City of Cambridge Awarded $2.4m Federal Grant to Fund Design of Pedestrian and Bicycle Bridge Crossing MBTA Fitchburg Commuter Rail Line

Mar 28, 2024 – The City of Cambridge announced the award of $2.4 million in federal funds for the design of a critical off-road bicycle and pedestrian bridge over the MBTA Fitchburg Commuter rail line in North Cambridge. The federal funds will be combined with an existing $600,000 of City matching funds to complete the design of this bridge crossing that will help connect the Rindge Avenue neighborhood to Danehy Park. The project also includes planning and design of a multi-use path parallel to the rail line, creating connectivity to the crossing from many local points, as well as providing more convenient access to the Alewife Red Line transit station.City Seal

The City of Cambridge completed a design feasibility study for this crossing in 2023, which included a public process and examination of design alternatives. The study concluded it was feasible and suitable to construct a pedestrian and bicycle bridge and the City submitted a Reconnecting Communities & Neighborhoods (RCN) grant application in September 2023. On March 13, 2024, the United States Department of Transportation (DOT) announced Cambridge was among the recipients of the RCN grant awards.

In addition to feasibility, the grant considered the potential community benefit and impact of the proposed project. The project will create a safe and dedicated path of travel between a densely populated area on Rindge Avenue to Danehy Park – the largest open space in Cambridge - as well as Fresh Pond Mall. This path will provide residents direct access to grocery stores, clothing and other retail outlets, as well as work force training and employment opportunities. The bridge crossing project, which includes several connector paths, will become a key link in the greater bicycle and pedestrian network. Just to the north, paths will connect to Linear Park, the Minuteman Path, and the Somerville Community Path and directly to the south, will connect to Fresh Pond, the Watertown-Cambridge Greenway, and the Danehy-New Street Connector path, which is under design.

“This award allows us to make meaningful progress on a project that will be of great benefit to residents in this neighborhood,” said Iram Farooq, Cambridge Assistant City Manager of Community Development. “There is a true revitalization movement underway in this region of our City, with recent rezoning accomplishments that have encouraged development of housing and mixed-use buildings. Mobility and access to local open space, businesses, and other resources is key to building a community. The rail crossing and multi-use paths will transform the way people are able to navigate, experience, and enjoy the neighborhood.”

The RCN grant award will fund the planning and design of the bridge crossing project but is not intended to fund construction. The City is working to add the project to the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) in order to seek state and federal funding for future construction. The RCN grant award confirms the viability of the project and the validity of the rationale, improving the chances of garnering funding for future stages.

Please visit the project website for more information on the Fitchburg Commuter Rail Line Crossing Study:
https://www.cambridgema.gov/Departments/communitydevelopment/fitchburgcommuterraillinecrossingstudy

To learn more about the RCN program and grant recipients, visit the U.S. Department of Transportation:
https://www.transportation.gov/grants/reconnecting-communities/reconnecting-communities-fy23-awards

March 24 – I just re-made my mega-awesome Cambridge voter database to include the voter histories through the recent March 2024 Presidential Primary, and my “supervoter” list of all current Cambridge registered voters who have voted in every citywide election going back to 1997 is now down to just 77 of us. I know about half of them personally. Perhaps we should all go out for beers. - RW

Out Like A Lion - March 25, 2024 Cambridge City Council meeting

These are a few of my favorite things....City Hall

Manager’s Agenda #6. Transmitting Communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $15,000 to the Grant Fund Public Celebrations (Arts Council) Other Ordinary Maintenance account. The MCC Cultural District Grant provides financial support to state-designated Cultural Districts throughout the Commonwealth.
Order Adopted 9-0

I will simply highlight the last paragraph: “Cambridge’s Central Square Cultural District was one of the 10 inaugural MA Cultural Districts designated by the Legislature in 2012. This funding will support District-based initiatives that drive economic growth and strengthen the distinctive character of the Central Square Cultural District.”

Manager’s Agenda #9. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the Parking Study Executive Summary. [text of report]
pulled by Pickett; comments by Pickett, Nolan, McGovern, Toner (on available parking alternatives), Wilson, Siddiqui, Azeem (wants large grocery stores to be replaced by bodegas - based on notion that the City builds these, wants greater prioritization of bus transportation, wants more subsidized e-bikes), Simmons; comments by Iram Farooq on survey sampling, Yi-An Huang; referred to Transportation & Public Utilities Committee 9-0

As near as I can tell, this “study” consists primarily of survey responses and policy proposals from City staff. I’m not really sure how this qualifies as a “study”. Absent are such seemingly important data as how many on-street parking spaces have been lost and how many more are anticipated to be lost due to current policies (such as the Cycling Safety Ordinance). This seems like a deficiency that ought to be corrected in something billed as a “Parking Study”.

