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Sept 14, 2026
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The Return – September 14, 2026 Cambridge City Council meeting

There are no Big Controversial Issues to pitch to a Resident Assembly this week, so I suppose The Nine will have to face the challenges of representation (or misrepresentation) on their own after their summer vacation. Here are a few items that piqued my interest:

To Drink the Impossible Drink

Reconsideration #1. Councillor Patricia Nolan has filed Reconsideration for PO26#140: “That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to work with the City Solicitor and the License Commission to draft and submit a Home Rule Petition to authorize one additional Section 15 all-alcoholic beverages license not to be drunk on the premises.”
Reconsideration Fails 4-5 (AAZ,PN,CZ,SS-Yes; BA,TF,MM,DS,JSW-No)

Communications & Reports #4. A communication from Councillor Nolan Regarding Reconsideration of the Alcohol License Home Rule Policy Order. [text of report]
Placed on File 9-0 (early w/Reconsideration #1)

Federal Policies Trickling Down

Manager’s Agenda #1. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to a federal update including an update on relevant court cases. [text of report]
Placed on File 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #2. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to an appropriation, in the amount of $500,000, from the Federal Grant Stabilization Fund to the Grant Fund Department of Human Service Programs Other Ordinary Maintenance account, to support a citywide response to federal changes affecting SNAP and MassHealth benefits under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OB3). [text of report]
pulled by Al-Zubi; comments by Al-Zubi, Yi-An Huang, Siddiqui, Zusy, Flaherty, Simmons; Order Adopted 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #20. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, regarding Welcoming Community Ordinance Reporting from the Cambridge Police Department. [text of report]
pulled by Al-Zubi; comments by Al-Zubi; Placed on File 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #21. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, conveying a response to AR26-15 regarding hiring of former Federal immigration enforcement agents by the Cambridge Police Department. [text of report]
Placed on File 9-0

Order #10. City Council support of protecting and strengthening Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act.   Councillor Zusy, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Nolan
pulled by Nolan to be added as sponsor; comments by Zusy, Nolan; Order Adopted as Amended 9-0

Order #12. That the City Council urge the Healey-Driscoll Administration and the Massachusetts General Court to prioritize the hiring of additional DTA case workers to ensure those eligible for SNAP are able to receive and maintain benefits and taking other steps needed to end the SNAP access crisis.   Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Al-Zubi, Councillor McGovern, Vice Mayor Azeem, Councillor Nolan
pulled by Nolan to be added as sponsor, comments by Nolan, Siddiqui; Order Adopted as Amended 9-0

Hey Big Spender (with apologies to Peggy Lee)

Manager’s Agenda #3. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Community Preservation Act Appropriations. [text of report]
pulled by Siddiqui; comments by Siddiqui, Taha Jennings (noting death of CPA Committee member Kevin Foster), Zusy, Kathy Watkins, Simmons, Nolan, Sobrinho-Wheeler (who does not understand that when CPA was originally adopted it was with the understanding that it would be cost-neutral to taxpayers but would leverage state funds), Flaherty; All Orders Adopted 9-0

Committee Report #2. The Finance Committee and Economic Development and University Relations Committee held a joint public hearing on Apr 30, 2026 with Harvard University to discuss and receive and update on the Harvard University Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) agreement. [text of report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0

Communications & Reports #5. A communication from Councillors Nolan and Al-Zubi Regarding a Proposed Schedule for Budget Related Finance Committee Hearings. [text of report]
pulled by Nolan for comments; Placed on File 9-0

Excuse me, but we have some Appointments to make

Manager’s Agenda #4. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to appointments to the Cambridge Commission for Persons with Disabilities. [text of report]
Appointments Confirmed 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #5. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appointment of five members to the Commission on Immigrant Rights and Citizenship for terms of three years. [text of report]
Appointments Confirmed 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #6. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appointment of David Canavan to the Police Review and Advisory Board for a term of five years. [text of report]
Appointments Confirmed 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #9. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to appointments to the Fresh Pond Advisory Board. [text of report]
Appointments Confirmed 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #24. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, regarding the Cambridge Preschool Program and the establishment of a Task Force charged with identifying policy solutions to expand supports for families with young children. [text of report]
pulled by Nolan; comments by Nolan, McGovern, Siddiqui, Yi-An Huang, Joseph Corazzini, Cheryl Ohlson; Placed on File 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #25. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to appointments to the Joint Childcare Access Task Force. [text of report]
Appointments Confirmed 9-0

We know where the bodies are buried

Manager’s Agenda #8. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $250 in donations in support of the Old Burying Ground. [text of report]
Order Adopted 9-0

Buildings and Stuff

Manager’s Agenda #11. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, requesting that the City Council amend the City of Cambridge’s Authorized Revolving Fund Ordinance to establish a new revolving fund for the Renewable Energy and Greenhouse Gas (“GHG”) Reduction to serve the City’s municipal energy use. [text of report]
pulled by Nolan; comments by Nolan, Ellen Katz (DPW), Zusy; Passed to 2nd Reading 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #12. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to AR26-27, requesting that the City Manager direct staff to examine whether the City can enact an ordinance requiring public buildings and places of public accommodation in Cambridge with one or more single-stall restrooms to have at least one single-stall restroom with gender-neutral signage. [text of report]
pulled by McGovern; comments by McGovern, Megan Bayer; Placed on File 9-0

Traffic & Transportation

Manager’s Agenda #18. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the 2025 Transportation Demand Management Program Report. [text of report]
pulled by Nolan; comments by Nolan, Ryan McKinnon, Zusy, Stephanie Groll, Flaherty; Placed on File 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #19. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to AR26-45, regarding a review of decline in traffic enforcement. [text of report]
pulled by Sobrinho-Wheeler; comments by Sobrinho-Wheeler, Brooke McKenna (automated traffic and parking enforcement, i.e. surveillance, is coming soon), Police Commissioner Pauline Wells, Azeem, Lt. Phil McDavitt, McGovern, Zusy, Flaherty, Yi-An Huang, Nolan; Placed on File 9-0

