Next Participatory Budgeting VOTE: December 3-9, 2016!
Do you live in Cambridge? Are you at least 12 years old? Then come out and vote between December 3-9 for your favorite PB projects and decide how to spend $700,000 of the City's capital budget!
Residents can vote online at pb.cambridgema.gov or in person at dozens of events around town. You do not need to be a U.S. citizen to participate in this process.
What's on the ballot?
Over 60 volunteer Budget Delegates worked hard this fall researching 548 ideas submitted by community members and developed 20 final proposals for the ballot. Voters can choose up to 5 of the following 20 projects. You don't need to rank your choices or do any math.
Universal Design: Playgrounds for Everyone! ($100,000)- Danehy Park: Fitness, Signs, Dog Park Lights & Scoreboards ($140,000)
- Shade and Wet Weather Canopies for Playgrounds ($146,000)
- Learn about Nature in the Port ($10,000)
- Cambridge Street Art Trail ($25,000)
- All-In-One Mobile Performance Stage & Art Space ($98,000)
- Lighting Landmarks: CHLS Gate & Sumner Statue ($45,000)
- Little Free Libraries for Children ($37,000)
- Bicycle Desks for Cambridge Students ($113,000)
- Wireless Speakers for Youth Centers ($25,000)
- Upgrade the Moore Youth Center ($80,000)
- Free Public WiFi in Columbia Park ($32,000)
- Kinetic Energy Tiles ($50,000)
- Solar-Powered Real-Time Bus Tracker Displays ($150,000)
- Building a Strong and Safe Bike Community ($114,000)
- Safer Crosswalks for Busy Roads ($104,000)
- Solar Power Shines! ($260,000)
- Hydration Stations in Four Locations! ($37,000)
- Safe Naps for Cambridge Preschoolers! ($4,000)
- (2-3) Level 2 Electric Vehicle Charging Stations ($30,000)
To learn more about each project and about the PB voting process, please visit pb.cambridgema.gov or contact us in the City's Budget Office.
Joint Statement of
Cambridge Mayor E. Denise Simmons and City Manager Louis A. DePasquale
Regarding Cambridge as a Sanctuary City
Nov 17, 2016 – The recent national political climate has generated considerable concern and anxiety on the part of many Cambridge residents, especially members of our immigrant communities. The City of Cambridge wants to clearly state to our community that it is committed to supporting and promoting the safety, health, and well-being of all of its residents. As a Sanctuary City, Cambridge affirms the basic human rights and dignity of every human being and provides education, health and other services to all residents of Cambridge, regardless of their immigration status.
“The City of Cambridge has been a Sanctuary City since April 1985, when the City Council first took steps to protect and support refugees fleeing from political violence and human rights violations in El Salvador, Guatemala and Haiti,” said Cambridge Mayor E. Denise Simmons. “In 1999, the City Council expanded that support to all residents, regardless of immigration status, and has regularly reaffirmed that over the last 20 years. Today, the City of Cambridge remains just as committed to all of our residents as we have been over the past 31 years.”
The City provides support and resources ranging from a Cambridge Immigrant Rights Commission to programing at the Cambridge Community Learning Center to a Community Engagement Team that works to connect hard to reach populations with City services.
“Every Cambridge resident – regardless of their status – is encouraged to seek and obtain assistance from the many resources available to the Cambridge community. Cambridge remains a welcoming community for all,” said Cambridge City Manager Louis A. DePasquale.
Furthermore, a core principle of the Cambridge Police Department’s Community Policing philosophy is that all community members are encouraged to seek and obtain police assistance and protection, regardless of their specific immigration and/or documentation status. The enforcement of the nation’s civil immigration laws are the primary responsibility of the federal government and the Cambridge Police Department does not undertake immigration-related investigations and does not routinely inquire into the specific immigration status of any person encountered during normal police operations.
As Mayor and City Manager of Cambridge, we remain committed to the City’s Sanctuary City status and the services and support that we provide to the Cambridge Community.
Mayor E. Denise Simmons City Manager Louis A. DePasquale
The full text of the Cambridge Police Department’s Secure Communities & ICE Detainers policy is available at www.cambridgepolice.org/Publications. Past City Council Policy Orders are available at www.cambridgema.gov/CityCouncil.
Last week, the MBTA launched a survey to better understand the needs for late night MBTA service. This is an important step in ensuring the next iteration of late night service is done right, and is accessible to the population that might most benefit from it. The survey is available in several languages until Dec 16, 2016. For more information or to obtain printed surveys contact Tegin Bennett at tbennett@cambridgema.gov
Survey: www.mbta.com/nightbus
Members Sought for Cambridge GLBT Commission
City Manager Louis A. DePasquale is seeking individuals to fill vacancies on the GLBT (Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender) Commission. Prospective Commissioners must either reside or work in Cambridge.
