Budget Overview be postponed to ... the Apr 30, 2012 City Council meeting ... at which time the City Manager will give an overview of the 2013 City Budget....

Then there's this:

Order #2. That the City Manager is requested to report to the City Council on appropriate regulation of satellite dishes, possibly through an amendment to the Zoning Ordinance.   Mayor Davis

I don't suppose anyone likes the idea of satellite dishes decorating the exterior of many residential buildings in Cambridge, but this is the consequence of the predatory pricing of Comcast's Evil Empire. If the City Council acts in such a way as to make it difficult to find an affordable alternative to the Evil Empire, then they have indeed gone over to The Dark Side. - Robert Winters

Comments?

Schedule of Budget Hearings:

Wed, May 2

9:00am   The City Council's Finance Committee will conduct a public hearing on the FY2013 City Budget. This hearing to be televised.  (Sullivan Chamber)

Wed, May 9

9:00am   The City Council's Finance Committee will conduct a public hearing on the FY2013 City Budget. This hearing to be televised.  (Sullivan Chamber)

Date changes for individual departments may occur.

Wed, May 16

6:00pm   The City Council's Finance Committee will conduct a public hearing on the FY2013 School Department Budget. This hearing to be televised.  (Sullivan Chamber)

Roster of candidates seeking State and U.S. seats in Cambridge - 2012
It's striking how few candidates are interested in seeking State Representative and State Senate seats. Part of this, of course, is that the deck is so totally stacked in favor of incumbents (and especially Democratic incumbents) that no one is willing to invest their time and money into what they see as an unwinnable battle. The other part is that it's just not that attractive a job (especially the part about spending so much time with other politicians). Democracy is so much better in theory than in practice.

May 1, 5:00pm is the last day and hour for submitting nomination papers to local election officials for certification of signatures for Party and Non-Party Candidates for District and County offices.

May 8, 5:00pm is the last day and hour for submitting nomination papers to local election officials for certification of signatures for Party Candidates for Statewide offices.

July 31, 5:00pm is the last day and hour for submitting nomination papers to local election officials for certification of signatures for Non-Party Candidates for Federal and Statewide offices.

The complete guide for candidates from the Secretary of State is here: http://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/elepdf/candidates_guide_2012.pdf

Age, Residence and Signature Requirements to Run for Office:
You must be at least 18 years old.
You must be a registered voter in Massachusetts.
You must fulfill the residence and signature requirements below.

State Representative:
You must have lived in the district for one year prior to the date of the election (Nov 6, 2012).
You need to gather and submit 150 valid signatures of registered voters.

State Senate:
You must have lived in Massachusetts for 5 years prior to the date of the election (Nov 6, 2012) and be an inhabitant of the district when elected.
You need to gather 300 valid signatures of registered voters.

The state primaries will be held on Sept 6, 2012. The state election will be held on Nov 6, 2012.

Note: Non-party candidates cannot be enrolled in any political party in order to qualify to have their name printed directly on the general election ballot. Furthermore, non-party candidates seeking to have their name printed on the ballot for the state election cannot have been enrolled in a political party between Feb 28, 2012 (if they are a candidate for district or county office) or Mar 6, 2012 (if they are a candidate for federal office) and the deadline for filing nomination papers with the Secretary of the Commonwealth.

April 23, 2012 Cambridge City Council Meeting Highlights - featuring the Proposed FY2013 Budget

The FY2013 Budget for the City of Cambridge will be submitted this Monday, April 23 to the City Council. Here's a table of the bottom line for all of the City Departments for FY2013 as well as FY2005 and FY2012 for comparison:

City of Cambridge FY2013 Budget

PDF of this Chart    Open Chart on separate page

Note 1: There's nothing special about FY2005 for making comparisions. That's just the earliest year with available online budget summaries.

Note 2: Don't jump to conclusions about the apparent jump in budget for the Peace Commission or the apparent drop in budget for the Police Review Advisory Board. They now share an Executive Director, so the changes are most likely related to which budget is covering that salary.

