Boston City Council set to vote on move to ranked-choice voting system for local elections

May 14 – In what would be a radical overhaul of the way elections work in the city, the Boston City Council is scheduled to vote today on adopting a ranked-choice voting system, the Herald’s Gayla Cawley reports. The change would affect elections for mayor and City Council and would require approval from the state Legislature. — Boston Herald (via MASSter List)

I have a BIG birthday coming up this Thursday (May 15). Friends are coming over the house Saturday afternoon (May 17) for some celebrating - if you’re a friend and you’re around, stop on by. - Robert

Deputy City Manager City Manager Owen O’Riordan Announces Retirement

Dear City Councilors,

I wanted to let you know that I will retire from the City on July 5th of this year. My wife Nora retired last year and so we are looking forward to being able to spend more time together in the coming years.

I wanted to thank you for your friendship and support to me over the years and am grateful that we have been able to accomplish so much over my time working for the City.

I have worked here for twenty-eight years, and it has been a deeply rewarding experience. While I have never lived in the city, the city has lived in me for the 28 years and has been my constant companion from first thing in the morning until I go to bed each night.

I expect to send an email out to staff tomorrow morning but wanted you to know in advance.

Sincerely,
Owen

Owen O’Riordan
Deputy City Manager
City of Cambridge

Robert Campbell, architect and longtime Globe architecture critic, dies at 88 (Boston Globe, May 1, 2025)
Bob was also a neighbor (Antrim Street). - RW

Pollution Solutions: Stormwater Infiltration Trenches in the Mystic River Watershed