The mission of the Commission is to advocate for a culture of respect and to monitor progress toward equality of all persons with regard to sexual orientation and gender identity and expression. The Commission also monitors policies and practices that have a positive effect on the health, welfare and safety of all persons who live, visit or work in the City of Cambridge with regard to sexual orientation and gender identity and expression. Current projects include working with Housing and Health Care organizations who serve LGBTQ+ Seniors and Youth After School activities.
The Commission normally meets on the 4th Thursday of each month and Commissioners are expected to volunteer some time outside of meetings for various projects. Although it is not a requirement for application, it is recommended that applicants attend a Commission meeting to see how it operates; the next meeting is on Thursday, Dec. 1, from 6-7:30 p.m., at Windsor Street Community Health Center, 2nd Floor Conference Room, 119 Windsor St., Cambridge.
For more information about the Commission, visit www.cambridgema.gov/glbt. Minutes, and other information can be found there. Visit the Commission’s FaceBook page at: https://www.facebook.com/Cambridge.GLBT.Commission.
A Letter of Interest with a brief resumé should be sent via mail or e-mail by Monday, Dec 12 to:
Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager
City of Cambridge
795 Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge, MA 02139
Ph. 617-349-4300
E-mail: citymanager@cambridgema.gov
Seeking Recycling Advisory Committee Applicants - Learn about joining the Recycling Advisory Committee.
City of Cambridge Recycling Advisory Committee Vacancy - Deadline Extended to Dec 2
The City of Cambridge is seeking residents and local professionals interested in serving on the Advisory Committee on Environmentally Desirable Practices/Recycling Advisory Committee (RAC) beginning January 2017. The RAC is a volunteer committee which provides advice, recommendations, and assistance to the Department of Public Works (DPW) regarding recycling, composting, reuse, and waste reduction. The DPW strives to meet the goals of the MassDEP Solid Waste Master Plan to reduce residential trash. The RAC does this through research, feedback, public outreach, and event planning.
Cambridge Recycling began in 1989 with a few volunteers dedicated to beginning a recycling drop-off program. Today, the City recovers more than 11,000 tons/year of recyclables from more than 44,000 households. Many residents drop off food scraps and every public school has composting. The curbside food scraps collection pilot diverts over six tons per week, and will expand citywide in the fall of 2017.
Currently the City’s goals to reduce waste match those in the MA Solid Waste Master Plan. Using 2008 as a baseline year, the City aims to reduce trash 30% by 2020 and 80% by 2050. Some strategies that City staff have identified to realize this reduction in trash include maximize recycling, educate and increase reduction of food waste while implementing food scrap collection programs; strengthen programs that encourage reuse, repair and donation of durable goods and materials; and support extended producer responsibility (EPR) legislation for problem products.
The Committee has been active for over 20 years and consists of at least nine members with a demonstrated interest in the topics listed above. Members serve a three-year term and are expected to attend monthly meetings (Sept-June). The City seeks members that represent local businesses and property managers, Cambridge residents and users of the Recycling Center, universities, non-profit organizations and social service agencies whose goals overlap with waste reduction.
Duties, Responsibilities, and Minimum Requirements include:
- Attend and participate in monthly meeting, held second Wednesday of the month (September-June) at 8am;
- Participate in creating committee direction and implementation of ideas;
- Take a leadership role in projects, such as doing research, organizing & attending events, advocating for Extended Producer Responsibility legislation, etc;
- Work with the Public Works Recycling Division, Climate Protection Committee, and other appropriate City staff to provide feedback on City initiatives and collaborate on various projects;
- Research different approaches to communication, education and best practices for recycling, composting, reuse and waste reduction programs;
- Disseminate outreach materials and post flyers in the community to educate the public;
- Write articles for all varieties of media promoting City programs and services including newspaper editorials, blog posts, newsletter articles, etc;
- Initiate, plan, attend and run events to promote recycling, composting, reuse and waste reduction;
- Recruit additional volunteers for specific events and projects;
- Meet with the community and participate in at least 2-3 events, such as Danehy Park Family Day, Family Fun Day, Fresh Pond Day, May Fair, block parties;
- Continually promote positive recycling, composting, reuse, and waste reduction whenever the opportunity presents itself.
Helpful Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Marketing;
- Advocacy for state and federal policy on extended producer responsibility;
- Knowledge of the reuse industry;
- Familiarity with the Cambridge Public Schools;
- Knowledge about using recycled materials
Interested persons should submit a letter of interest by email by Friday, December 2, 2016 describing their relevant experience and their professional/personal interest in these issues to:
Lisa Peterson, Acting City Manager
City of Cambridge
795 Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge, MA 02139
E-mail: citymanager@cambridgema.gov
Please note that all current Committee members interested in serving again must submit a letter of interest.