The proposed FY2013 Budget is City Manager's Agenda #1. There are a few other items on the agenda as well. For example:

City Manager's Agenda #11. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, relative to the appointment of the following persons as members of the Police Review & Advisory Board for a term of five years, effective Apr 17, 2012:
Ann Coyne, Laurance Kimbrough, Lucy Murray-Brown

City Manager's Agenda #12. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, relative to the appointment of the following persons as members of the Board of Zoning Appeals effective Apr 18, 2012:
Lindsey Thorne-Bingham (Full Member, 5-year term);  Janet Green (Associate Member, 2-year term)
Andrea Hickey (Associate Member, 2-year term);  Kevin McAvey (Associate Member, 2-year term)

City Manager's Agenda #13. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, relative to the appointment of the following persons as members of the Human Rights Commissioner for three year terms effective Apr 18, 2012:
Brendan St. Amant, Adrian Velazquez

It's apparently catch-up time for appointments to City boards and commissions.

City Manager's Agenda #15. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $11,917,462 from Free Cash to the General Fund Law Department Travel and Training (Judgment and Damages) account.

This is the formal balancing of the books to account for the payment out of free cash to cover the legal settlement costs relating to the unfortunate outcome of the lawsuits of Monteiro, Wong, and Stamper. Hopefully we'll not see any other opportunistic lawsuits like these any time soon.

Resolution #11. Resolution on the death of Timothy J. Decker.   Vice Mayor Simmons, Councillor Maher, Councillor Cheung, Mayor Davis, Councillor Kelley, Councillor Reeves, Councillor Toomey and Councillor vanBeuzekom

Sincere condolences to Marjorie Decker on the loss of her father.

Order #5. That the City Manager is requested to report back to the City Council on the feasibility of converting portions of the 4th floor of City Hall, or some other under-utilized building space already owned by the City, into office space for the eight members of the City Council who do not currently have office space within City Hall.   Vice Mayor Simmons and Councillor Cheung

This unnecessary Order will likely be approved on a unanimous or near-unanimous vote. It should be noted that during course of the last decade or so, city councillors were granted exclusive parking spaces behind City Hall (usually vacant), their own personal assistants (primarily campaign workers), and magnificent salary increases. The job description remains the same as it was in 1941. Note that the City Council budget has also increased 68% in 8 years. This Order rather absurdly asserts that city councillors lack sufficient space in City Hall. This doesn't pass the sniff test.

Order #6. That the matter of Reconsideration in Rule Sixteen of the City Council Rules be referred to the Government Operations and Rules Committee for review.   Councillor Maher

This is a good idea, especially since at least one councillor has chosen to file Reconsideration purely to delay matters that have been overwhelmingly supported. Some councillors appear to have never been acquainted with Robert's Rules or Order or even the City Council's own adopted rules. This is good for occasional comedy, but not so great for efficient meetings.

Order #10. That the City Manager is requested to confer with the appropriate departments to determine if Cambridge can take similar steps towards being re-certified to regulate basic cable costs in the City of Cambridge and to report back to the City Council.   Councillor Toomey

I won't hold my breath expecting anything to come of this. The Evil Empire of Comcast shall not yield. Besides, it's not the "basic cable" costs that are the big problem with Comcast. It's the fact that all the other cable packages are absurdly overpriced and the City is not legally permitted to negotiate any of those rates or selections. That's why I dumped Comcast and use a roof antenna. - Robert Winters

Comments?

Well-Appointed - April 9, 2012 Cambridge City Council Agenda Highlights

Tonight's meeting features several notable appointments by the City Manager. The first is this:

Manager's Agenda #9. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, relative to the appointment of Nancy Tauber as the Executive Director of the Cambridge Kids' Council effective Apr 24, 2012.

I cannot imagine a better choice to head this agency. I have often wondered what exactly the Kids' Council does - primarily because most of what I think it should do is already managed in the Dept. of Human Services Programs, the School Department, and elsewhere. If the theory is that all this child-centered programming should be coordinated within the Kids' Council, then there's been a big gap between theory and reality. The addition of Nancy Tauber as Executive Director is a great step forward to realizing what this agency is supposed to be about.

