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June 17, 2024
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Member Sought for Cambridge’s Open Data Review Board

June 25, 2024 – Cambridge City Manager Yi-An Huang is seeking seeking representatives from public, private, academic, or nonprofit sectors with expertise in, or relevant experience with, Open Data, to fill a vacancy on Cambridge’s Open Data Review Board.

The Cambridge Open Data Program makes government data easily available in useful formats, and is intended to increase transparency, foster engagement among residents, and create new opportunities for collaboration between the City of Cambridge and the public.

The Board makes recommendations to the Cambridge City Manager and the Data Analytics & Open Data Program Manager on policies, rules, and standards related to Cambridge’s Open Data Program, including methods for determining the appropriate level of accessibility for new datasets and timelines for making new datasets available. Specifically, the Review Board will help answer the following questions:

• What privacy and security standards should Cambridge adopt as it assesses potential open datasets?
• What data quality and standards should be in place to ensure the accuracy of its own open datasets in order to improve city operations?
• How might Cambridge align open data initiatives with the City’s other strategic initiatives?
• How should Cambridge engage and educate the broader community – including residents, businesses, and research institutions – to maximize use of the City’s open data?
• How might Cambridge partner with other municipalities, government entities, and institutions in the open data space?
• How should Cambridge market the open data program internally to improve participation among City departments?

Appointments to the Cambridge Open Data Review Board are made by the City Manager and confirmed by the City Council. The board is comprised of at least three residents and four or more city employees, who meet quarterly to help ensure that the program balances its goals of transparency and accessibility with the City’s obligation to protect private, confidential, and sensitive information. Hybrid meetings are usually held on a Wednesday or Thursday from 5:30-8pm, at Cambridge City Hall, Ackermann Room, 795 Massachusetts Avenue.

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

The deadline for submitting applications is Monday, July 29, 2024. Applications can be submitted using the City’s online application system at Cambridgema.gov/apply. A cover letter and resume or applicable experience can be submitted during the online application process. 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.

For more information about this board, contact Reinhard Engels, Data Analytics & Open Data Program Manager, rengels@cambridgema.gov.

Members Sought for Cambridge Conservation Commission

June 11, 2024 – Cambridge City Manager Yi-An Huang is seeking volunteers to fill vacancies on the Cambridge Conservation Commission.

The Conservation Commission is responsible for administering the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act (WPA). The WPA is a state law governing activities in and around local wetlands, waterways, and floodplains.

The Conservation Commission has seven members appointed by the City Manager and confirmed by the Cambridge City Council to serve three-year terms. Cambridge residents with expertise in landscape architecture, civil/environmental engineering, hydrology, ecology, or law are encouraged to apply.

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

The Commission holds two virtual public meetings each month to review permit applications under the WPA, issue permits, and conduct other business related to the management of Cambridge’s natural resource areas.

Interested individuals may apply for this Committee through the City’s online portal at cambridgema.gov/apply. The application deadline is Monday, July 15, 2024. A cover letter and resume may be submitted during the online application process. Once your application is submitted, you will receive a confirmation email.

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

Cambridge Conservation Commission - deadline is Monday, July 15, 2024

Open Data Review Board - deadline is Monday, July 29, 2024

Fatal Bike Crash Under Investigation in Cambridge

June 21, 2024 – Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan and Cambridge Police Commissioner Christine Elow have confirmed an ongoing investigation into a fatal crash involving a box truck and cyclist that occurred at about 8:20am at the intersection of Hampshire Street and Portland Street.

The preliminary investigation suggests that both the truck and the bicycle were traveling in the same direction on Hampshire Street and the truck was turning right onto Portland Street at the time of the crash. The bicyclist, a 24-year-old Cambridge woman, was transported to Massachusetts General Hospital where she later died. The truck operator remained on scene.

This is an open and active investigation being conducted by the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office, the Cambridge Police Department and Massachusetts State Police Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Section.

Cambridge woman killed in bike crash remembered by family for ‘unbreakable spirit’ (Boston Globe, June 23, 2024)
“The woman killed in a bicycle crash in Cambridge last week was identified by her family on Sunday as Minh-Thi Nguyen, a graduate student at MIT.”