Manager’s Agenda #10. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appointment of the following persons as members of the Central Square Advisory Committee for a term of three years; Melissa Greene and Kevin Grinberg.
Appointments Approved 9-0

Welcome aboard, Kevin. It’s also great to see Melissa continuing her role on the Central Square Advisory Committee.

Manager’s Agenda #11. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Policy Order Number 24-09, regarding a report back with any necessary edits to zoning language that would allow unrelated people to live together in the City of Cambridge. [text of report]
pulled by Siddiqui; Rules Suspended to bring forward Housing Committee Report; Referred to Ordinance Committee & Planning Board 9-0; Communication Placed on File 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #12. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number #24-03, regarding a response on potential public renewable energy projects that could receive funding through the IRA Direct Pay provision. [text of report]
pulled by Sobrinho-Wheeler; comments by Ellen Katz (DPW), Deputy City Manager Owen O’Riordan, Susanne Rasmussen (CDD); comments by Nolan; Rasmussen states that Housing Division (CDD) soon to become separate Housing Department; Pickett on 60% subsidy via Direct Pay; Placed on File 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #13. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 24-10, regarding the data analysis included in the Economic Feasibility Analysis provided to EOHLC as part of Cambridge’s MBTA Communities final compliance submission. [text of report]
pulled by Nolan; comments by Iram Farooq, Jeff Roberts (CDD); Nolan notes that the report shows “asking rent” in tables, but actual median rents are significantly lower; Azeem disputes this claiming that median rents are lower only because they include all subsidized rents [actual truth is somewhere in between]; Placed on File 9-0


Charter Right #1. 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. [Charter Right – Pickett, Mar 18, 2024]
Councillor Pickett moves to take up both Charter Right #1 and #2; Farooq says she and staff have been consulting Housing Committee Chairs re: their priorities, feels that more study needed to see how expansive this phenomenon actually is; Toner does not object to “down conversions”; Sobrinho-Wheeler OK with restricting “down conversions” claiming this would not be a ban; McGovern prefers to get legal opinion reported directly to Housing Committee; Pickett wants more information about how common this is; Azeem wants income-restricted housing required with any multi-family housing [which likely would result in only subsidized housing developers doing projects]; JSW emphasizes part of Order about setbacks; JSW amendment to refer to Housing Committee Adopted 9-0; Order Adopted as Amended 7-2 (Pickett, Toner - No)

I’ll simply repeat what I said last week: 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.

Charter Right #2. 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. [Charter Right – Pickett, Mar 18, 2024]
Comments by Pickett, Wilson (with amendment), Toner (will not support Wilson amendment); Sobrinho-Wheeler comments of legalities; Azeem moved to amend Wilson amendment to delete “multiple options for”; comments by Nolan re: middle-income, “workforce” housing; McGovern opposed to conversions to single-family for purpose of sale, suggests that this is only about “having conversations” now; City Manager notes need for prioritization, legal feasibility, questions how many “down conversions” are actually occurring; Toner notes many studies currently underway; Order Adopted as Amended 8-1 (Toner - No)

Again, I’ll simply repeat what I said last week: 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.


On The Table #3. Policy Order to Edit City Council Rule 21A, 21B and add 21C Requiring Two City Councilors to Sponsor Policy Orders and Resolutions to be Filed and Placed on Council Agenda. [Tabled – Mar 18, 2024]
Taken from Table 9-0; Order #1 taken up as well; Toner comments (in response to idiotic and profane testimony of Robert Bledsoe during Public Comment); City Solicitor Megan Bayer notes legal gray area regarding whether profanity may be prohibited - noting that it is not entirely affected by First Amendment, notes history of Mass. Declaration of Rights, John and Samuel Adams when still under British rule, speech about government at that time could be was crude and pushed the limits and that's the basis of our government today, a future court could say that profanity could be prohibited, essential phrase is “fighting words”, use of profanity directed at an individual could be interpreted as “fighting words”, use of the “F word” in excitement might not be, difficult to make decision in the moment; Toner notes list of potential infractions; Toner proposes to remove prohibition of profanity (though he will vote against removing it); McGovern suggests that this discussion will lead to some people pushing the envelope re: what they can get away with [note: McGovern and others felt no concerns about slander as recently as several months ago]; JSW, Azeem OK with removing prohibition of profanity; Nolan suggests amending to distinguish “requests” and “prohibitions”; Bayer provides additional guidance on “loud and repetitive”; Simmons’ wise comments on “fighting words” and being welcoming, chilling effect of some words and actions, importance of “the rule of the Chair” in conduct of meetings; Placed on File 9-0