Manager's Agenda #11. Transmitting communication from Robert W. Healy, City Manager, requesting City Council confirmation of members of the Cambridge Redevelopment Authority Board in accordance with Chapter 121B of the Massachusetts General Laws.

Though any complaints about the delay in making these appointments are entirely valid, the quality of the four appointments to the CRA certainly make up for this. Joining state appointee Barry Zevin will be (pending City Council approval) Margaret Drury, Kathleen Born, Chris Bator, and Conrad Crawford. Recently retired City Clerk Margaret Drury and former City Councillor and current architect Kathleen Born are stunningly good choices. Based on the credentials of the other two gentlemen, they also seem to be excellent choices.

April 9, 2012
To the Honorable, the City Council:

In accordance with Chapter 121B of the Massachusetts General Laws, I am submitting the following names for City Council confirmation as members of the Cambridge Redevelopment Authority Board.

D. Margaret Drury, 1-year term to expire April 12, 2013:
Margaret is the recently retired City Clerk, former Executive Director of the Cambridge Rent Control Board and an Attorney.

Chris Bator, 3-year term to expire April 12, 2015:
Chris is an Assistant United States Attorney serving in that role since 1990. Prior to that, he served as the Assistant to the Commissioner of Health and Hospitals in Boston and as Executive Assistant to Mayor Kevin White.

Conrad Crawford, 4-year term to expire April 12, 2016:
Conrad is presently the Director of Partnerships for the Department of Conservation and Recreation and has experience in energy efficient transportation products. He is a resident of East Cambridge.

Kathleen Born, 5-year term to expire April 12, 2017:
Kathy is an Architect and former Cambridge City Councillor. She co-chaired the Ordinance Committee, and is thus very familiar with the zoning process. The State appointment term expiration would occur in 2014.

Since this recommendation results in a reconstruction of the Board, my recommendation results in staggered terms with one member's term expiring in each of the five years. Subsequent appointments would be for 5-year terms.

Very truly yours, Robert W. Healy, City Manager

Though the Cambridge Redevelopment Authority is most known for the redevelopment of the Kendall Square MXD district, the CRA in the past played a major role in housing development in the Wellington-Harrington neighborhood and elsewhere. It is certainly possible that the CRA could again take on that role elsewhere in the city.

Applications & Petitions #2. An application was received from Cambridge Housing Authority requesting permission for a curb cut at the premises numbered 7 Temple Street; said petition has received approval from Inspectional Services, Traffic, Parking and Transportation, Historical Commission and Public Works. No response has been received from the neighborhood association.

This is the first sign in a long time that the proposed Cambridge Housing Authority residential project on the site of the long-abandoned YWCA pool on Temple Street may at last be moving forward.

Order #2. Urge greater cooperation from the Cambridge Housing Authority to better serve the people of Cambridge.   Vice Mayor Simmons and Councillor Cheung

This is a very long-winded Order that on the one hand could be interpreted as a statement of exasperation by city councillors at the nonresponsiveness of personnel at the CHA. On the other hand, the age-old practice of elected officials delivering CHA housing to constituents could be the basis of this Order. Should elected officials be actively placing individuals in public housing? Considering the political implications of providing such an economic benefit to potential voters, one might argue that all housing placements should be done objectively without any political influence. It's very hard to read between the lines of this Order to discern its real intent.

Order #3. That the petition to amend the Zoning Ordinance to add to the Special Dimensional Regulations a Special Regulation for Municipal Elementary and Middle (K-8) Schools be referred to the Planning Board and Ordinance Committee for a hearing and report.   Councillor Maher

This matter was introduced at the end of the last Council term as a necessary step in the planning for future school reconstruction. The delay in choosing a mayor and in appointing the Council subcommittees pushed this matter back, but it will now move forward with Ordinance Committee and Planning Board hearings.

Order #4. That the City Manager is requested to confer with the Community Development Department and other relevant departments in order to present to the City Council a map of Cambridge that shows, by location and by date, all of the areas where construction is and will be taking place over the coming decade.   Vice Mayor Simmons

An initial read of this Order suggests some kind of mystical powers within CDD to peer into the future. Some projects are definitely in the planning stage, but it's doubtful whether CDD could accurately state where and what will be built more than a couple of years into the future. Even the dense-pack proposals now being crafted by Goody Clancy as part of the Kendall Square/Central Square (K2C2) Study may not be realized anytime soon, if ever.

Order #8. That a one-time suspension of Council Rule 23B be allowed, for the broadcast of the Wed, Apr 25, 2012, 4:00pm Cambridge City Council Roundtable Meeting (a meeting to receive an update from Goody Clancy and the Community Development Department on the Kendall Central Study.)   Councillor vanBeuzekom

None of the recent Kendall Square and Central Square studies and its related committee meetings, with and without the red ribbons, have involved much in the way of community participation. Indeed, the Red Ribbon report from last year seemed disconnected from much of the discussion that took place at the various minimally publicized meetings leading up to the report. It's doubtful that broadcasting the April 25 Roundtable meeting (no public comment allowed) will do much for either public awareness or involvement.

Order #9. That the City Manager is requested to confer with the City Solicitor's Office, the City Auditor and the Community Development Department to explore the City of Cambridge's relationship with the Cambridge Redevelopment Authority and any of its current and future development projects.   Councillor vanBeuzekom and Vice Mayor Simmons

The time is certainly right for evaluating the past, present, and possible future role of the CRA. This should not, however, delay the City Council from approving the four persons appointed by the City Manager. After the newly reconstituted CRA Board meets and gets organized, it might be a good time to have a City Council Roundtable meeting with the CRA Board and its Executive Director. - Robert Winters

Comments?

Kendall Square Urban Renewal Area - Cambridge Redevelopment Authority

documents provided by Joseph Tulimieri, Exec. Director, Cambridge Redevelopment Authority (CRA)

Kendall Square Urban Renewal Project/Chronology (dated February 2012)

Kendall Square Urban Renewal Plan History (dated February 2012)

Report on Authority Land Holdings and Disposition Plans (dated September 1, 2011)

Background material on the Cambridge Redevelopment Authority provided at the March 22, 2011 joint meeting of the Cambridge City Council's Neighborhood & Long-Term Planning Committee and the Economic Development, Training, & Employment Committee.

Note (Apr 5): The links are provided to give a little perspective to those who were not around when the Kendall Square MXD district was little more than vacant lots. The district is now almost completely built and is a major part of the commercial tax base for Cambridge. The staff of the Cambridge Redevelopment Authority (CRA) was reduced a number of years ago and its function is now primarily administrative. Though one may argue that the granting of a sign to Microsoft and the modification of a covenant for the garage rooftop garden are significant policy decisions, in the long view these are relatively minor administrative decisions.

The more important question, and the one not asked by the local bloggers, is what role the CRA should play in the future. Earlier in its history, the CRA was greatly involved in housing development outside the Kendall Square MXD district. Much of this function has been assumed in the ensuing years by the Community Development Department and the Affordable Housing Trust in partnership with both for-profit and non-profit developers. An interesting question is whether the CRA might play a role in future housing development - especially in light of some of the proposals currently being floated for the areas now being discussed in the Kendall Square/Central Square study. - Robert Winters

Update: Four new City appointments have been made to the Board of the Cambridge Redevelopment Authority. They join gubernatorial appointee Barry Zevin to complete the five-person Board. The four City appointees must be confirmed by the City Council.

City Manager Letter - April 9, 2012
To the Honorable, the City Council:

In accordance with Chapter 121B of the Massachusetts General Laws, I am submitting the following names for City Council confirmation as members of the Cambridge Redevelopment Authority Board.

D. Margaret Drury, 1-year term to expire April 12, 2013:
Margaret is the recently retired City Clerk, former Executive Director of the Cambridge Rent Control Board and an Attorney.

Chris Bator, 3-year term to expire April 12, 2015:
Chris is an Assistant United States Attorney serving in that role since 1990. Prior to that, he served as the Assistant to the Commissioner of Health and Hospitals in Boston and as Executive Assistant to Mayor Kevin White.

Conrad Crawford, 4-year term to expire April 12, 2016:
Conrad is presently the Director of Partnerships for the Department of Conservation and Recreation and has experience in energy efficient transportation products. He is a resident of East Cambridge.

Kathleen Born, 5-year term to expire April 12, 2017:
Kathy is an Architect and former Cambridge City Councillor. She co-chaired the Ordinance Committee, and is thus very familiar with the zoning process. The State appointment term expiration would occur in 2014.

Since this recommendation results in a reconstruction of the Board, my recommendation results in staggered terms with one member's term expiring in each of the five years. Subsequent appointments would be for 5-year terms.

Very truly yours,
Robert W. Healy
City Manager

Open for Comments

Ducks in a Row – May 14, 2012 Cambridge City Council Agenda Highlights (May 13, 2012)

Budget Season – April 30, 2012 Cambridge City Council Agenda Highlights (Apr 30, 2012)

April 23, 2012 Cambridge City Council Meeting Highlights – featuring the Proposed FY2013 Budget (Apr 23, 2012)

Well-Appointed – April 9, 2012 Cambridge City Council Agenda Highlights (Apr 9, 2012)

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

Apr 2, 2012 Cambridge City Council Agenda Highlights and other News from the People's Republic (Apr 2, 2012)

Ins and Outs – Monday, Mar 26 City Council meeting and other news (Mar 26, 2012)

Marjorie Decker to Seek Wolf Seat (Mar 22, 2012)

Alice Wolf will not seek reelection in 2012 (Mar 21, 2012)

Getting Down to Business – Mar 19, 2012 Cambridge City Council Agenda Highlights (Mar 19, 2012)

Cambridge City Council subcommittees for 2012-2013 (Mar 5, 2012)

Parks, Petitions, and Pickups - Mar 5, 2012 Cambridge City Council Agenda Highlights (Mar 5, 2012)

To Halve and Halve Not - Feb 27, 2012 Cambridge City Council Agenda Highlights (Feb 26, 2012)

A Very Special Cambridge City Council Meeting - Feb 22, 2012

2011 City Council and School Committee Candidates – Campaign Finance Reports (updated Apr 11, 2012)

Cambridge Mayoral Vote - 2012 (originally posted Jan 1, 2012, updated as needed)

The Nine Mayor Problem – Feb 13, 2012 Cambridge City Council Agenda Highlights (Feb 12, 2012)

Feb 6, 2012 Cambridge City Council Agenda Highlights (Feb 5, 2012)

Only 1,318 Ballots To Go – Jan 30, 2012 Cambridge City Council Agenda (Jan 30, 2012)

Harvard Crimson Archive – The Great Cambridge Mayoral Marathon of 1948 (Jan 27, 2012)

Cambridge Public Schools Academic Challenge Plan (posted Jan 17, updated Jan 19, 2012)

How would you elect a mayor? (posted Dec 25, 2011)

Cambridge Municipal Election Results (posted Nov 19, 2011)

Specific issues with Western Avenue project (posted Nov 3, 2010)

Western Avenue proposal: ill-considered (posted Oct 27, 2010)

“Cycle track”: a sidewalk by another name (posted Aug 11, 2010)

Comments on Cambridge’s Western Avenue project (posted June 22, 2010)

Open Forum - Proportional Representation (posted Aug 21, 2009)

Open Forum - The Plan E Charter (posted Aug 10, 2009)

2012 Annual City Census

The Cambridge Election Commission has mailed the 2012 Annual City Census Form to all Cambridge households. Residents are urged to comply by completing the Census Form and returning it in the postage prepaid envelope that was provided.

The City is required to conduct the Annual Census under Massachusetts state law and provides residents with their only official proof of city residency. All residents, regardless of citizenship and voter registration status, are required to answer the Census. State law requires that voters who do not answer the Census shall be removed from the active voting list and may be removed from the Voter Registration rolls.

The census mailing includes the Census Form, Census Instructions in five languages, a Voter Registration Request Form and a form for those interested in working at the polls on Election Day.

If you have any questions, you may call the Election Commission at 617-349-4361 during City office hours: Monday, 8:30am–8:00pm; Tuesday through Thursday, 8:30am–5:00pm; and Friday, 8:30–Noon.