“Nguyen’s death came just two weeks after a Florida woman was killed while bicycling in Cambridge. Kim Staley, 55, of Naples, was riding a Bluebike on June 7 when a box truck turned right onto DeWolfe Street from Mt. Auburn Street at about 4:30pm.”

Hampshire Street eastbound at Portland Street

Note: Shortly after taking these photos, I got in my car and took the right turn at Portland. As I was waiting at the traffic light, I looked in my right sideview mirror and all I saw was the parked white vehicle. I had no visibility of the bike lane at all. The lesson here is that you cannot rely solely on a sideview mirror prior to making a turn across a lane of parked cars plus a bicycle lane to the right of those parked cars. - RW

Summer in the City – June 24, 2024 Cambridge City Council meeting

This will be the last regular meeting until the Midsummer meeting on August 5. A rally is expected in front of City Hall prior to the meeting in response to the most recent cyclist fatality this past Friday morning.

Cambridge woman killed in bike crash remembered by family for ‘unbreakable spirit’ (Boston Globe, June 23, 2024)
“The woman killed in a bicycle crash in Cambridge last week was identified by her family on Sunday as Minh-Thi Nguyen, a graduate student at MIT.”

“Nguyen’s death came just two weeks after a Florida woman was killed while bicycling in Cambridge. Kim Staley, 55, of Naples, was riding a Bluebike on June 7 when a box truck turned right onto DeWolfe Street from Mt. Auburn Street at about 4:30pm.”

Here’s my first pass at the interesting stuff on the regular agenda:

Manager’s Agenda #1. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appointments of Rayna Jhaveri and Emma Pan as members of the Cambridge Commission for Persons with Disabilities.
Appointments Approved 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #2. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the reappointment of Kathleen Kelly to the Cambridge Water Board.
Appointment Approved 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #3. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appointment of Tom Stohlman as an Election Commissioner for a term of four years.
Placed on File 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #4. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 24-22, regarding a request for an update on City efforts related to PFAS concerns. (CM24#137) [text of report]
pulled by Nolan; comments by Nolan, DPW Commissioner Kathy Watkins; Placed on File 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #9. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the 2023 Transportation Demand Management Program Report. (CM24#142) [text of report]
pulled by Pickett; comments by Stephanie Groll (CDD), Ryan McKinnon (CDD), Nolan, Iram Farooq (CDD), City Manager Yi-An Huang, Sobrinho-Wheeler, Wilson, Azeem, Toner; Placed on File 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #10. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 24-17, regarding a report on adding 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. (CM24#143) [text of report]
pulled by Sobrinho-Wheeler; comments by Sobrinho-Wheeler (who advocates prohibiting or requiring a Special Permit for any “down-conversion”, i.e. a conversion of a building to fewer residential units), City Solicitor Megan Bayer; Placed on File 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #11. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 24-27, regarding a list of current zoning initiatives and a timeline for completion. (CM24#144) [text of report]
pulled by Toner; comments by Toner (who wants to put greater focus and shorter timelines for Central Square), Azeem, Pickett, Siddiqui, Iram Farooq (CDD), Simmons, Wilson, Yi-An Huang, Nolan, McGovern; Placed on File 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #12. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 24-29, regarding providing the Request for Information (RFI) for the 84 & 96 Bishop Allen Drive to the City Council for review and comment. (CM24#145) [text of report]
pulled by Sobrinho-Wheeler; comments by Sobrinho-Wheeler, Melissa Peters (CDD), Azeem, Wilson, Yi-An Huang, Iram Farooq, Siddiqui, McGovern, Deputy City Manager Owen O’Riordan; Placed on File 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #13. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 24-28, regarding an outreach plan for Central Square rezoning. (CM24#146) [text of report]
pulled by Wilson; comments by Wilson, Melissa Peters (CDD), Marlees West Owayda (Community Engagement Manager), Simmons, Yi-An Huang, Azeem, Nolan; Referred to Civic Unity Committee 8-0-1 (Sobrinho-Wheeler - Absent)

Manager’s Agenda #14. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to an update from the City Manager. (CM24#147) [text of report]
pulled by Nolan; comments by Nolan, Toner, Yi-An Huang, Siddiqui; Placed on File 9-0

Order #2. The City Manager is directed to provide a plan for keeping residents, businesses and public safety officials informed about the status of current and future inter-jurisdictional transportation projects.   Councillor Pickett, Vice Mayor McGovern, Councillor Siddiqui, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler (PO24#88)
Order Adopted 9-0

Order #3. City Council commitment to providing high quality health care to all residents and in strong support of H.1239/S.744.   Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Siddiqui, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Wilson (PO24#89)
pulled by Toner; comments by Sobrinho-Wheeler, Nolan; Order Adopted 8-0-0-1 (Toner - Present)

Order #4. That the City Manager is requested to provide a report to the City Council on the status of PILOT discussions about its PILOT agreement with the City with Harvard at the summer Council meeting and a plan for regular updates going forward.   Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Wilson, Councillor Siddiqui, Councillor Nolan (PO24#90)
pulled by Toner; comments by Sobrinho-Wheeler, Toner; Order Adopted 8-0-0-1 (Toner - Present)

Order #7. That the City Manager is requested to work with relevant City departments to consider a number of City application processes and find ways to reduce paper and printing waste.   Councillor Nolan, Councillor Siddiqui, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler (PO24#93)
Order Adopted 9-0

Order #8. City Council support of the Massachusetts State Ballot Question to Decriminalize Natural Psychedelics For Therapeutic Use.   Vice Mayor McGovern, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Azeem, Councillor Nolan
pulled by Toner; comments by McGovern, Sobrinho-Wheeler, Toner, Pickett, Wilson; Add Nolan as sponsor 9-0; Order Adopted as Amended 5-0-0-4 (Pickett, Toner, Wilson, Simmons - Present)

Late Order #9. Policy Order regarding Truck and Intersection Safety Improvements.   Vice Mayor McGovern, Councillor Siddiqui, Councillor Azeem, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Pickett, Councillor Toner, Councillor Wilson, Mayor Simmons
Comments by Sobrinho-Wheeler, Azeem, Siddiqui, Toner, Brooke McKenna (TPT), Owen O’Riordan, City Solicitor Megan Bayer (on Interstate Commerce Clause limitations on regulating trucks), Pickett, Nolan, Yi-An Huang, Wilson, McGovern (on change of culture needed); Add all as sponsors 9-0; Order Adopted as Amended 9-0

Resolution #3. Congratulations to Catherine Woodbury on her retirement from the Department of Public Works.   Councillor Toner

Resolution #31. Appreciation to Catherine Preston Connolly for her dedicated service to the City of Cambridge and its citizens.   Councillor Siddiqui, Councillor Pickett, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Wilson

Resolution #34. Gratitude to City Workers at DPW.   Councillor Nolan, Mayor Simmons, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Vice Mayor McGovern

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

Making the News - June 17, 2024 Cambridge City Council meeting

Here are the items that drew my attention this week:

Manager’s Agenda #1. 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. This funding will support District-based initiatives that drive economic growth and strengthen the distinctive character of the Central Square Cultural District.
Order Adopted 9-0

Every little bit helps. I really hope we can revive the Central Square World’s Fair not only for this year but for future years. In my perfect world, the large parking lot at Prospect Street and Bishop Allen Drive should be transformed into the Cambridge Fairgrounds with rides, miniature golf, a batting cage, and other attractions. Hey, a guy can dream.

Manager’s Agenda #8. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to update on the City’s efforts to support the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) Track Improvement Program in 2024. (CM24#132) [text of report]
pulled by Sobrinho-Wheeler; comments by Sobrinho-Wheeler, Nolan, Iram Farooq (CDD); Placed on File 9-0

Order #1. That the City Manager is requested to explore with the MBTA how to best ensure that the public art, Gift of the Wind, is preserved.   Councillor Pickett, Mayor Simmons, Vice Mayor McGovern, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Siddiqui, Councillor Toner, Councillor Wilson
pulled by Pickett to add additional sponsors; Order Adopted as Amended 9-0

Order #2. That the City Manager is requested to develop a policy and systems to ensure that an infrastructure safety audit is made to intersections where a crash results in a serious injury and implement needed safety improvements.   Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Vice Mayor McGovern, Councillor Siddiqui, Councillor Azeem, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Pickett, Councillor Toner, Councillor Wilson, Mayor Simmons
pulled by Sobrinho-Wheeler; comments by Sobrinho-Wheeler, Pickett, Azeem, Nolan, Wilson, Toner, add all as sponsors; Order Adopted as Amended 9-0

Order #4. That the City Manager is requested to work with the Community Development Department and all relevant City departments to report on how have community events and ways to inform residents of all efforts to improve driving, cycling, and pedestrian safety and educate residents on how best to safely follow the rules when using roadways.   Councillor Nolan, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Toner
Order Adopted 9-0

151 Communications - mostly robotic form letter submissions generated by the Bike Lane Advocates deflecting attention from the fact that a bicyclist fatality recently occurred at a location where there were already fully implemented separated bike lanes.

Suffice to say that a safety audit of hazardous intersections and those sections of road that are inherently dangerous should have been done prior to any adoption of a Cycling Safety Ordinance - if indeed safety was the actual priority. As was made clear with the recent fatality at Mt Auburn/DeWolfe, infrastructure changes alone can never eliminate the role of human error leading to fatalities or severe injuries.

Order #3. That Chair of the Government Operations, Rules, and Claims Committee is hereby appointed to manage the City Manager performance evaluation process via his role as Chair of this committee.   Mayor Simmons, Vice Mayor McGovern
Order Adopted 9-0

Because the revised Charter says it must be done - whether or not it is actually needed.

Order #5. City Council support of the mission of the June delegation to strengthen the contact between Cambridge and El Salvador and to foster ties between the communities as well as the community-building in our home communities.   Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Siddiqui, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Wilson
Order Adopted 9-0

Foreign policy is back on the agenda.

Charter Right #1. That the City Manager is requested to support local news production as a public good by conducting a $100,000 per year City-backed news fund pilot for up to three years to be administered through an independent intermediary that will decide on funding criteria and selection of local newspapers that provide material coverage of Cambridge news. [Charter Right – Azeem, June 10, 2024]
comments by Azeem, Wilson, Siddiqui; Tabled 9-0

This Order was on a crash-and-burn trajectory last week prior to the Azeem Charter Right, and it’s doubtful whether it can be amended to make it something other than a City bailout in violation of state law. That said, it may be possible to craft a substitute Order that can address the larger question of the inadequacy of local news coverage in Cambridge. There are many of us who would like to be part of that solution, but the authors of the Order chose not to include anyone outside their small circle. Ideally, I would like to see the Civic Unity Committee or an ad-hoc committee take up the larger issue of local news and information in Cambridge - and I hope this could be an opportunity to get a representative from Gannett (current owners of the Cambridge Chronicle) to appear before this committee to explain why they have forsaken Cambridge and what their long-term plans are for the Cambridge Chronicle.

1924 Cambridge City Council reporters

This is really a time for reinvention and not just subsidizing partial solutions. I will have a lot more to say about this in the weeks to come. As City Manager Huang noted last week, Cambridge at one time had assigned seats in the City Council chamber for five newspapers. Most Cambridge residents at one time read one or more of these newspapers every week. A lot has changed since then, including the way businesses advertise that was a primary source of revenue for these newspapers. This loss of local press is a national problem and there are some good examples available of how some places have taken up this challenge. It’s actually far easier to publish these days, so this should really be about discovering a sustainable solution particular to each community that incorporates a maximum number of voices and keeps the vitriol to a bare minimum.

Resolution #1. Congratulations to Laura Nichols on her retirement from the City of Cambridge.   Mayor Simmons, Councillor Toner

Best wishes to Laura Nichols, a long-time friend and a jewel of a person, on her upcoming retirement.

Committee Report #1. The Neighborhood and Long-Term Planning, Public Facilities, Arts and Celebrations Committee held a public hearing on May 21, 2024 to discuss the upcoming Central Square zoning process and next steps following the Central Square Lots Study, City Manager Agenda Item 2024 #33, with a focus on 105 Windsor Street, 205 Western Ave, and 84 & 96 Bishop Allen Drive (Lots 4 and 5). [text of report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0

Late Order #6. That the City Council formally go on record in expressing its strong hope that the City engage in a thoughtful, deliberative, and collaborative community process to determine the future of the Central Square Library and the Green Street Garage.   Mayor Simmons, Councillor Toner
Order Adopted 9-0

I’m still not sure where this process is eventually headed. For many years the choices for Central Square have been somewhere between nothing and hosting services wanted nowhere else. Never forget that there was a day decades ago when many people traveled to Central Square from elsewhere as a kid-friendly destination for shopping and recreation - and not just in the evening hours for clubs and restaurants.

Committee Report #3. The Government Operations, Rules, and Claims Committee held a public hearing on June 5, 2024 meeting to discuss Charter Review recommendations and develop draft recommendations to the Full City Council for reviewing, deliberating, adopting, and processing possible changes to the Cambridge City Charter for a future vote by Cambridge voters. [text of report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0

Based on the testimony from the June 5 meeting, my sense is that the City Council should be content with a general reformatting of the Charter with modern language and modest changes to permit more flexibility in our PR elections. One thing that should be absolutely clear is that making substantial changes to a city charter in order facilitate the political desires of a councillor or two is not such a bright idea. - Robert Winters

Comments?

Chronicling Cambridge – June 10, 2024 Cambridge City Council meeting

There is sure to be some focus on Friday’s bicycling fatality at Mt Auburn/DeWolfe in addition to the various items on this week’s agenda. Here are some of the items that drew my attention:

Manager’s Agenda #6. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the fourth annual Cycling Safety Ordinance (CSO) Progress Report. (CM24#123) [text of report]
pulled by Sobrinho-Wheeler; comments by Pickett, Nolan, Wilson, and Brooke McKenna; Placed on File 8-0-1 (DS-Absent)

Though this arrived prior to Friday’s fatal bike crash, it seems inevitable that advocates on either side of this never-ending debate will use this as an opportunity to promote their viewpoints. I will not. I will only say that infrastructure alone does not determine human behavior.

Manager’s Agenda #7. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 24-30, regarding Youth Center Tuition Rates. (CM24#124) [text of report]
pulled by Sobrinho-Wheeler; comments by JSW, Yi-An Huang, Wilson, Ellen Semonoff, Michelle Farnum, Siddiqui, Nolan, Toner, McGovern; Placed on File 9-0

The proposal is to phase in the steep increases over two cycles.

Order #1. The City Manager is requested to provide an update to the Municipal Facilities Improvement Plan (MFIP) including revised cost estimates to help inform the FY26 and ongoing capital budget priorities in a timely manner.   Councillor Pickett, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Toner
pulled by Pickett; comments by Pickett, Nolan, Owen O’Riordan; Order Adopted 9-0

Will cost/benefit analysis be making a comeback among elected officials? I sure hope so.

Order #2. That the Cambridge City Council go on record requesting that MassDOT begin engaging with Cambridge residents and the Cambridgeport neighborhood early and often throughout the BU Rotary/Reid Overpass Reconstruction.   Vice Mayor McGovern, Councillor Siddiqui, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Wilson
pulled by Siddiqui; comments by Siddiqui, JSW (who considers all roads “scary”), McGovern, Pickett, Wilson, Nolan, Owen O’Riordan, Toner; Order Adopted as Amended 9-0

I don’t know what exactly is planned for the BU Rotary/Reid Overpass, but I found this presentation from 5 years ago to be instructive (especially starting at page 40).

Order #3. That the City Manager is requested to support local news production as a public good by conducting a $100,000 per year city-backed news fund pilot for up to three years to be administered through an independent intermediary that will decide on funding criteria and selection of local newspapers that provide material coverage of Cambridge news.   Councillor Azeem, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Pickett
pulled by Azeem; comments (mostly skeptical and indicating a NO vote) by Pickett, Nolan, Toner, Simmons, Sobrinho-Wheeler, Siddiqui, Wilson, Yi-An Huang, McGovern, Megan Bayer; Charter Right - Azeem

In my view, this is a road best not traveled. I do like the idea of nonprofit journalism, but it seems obvious that the use of local taxes to support a newspaper or blog (except for fee for services) will inevitably lead to a loss in independence and objectivity. This is not to say that objectivity is the rule currently, but that should always be the ideal in journalism. This strikes me as nothing more than an indirect way to fund a specific publication. I remember various times over the course of the last few decades when there were calls to use local property taxes to support more neighborhood-based publications like 4Word (for Area 4, now called The Port) and The Alewife (N. Cambridge) when their UDAG and stabilization funds ran dry. Those proposals were denied at least in part for the reasons I just stated. I see no way that it would be any different today.

What I would really like to see is a concerted effort to revive the Cambridge Chronicle as an actual “paper of record” regardless of the fact that it has been horribly mismanaged by the Gannett corporation. An actual “paper of record” covers the whole local picture, including noncontroversial and non-political matters (e.g. Little League games, obituaries, the comings and goings of significant people). It’s not all about bike lanes, budgets, and building bigger buildings.

Order #4. That the City Council go on record urging Fenway Health to reconsider the closure of the Central Square Boomerangs thrift store, that the organization is requested to provide a detailed explanation to the community regarding the reasons for the closure of these thrift stores, and that the organization is requested to explore all possible alternatives to maintain this vital community resource.   Mayor Simmons, Vice Mayor McGovern, Councillor Wilson
pulled by McGovern; comments by Simmons (notes that it’s been there for over 25 years), McGovern (funds cut to Youth on Fire, hours cut at Needle Exchange), add Wilson as sponsor; Order Adopted as Amended 9-0

The closing of any business in Central Square is dreadful, but some enterprises simply run their course. The Salvation Army store is long gone, but the Goodwill store is still chugging along just down the street.

Charter Right #1. That the City Manager is requested to explore the feasibility of delaying the Mass Avenue reconstruction project to minimize its impact upon the busy season for restaurants and other affected businesses, and, should this not be found feasible, a method of providing financial assistance to the impacted businesses to cover the costs of removing their outdoor dining structures, designed to mitigate some of the financial impacts upon them, should be established. [Charter Right – Simmons, June 3, 2024]
comments by Simmons on amendments, Nolan, Owen O’Riordan, Kathy Watkins (explains why paving must take place no later than October), Nolan does not support Simmons amendments, McGovern, Wilson, Simmons, Toner (suggests doing job in July); Amendments Adopted 9-0; comments by McGovern (does not support delay), Azeem, Nolan (does not support delay); Tabled as Amended 8-1 (Nolan-No)

Resolution #3. Resolution for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program’s 50th Year.   Mayor Simmons

Committee Report #1. The Ordinance Committee held a public hearing on May 21, 2024 to discuss Citizen’s Zoning Petition from Khalida Griffin-Sheperd, et al. to amend the Cambridge Zoning Ordinance in Section 11.206.1 and Subsections 11.206.1 and 11.206.2, AP24#10. [text of report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0

Committee Report #2. The Ordinance Committee held a public hearing on May 22, 2024 to discuss a City Council Zoning Petition to amend the Cambridge Zoning Ordinance in Articles 2.000, 4.000, 5.000, 6.000, 11.000, 13.000, 14.000, 17.000, 20.000, and 22.000, AP24#12. The Committee voted to send the Petition as amended to the full City Council with a favorable recommendation to Pass to a 2nd Reading. [text of report]
Passed to 2nd Reading as Amended 9-0; Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0

Committee Report #3. The Ordinance Committee held a public hearing on May 28, 2024 to discuss Citizen’s Zoning Petition by Joseph S. Ronayne et al. to amend the Cambridge Zoning Ordinance in Articles 4, 5, and 8, AP24#14. The Committee voted to send the Petition back to the full City Council with a recommendation that it be sent to the Housing Committee. [text of report]
Report referred to Housing Committee 9-0; Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0

Late Order #5. In Support of Neville Center.   Councillor Nolan, Councillor Siddiqui (PO24#80)
comments by Nolan, Siddiqui, Azeem (asks about how this might affect Neville’s ability to take out loans in future), Simmons; Order Adopted 9-0

Comments?