On The Table #4. The Government Operations, Rules, and Claims Committee held a public hearing on Feb 15, 2024, which was recessed, and reconvened on Feb 26, 2024. The Call of the meeting was to review and discuss possible amendments to the City Council Rules. At the meeting on Feb 26, 2024, the Committee voted to send 46 rule changes to the full City Council with a favorable recommendation. Please see orders within the report. [Tabled – Mar 18, 2024] [text of report]
Taken from Table 9-0; Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0

Order #1. City Council Rule Changes.   Councillor Toner
Taken up with On The Table #3; comments by multiple councillors; Councillor Nolan, in particular, notes her intention to allow back-and-forth interaction with public in committee meetings when appropriate (thank you); All Rules Adopted as Amended 9-0

I have no particular issues with the proposed rules changes, but I do find curious the level of vitriol expressed by some people about some of the changes pertaining to Public Comment. In my view, Public Comment has largely devolved into performance by the season ticket holders with the occasional flood of “talking point zombies” generated by organized groups and facilitated by Zoom. My only suggestions are: (a) the Mayor and committee Chairs should have broad discretion in managing public comment and not be bound by overly rigid rules, (b) back-and-forth dialogue between councillors and the public should be encouraged at committee meetings whenever it is helpful, and (c) steps should be taken proactively to address the potential of extraordinary numbers of nonresidents signing up for public comment as part of organized campaigns on controversial issues.


Applications & Petitions #1. A Zoning Petition Has been received from Khalida Griffin-Sheperd et al. regarding Affordable Housing Trust Zoning. (AP24#10) [text of petition]
Referred to Ordinance Committee & Planning Board 9-0

One look at the signers of this petition was enough to convince me that it should be rejected. I also find it curious that the petitioners want to be overly prescriptive in who may serve on their proposed expanded Affordable Housing Trust (AHT). Also, though the idea of using AHT funds to provide rent subsidies seems like a possible alternative to the construction of some of the extraordinarily expensive deed-restricted housing now being funded through the AHT, this proposal seems to simply want to add on this new very high cost for rent vouchers - a potential budget-buster at a time when the City Council really needs to be controlling the Budget much more than they have in recent years. Considering the fact that the AHT is now partially funded out of the City’s Operating Budget, this also raises the question of the legality of such direct rent payments under the Anti-Aid Amendment to the Mass. Constitution.

Order #4. That the City Manager is requested to work with the Law Department, the Community Development Department, and the Traffic, Parking and Transportation Department to determine whether the City could provide incentives for residents who do not have cars.   Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Siddiqui, Vice Mayor McGovern, Councillor Nolan
pulled by Sobrinho-Wheeler to add Nolan as sponsor; JSW comments on incentives to not own car, some concerns about whether this may violate Anti-Aid Amendment; Toner questions why there is a need to incentivize those who have already decided to not own a car, whether BlueBikes subsidies might be in perpetuity; Pickett questions why this is actually an incentive in that it rewards who have already made choice to not own a car [that is, whether this is just a patronage program for a subset of the population]; Nolan says this is not meant to be just for those who don’t currently own a car; Wilson questions need for incentives for those already w/o car and whether this might penalize or shame those who actually need a car]; Siddiqui says intent is not to shame anyone; Azeem quotes an academic paper claiming that every family contributes $14,000 per year to subsidize car ownership, says transit gets better the more people use it [yeah, right], wants to subsidize transit, e-bikes; Simmons asks if the proposes incentive would apply to those who don't have cars or those who might get cars; JSW says it’s for both, says this is not about shaming; McGovern suggests amending language; Simmons comments on large families, unreliable MBTA, those who work outside Cambridge, those who shop elsewhere, churchgoers, elderly and those with mobility issues - will vote Present; Amendment to add Nolan Adopted 9-0; Order Adopted as Amended 5-3-0-1 (BA,MM,PN,SS,JSW - Yes; JP,PT,AW - No; DS - Present)

There seems to be this belief among some councillors (and some City staff) that the only reason people make personal choices (such as whether or not to own a car) are primarily based on government intervention. I disagree.