Committee Report #1. The Transportation and Public Utilities Committee held a public hearing on Apr 28, 2026 to review and discuss the Residential Permit Parking Program, associated costs, and the relationship between the program, the services it provides, and the general use of the public ways in Cambridge. [text of report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0

Committee Report #5. The Transportation and Public Utilities Committee held a public hearing on June 24, 2026 to discuss micromobility in Cambridge, including current safety trends, the recently filed State legislation “Ride Safe Act,” and next steps for education and enforcement considerations. [text of report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0

Charter Chatter and Appointment of the City Clerk

Manager’s Agenda #23. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to AR26-37, which requested that the City Manager work with the Mayor’s Office, Law Department, Election Commission, and other relevant City departments to engage the Collins Center in reviewing policy options for allowing Cambridge voters to directly elect the City’s Mayor. [text of report]
Placed on File 9-0

Order #11. That the City Solicitor engage the services of a suitable law firm, in consultation with the City’s Chief People Officer and with approval of the City Solicitor, to negotiate an employment contract with Paula M. Crane on behalf of the City Council.   Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Zusy, Councillor Flaherty, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Al-Zubi, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Vice Mayor Azeem
pulled by Siddiqui; comments by Siddiqui, Flaherty, Nolan, Simmons, Al-Zubi, McGovern, Zusy, Sobrinho-Wheeler, Azeem; Order Adopted as Amended 9-0

I emphatically support the move to elevate Acting City Clerk Paula Crane to City Clerk - joining a long line of wonderful people who have held that position going back to the establishment of Cambridge as a city in 1846 (and even earlier as a town).

As for the matter of direct election of the mayor, I think this is a very bad idea in a city with a city manager form of government. I will add that the current practice of having the City Council exclusively deciding all possible changes to the city’s Charter (subject only to a formal plebiscite) – where every iteration concentrates more power and privileges into the hands of city councillors – is a dreadful state of affairs.

Order #4. That the City Manager is requested to confer with the Cambridge Police Department and other relevant departments to develop a coordinated July 4th response plan for the Cherry Street, Harvard Street, and Fletcher Maynard Academy area to ensure that this spot not be utilized for the illegal use of fireworks.   Councillor Simmons, Councillor Flaherty
pulled by Simmons; comments by Simmons, Flaherty; proposed amendment by Al-Zubi, Sobrinho-Wheeler to instead have Cambridge HEART and other City departments do the intervention rather than Cambridge Police; comments by Al-Zubi, Sobrinho-Wheeler, Zusy, McGovern, Siddiqui, Simmons, Nolan, Azeem; Charter Right - Simmons
Note: I personally hear these fireworks through the night every July 4 (on Broadway near Lee Street). It’s a REAL problem even at that distance. It must be an impossible situation near the source. The suggestion that “Cambridge HEART” should be doing the intervention is astonishingly naive.

Order #8. Recognize September 2026 as Meet Your Neighbor Month in the City of Cambridge, commending the Peace Commission for its leadership, and encouraging all Cambridge residents to take this opportunity to meet a neighbor, share stories, and build the connections that strengthen our community.   Mayor Siddiqui, Vice Mayor Azeem
Order Adopted 9-0

Riding that Streamliner Train

Order #9. That the City Manager is requested to work with relevant departments to develop a coordinated initiative to improve and streamline the permitting and licensing process for small businesses.   Mayor Siddiqui, Vice Mayor Azeem, Councillor Nolan
pulled by Siddiqui along w/Communications & Reports #2; comments by Siddiqui, Nolan, Zusy; Order Adopted 9-0

Committee Report #3. The Economic Development and University Relations Committee held a public hearing on Tues, June 9, 2026 to convene a roundtable of representatives from the Cambridge and Greater Cambridge startup ecosystem to provide insight into current conditions, emerging needs, and specific ways the City can strengthen its support for startups and enhance the local innovation environment. [text of report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0

Communications & Reports #2. A communication from Mayor Siddiqui transmitting a memorandum regarding information from the City of Cambridge participation in the Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative. [text of report]
pulled by Siddiqui along w/Order #9; Placed on File 9-0

Zoning Out

Unfinished Business #1. Cambridge Street Active Use Zoning petition. [Passed to 2nd Reading Aug 3, 2026; Eligible to be Ordained Aug 24, 2026]
pulled by McGovern; Ordained as Amended 9-0; Reconsideration Fails 0-9

Unfinished Business #2. Massachusetts Avenue Active Use Zoning petition. [Passed to 2nd Reading Aug 3, 2026; Eligible to be Ordained Aug 24, 2026]
pulled by McGovern; Ordained as Amended 9-0; Reconsideration Fails 0-9

Committee Report #4. The Health and Environment Committee held a public hearing on June 22, 2026 to review and discuss the 5-year update to the Urban Forest Master Plan (UFMP) including recommendations from the analysis and evaluation and feedback from community meetings. [text of report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0

Communications & Reports #3. A communication from Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Al-Zubi and Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler transmitting a memorandum regarding information from the Social Housing Task Force. [text of report]
Placed on File 9-0

Comments?

For your consideration… - a letter from Patrick Barrett

Cambridge City Council
City of Cambridge
795 Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge, MA 02139

Sunday, September 13, 2026

Mayor Siddiqui and Honorable Cambridge City Council,

I am writing to you in my capacity as an advocate, long-time volunteer, multiple committee member, and at this point in my career too many Cambridge specific advocacy boards and initiatives to name. I am, of course, also a real estate developer.

In the coming weeks you will be discussing the renewal of the Mid-Cambridge Neighborhood Conservation District (MCNCD), amendments to the revolutionary Multifamily Housing Zoning ordinance which is currently slated to be examined and taught this Spring at both Harvard and MIT, and you will finally release the long overdue ¹ Inclusionary Zoning Nexus Study. I have been involved in enough discussions about “controversial” issues in Cambridge to know when the die has already been cast. This comes typically by way of concessions made during the mayoral shuffle at the beginning of any term or when we tip over the edge of any even year into the “danger zone” of the municipal election cycle. Rarely are these concessions in the best interests of Cambridge and even more rarely do the knee-jerk decisions based on misinformation campaigns or the fear inspired by a potential election loss ever produced a good outcome.

On June 8th I represented a client on a conversion project; we were adding a sizable addition to create 4 large format townhouse units from an existing smaller format three-unit building. An interesting twist in that case was that prior to our presentation another presentation was given by a sitting member of the Cambridge Historical Commission (CHC). His project, a down conversion of a three-unit building (in fairness the developer didn’t know if it was a 2 or 3) into a single-family home with an additional single-family home behind it. The existing property is pending at $3.5M. Aside from the clear conflict of interest that a sitting CHC member has with the MCNCD (CHC reviews all MCNCD appeals) what set this presentation apart was that it was approved unanimously with little conversation about the loss of housing and a bit of lip service to a 51” caliper tree on the abutting lot. When my case came up the first question asked of me by Commissioner Tice was “Are these units affordable?” – a ridiculous question that somehow never came up during the previous case. This was then followed by Commissioner Corstens asking me, the attorney advocate, directly, “What is your legacy?” – a bizarre question but similar to a question Councillor Zusy had asked me a while ago who also happened to be in the audience that evening. The chef’s kiss came in the form of Kyle Sheffield joining in, now announcing himself as a concerned citizen (and abutter), admonishing the project and calling me out directly for challenging the City’s unlawful and irrevocably broken Inclusionary Ordinance. Our case was rejected, no continuance, no further discussion. A City special employee attacking a litigant in a very publicized legal challenge could only be construed as an attempt to unduly sway a regulatory body or to intimidate or both. Our case was rejected and Cambridge lost at least three new units of much needed housing and gained two new $5+M homes. The MCNCD is by far the largest NCD in the city and according to the Cambridge Historical Commission, consists of approximately 2000 buildings and is roughly .35 square miles. It acts as a de-facto homeowner’s association displacing development to other less “protected” areas of the city. The MCNCD residents enjoy this “protection” at zero cost to themselves to the detriment and expense of everyone who cannot afford Mr. Sheffield’s bespoke $5M homes. That is the legacy of the MCNCD. That is why it should not be renewed.

On September 16th this Council will convene in the Sullivan Chamber to discuss the proposed pre-ordained changes to the Multifamily Housing Zoning ordinance wherein there is a 100% chance that the proposed changes and more, shared a few months ago, will be pushed forward to CDD for drafting. In doing so you will signal to all projects in the city and all prospective projects that Cambridge is essentially closed for business; pencils down until we know what the rules are. To date, not a single inclusionary housing project has been approved. While Councillor Flaherty can write op-ed’s ² about how the 2025 ordinance is “failing” all he really exposed was how little he knows about the development process in the City of Cambridge. It takes, at minimum, 12-18 months just to go from a schematic design to assemble a CDD-approved application to application approval before one can even get to permitting which will also take months, maybe even another year. Had anyone started a month before the ordinance was ordained, we would still be sitting in CDD’s waiting room; and we are. The frustration felt by the citizenry and through the Council are all the smaller projects that do not have to go through any process (nor should they). These projects stay below the “magic” numbers: 9,999, 11,999, and 24,999 – thresholds for inclusionary zoning, passive house, and small project review by the Cambridge Community Development Department. These projects tend to be in tight conditions and are difficult to execute but are necessary to upgrade and rebuild this city. However, the set of rules you have before you favor these smaller builds over larger ones and as a policy it is the antithesis of Article 1.30 and 19.30. You favored development in the middle of a block and not only penalized corners but made them almost undevelopable without a variance or special permit. Fortunately, the state acted and now what it means to get a variance is a whole new issue; one you ought to bring up on the 16th. However, nothing in the proposed changes fixes or even addresses it and the only suggestion I’ve heard so far would make the condition laughably worse. I could go on with examples, but this is why a knee jerk mob-ruled change will not address or even ameliorate the underlying issues legitimate complaints have pointed out. A working group of experts; developers large scale and small scale should be publicly consulted on any change before one is pushed forward on the 16th. We should not erase progress applauded in local and national press and by experts across the country because the change you have embraced makes people uncomfortable. We should not indulge “serial misinformationalists” ™ who have littered the airwaves with AI slop, misleading and overly dramatic Facebook posts, phony development lists, and who feel very comfortable doxxing homeowners simply because they fear change. Please vote to keep this in committee, convene a group of practitioners, and get it as close to right as possible. Maybe the Council should sit in at MIT and Harvard’s classes next Spring?

Lastly, the inclusionary report comes out at the end of this month and will definitely state that 20% inclusionary requirements work! It will further offer the Council a simple buffet of options that will largely be seen as unnecessary to the general population, each one more baffling than the next and begging the question; why? How do I know this? Because this is a pattern of behavior that those of us who pay attention have seen time and time again. It’s exactly what happened in 2016 that got us here in the first place. I fully understand that this is a highly political and ideologically driven issue but math is math. It isn’t, however, just the man with the wanted sign who is saying this. All you have to do is look at Chelsea, San Francisco, San Jose, Denver, Portland OR, Seattle, East Palo Alto, and Redwood City who have already significantly reduced their IZ requirements to see where this issue is headed. It’s national. It is why towns across the US are exploring ways to reduce. Where Cambridge sets itself apart, like Somerville and Boston (who also chose RKG) is that politically, reduction or elimination is just a non-starter. If you read RKG’s analysis of Somerville in 2025 you can literally see the consultants twisting themselves into knots on every page. Whether it’s their 23% operational costs for rental building (excluding tax) without a way to incorporate that number to get a real value or $67k land value per unit they associate with projects. They used two different feasibility bars and used them inconsistently, that $67k land cost was applied to all five districts but rent varied by subarea, their downstream scenarios all modeled after Subarea 3, all inputs were interview-sourced without disclosure “for-profit developers,” and the smallest most adversely affected project size was never tested. If you use enough sliders and pick the data you like, everything works. They, like Rosen before them, cherry pick best case conditions for large and small development and present them as a cohesive metric for underwriting real estate development. I just wanted to get it on record this time, (I missed the chance in 2016 though Cambridge Day has a few choice comments), that this report is nonsense like the one’s RKG has produced in the past which has left Boston and Somerville scrambling ³ and politically trapped by their own nonsense RKG “study.” Maybe there is a better way? ⁴

Respectfully,
Patrick W. Barrett III

Footnotes:

1   11.203.2 Inclusionary Housing Requirement.
(c) The City shall initiate a reevaluation of the Inclusionary Housing Requirement at an interval of no more than five (5) years from the time the Inclusionary Housing Requirement was last amended. Such reevaluation shall include a report provided to the City Council reviewing factors such as changes in demographic characteristics and residential development activity, housing trends measured in terms of, but not limited to, vacancy rates, production statistics, prices for dwelling units, and affordability, and the relationship between Inclusionary Housing Projects and all housing in Cambridge. The Community Development Department shall also conduct an annual review and report on the Inclusionary Housing Program.

2   It Didn’t Work - by Councilor Flaherty

3   Not going so well

4   A better way

Comments?

Editor’s Note: Though I agree with many of Mr. Barrett’s concerns, I do want to make clear that I emphatically do not agree with his recommendations regarding renewal of the Mid-Cambridge Neighborhood Conservation District. NCDs are simply tools designed to produce better outcomes. Any tool can be used improperly, but this does not invalidate the usefulness of the tool. - RW

Cambridge Seeking Community Members for New Commission Vacancies

Aug 25, 2026 (updated Sept 15) – Serving on a City of Cambridge board, commission or committee can be a rewarding experience and an excellent way to contribute to our community. Members have the opportunity to participate in the City’s decision-making process across a variety of topics.

The City of Cambridge is currently seeking to fill vacancies on the Commission on Immigrant Rights and Citizenship, Commission for Persons with Disabilities Advisory Board, and Planning Board. The deadline to apply for the Commission for Persons with Disabilities Advisory Board, and Planning Board vacancies is Monday, September 21, while the deadline for the Commission on Immigrant Rights and Citizenship has been extended to September 14.

Apply today at Cambridgema.gov/apply. A cover letter and resume or applicable experience can be submitted during the online application process. If you have questions about the application process or need assistance, please contact the City Manager's Office at 617-349-4300 or boardsandcommissions@cambridgema.gov.

Below is more detailed information on each of the current vacancies:

Commission for Persons with Disabilities Advisory Board (Application Deadline: September 21)
The CCPD Advisory Board works to increase access to all aspects of Cambridge community life for people with disabilities. The Commission raises awareness about disability issues and promotes equal opportunities for people with a range of abilities, including physical, mental, and sensory. CCPD also provides information, referrals, guidance, and technical assistance to individuals and their families, employers, public agencies, businesses and private non-profit organizations. CCPD Advisory Board members work with other board members and office staff to carry out the CCPD Ordinance (Cambridge Municipal Code Chapter 2.96).

The CCPD Advisory Board, which has 11 members who serve as volunteers for three-year terms, currently meets virtually on the second Thursday of every month at 5:30pm. Members must attend monthly meetings and also take part in Working Groups and work on projects as needed.

If interested applicants have questions or require more information, please contact  CCPD@cambridgema.gov, call 617-349-4692 (voice), or 711 (relay).

Planning Board (Application Deadline: September 21)
The Planning Board is a group of Cambridge residents who make recommendations and decisions about urban development on behalf of the City of Cambridge. The Planning Board meets regularly in a public forum to discuss the City’s urban planning objectives, and apply them in the following ways:

• Reviewing major urban development proposals, granting certain types of Special Permits when they are needed, and putting conditions on Special Permit approval. The Planning Board reviews about 20-25 Special Permit cases each year;
• Reviewing proposed amendments to the Cambridge Zoning Ordinance, which sets rules for urban development, and making recommendations to the City Council. The Planning Board reviews about 10-15 proposed zoning amendments each year;
• Making recommendations to the Board of Zoning Appeal (BZA) on some cases. The BZA is a different board that grants some Special Permits and variances;
• Discussing other City of Cambridge planning efforts.

The Planning Board, which has 10 members who serve as volunteers for five-year terms, typically meets one-two times in the evening every month virtually or in a hybrid format.

If interested applicants have questions or require more information, please contact Swaathi Joseph in the Community Development Department at 617-349-4668, email sjoseph@cambridgema.gov or visit www.cambridgema.gov/planningboard.

Members Sought for Cambridge Commercial Parking Control Committee

July 21, 2026 – The Commercial Parking Control Committee is established pursuant to Chapter 10.16.030 of the Cambridge Municipal Code and reviews applications for new commercial parking permits.

Members of the Committee should be able to review and understand the City’s policies, rules, and regulations related to commercial parking; understand issues related to the safety, sustainability, and accessibility of the city’s transportation network and its operations; and, be willing to navigate complex issues related to how parking supports public policy, accessibility, economic development, and other City goals.

The Committee is a five-member board that’s appointed by the Cambridge City Council. The initial appointment is for a term of 1-3 years and members are eligible for reappointment. Applicants must be Cambridge residents. No person shall be appointed to the Committee who has a financial interest in commercial parking in Cambridge.

Meetings are held on an as-needed basis (at least biannually) based on submission of applications for Commercial Parking Permits. Members must review applications and application materials prior to each meeting they attend. Recent changes in City regulations establishing Flexible Parking Corridors have lowered barriers to the establishment of Commercial Parking, and we anticipate a renewed interest in Commercial Parking Permits. Learn more about Flexible Parking Corridors.

If interested applicants have questions or require more information, please contact Adam Shulman at 617-349-4745 or email ashulman@cambridgema.gov.

Applications to serve on this committee can be submitted by Friday, Aug 21, 2026, to City Manager Yi-An Huang using the City’s online application system at Cambridgema.gov/Apply. A cover letter and résumé or applicable experience should be submitted during the online application process. If you have questions about the application process or need assistance, please contact the City Manager's Office at 617-349-4300 or boardsandcommissions@cambridgema.gov.

Cambridge Seeking Community Members for New Commission Vacancies

July 21, 2026 – Serving on a City of Cambridge board, commission or committee can be a rewarding experience and an excellent way to contribute to our community. Members have the opportunity to participate in the City’s decision-making process for a variety of important matters.

Apply today at Cambridgema.gov/apply. A cover letter and resume or applicable experience can be submitted during the online application process. If you have questions about the application process or need assistance, please contact the City Manager's Office at 617-349-4300 or boardsandcommissions@cambridgema.gov.

Below is more detailed information on each of the current vacancies:

Police Review & Advisory Board (Application Deadline: August 21)
The Police Review & Advisory Board (PRAB) serves as a fair and impartial body that provides oversight of the Cambridge Police Department. Created by City ordinance in 1984, the Board is authorized to receive, investigate, and mediate complaints against members of the CPD and review complaint investigations completed by the CPD’s Professional Standards Unit. Following its review, the Board then issues recommendations on investigative findings, discipline, and departmental policies and procedures.

Made up of volunteer members, PRAB consists of five Cambridge residents who are broadly representative of the City's racial, social and economic composition. Board Members serve five-year terms and must have demonstrated an active interest in public affairs and service and be a resident of the City of Cambridge.

The Board currently meets virtually on the last Wednesday of the month at 6pm.

If interested applicants have questions or require more information, please contact Carolina Almonte at 617-349-4396 or calmonte@cambridgema.gov.

All board and commission members in Cambridge must have the ability to work and interact effectively with individuals and groups with a variety of identities, cultures, backgrounds, and ideologies. Members should be Cambridge residents representing different disabilities, diverse cultures and races, and all areas of Cambridge. Women, persons of color, veterans, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

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

Commission for Persons with Disabilities Advisory Board (Application Deadline: September 21)

Planning Board (Application Deadline: September 21)

Police Review & Advisory Board (Application Deadline: August 21, but apparently still open)

Commercial Parking Control Committee (Application Deadline: August 21, but apparently still open)

Coming Soon to a Theater Near You – August 3, 2026 Midsummer Cambridge City Council meeting

Public Comment will most likely be a replay of the DSA misfits and nitwits who were invited to share their misinformation at the July 23 Special City Council meeting. Then again, perhaps some actual residents from Newtowne Court and The Port will show up to provide a few lessons in reality. The recent Special Meeting ended badly with one freshman DSA city councillor imploding when the votes appeared to not be going her way. I hope this one goes better. Here are the agenda items that stood out for me:

Manager’s Agenda #1. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to a federal update including an update on relevant court cases. [text of report]
Placed on File 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #14. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to a Police Review & Advisory Board Quarterly Report for the second quarter of 2026. [text of report]
Placed on File 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #16. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to AR26-35 which requested that the City Manager work with relevant departments to review the state bills referenced as well as the previously filed Home Rule Petition and prepare a new Home Rule Petition that would allow Cambridge to install and operate cameras to enforce red light, speeding, or other moving violations. [text of report]
Placed on File 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #17. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to potential alternative methods of curb cut review. [text of report]
pulled by Sobrinho-Wheeler; comments by Sobrinho-Wheeler, Nolan, Zusy, Flaherty, Azeem; Referred to Ordinance Committee 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #18. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, regarding the Sixth Annual Cycling Safety Ordinance Progress Report. [text of report]
pulled by Nolan; comments by Nolan, Brooke McKenna, Flaherty, McGovern, Zusy; Placed on File 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #19. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the 2026 Annual Report of the Affordable Housing Overlay. [text of report]
Placed on File 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #20. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appointment of Will MacArthur to the Social Housing Task Force. [text of report]
Appointment Confirmed 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #21. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to opportunities to streamline the permitting process. [text of report]
pulled by Nolan; comments by Nolan, Melissa Peters (CDD), Jennifer Caira (CDD), Al-Zubi, Zusy, Flaherty; Placed on File 9-0

Zoning and Development
Manager’s Agenda #22. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to edits to the Massachusetts Avenue Active Use Zoning Petition. [text of report]
pulled by McGovern; Petition amended 8-0-1 (Simmons Absent) per Committee Report #5; Passed to 2nd Reading as Amended 8-0-1 (Simmons Absent); Placed on File 8-0-1 (Simmons Absent)

Manager’s Agenda #23. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to edits to the Cambridge Street Active Use Zoning Petition. [text of report]
pulled by McGovern; McGovern explains that Cambridge Street currently has no active use requirements, proposed amendment by substitution would require active uses only in Lechmere and Webster Ave. areas, current petition would require active uses on all of Cambridge St. for all buildings greater than 3 stories; Amendment by Substitution Fails 2-7 (Azeem, Sobrinho-Wheeler - Yes); Petition Passed to 2nd Reading 8-1 (Azeem - No); Placed on File 9-0

Order #9. That the City Manager is requested to report back to the City Council regarding improved tree loss accounting and reporting systems by Oct 1, 2026.   Councillor Zusy, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Nolan
pulled by Zusy for comments; Order Adopted 9-0

Order #12. Greater Interdepartmental Coordination and Community Information Sharing Relating to Development.   Councillor Zusy, Councillor Al-Zubi, Councillor Flaherty
pulled by Zusy; comments by Zusy, McGovern, Nolan; Order Adopted 9-0

Petition #1. A Zoning Petition has been received from Michelle Lower of Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. transmitting a proposed Zoning Ordinance to amend the provisions of Section 13.59.42 if the Zoning Ordinance to allow for the transfer of 250,000 square feet of Gross Floor Area from the PUD-4C Zoning District on the Industry B Zoning District in exchange for the conversion of the existing brick and beam structure at 161 First Street into Affordable Housing. The Petition seeks to amend the Zoning Map by creating the “Technology Square Transfer Receiving District.” (PET26#3) [text of report]
Referred to Planning Board & Ordinance Committee 9-0

Committee Report #4. The Neighborhood and Long-Term Planning, Public Facilities, Arts and Celebrations Committee held a public hearing on June 2, 2026 to discuss possible changes relating to setbacks, stepbacks, open space and wet labs to the recently adopted Cambridge Street Zoning. [text of report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0

Committee Report #5. The Ordinance Committee held two public hearings on June 16, 2026 and July 7, 2026 on two City Council zoning petitions to amend Article 17.000 of the Cambridge Zoning Ordinance and Zoning Map regarding active use requirements on North Massachusetts Avenue and Cambridge Street, including a special permit requirement for Formula Businesses on Cambridge Street. [text of report]
Passed to 2nd Reading as Amended 8-0-1 (Simmons Absent); Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0

Committee Report #6. The Ordinance Committee held a public hearing on July 21, 2026 on a Zoning Petition by Douglas P. Brown, et al., to amend the Cambridge Zoning Ordinance in Articles 2.000, 5.000, 6.000, 11.000, and 19.000 with the intent of amending height, setback, and open space requirements, adding step back and building depth and width requirements, and adding minimum off-street parking requirements for residential uses in Residence C-1 districts, including the Affordable Housing Overlay, as well as reducing the Project Review Special Permit threshold from 75,000 to 20,000 square feet for residential uses in Residence C-1 districts, among other changes. [text of report]
pulled by Sobrinho-Wheeler noting that petition received a 2-7 negative recommendation from Ordinance Commitee; Councillor Flaherty unsuccessfully tried to exercise his Charter Right (but this is not New Business), comments by Sobrinho-Wheeler, Flaherty, Siddiqui; Sobrinho-Wheeler Motion to Adopt Petition Fails 0-9; Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0

Order #1. That the City Manager is requested to examine how a revived Central Square World’s Fair could build upon the successful partnership between the City, Cambridge Arts, and the Central Square Business Improvement District, including lessons learned from the annual Cambridge Dance Party and other large-scale public events.   Councillor Simmons, Councillor McGovern, Mayor Siddiqui
Order Adopted 9-0

Licensing and License Commission
Order #2. That the City Manager is requested to direct the Economic Development Division of the Community Development Department and the License Commission to jointly lead the City’s evaluation of a limited pilot program from Fall 2026 through Fall 2027 allowing certain eligible licensed establishments to serve alcohol until 3:00am.   Councillor Simmons, Vice Mayor Azeem, Councillor Nolan
pulled by Nolan; comments by Nolan, Simmons; Adopted as Amended 9-0

Order #4. That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to work with the City Solicitor and the License Commission to draft and submit a Home Rule Petition to authorize one additional Section 15 all-alcoholic beverages license not to be drunk on the premises.   Councillor McGovern, Councillor Simmons, Vice Mayor Azeem
pulled by Zusy; comments by McGovern, Zusy; Order Adopted 8-0-0-1 (Zusy - Present)

Order #7. That the City Manager is requested to work with relevant City departments to explore options for reforming and modernizing the License Commission, including through the home rule petition process.   Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Nolan, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Flaherty
Order Adopted 9-0

Order #3. That the City Manager is requested to confer with the Law Department, the Department of Public Works, the Transportation Department, and any other appropriate departments to determine whether the City may require Eversource, and any contractors or subcontractors working on Eversource’s behalf in Cambridge, to submit weekly certified payroll reports or similar payroll documentation for work performed in Cambridge’s public ways.   Councillor Simmons, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor McGovern
Order Adopted 9-0

Order #5. That the City Council hold a Roundtable/Working Meeting on Thurs, Aug 6, 2026, from 1:30-3:30pm, to discuss the City of Cambridge’s ongoing and future work in using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to improve services – including comparative examples – while ensuring any AI use aligns with City values, complies with legal and privacy requirements, and benefits both employees and the public.   Mayor Siddiqui, Vice Mayor Azeem
Order Adopted 9-0

Order #10. That the City Manager is requested to work with relevant City departments to take steps to implement as soon as possible a program for automated parking enforcement which could be piloted in targeted areas of the city to evaluate different technologies, different functionalities for various locations, and publicize regulations Implementation of Automated Parking Enforcement.   Councillor Nolan, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler
Order Adopted 9-0

Order #11. That the City Council accept M.G.L. Ch. 40U as a method of collecting some fines.   Councillor Nolan, Councillor Al-Zubi
Order Adopted 9-0

Order #14. That the City Manager is requested to confer with the Cambridge Historical Commission, the property owner, and other appropriate parties regarding placing a historical marker on 103 Irving Street in recognition of Julia Child’s life, work, and connection to Cambridge.   Councillor Simmons, Councillor Flaherty
pulled by Sobrinho-Wheeler; comments by Simmons, Sobrinho-Wheeler, Siddiqui; Order Adopted 9-0

Order #15. That the City Manager is requested to explore the feasibility of establishing a citywide digital wayfinding and information kiosk program on public property throughout Cambridge.   Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Simmons, Vice Mayor Azeem
pulled by Zusy; comments by Siddiqui, Zusy, Flaherty, Nolan, McGovern, Simmons; Order Adopted 9-0

Order #16. That the City Manager is requested to direct the appropriate staff to work with the Health and Environment Committee to discuss a time-of-sale energy audit and review possible ordinance language, for potential adoption after deliberation and refinement.   Councillor Nolan, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Al-Zubi, Mayor Siddiqui
pulled by Nolan for comments (she ultimately wants mandates); Order Adopted 9-0

Order #17. That the Cambridge City Council in support of the initiatives in the House and Senate Environmental Bond Bill and the Energy Affordability Bill as priorities for the deliberation of the conference committee and for inclusion in the final bill, in order to support the climate and affordability initiatives of the City of Cambridge.   Councillor Nolan, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler
Order Adopted 9-0

Charter Right #1. That the City Manager is requested to take all necessary steps to temporarily restore and reactivate ShotSpotter within the areas of Cambridge previously covered by the system. [Charter Right – Al-Zubi, July 23, 2026]
Comments by Al-Zubi, Siddiqui, McGovern, Sobrinho-Wheeler, Flaherty, Azeem, Yi-An Huang, Jackson Price, Zusy, Nolan; Amendments proposed by McGovern, Siddiqui Adopted 9-0; Nolan amendment to not allow ShotSpotter to be restored until a full STIR report is made Fails 3-6 (Al-Zubi, Nolan, Sobrinho-Wheeler - Yes); Order Adopted as Amended 6-3 (Al-Zubi, Nolan, Sobrinho-Wheeler - No)
Note: Essentially, the McGovern/Siddiqui amended language to have a “resident assembly” do an evaluation and make recommendations must be viewed as a confession that the current City Council is NOT representative of the residents of Cambridge and that their actions often do not reflect the sentiments of the people of Cambridge - especially those residents living in neighborhoods like The Port and those not affiliated with advocacy groups.

Charter Right #2. That the City Manager is hereby requested to report on progress of the February 2026 report’s recommendations, and plans for ensuring appropriate levels of support and staffing for the Community Safety Department, including continued expansion of CSD’s violence prevention program, the number and types of calls handled by the CARE team, and the timeline for more comprehensive staffing for the CARE team emergency response program and is requested to report back to the City Council in a timely manner. [Charter Right – Simmons, July 23, 2026]
Comments by Simmons, Sobrinho-Wheeler, Zusy, Nolan, Flaherty; Order Adopted 8-0-1 (Simmons Absent)

Charter Right #3. That the City Manager is requested to provide a comprehensive evaluation of violence response and prevention strategies, along with survivor support services, across City departments including CPD, CSD, CHA, and DHSP and come with recommendations before the City Council’s Public Safety Committee and report back to the City Council in a timely manner. [Charter Right – Simmons, July 23, 2026]
Comments by Sobrinho-Wheeler; Order Adopted 9-0

Charter Right #4. That the City Manager is requested to investigate directing the appropriate City departments to install security cameras overlooking Cambridge public parks, with such cameras operational only between the hours of 8:00pm and 8:00am. [Charter Right – Simmons, July 23, 2026]
Comments by Azeem, Sobrinho-Wheeler, Flaherty, Police Commissioner Pauline Wells; Referred by Azeem 9-0 to City Manager (to be then referred to resident assembly as per ShotSpotter vote)

Committee Report #1. The Public Safety Committee held a public hearing on Apr 29, 2026 to review the Cambridge Police Department’s use of ShotSpotter technology, also known as SoundThinking, which was referred to the Public Safety Committee through the Annual Surveillance Report, CM26#44, on Mar 9. 2026. [text of report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0

Unfinished Business #5. Zero Waste Plan Ordinance Amendment. [Passed to 2nd Reading June 22, 2026; Eligible To Be Ordained on or after July 13, 2026] (ORD26#7) [text of report]
Comments by Nolan; Ordained 9-0

Committee Report #3. The Health and Environment Committee held a public hearing on May 26, 2026 to review and discuss implementation of Zero Waste Master Plan (ZWMP) 2.0, adopted by Council in June 2025, including review of draft ordinance changes as recommended by the ZWMP 2.0. [text of report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0

Resolution #3. Condolences to the family of Xavier Bautista.   Councillor Simmons, Mayor Siddiqui

Resolution #6. Congratulations to Glenn Koocher on his retirement.   Councillor Simmons

Resolution #8. That the Cambridge City Council go on record thanking Michele Kincaid for her many years of service to the City of Cambridge and wishing her a happy retirement.   Mayor Siddiqui
Comments by Siddiqui

Resolution #10.   Condolences to the family of Vincent “Vince” Lawrence Dixon.   Councillor Flaherty, Councillor Simmons
Comments by Simmons, Flaherty; Simmons added a sponsor

Communications & Reports #2. A communication from Councillor Nolan Submitting Proposed Amendments to Short Term Rental Zoning Petition. [text of report]
Referred to Ordinance Committee 9-0

Communications & Reports #3. A communication from Mayor Siddiqui transmitting a memorandum regarding information from the School Committee. [text of report]
Placed on File 9-0

Comments?

November 2026 Ballot Questions

You are likely aware that we may have as many as 11 9 ballot questions this coming November. Here’s the list (borrowed from Boston Globe):

Local Walks/Hikes – Boston Walking Meetup Group (BWMG), AMC, DCR, etc.

Sun, Sept 20. Fresh Pond Sunset Walk. [BWMG] Meet at 4:30pm (EDT) at intersection of Huron Ave. and Aberdeen Ave., Cambridge.

Sun, Sept 27. Fresh Pond Sunset Walk. [BWMG] Meet at 4:30pm (EDT) at intersection of Huron Ave. and Aberdeen Ave., Cambridge.

Sun, Oct 4. Fresh Pond Sunset Walk. [BWMG] Meet at 4:30pm (EDT) at intersection of Huron Ave. and Aberdeen Ave., Cambridge.

If you would like to walk and talk (history, civics, politics, mathematics, or anything else), I am almost always on the Fresh Pond Sunset Walk every Sunday. - Robert Winters

Just in case you were interested…

The City Clerks and City Managers of Cambridge (includes recent Managers’ contracts)

The Mayors of Cambridge since 1846

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

Plan E Cambridge School Committees (and Mayors) At A Glance

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

The Cambridge City Charter: From Town Meeting to Plan E (premiered May 15, 2023 on CCTV Channel 9)

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

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

Plan E Cambridge School Committees (and Mayors) At A Glance — Comments?

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)

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

If 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. What we really need is a summit meeting of all Cambridge news providers, including CCTV and Cambridge Municipal TV, to figure out a long-term plan. We absolute need to get Gannett to the table to talk about any long-term plans they may have and if and when the Cambridge Chronicle might be restored to its former role (dating back to 1846) as an essential source for news and features about Cambridge (as opposed to regional feeds of little or no relevance to the people of Cambridge).

A new food hall is coming to the Cambridge mall. Here’s what restaurants it will have (Oct 22, 2024)

Head of the Charles Regatta weekend rowing event in Cambridge (Oct 18, 2024)

Poll tests statewide support for MBTA Communities Act. Its results may surprise (Sept 26, 2024)

Harmful bacteria found in the Charles River? Here’s what to know. (Sept 24, 2024)

Voter’s guide: How to vote early in Massachusetts. What you need to know (Sept 22, 2024)

Julie Wormser starts Oct. 1 as Cambridge’s first chief climate officer (Sept 18, 2024)

Decker beats MacKay in Democratic primary recount for State House seat (Sept 13, 2024)

Recount Sept. 12 between Democrats contending for Cambridge state rep (Sept 12, 2024)

Cambridge state representative race may require a recount (Sept 4, 2024)

Massachusetts Ballot Questions 2024: MCAS, medical psychedelics, more (Sept 4, 2024)

Porter Square Books plans move to larger space in Cambridge (Aug 27, 2024)

Cambridge Brewing Company announces closure. Here’s are the details (Aug 20, 2024)

Cambridge artist Elizabeth Rawls spends her retirement free motion quilting (Aug 14, 2024)

Who were Cambridge’s 25 top paid municipal employees in 2023? We have a list (May 23, 2024)

Cambridge city, school employee salaries for 2023: Searchable Database

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 producer/host Robert Winters. We may 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 675-676: Sept 15, 2026

Cambridge InsideOut Episodes 673-674: Aug 18, 2026

Cambridge InsideOut Episodes 671-672: July 21, 2026

Cambridge InsideOut Episodes 669-670: June 16, 2026

Cambridge InsideOut Episodes 667-668: May 19, 2026

Cambridge InsideOut Episodes 665-666: Apr 21, 2026

Cambridge InsideOut Episodes 663-664: Mar 17, 2026

Cambridge InsideOut Episodes 661-662: Feb 17, 2026

Cambridge InsideOut Episodes 659-660: Jan 20, 2026

Cambridge InsideOut Episodes 657-658: Jan 6, 2026

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 featured co-hosts Judy Nathans and Robert Winters.
Cambridge InsideOut on CCTV during 2022-2023 featured 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)

The Return – September 14, 2026 Cambridge City Council meeting (posted Sept 14, 2026)

For your consideration… (posted Sept 14, 2026 by Patrick Barrett)

Cambridge Open Archives in 2026 (posted Aug 25, 2026)

Current City of Cambridge Board and Commission Vacancies (updated Aug 25, 2026)

Coming Soon to a Theater Near You – August 3, 2026 Midsummer Cambridge City Council meeting (posted Aug 1, 2026; updated Aug 4)

July 23, 2026 Special City Council meeting in response to the murder of Xavier Bautista (posted July 23, 2026)

Man shot to death in Cambridge – Broadway and Norfolk St. (posted July 4, 2026)

Last Call – June 22, 2026 Cambridge City Council meeting (posted June 20, 2026; updated July 21)

Tripling Down – June 8, 2026 Cambridge City Council meeting (posted June 6, 2026; updated June 8)

Doubling Down – June 1, 2026 Cambridge City Council meeting (posted June 1, 2026; updated June 4)

Cambridge City Council Committee Assignments: 2026-2027 (posted Jan 9, 2026)

Cambridge Municipal Election – Voter Turnout: 2023 to 2025 (posted Dec 15, 2025)

Cambridge 2025 Municipal Election – Campaign Finance Reports (posted Nov 4, 2025; updated Jan 6)

2025 Cambridge Final Election Results (and some curiosities) (posted Nov 16, 2025)

The Proposed Cambridge City Charter (posted Oct 31, 2025)

Campaign Tales – August 31 (posted Aug 31, 2025)

Emerging and Converging Political Factions (posted Aug 18, 2025)

Follow-Up Memo on Inclusionary Zoning Ordinance Concerns Under MBTA Communities Act Compliance (posted June 14, 2025)

Random Observations (June 3, 2025)

Urgent Legal and Policy Concerns Regarding Cambridge’s Inclusionary Zoning Ordinance (by Patrick Barrett, posted May 2, 2025)

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)

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

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

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

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)

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)
The 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.

2024 - Central Square City Lots Study

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

City Council Rules 2026-2027 (provisionally adopted Jan 5, 2026; amended June 1, 2026)

City Council Values Statement and Priority Areas: 2026-2027 (adopted Feb 9, 2026)

City Council Rules 2024-2025 (as amended Mar 25, 2024)

City Council Rules 2022-2023 (as amended Nov 21, 2022)

City Council Rules 2020-2021 (as amended Oct 26, 2020)

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

City Council Rules 2016-2017

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

Selected City of Cambridge References:

Cambridge City Charter (as adopted Nov 4, 2025)

Plan E Charter (Cambridge’s now former city charter - but the basic structure remains)

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)

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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)