Cambridge InsideOut - September 13, 2016

Danehy Park Family DayPotential Topics:

Danehy Park Family Day – Saturday, Sept 17

The City of Cambridge will host the 21st Annual Danehy Park Family Day on Saturday, Sept. 17, from 11am to 4pm. Enjoy a fun-filled day of children's amusement rides, arts and crafts, live music and roving performers, plus free hot dogs, chips, sodas and T-shirts while supplies last! Check out performances throughout the day at the children's stage. Rain Date is Sunday, Sept 18.

Danehy Park is a 55-acre facility located at 99 Sherman Street in North Cambridge (adjacent to Garden and New Streets). This free event, sponsored by the City of Cambridge, attracts over 4,000 people annually and offers something for everyone.

Free shuttle buses will be running throughout Cambridge neighborhoods and from Alewife MBTA Station. Danehy Park can also be reached by #74 bus or #78 bus from Harvard Square; #83 bus from Central Square. Picnics and lawn chairs are encouraged.

For more information, including free, neighborhood shuttle and event schedule, visit the Danehy Park website: www.cambridgema.gov/danehypark

1) Nieman Foundation for Journalism - free lectures and concerts this past weekend honoring 100 years of Pulitzer Prizes for journalists

2) Other Notable Notes - Weddings, Births, and other announcements

3) Results of State Rep. and State Senate races:

Partial Election Results (Thurs, Sept 8 State Primary)

Governor's Council Votes (Cambridge) Percentage Votes (MA) Percentage
TERRENCE W KENNEDY 6220 76.46    
STEPHEN BORELLI 1229 15.11    
RICHARD J DiMEO 617 7.58    
Write-in Votes 69 0.85    
State Senate - Second Middlesex Votes (Cambridge) Percentage (Cambridge) Votes (MA) Percentage
PATRICIA D JEHLEN 3552 75.08    
LELAND CHEUNG 1169 24.71    
Write-in Votes 10 0.21    
State Representative - 25th Middlesex Votes (Cambridge) Percentage (Cambridge) Votes (MA) Percentage
MARJORIE C DECKER 2767 84.96 2767 84.96
LESLEY R PHILLIPS 483 14.83 483 14.83
Write-in Votes 7 0.21 7 0.21
State Representative - 26th Middlesex Votes (Cambridge) Percentage (Cambridge) Votes (MA) Percentage
TIMOTHY J TOOMEY, JR 1828 47.24 2532 46.37
MIKE CONNOLLY 2042 52.76 2926 53.58
Write-in Votes 0 0.00 3 0.05

Note: Turnout in Cambridge part of this district was 52.0% of registered Democrat voters and 29.5% of eligible voters (Democrat plus Unenrolled).

Sheriff - Middlesex County Votes (Cambridge) Percentage (Cambridge) Votes (MA) Percentage
PETER J KOUTOUJIAN 7273 82.77    
BARRY S KELLEHER 1455 16.56    
Write-in Votes 59 0.67    

Fun Fact: There are 67,450 registered voters eligible to vote in this Thursday's State Primary Election. Of these, 141 people have not missed a citywide election since 1997. I'm one of them, and I know 58 of them.
38238 Democrat
25814 Unenrolled
2712 Republican
31,412 voted in the March 1 Presidential Primary

Sen. Pat Jehlen vs. Councillor Leland Cheung (Second Middlesex - Senate)

Rep. Timothy Toomey vs. Mike Connolly (26th Middlesex - House)

Rep. Marjorie Decker vs. Leslie R. Phillips (25th Middlesex - House)

4) Sept 12, 2016 Cambridge City Council meeting

The Return - Notable agenda items for the Sept 12, 2016 Cambridge City Council meeting

Peoples Republic of CambridgeThis is the "Back from Summer Vacation" meeting of the Cambridge City Council. Here are a few items that are at least somewhat interesting (with minimal comments):

Appointments to Boards & Commissions:

Manager's Agenda #6. A communication transmitted from Richard C. Rossi, City Manager, relative to the appointments of the following persons as a members of the Commission on Immigrant Rights & Citizenship, effective Sept 1, 2016: Leslie DiTrani, Sana Ghafoor, Alejandro Heredia-Santoyo, Karin Lin, Marcio Macedo, Roxana Maldonado-Garcia, Swati Sawant, Jennifer Sparks, Merline Sylvain-Williams, Melanie Torres, and Yarlennys Villaman

Manager's Agenda #7. A communication transmitted from Richard C. Rossi, City Manager, relative to the appointments of the following persons as a members of the Cambridge Public Art Commission for a term of three years: Judy Ann Goldman and Cecily Miller

Manager's Agenda #16. A communication transmitted from Richard C. Rossi, City Manager, relative to the appointment of the following person as a full member of the Cambridge Board of Zoning Appeals for a term of 5 years, effective Aug 29, 2016: Andrea Hickey

Manager's Agenda #17. A communication transmitted from Richard C. Rossi, City Manager, relative to the appointment of the following persons as members of the Cambridge Commission for Persons with Disabilities for a term of three years, effective Sept 12, 2016: Katie Ashwill Allen, Stelios Gragoudas, Mike Langlois, Luis Loya and Julie Miller

Appointments by the City Council:

Order #11. Reappointment of James Monagle as City Auditor.   Mayor Simmons

Order #12. Reappointment of Donna P. Lopez as City Clerk.   Mayor Simmons

Two of my favorite people in City government. The City Council gets to appoint the City Manager, the City Auditor, and the City Clerk (and by recent tradition, the Deputy City Clerk). The Really Big Question is whether the City Council will meet its proposed date of Sept 26 to appoint the next City Manager. That's just two weeks from now. In the meantime, congratulations to Jim and Donna (assuming their unanimous reappointment).

Buildings, architecture, and historic preservation:

Manager's Agenda #8. A communication transmitted from Richard C. Rossi, City Manager, relative to the final Landmark Designation Report for the Ivory Sands House at 145 Elm Street and the Cambridge Historical Commission's recommendation.

Order #18. That the City Manager is requested to direct the Historical Commission to produce a new status report that reviews the Harvard Square Conservation District’s effectiveness since 2005, and that considers whether new zoning regulations may be necessary to fulfill the community’s goals.   Councillor Devereux, Councillor Carlone

My guess is that this is motivated by a combination of Curious George, the Kiosk, and, of course, some really problematic property owners who don't understand the value of keeping good long-term commercial tenants.

Marijuana-related:

Unfinished Business #10. A proposed amendment to the Ordinance entitled "Zoning Ordinance of the City of Cambridge" as amended by the Planning Board recommendation to expand the requirements of the North Massachusetts Avenue Sub-district (Section 20.110) applicable generally within the portions of the Massachusetts Avenue Overlay District (MAOD) zoned Business A-2 (BA-2). The question comes on passing to be ordained on or after Aug 15, 2016. Planning Board hearing was held June 21, 2016. Petition expires Sept 20, 2016.

Order #19. Zoning Changes for Medical Marijuana Dispensaries.   Vice Mayor McGovern, Councillor Cheung, Councillor Carlone

Committee Report #3. A communication was received from Donna P. Lopez, City Clerk, transmitting a report from Councillor Dennis J. Carlone and Councillor Leland Cheung, Co-Chairs of the Ordinance Committee, for a public hearing held on Aug 31, 2016 on a zoning petition by Healthy Pharms, Inc., to amend Section 20.700 Medical Marijuana Overlay Districts by creating an additional Medical Marijuana Overlay District (MMD-4). The new MMD-4 District would be coterminous with the Business B and Office 3 Districts that are within the Harvard Square Overlay District. The petition would also establish as criteria specific to the MMD-4 District that permissible dispensaries must be retail only (with no cultivation), must be set back from the sidewalk by a minimum of 15 feet and be appropriately shielded from public view, must be less than 10,000 square feet in size, are preferably located in areas with access to pedestrian and public transportation, and may be 250 feet, instead of the standard 500 feet, distant from a school, daycare center, preschool or afterschool facility or any facility in which children commonly congregate, or closer only if it is determined by the Planning Board to be sufficiently buffered such that users will not be adversely impacted by the operation of the dispensary.

Let's hope that the City Council finally figures out that you can't address the siting of marijuana dispensaries by a series of one-off zoning petitions.

Bicycle facilities, speed limits, and punishing drivers for the unpardonable sin of owning a motor vehicle:

Order #20. That the Transportation and Public Utilities Committee be and hereby is requested to hold a hearing to discuss how City staff review use of bike infrastructure to determine what works, what does not work and what could be improved and to specifically discuss the possibility of making the Western Avenue cycle track a two-direction bike facility.   Councillor Kelley, Vice Mayor McGovern, Councillor Maher

The path along Concord Ave. abutting Fresh Pond would also function better as a two-way path.

Order #4. That the City Manager is requested to deem all residential zones as “Safety Zones” and lower speed limits to 20 MPH and to lower the speed limit in all office and business zones to 25 MPH.   Councillor Cheung, Councillor Toomey

This is incredibly short-sighted. Many residential streets should appropriately have 25mph speed limits, especially streets where there's barely enough room for a motor vehicle and a bicycle to safely pass each other, but 20mph is more appropriate for an intensely pedestrian area such as Harvard Square or Central Square. There are many streets where the current 30mph speed limit is completely appropriate.

Order #14. That the City Manager is requested to confer with the City Solicitor and other relevant City departments and report back to the City Council concrete next steps on how to go about lowering our speed limits as well as the timeline for these actions.   Councillor Carlone, Councillor Devereux, Vice Mayor McGovern, Councillor Mazen

As stated above, this should be done in a more granular way rather than as a single citywide speed limit set so low that few people will respect it.

Order #17. That the City Manager is requested to consult with the Traffic and Parking Department and all other appropriate City Departments to report back to the City Council on recommendations to gradually increase the parking permit fee and consider other improvements to the program to help fund the city’s budget towards reducing vehicle miles traveled and promoting alternative forms of transportation.   Councillor Devereux, Councillor Mazen

My guess is that Councillors Devereux and Mazen would like only bicycles and driverless vehicles to soon be allowed to operate in Cambridge. This is just a step toward that future. It's interesting that ZipCar founder Robin Chase is simultaneously tweeting comparisons between restaurant costs, housing costs, and the cost of a parking permit. I guess she believes that all three should be exorbitantly expensive.

Winner of the "Most Obnoxious Committee Meeting of 2016":

Committee Report #2. A communication was received from Donna P. Lopez, City Clerk, transmitting a report from Councillor Craig Kelley, Chair of the Public Safety Committee, for a public hearing held on July 27, 2016 to hear from public safety officials on training equipment, response and communication policies pertaining to demonstrations, protests, memorials and similar actions involving large numbers of people in public space, ranging from CRLS student walkouts to Black Lives Matter memorials to the “let out” time of bars to Pokémon Go chasing and similar internet-driven meetups.

Everything Else:

Manager's Agenda #1. A communication transmitted from Richard C. Rossi, City Manager, relative to the notification of approval of the Kendall Square Foundry Development Partners as the development entity for the Foundry.

Manager's Agenda #18. A communication transmitted from Richard C. Rossi, City Manager, relative to early voting sites.

Manager's Agenda #19. A communication transmitted from Richard C. Rossi, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 16-67, regarding a report on the Classification of Commercial Land Use and Recommendations study.

Charter Right #2. An application was received from Pill Hardware, requesting permission for a display of merchandise in front of the premises numbered 743 Massachusetts Avenue. [Charter Right exercised by Councillor Devereux on Aug 1, 2016.]

Order #1. That the City Council go on record calling on the Massachusetts State Legislature to pass an Act affirming a terminally ill patient’s right to compassionate aid in dying.   Vice Mayor McGovern, Councillor Cheung, Councillor Carlone

Order #8. That the City Manager is requested to work with the appropriate City departments to determine the feasibility of creating a temporary jobs program geared toward Cambridge’s homeless population and/or determine the feasibility of awarding homeless with priority in the City’s 9-week temporary jobs program.   Vice Mayor McGovern, Mayor Simmons, Councillor Cheung, Councillor Mazen

Committee Report #5. A communication was received from Paula M. Crane, Deputy City Clerk, transmitting a report from Mayor E. Denise Simmons, Chair of the Housing Committee for a public hearing held on Aug 15, 2016 to continue the public discussion regarding the recently completed Inclusionary Housing Study and the Affordable Housing Trusts’ recommendations to the City Council.