Order #5. Support of the Regional Heat Pump Accelerator Program.   Councillor Nolan, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler
Order Adopted 9-0

I will repeat my point of view from last year when BEUDO (or is it BEUDERO?) amendments were being discussed and ordained. Simply dictating mandates is not nearly as effective (or fair) as providing financial incentives. - Robert Winters

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, April 2, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
We may also produce some shows independently.
Episode 613 (Tues, Mar 19, 2024 at 6:00pm) [materials] [audio]
Topics: Middlesex Canal - history, Sullivan Square to Middlesex Village, Brooks Bridge, Medford, gypsy moth infestation, Pomp's Wall, extensions from Concord NH to Haymarket Square; knowing where you live - Cambridge and elsewhere; Flushing Remonstrance (1657) and religious freedom in USA; Adopt-A-Drain, volunteerism; Little Things - just be a good citizen; School Committee campaign finance update; Linear Park plans - bikeway or park?
Episode 614 (Tues, Mar 19, 2024 at 6:30pm) [materials] [audio]
Topics: Linear Park, lack of public process; paradoxical negative climate effects of electrification - increased electrical demand outpacing new energy sources; Reinventing the Wards, organizing in the wards, party ward committees, potential charter changes to create issue-specific “citizen assemblies” - a partisan, biased proposal; creation of nonpartisan ward committees; triple AAA bond ratings for 25th straight year; water & sewer rates; Red Line shutdowns and proposal for fare-free #1 Bus - better than expecting everyone to move to bikes; proposal to restrict conversions to fewer units and unintended consequences; proposal to allow multi-family homes citywide - rationale in Order based on fiction
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
Complete list of all episodes (2013 - present)

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]
pulled by Pickett; comments by Pickett, Claire Spinner, Toner on OPEB, Michele Kincaid, Taha Jennings, McGovern, Nolan, Yi-An Huang, JSW [24 triple AAA cities in USA], Azeem, Simmons (notes what happens when ARPA funds no longer available); Placed on File 9-0

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]
pulled by Pickett; comments by Pickett on use of ARPA funds for new filter media at Fresh Pond, Owen O’Riordan notes ARPA will again be used next year to keep water rates from rising even more, need for upgrades on our (relatively young) 25-year-old treatment plant, cost of water main replacements; Mark Gallagher (Acting Managing Direct, Water Department) notes increases in labor costs and supply chain cost increases; Pickett asks if any ARPA funds available to be reallocated to these purposes, O’Riordan responds affirmatively; Nolan on PFAS, effects of minerals in water on plumbing fixtures; O’Riordan notes long-term strategy on chlorides, Gallagher concurs re: chlorides, hardness; Toner on problems with plumbing fixtures and remediation, Gallagher reminds that HW heaters should be drained once/year; Order Adopted 9-0

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
pulled by Sobrinho-Wheeler; uptalking comments by JSW, Siddiqui (notes meet w/JSW and her w/Livable Streets), Toner, Azeem; Order Adopted 9-0

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
pulled by Pickett; comments by JSW, Nolan, Pickett; Charter Right - Pickett

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
pulled by Pickett; comments by Azeem, McGovern (connecting this to “Missing Middle” zoning petition), Wilson, Pickett; Charter Right - Pickett

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
pulled by Toner; comments by Nolan (suggesting doubling fee except for low-income residents, charging more for larger vehicles); Toner, Pickett object to suggestion to charge more based on vehicle size; Azeem complains about increasing size of vehicles; Simmons OK with reviewing fees, concerns about charging more for larger vehicles and effect on families who may need a larger vehicle; Nolan additional concerns about larger vehicles; Order Adopted 9-0

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
Order Adopted 9-0

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

Committee Report #1. The Government Operations, Rules, and Claims Committee held a public hearing on Feb 15, 2024, which was recessed, and reconvened on Feb 26, 2024. The Call of the meeting was to review and discuss possible amendments to the City Council Rules. At the meeting on Feb 26, 2024, the Committee voted to send 46 rule changes to the full City Council with a favorable recommendation. Please see orders within the report. [text of report]
pulled by Toner; Toner notes that there are really about 10 changes - mostly suggested by City Clerk, additional comments on codifying how much time allotted for Public Comment and other rules changes; Simmons notes that process requires this to be Laid on Table; Sobrinho-Wheeler addresses Public Comment time limits; Nolan favors longer time limits during Public Comment; McGovern wants 2 minute limit for all meetings, says Public Comment has changed over time from individuals (notes Roy Bercaw) and how it is now dominated by organized groups with many speakers having little or no knowledge of what they are speaking about, problem of same speakers every week; Azeem comments on time limits and predictability of commentary from organized groups and frequent speakers - would prefer a separate meeting just for public comment; Pickett notes value of Zoom as well as the added commitment associated with actually showing up; Wilson also notes changing nature of Public Comment; JSW clarifies that nobody is suggesting different time limits for different people, potential value of separate meeting for public comment; Toner expresses openness to future changes in Public Comment; Simmons notes that Open Meeting Law does not require public comment, and that we allow it under our rules, notes many other opportunities for offering citizen input, notes past practice of sometimes taking City Council meetings to the neighborhoods, allowance for public comment via interpreters, role of time of meeting in access; Late Policy Order from Toner calling for two sponsors for any policy order; McGovern expresses confusion of “Resolutions” vs. “Policy Orders & Resolutions” - amplified by Toner, Simmons; Toner notes that most Resolutions are non-controversial, but controversial Resolutions appear with Policy Orders; Nolan OK w/requiring two sponsors but wants to exercise Charter Right; Simmons, McGovern explain that if Charter Right exercises cannot be part of Rules Changes to be considered at next meeting; City Clerk Diane LeBlanc concurs that this is necessary under current Rules; Tabled 9-0

Late Order #11. That the City Council Rules be amended to require at least two City Councillors supporting a proposed policy order and/or resolution before filing and including as part of the City Council Agenda.   Councillor Toner
Tabled 9-0

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 24. 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 31. 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, Apr 7. 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

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

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)

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Dorchester Reporter (Dorchester, Boston)

Caught In Dot (Dorchester, Boston)

Plymouth Independent (Plymouth)

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The Ipswich Local News (Ipswich)

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

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Boston Globe

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Nearby cities and towns

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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)

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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

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

None

Coming up soon (more details here):

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)

6:00pm   School Committee Meeting  (Attles Meeting Room, CRLS)
The next Regular Meeting will be held on Tues, Apr 2 at 6:00pm for the purpose of discussing any and all business that may properly come before the Committee. The School Committee will also vote on the adoption of the FY 2025 Proposed School Department Budget.

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

11:00am   The City Council’s Health and Environment Committee will hold a public hearing to review and discuss the Net Zero Action Plan annual report, including review of yearly action items, progress made, and next steps to reach annual goals.  (Sullivan Chamber and Zoom)

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)

Mon, May 6

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

Tues, May 7

9:00am   The City Council’s Finance Committee will conduct a public hearing on the city and school budgets covering the fiscal period July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025.  (Sullivan Chamber and Zoom)

Wed, May 8

6:00pm   The City Council’s Finance Committee will conduct a public hearing on the city and school budgets covering the fiscal period July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025.  (Sullivan Chamber and Zoom)

Mon, May 13

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

Tues, May 14

9:00am   The City Council’s Finance Committee will conduct a public hearing on the city and school budgets covering the fiscal period July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025 (if necessary).  (Sullivan Chamber and Zoom)

Thurs, May 16

9:00am   The City Council’s Finance Committee will conduct a public hearing on the city and school budgets covering the fiscal period July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025.  (Sullivan Chamber and Zoom)

Mon, May 20

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

Catching Up on the (Official) Cambridge NewsCity Seal

Small Business Succession Planning Pilot Program (Mar 27, 2024)

Community Astronomy Night Brings Young People, Scientists Together to Explore Night Sky (Mar 27, 2024)

Cambridge Police Train How to Deploy Multiple Less Lethal Defensive Tools to One Scene (Mar 26, 2024)

What's Buzzing at The Hive? (Mar 26, 2024)

Work at the Dept. of Human Service Programs this Summer! (Mar 26, 2024)

Free Arts Events (Mar 26, 2024)
April 5 - Harvard Jazz Combo Initiative at Jill Rhone Park, noon – 1:30pm (Rain date April 12)
June 15 - Cambridge Arts River Festival at Memorial Drive, noon – 6pm
June 28 - City Dance Party in Central Square
July 27 & 28 - Cambridge Jazz Festival at Danehy Park, noon - 6pm
July & August - Summer in the City film screenings

$81,000 In Organizational Investment Grants Awarded To 9 Cambridge Nonprofits (Mar 25, 2024)

Street Cleaning Resumes April 1 (Mar 25, 2024)

Apply to Camp Rainbow through June 3! (Mar 25, 2024)

2024 Annual City Census (Mar 25, 2024)

Meter Taxi Fees 2024 (Mar 25, 2024)

2023 Resident Parking Permits Expire March 31, 2024 (Mar 25, 2024)

City of Cambridge Officially Goes Fossil Fuel Free with Newly Constructed Buildings and Major Renovation Projects (Mar 22, 2024)

City of Cambridge Announces Winning Projects for 10th Participatory Budgeting Process After Record Voting Turnout and City Investment (Mar 21, 2024)

Cambridge Low-Cost Rabies Vaccination Clinic (for dogs only) April 6. Annual Dog Licensing will also be Available. (Mar 21, 2024)

Household Hazardous Waste Event April 6th (posted Mar 19, 2024)

Cambridge Roofscapes (Mar 19, 2024)

Cambridge Awarded Three AAA Ratings for 25th Consecutive Year (Mar 19, 2024)

Car Show & Emergency Vehicle Touch-A-Truck Event (Mar 19, 2024)

First-Time Homebuyer Lottery Opportunity - 1055 Cambridge Street (Mar 18, 2024)

Get Help with Winter Heating Bills - Fuel Assistance Application Deadline Extended to May 10! (Mar 18, 2024)

The Foundry Building Receives Awards for Adaptive Reuse and Historic Renovation (Mar 15, 2024)

Cambridge Celebrates Arbor Week April 22-26 (Mar 15, 2024)

Mass Ave Planning Study Community Meeting (Mar 14, 2024)
Next community meeting on March 27, 6:00pm-7:30pm

Spring Registration for War Memorial Programming Opens Monday, March 18 (Mar 14, 2024)

Cambridge Police Department's Traffic Safety Unit Shares Traffic Safety Reminders (Mar 14, 2024)

Cambridge Fire Academy - Recruit Class 2024-01 Training progress (Mar 14, 2024)

Raymond Park Renovation - Kickoff Survey and Scavenger Hunt (Mar 14, 2024)

Cambridge Fire Academy - Recruit Class 2024-01 (Mar 13, 2024)

Current Board Vacancies: LGBTQ+ Commission, Planning Board, Cambridge Public Library Board of Trustees (Mar 12, 2024)

Spring Reminder of Trash, Recycle, Compost and Other Waste Services Information (Mar 12, 2024)

City of Cambridge to Host Fair Housing for All! Event on Saturday, April 27, 2024 (Mar 12, 2024)

Wild Turkeys: Tips for Preventing Conflicts and Making Your Property Less Attractive to Turkeys (Mar 12, 2024)

New Ordinance in Effect on 3-22-24 Requires New Construction and Major Renovation Projects to be Fossil Fuel-Free (Mar 11, 2024)

March 5, 2024 Official Primary Election Results (Mar 8, 2024)

New Development Log Available - 2023 Fourth Quarter (Mar 7, 2024)

Earth Day Celebration on Saturday, April 13 (Mar 7, 2024)

Open Data Retirement Policy: No Data Graveyard (Mar 6, 2024)

Mini-Grants Available for Youth Mental Health, Healthy Eating, and Physical Activity Projects (Mar 5, 2024)

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)

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 613-614: Mar 19, 2024 (solo w/Robert Winters)

Cambridge InsideOut Episodes 611-612: Mar 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)

Out Like A Lion – March 25, 2024 Cambridge City Council meeting (posted Mar 22, 2024, updated Mar 26)

Springing Forward – March 18, 2024 Cambridge City Council meeting (posted Mar 14, 2024, updated Mar 19)

Marching Fourth – March 4, 2024 Cambridge City Council meeting (posted Mar 4, 2024, updated Mar 5)

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)

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)

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

Subscribe to the Cambridge Civic Journal.
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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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