Monthly Updates from City of Cambridge DPW Recycling Division

We Need Your Feedback! Zero Waste Plan Kick-Off June 12

The City of Cambridge needs your feedback on trash, recycle, compost and other waste programs to inform the next 5-year plan. In the first Zero Waste Master Plan, the City launched 10 programs to reduce trash in residential and small business buildings.

The City is embarking on Zero Waste Plan 2.0 to:

• Reduce trash 50% by 2030, and 80% by 2050 (2008 as a baseline)
• Combat climate change
• Better control rodents
• Maintain excellent collection and disposal services
• Manage increasing trash disposal costs

The kick-off event will have free food, free compost bags, kids’ activities, and fun ways to provide feedback to the City on our waste systems.

June 12, 5:30-7:30pm; come anytime during the 2-hour event.
King Open School – Community Complex entrance, 830 Cambridge St.

If you’re unable to attend and would still like to comment on the Plan in English, Español, Português, 普通话, አማርኛ, or Kreyòl Ayisyen please visit www.CambridgeMA.Gov/ZWMP after June 12.

Or, you may email Recycling Director Mike Orr at recycle@cambridgema.gov with comments.

Recycling Refresher

Cambridge residents do a great job at recycling, but we can always do a little bit better. Sometimes new neighbors need help recycling right or learning how to recycle for the first time. Or, sometimes old habits are hard to break. We recognize that recycling is sometimes confusing or hard. We have been advocating for a better system, such as state legislation that would require producers to collaborate to simplify recycling.

Cambridge has kept recycling contamination to a minimum and as a result of everyone’s hard work, the City saves $90,000 per year on recycling costs. See here for more info on these efforts.

Here are the top 3 items commonly confused as recyclable (in order of importance):

1. Plastic Bags & Plastic Mailers: By volume, this is the #1 contaminant. Whether it's a plastic air pillow, a plastic envelope from Amazon, or other plastic films, they aren't recyclable. In general, the only plastics accepted in recycling are rigid containers. Many plastic films can be recycled if taken to Recycle Center, though! See here for more info. And, of course placing recycling in plastic bags into the curbside cart is prohibited.
2. Electronics: These can be particular damaging if a Lithium-Ion battery is in the electronic item. Li-ion batteries have been linked to numerous fires at Recycling facilities. To compound the issue, a devastating fire could put Recycling facilities out of commission; there facilities are critical pieces of national infrastructure.
3. Paper Cartons: This may come as a surprise. From milk and juice cartons to ice cream cartons and paper cups, virtually all paper containers used to contain a liquid are no longer accepted in recycling. This is because these paper items have a plastic/wax/aluminum liner to protect the liquid from soaking through the paper.

We also have a list of the top 3 items that aren't recycled enough:

1. Pizza boxes: Just remove any leftover cheese. The box is recyclable regardless of how greasy it is.
2. Paper bags: When you get take-out from your favorite restaurant in Cambridge, we often see the paper bag filled with the take-out waste and thrown in the trash. Empty the waste into the trash bag and recycle the paper bag.
3. Aluminum trays, pie tins & foil: This may come as a bit of a surprise. Although aluminum makes up 1-2% of recycling, it is the most valuable commodity in recycling and the item that saves the most energy vs virgin materials.

As always, use our Get Rid of It Right tool to look up disposal instructions for specific items.

Reduce & Reuse Tips

Tip #1: Social media zero waste tips.
Social Media has creative ways to reduce and upcycle waste. This month's example: fruits and vegetables are the most common items found in the compost. But, we can do more to reuse these healthy foods before they're composted. We found this video on how to transform leftover veggies into delicious dumplings!

Tip #2: Clothing and zipper repair.
Before heading to your local textiles drop-off site, we encourage you to try repairing the item. There are various shoe cobblers, mending services and more in Cambridge that can help keep your favorite clothing in use while supporting local businesses! Check out the Cambridge Circular Economy Business Directory. One other business that stood out was The Zipper Hospital. Who would have thought there was a business just for fixing zippers!

Upcoming Dates

• Sat. 6/8: Household Hazardous Waste event, 65 Waverly St, 9am-1pm
• Wed. 6/12: Zero Waste Master Plan Open House, 830 Cambridge St, 5:30-7:30pm
• Sat. 8/24: Household Hazardous Waste event, 65 Waverly St, 9am-1pm

What Are We Reading?

Bon Me’s next locations get chopsticks furniture recycled from the gear used at its own restaurants (Cambridge Day)

At Little Free Libraries across Boston and beyond, there’s more than just books on offer (Boston Globe)

Grocery Stores Report Significant Progress In Reducing Food Waste, New Study Finds (ReFed)

How to Shop for a Used Laptop or Desktop PC (NYTimes)

Cambridge School Committee votes in favor of superintendent’s resignation (May 29, 2024, Boston Globe)

Ousted Cambridge superintendent Victoria Greer tells families, ‘I am saddened to leave’ (May 30, 2024, Boston Globe)

The Cambridge City Charter: From Town Meeting to Plan E premiered on Monday, May 15, 2023 at 5:30pm on CCTV Channel 9 and is viewable on YouTube.

Created by 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 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.

A second episode of Cambridge Civic View is planned that will look at the 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. It is hoped that these videos will provide necessary perspective on how the current City Charter came to be and how it might be modified.

Comments?

Switching from Cable TV

May 23, 2024 – I am finally getting around to changing from my current “Triple Play” plan with Comcast to something better, but I need advice.

I certainly need to maintain a fast Internet connection for many reasons - not the least of which is an online course I teach via Zoom in the fall (and office hours). I also do the Cambridge InsideOut show via Zoom. For telephone (not cell phone) I have a device from Ooma that I can use for VoIP phone service at low cost.

The difficult part to understand is how to navigate the various streaming options in such a way that I don’t end up paying even more than I am currently forking over to Comcast. My primary TV needs are old movies (like TCM), Red Sox games, Twilight Zone, real news stations like BBC, all the local channels (of course), some science stuff (we’re really into cosmology), South Park, and a few other things. My understanding is that streaming can be a real data hog, and though Comcast doesn't currently charge extra for excess data, they will likely do so at some point.

Sooo.... I am looking for a plan here. Any sage advice?

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:

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]:

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

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.

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

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 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)

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 621-622: June 18, 2024 (solo w/Robert Winters)

Cambridge InsideOut Episodes 619-620: June 4, 2024 (solo w/Robert Winters)

Cambridge InsideOut Episodes 617-618: May 21, 2024 (solo w/Robert Winters)

Cambridge InsideOut Episodes 615-616: Apr 16, 2024 (solo w/Robert Winters)

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 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)

Summer in the City – June 24, 2024 Cambridge City Council meeting (posted June 23, 2024, updated June 25)

Making the News – June 17, 2024 Cambridge City Council meeting (posted June 16, 2024, updated June 18)

Current City of Cambridge Board and Commission Vacancies (updated June 11, 2024)

Chronicling Cambridge – June 10, 2024 Cambridge City Council meeting (posted June 8, 2024, updated June 11)

Blessing of the Big Budget – June 3, 2024 Cambridge City Council meeting (posted June 2, 2024, updated June 4)

Featured Items on the May 20, 2024 Cambridge City Council Agenda (posted May 19, 2024, updated May 21)

Betwixt & Between the Budget Hearings – May 13, 2024 Cambridge City Council meeting (posted May 13, 2024)

Budget Season – and another Monday – May 6, 2024 Cambridge City Council meeting (posted May 6, 2024; updated May 7)

Turf War – April 29, 2024 Cambridge City Council meeting (posted Apr 27, 2024; updated Apr 30)

Riding the Third Rail – April 8, 2024 Cambridge City Council meeting (posted Apr 5, 2024; updated Apr 9)

No kidding around – April 1, 2024 Cambridge City Council meeting (posted Apr 1, 2024; updated Apr 2)

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

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 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:

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)