Communications & Reports from City Officers #1. A communication was received from Donna P. Lopez, City Clerk transmitting a copy of a letter from Hanne Rush, Assistant Attorney General, Division of Open Government, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Office of the Attorney General, One Ashburton Place, Boston, MA, regarding the resolution of an Open Meeting Law Complaint filed by John Hawkinson on May 4, 2016.

You could define "frivilous" by some of these complaints. - Robert Winters

Comments?

5) Inclusionary Housing - Proposed Amendments to Inclusionary Zoning Ordinance Coming Soon

a) Comments on where the process stands

b) Comments on the protest last week by CResA and BLMC where 4 persons were arrested after chaining themselves to door handles at City Hall

Inclusionary Housing Committee Reports:
Committee Report #1. A communication was received from Paula M. Crane, Deputy City Clerk, transmitting a report from Mayor E. Denise Simmons, Chair of the Housing Committee for a public hearing held on May 31, 2016 to continue discussion regarding the recently completed Inclusionary Housing Study with community feedback from the May 18, 2016 hearing being shared and discussed with consultant David Paul Rosen & Associates.

Committee Report #11. A communication was received from Paula M. Crane, Deputy City Clerk, transmitting a report from Mayor E. Denise Simmons and Vice Mayor Marc C. McGovern, Co-Chairs of the Housing Committee for a public hearing held on July 11, 2016 to continue the discussion regarding the recently completed Inclusionary Housing Study and the Affordable Housing Trust’s recommendations to the City Council.

Committee Report #12. A communication was received from Paula M. Crane, Deputy City Clerk, transmitting a report from Mayor E. Denise Simmons, Chair of the Housing Committee for a public hearing held on May 18, 2016 to discuss the recently completed Inclusionary Housing Study and will focus on receiving feedback from the community.

Some revisions to the Inclusionary Zoning Ordinance seem inevitable later this year, but the economic foundations in the study still seem (to me) to be a bit shaky, especially the idea of increasing the net affordable housing percentage from 11.6% to 20% without any allowance for additional density. My first concern is that if the requirement is too high then it may be more economically advantageous to build something other than housing, e.g. labs. My other concern is that since zoning changes require a two-thirds vote for ordination there might never be the political will to actually lower the requirement even if the economics warrant a decrease. It would be better if there was some way to index the requirement based on current economics.

6) City Manager Search - Jay Ash is a declared candidate for the position

Thurs, Aug 25

9:00am-5:00pm   Preliminary Screening Committee  (Sonesta Hotel, 40 Edwin Land Boulevard, Riverfront Room)
The Preliminary Screening Committee, appointed by the Mayor, and charged with assisting the City Council with the process of selecting a new City Manager will hold its first all-day meeting on Thursday August 25th, 2016 at the Sonesta Hotel, 40 Edwin Land Boulevard, Cambridge, MA beginning at 9:00am in the Riverfront Room. The purpose of the meeting is to review the applications that have been submitted to the City's search consultants GovHR; select a group of candidates who will be interviewed by the committee on September 12th & 13th; and develop a series of interview questions that will be asked of candidates. In addition, the committee will select an individual(s) to serve as chair(s) of the committee. Due to the highly confidential nature of the process and in accordance with Massachusetts Open Meeting Law the committee will convene in a public meeting and is expected to vote to move into executive session for significant portions of the meeting. Contact: Mayor E. Denise Simmons, (617) 349-4321

Baker’s economic development chief wants to be Cambridge city manager (Boston Globe)
Jay Ash, secretary of housing and economic development, says he wants a job that allows a more in-depth focus on problems.
August 10 - We now have at least one really excellent candidate publicly declaring his interest in the Cambridge City Manager position. Jay Ash's credentials are pretty great. - RW

City SealPreliminary Screening Committee for New City Manager Selected

Aug 19, 2016 – The Mayor is pleased to announce the appointment of the following people to participate in the Preliminary Screening Committee for a new City Manager. We also extend our appreciation to the 50 people who submitted applicants and were generously willing to volunteer their time in support of our search efforts.

The Preliminary Screening Committee, comprised of 15 community members reflecting citywide constituencies and four City Council members, will be facilitated by our search firm GovHR USA. The purpose of the Committee will be to interview the most qualified applicants and determine the three finalists to present to the public and to the City Council for their vote.

The public will have opportunities to meet the three finalists and provide feedback prior to the nominating vote taken at a City Council meeting in late September.

The following provides a list of the Committee’s constituent members and a brief recap of their qualifying credentials.

Constituency Applicant Choice Bio
Resident representative Peter Traversy Peter is a resident of North Cambridge. He’s a small business owner and active in youth sports.
Resident representative Elaine Thorne Elaine is a Riverside resident and was a longtime Project Planner for the City of Cambridge with extensive experience working in all neighborhoods in our City. She is a former member of the Board of Directors for the Cambridge Community Center.
Resident representative Laura Booth Laura is a resident of the Port neighborhood. She’s a CPSD parent who brings extensive work experience in the local nonprofit community and is a longtime advocate for affordable housing. She has experience with senior level hiring.
Large Business representative Jay Kiely Jay currently serves as Chair of the Cambridge Chamber of Commerce. He is a senior level manager with Forest City and has been active in Cambridge’s civic, nonprofit, and corporate arenas.
Small Business representative Patrick Magee Patrick is a Wellington/ Harrington resident who owns and manages Atwood’s Tavern on 877 Cambridge Street. He is a founding member of ECBA and has served as President for the past five years.
CPS Representative Richard Harding Richard is a resident of the Port and has been a longtime elected member of the School Committee. He is Co-president of the Cambridge NAACP and served as a member of former Police Commissioner Haas’ Community Advisory Board. He’s been a leader in the Men of Color Task Force.
Public Safety representative Gerald Reardon Chief Reardon is a nationally recognized leader in Fire Safety. He has spent his entire professional career with the City of Cambridge Fire Department and the last 17 years as its Chief.
Person with demonstrated knowledge of municipal finance Fred Fantini Fred is an East Cambridge resident and served as Deputy Treasurer for the Town of Arlington for 35 years. He’s a former CCTV president; a longtime member of the Cambridge School Committee; and has experience with executive searches.
Health and Human Services/Public Health representative Claude Jacob Claude is Cambridge’s Chief Public Health Officer at the Cambridge Health Alliance. He’s also Chair of the Board of Directors for the National Association of County and City Health Officials and has experience with executive search hires.
Representative with knowledge of City Planning/Urban Development Susan Schlesinger Susan is a Cambridgeport resident and longtime advocate for affordable housing. She’s been an active member of the Affordable Housing Trust and with the Community Preservation Act Board. She has experience with high level executive searches.
Higher Education/Institutional partner Kevin Casey Kevin is Associate Vice President at Harvard University with oversight of nonprofit engagement, government relations and local economic development.
Public Art and/or Recreational representative Ellen Semonoff Ellen is a Mid-Cambridge resident and has longtime served as Cambridge’s Assistant City Manager for Human Services, which has oversight of the city’s recreation department. She’s the Chair of the Cambridge Public Health Committee and former Chair of the Cambridge Health Alliance. She has experience with high level executive searches.
Affordable Housing advocate Susan Connelly Susan is a North Cambridge resident and a CPSD parent. She has extensive experience working in the field of affordable housing and serves as Director of the Community Housing Initiatives at the Massachusetts Housing Partnership and serves as Treasurer of the Cambridge Housing Authority Commissioner’s Board.
Nonprofit Community representative Elaine DeRosa Elaine is a Cambridgeport resident and has extensive experience working on behalf of low-income individuals and families serving as Executive Director of CEOC for past 28 years. She has committee experience working on city public policy, affordable housing, health care and delivery of community services issues.
Representative who advocates for the quality of our community’s civic and social well-being Reverend Lorraine Thornhill Rev. Lorraine Thornhill has served as Lead Pastor in the Port neighborhood for the past 19 years. She’s also Lead Chaplain, Cambridge Police Department; Vice-Chair, Board of Trustees Cambridge YWCA; Commissioner, City of Cambridge Human Services Department; and President, Cambridge Black Pastors Alliance.
City Council member Councillor Leland Cheung
City Council member Councillor David Maher
City Council member Councillor Nadeem Mazen
City Council member Councillor Timothy Toomey

7) Outdoor Lighting Ordinance

Manager's Agenda #5 (June 20). A communication transmitted from Richard C. Rossi, City Manager, relative to recommendations from the Outdoor Lighting Task Force that address the potential detrimental impact of outdoor lighting and propose solutions that diminish existing problems and address problems that may be created by new development. [Report][Proposed Ordinance (HTML)]

The Task Force was appointed Dec 2, 2013 and was originally expected to complete its report and draft Ordinance by Spring 2014. It clearly took a lot longer than that with many different iterations of the proposed Ordinance. It's worth noting that the Ordinance will apply not only to new construction but to all properties in Cambridge with several years to bring all properties into compliance with the Ordinance.

There is currently a campaign by some activists to oppose this proposed ordinance in its current form. The core of their argument seems to be that it would permit the king of lighting that was installed on the new Zinc apartment buildings in North Point (and which has been turned off for now by decision of the Board of Zoning Appeals).

Message being circulated regarding "Limit Light Pollution"

8) National politics - Highlights from the Democratic National Convention and where things go from here.

Hillary Is Poised to Make the ‘Impossible Possible’ — for Herself and for Women in America

Commission On Presidential Debates - sites and dates for 2016 general election debates

First presidential debate:
Monday, September 26, 2016
Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY

The debate will be divided into six time segments of approximately 15 minutes each on major topics to be selected by the moderator and announced at least one week before the debate. The moderator will open each segment with a question, after which each candidate will have two minutes to respond. Candidates will then have an opportunity to respond to each other. The moderator will use the balance of the time in the segment for a deeper discussion of the topic.

Vice presidential debate:
Tuesday, October 4, 2016
Longwood University, Farmville, VA

The debate will be divided into nine time segments of approximately 10 minutes each. The moderator will ask an opening question, after which each candidate will have two minutes to respond. The moderator will use the balance of the time in the segment for a deeper discussion of the topic.

Second presidential debate:
Sunday, October 9, 2016
Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO

The second presidential debate will take the form of a town meeting, in which half of the questions will be posed directly by citizen participants and the other half will be posed by the moderator based on topics of broad public interest as reflected in social media and other sources. The candidates will have two minutes to respond and there will be an additional minute for the moderator to facilitate further discussion. The town meeting participants will be uncommitted voters selected by the Gallup Organization.

Third presidential debate:
Wednesday, October 19, 2016
University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV

The format for the debate will be identical to the first presidential debate.

All debates will be moderated by a single individual and will run from 9:00-10:30 p.m. Eastern Time without commercial breaks. As always, the moderators alone will select the questions to be asked, which are not known to the CPD or to the candidates. The moderators will have the ability both to extend the segments and to ensure that the candidates have equal speaking time. While the focus will properly be on the candidates, the moderator will regulate the conversation so that thoughtful and substantive exchanges occur. The CPD is in discussion with technology and civic groups that will provide data to the moderators to assist them in identifying the subjects that are most important to the public.

This year’s debates will build on the successful 2012 debate formats which introduced longer segments, allowing the candidates to focus on critical issues. “The CPD has a simple mission, to ensure that presidential debates help the public learn about the positions of the leading candidates for president and vice president,” CPD Co-Chairs Frank J. Fahrenkopf, Jr. and Michael D. McCurry said. “These formats will allow an in-depth exploration of the major topics in this year’s election.”

In the fall of 2015, the CPD announced the dates and venues and its 2016 Nonpartisan Candidate Selection Criteria. Under the criteria, in addition to being constitutionally eligible, candidates must:

CIVIC CALENDAR

Wed, Sept 14

8:00am   Recycling Advisory Committee  (Sullivan Chamber, City Hall)

5:30pm   The City Council's Public Safety Committee will conduct a public hearing to discuss the evolving technologies with which the public and municipality interact regarding public works issues and emergency events. The Committee will examine the use of technologies such as Commonwealth Connect and RapidSOS compared to traditional communications to better understand how the City uses these programs, what residents should expect when interacting with the City through the programs, and how they can effectively serve the public good.  (Ackermann Room, City Hall)

5:30-7:30pm   Cambridge Bicycle Committee Meeting  (4th Floor Meeting Room, City Hall Annex, 344 Broadway)

Thurs, Sept 15

3:00pm   The City Council's Ordinance Committee will conduct a public hearing to discuss a proposed amendment to the Municipal Code in Title 6 entitled “Animals” by adding a new Chapter 6.20 entitled “Restrictions on the Sale of Animals in Pet Shops.” (Sullivan Chamber)

6-00-8:00pm   Envision Cambridge Alewife Working Group Committee  (Water Department, 250 Fresh Pond Pkwy, First Floor Cafeteria)

Fri, Sept 16

8:00am-6:00pm   PARK(ing) Day  (many locations throughout Cambridge)
PARK(ing) Day is an annual international event where residents, artists and activities come together to temporarily transform metered parking spaces into "PARK(ing)" spaces: temporary public places. The mission of PARK(ing) Day is to call attention to the need for more urban open space, to generate critical debate around how public space is created and allocated, and to improve the quality of urban human habitat - at least until the meter runs out! [more information]

Danehy Park Family Day – Saturday, Sept 17

Danehy Park Family DayThe City of Cambridge will host the 21st Annual Danehy Park Family Day on Saturday, Sept. 17, from 11am to 4pm. Enjoy a fun-filled day of children's amusement rides, arts and crafts, live music and roving performers, plus free hot dogs, chips, sodas and T-shirts while supplies last! Check out performances throughout the day at the children's stage. Rain Date is Sunday, Sept 18.

Danehy Park is a 55-acre facility located at 99 Sherman Street in North Cambridge (adjacent to Garden and New Streets). This free event, sponsored by the City of Cambridge, attracts over 4,000 people annually and offers something for everyone.

Free shuttle buses will be running throughout Cambridge neighborhoods and from Alewife MBTA Station. Danehy Park can also be reached by #74 bus or #78 bus from Harvard Square; #83 bus from Central Square. Picnics and lawn chairs are encouraged.

For more information, including free, neighborhood shuttle and event schedule, visit the Danehy Park website: www.cambridgema.gov/danehypark

Mon, Sept 19

5:30pm   City Council meeting  (Sullivan Chamber)

5:30-7:30pm   Joint Meeting of the Bicycle, Pedestrian and Transit Committees  (Stata Center, MIT, Room 124)
Topic: Review of projects in construction (Fern Street; Concord Area Sewer Separation; Huron Avenue; Pearl Street)

Tues, Sept 20

5:30pm   Envision Cambridge Engagement and Communications Working Group  (City Hall Annex, 344 Broadway, 4th Floor Conference Room)

6:00pm   School Committee meeting  (Attles Meeting Room, CRLS, 459 Broadway)

7:00pm   Planning Board meeting  (2nd Floor Meeting Room, City Hall Annex, 344 Broadway)
Joint CRA Meeting with the Cambridge Planning Board regarding the KSURP/MXD Infill Development Concept Plan

Thurs, Sept 22

3:00pm   The City Council's Ordinance Committee will conduct a public hearing to discuss the zoning petition filed by Jane W. Heatley, President of the William Noyes Webster Foundation, Inc. to amend Section 20.700, Medical Marijuana Overlay Districts by extending the district. This hearing to be televised.  (Sullivan Chamber)

6:00-8:00pm   Cambridge Pedestrian Committee Meeting  (4th Floor Meeting Room, City Hall Annex, 344 Broadway)

Sun, Sept 25

Time TBD   Cambridge Bow Tie Ride
Join us for the 9th annual Bow Tie Ride! Time and route TBD. Sign up with your email to receive ride news updates.

Mon, Sept 26

5:30pm   City Council meeting  (Sullivan Chamber)

6:30pm   The City Council will conduct a public hearing to discuss the property tax rate classification. (Sullivan Chamber)

Wed, Sept 28

6:00-8:00pm   Envision Cambridge Advisory Committee meeting  (City Hall Annex, 344 Broadway, 4th Floor Conference Room)