All Cambridge Boards & Commissions
Seeking Volunteers for Harvard Square Kiosk Working Group
The City of Cambridge would like to share two important updates regarding the Harvard Square Placemaking process.
The City is seeking volunteers to serve on a new Harvard Square Kiosk Working Group. This working group is being created to advise the City Manager on the vision, programming, operations and governance of the Harvard Square kiosk and plaza. Letters of Interest are due by December 2, 2016. For more information and instructions for sending a letter of interest, please click on the link provided.
Comment Period Open on the Draft Request for Proposals Harvard Square Kiosk Consulting Services
As you may know, the City is interested in issuing a Request for Proposals (RFP) for hiring a consultant to assist the City to create a vision for the programming, operations and governance of the Harvard Square Kiosk. We would like to provide an opportunity for input on the scope and evaluation for the RFP consulting services. The comment period on the RFP will extend through November 29th, and comments will inform any changes to the RFP before it is posted.
To review the RFP and directions to submit your comments, click on the link to the Harvard Square Placemaking webpage and look under the "Latest" tab: https://www.cambridgema.gov/cdd/projects/parks/hsquarepublicspace
Please indicate in an email back to us if you wish to continue receiving information on the process. We look forward to hearing from you. Please feel free to share this with your networks.
For more information, visit the Harvard Square Placemaking website: http://www.cambridgema.gov/CDD/Projects/Parks/hsquarepublicspace.aspx
Cambridge Human Rights Commission Vacancy - Deadline Extended to Dec 2
Acting City Manager Lisa Peterson is seeking persons interested in serving on the Cambridge Human Rights Commission (CHRC). Made up of 11 members who serve three-year terms, the CHRC meets on the first Thursday of every month at 6pm. The Commission seeks Cambridge residents representing the diversity of Cambridge. The application deadline for this commission has been extended to Friday, Dec 2, 2016.
Commissioners are expected to work with other members of the Commission and staff to fulfill the goals and objectives of the Cambridge Human Rights Commission Ordinance (CMC Chapter 2.76). Commissioners are expected to attend monthly meetings, participate in subcommittees on outreach and public education, and work with Commission staff on the investigation, mediation and resolution of complaints filed with the Commission which allege discrimination in housing, public accommodations, employment or education based upon race, color, sex, age, religion, disability, national origin or ancestry, sexual orientation, gender, marital status, family status, military status or source of income.
For more information, contact Nancy Schlacter, Cambridge Human Rights Commission, at 617-349-4396 or nschlacter@cambridgema.gov. Letters of interest, including resume and/or applicable experience, can be sent via mail, fax or e-mail by Friday, December 2, 2016 to:
Lisa Peterson, Acting City Manager
City of Cambridge
795 Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge, MA 02139
E-mail: citymanager@cambridgema.gov
Book Release - Building Old Cambridge by Susan E. Maycock and Charles M. Sullivan (published by MIT Press)
BY HENRY N. WHEELER, PRESIDENT OF THE LEAGUE
1. Update from the Community Development Department
2. Adoption of Planning Board meeting transcripts
3. 77 New Street, extension of the Special Permit for one year. PB#286
4. 60 Binney Street, Determination of Use for the BonMe Fast Order Food Establishment pursuant to Section 13.42.5 and PB#243.
The Central Square Advisory Committee will review: 907 Main Street hotel, Central Square Zoning Petition, review of a proposed bus shelter on Prospect Street at Bishop Allen Drive (outbound) and a proposal for crossing Mass Avenue with the storm water pipes.
The next meeting of the Volpe Working Group will be held Thurs, Dec 1, 2016, 5:30-8:00pm, at the Cambridge Innovation Center, One Broadway, 14th Floor. Members of the public are welcome to attend. We ask that you RSVP before the meeting if possible, and please bring identification for entry into the building. At this meeting, the working group will continue discussion of key planning and urban design topics raised at the first meeting such as public space and connections, promoting a sense of neighborhood, and strengthening Kendall Square's civic identity. Discussion will include comparable examples and precedents from other places. More information on the Volpe Working Group is available at: www.cambridgema.gov/volpe
While the Orange Emperor prepares to assume the throne, Cambridge responds with symbolic acts of virtual warfare. I expect that the next two months will be dominated by discussions of Sanctuary Cities and declarations of our municipal virtue.
With the Presidential election looming, it feels almost like the early 1960s when many people believed that nuclear annihilation was a real possibility. In contrast, the kerfuffles and excesses of the little fish in our City Council pond seem almost quaint. Here are a few items to distract you from the national picture:
The ghosts and goblins will descend on City Hall this Monday. Here are a few agenda items of possible interest: