Cambridge Awarded AAA Ratings for 21st Consecutive Year
Nation's three major credit rating agencies affirm City’s strong fiscal management

Feb 28, 2020 – The City of Cambridge has retained its noteworthy distinction of being one of approximately 32 municipalities in the U.S. to earn AAA ratings from each of the nation's three major credit rating agencies. Each year since 1999, the city has received these ratings from Moody's Investors Service, Standard & Poor's and Fitch Ratings.

“I am proud of the city’s strong and dedicated team that carries out the policy initiatives of the City Council and delivers the high-quality city services and programs our community expects,” said Cambridge City Manager Louis A. DePasquale. “One reason why Cambridge can undertake significant capital projects is because of the fiscal management of the city. Our AAA bond rating allows the city to finance major projects at lower interest rates, saving our taxpayers millions of dollars. I want to thank the City Council for its leadership in adopting and maintaining sound fiscal policies.”

These ratings are in conjunction with the city’s sale of $53.7 million in General Obligation bonds. The competitive sale will take place on March 5, 2020. Capital projects funded in this bond issuance include the King Open/Cambridge Street Upper School and Community Complex, Tobin Montessori & Vassal Lane Upper Schools design, sewer reconstruction, street and sidewalk reconstruction, and other municipal building renovations.

As the city undertakes a significant increase in debt issuance over the next few years to fund its school rebuilding program, the AAA rating will play a significant role in enabling the city to secure the most favorable interest rates. This is especially important as the city embarks on funding its third school project (Tobin Montessori and Vassal Lane Upper Schools) with an estimated cost of $250 million. Overall, including the Tobin School project, the city is projected to spend a total of $505 million for the three school projects. In addition, the bonding schedule includes significant obligations for renovations to Fire Headquarters, fire stations, and other city buildings, sewer reconstruction, and street and sidewalk projects.

The following are excerpts from the Rating Agencies reports

S & P Global
We consider Cambridge's economy very strong. Home to both Harvard and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), the city is at the epicenter of biotech, pharmaceutical, and other knowledge-based sectors, which continue to generate growth in the tax base. The city faces challenges in addressing housing, transportation, and other infrastructure needs. However, it has a history of significant forward-looking financial planning and a track record of consistently outperforming the budget. We expect Cambridge to remain a desirable location to live and work, sustaining economic growth that will assist management in meeting future challenges. The long-term rating further reflects our view of the following factors:

• Very strong management, with strong financial policies and practices under our Financial Management Assessment (FMA) methodology;

• Strong budgetary performance, with operating surpluses in the general fund and at the total governmental fund level in fiscal 2019;

• Very strong budgetary flexibility, with an available fund balance in fiscal 2019 of 53% of operating expenditures, and the flexibility to raise additional revenues despite statewide tax caps.

Moody’s Investors Service
The Aaa rating reflects the city's strong financial position including significant liquidity and reserves. The rating also incorporates the sizeable, growing and diverse tax base that is anchored by world renowned higher education institutions and a substantial research and development sector, a below average debt burden and manageable pension and OPEB liabilities.

The stable outlook reflects the city's strong fiscal management that is committed to maintaining a healthy financial position given conservative multi-year budget forecasting and adherence to formally adopted fiscal policies. The outlook also incorporates the stabilizing presence of Harvard University (Aaa stable) and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Aaa stable) as well as the long historical trend of positive valuation growth in the tax base.

Fitch Ratings
The city’s ‘AAA’ GO bond rating and IDR (Issuer Default Rating) reflect Fitch’s expectation for Cambridge to maintain a high level of financial flexibility through economic cycles, consistent with a history of strong operating performance and budget controls. The ratings further reflect the city’s wealthy and growing property tax base, moderate expenditure growth and its demonstrated ability to reduce expenditures during economic downturns.

Fitch expects long-term liabilities to remain low based on the city’s capital needs, very rapid pace of principal amortization, continued growth in economic resources, and a practice of fully funding actuarially determined pension contributions. Cambridge continues to strengthen its position as a national leader in the life sciences and high tech sectors. Expansion in these sectors has contributed to a notable tax base, employment and resident income growth over the past several years.

Fitch expects revenue growth to continue to be strong based on the city’s solid underlying economic fundamentals and expectations for future tax base growth from new commercial and residential projects.

Fitch expects the city to maintain a high level of financial resilience throughout an economic cycle given its historically strong revenue performance, conservative budgeting practices and superior degree of inherent budget flexibility. The city’s steady growth in revenues has supported surplus operations over the past several fiscal years and has build up its reserve to high levels.

Leaping Lizards - Mar 2, 2020 Cambridge City Council Meeting Coming Attractions Here are the things I found interesting and/or horrifying: Manager's Agenda #4. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the Harvard Square Conservation District Study Committee report. Unfinished Business #4. A Zoning Petition has been received from Suzanne P. Blier regarding Harvard Square Zoning Petition. [Passed to a Second Reading on Feb 18, 2020, to be Ordained on or after Mar 2, 2020 (deadline is Mar 10, 2020)] It seems likely that this thoughtful zoning petition will be ordained this week - perhaps even unanimously. Councillor Carlone offered a few amendments and there may be others, but the core ideas in the petition are sound and the objections appear to be few. Manager's Agenda #6. Transmitting communication from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $15,000,000 from Free Cash to the Affordable Housing Trust to assist in preserving affordability of units at Fresh Pond Apartments at 362 and 364 Rindge Avenue. Communications & Reports #1. A communication was received from Mayor Sumbul Siddiqui, transmitting information regarding preserving the affordability of the Fresh Pond Apartments.   Mayor Siddiqui The primary goal of the Affordable Housing Trust in recent years has been the preservation of existing affordable housing. This additional $15 million from Free Cash will be part of approx. $40 million to guarantee the long-term affordability of 504 apartments. That's under $80,000 per apartment - a fraction of what it typically costs to create new housing units. From the City Manager's letter: "In 2009, the City identified 1,094 units at 10 privately-owned properties where affordability commitments were set to expire by 2021. Affordability has been successfully preserved at nine of these properties, including buildings that for decades have offered affordable housing options for residents in Harvard Square, Inman Square, the Port, Riverside, and West Cambridge. Reaching an agreement to preserve affordability of Fresh Pond Apartments caps our successful efforts to preserve every one of these affordable homes for current and future residents." Manager's Agenda #7. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the City of Cambridge retaining its AAA rating from the nation's three major credit rating agencies. This has become almost routine for Cambridge, and it says a lot about the steady hands on the tiller of municipal finance. That hand may have to be especially steady with the current membership of the City Council who have repeatedly shown their eagerness to spend without bound and tax to high heaven. Manager's Agenda #8. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to an update on the proposed Eversource substation on Fulkerson Street. Unfinished Business #5. A re-filed Zoning Petition has been received from Joseph T. Maguire of Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. transmitting a proposed revised amendment to the zoning ordinance by creating the Grand Junction Pathway Overlay District. [Passed to a Second Reading on Feb 10, 2020, to be Ordained on or after Feb 24, 2020 (deadline is Mar 9, 2020)] The alternate site proposed for the Eversource substation has now been revealed - a portion of the Blue Garage of Boston Properties between Broadway and Binney. The garage will need to be demolished to allow for the construction of the substation and replacement parking, and zoning relief will be needed to offset these costs by adding two new 400,000 square foot commercial buildings that will have to be approved under an amended Kendall Square Urban Renewal Plan (KSURP) and the MXD zoning district. In short, it's not quite as simple as tossing up a few big transformers on a vacant piece of land. The relocation of the electrical substation was the primary stumbling block for the Grand Junction Pathway Overlay District Petition, so if all goes well that will likely also be ordained at this meeting. Order #4. That the City Manager be and is hereby requested to confer with the Economic Development Division of the Community Development Department to prepare a report on any steps it has taken to work towards developing a Vacant Storefront Registration Policy.   Vice Mayor Mallon, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Zondervan, Councillor Carlone I don't see any real down side to having a Vacant Storefront Registration Policy. In fact, it could provide a relative accurate inventory from which thoughtful people may be able to marry potential retailers to available sites. [This is one of the multiple roles that the recently established Central Square Business Improvement District (BID) plays.] I do, however, worry that the City may find a way to lay a heavy hand on property owners who may have perfectly understandable reasons for having a vacancy. Gentle persuasion is better than the heavy hand. I still remember the asinine proposal from the City Council not long ago that vacant properties should be subjected to an onerous tax equivalent to the entire assessed value of the property over the course of two years. That would never have passed legal muster, but it serves as a reminder of the confiscatory mindset of some councillors. Order #5. That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to direct staff to begin including a “Racial Equity Impact Statement” on all relevant agenda items including, but not limited to, appointments, appropriations, ordinances, legal opinions, policies, procedures and regulations, beginning on Mar 9, 2020.   Councillor Zondervan, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler This is pure insanity. While we can all agree that it is a laudable goal to seek racial and socioeconomic equity in many ways, this absurd proposal would require virtually every action undertaken by the City to be evaluated based on "racial equity impact." Apparently Councillors Zondervan, Simmons, and Sobrinho-Wheeler feel that the paving of roads, the purchasing of stationary supplies, decisions of what is or is not legal, where parking meters should or should not be located, what days street cleaning occurs, and pretty much everything else should all be evaluated based on racial criteria. Quite simply, it's great to have equity-conscious goals, but requiring everything from the construction of a school building to the enforcement of traffic laws to the purchase of pencils to be judged based on race is ridiculous. Order #6. City Council support for legislation that would allow for the adoption of fees on the transfer of real estate for use in creating new funding for affordable housing trusts, including H.2457, H.2552, and the consensus bill.   Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Carlone, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Simmons I am trying to imagine the cumulative impact of all the proposed zoning changes, earmarked revenue streams, and more that this City Council seems intent on permanently establishing. My sense is that all property taxes will grow faster, commercial development will have to accelerate to cover the costs of government largess, and we'll drive out what is left of middle-income residents other than those who apply to City agencies for their housing. Bringing in some additional revenue to supplement CPA funds for housing programs seems perfectly reasonable, but I have never been a fan of permanently earmarking funds for any one purpose. - Robert Winters Comments?

Here We Go Again - Select Items on the Feb 24, 2020 Cambridge City Council Agenda The Big Item is the Return of the Subsidized Housing Overlay, that proposed borderline regulatory taking that caused so much stink and posturing last year. Here are the items that seem to rise from the swamp more than others: Manager's Agenda #11. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 20-14, requesting an update on the Lechmere Station closure, the replacement bus service, and the community outreach that is planned. Within a few years the entire Lechmere area will be transformed - the Green Line viaduct will no longer cross the highway, and the McGrath O'Brien Highway itself may be reconfigured into an "urban boulevard". First Street will connect directly to the reconfigured boulevard and beyond, and Lechmere Station will be on the north side of the thoroughfare and be just another stop on the Green Line to/from either Union Square or West Medford. People working in Cambridge may find Somerville and Medford to be very desirable housing options and the entire NorthPoint (Cambridge Crossing) area will be fully built out. While our local City Council fiddles and diddles about flexiposts, the color of sidewalks, whether homeowners should be allowed to have gas stoves or manage the trees on their own property, far more interesting developments are taking shape. Traffic may really suck in that area in the short term, but as long as they create greater connectivity in the end, the short-term hassle will be worth it. Now if they can somehow get the area around the Museum of Science to feel less like a highway rest stop and more like a part of the Charles River Reservation (which it is), then I'll really pop the champagne corks when all is said and done. Manager's Agenda #12. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to a Planning Board recommendation to adopt the Incentive Zoning Contribution Rate Zoning Petition. Committee Report #2. Report of the Ordinance Committee - Committee Meeting - Feb 12, 2020 5:30pm regarding a hearing on an amendment to the Incentive Zoning Ordinance. I don't believe the proposed increases in Incentive Zoning required payments will make or break many proposed projects, but I am always entertained at how spending other people's money is almost a competition among elected officials and apparently now even among some Planning Board members. That said, the Planning Board's positive recommendation is quite schizophrenic. On the one hand they suggest that the Council jack up the rate even higher, yet they follow that with: "Board members also urged consideration of how substantially raising the fee could discourage development, cause increases in commercial rents, or otherwise affect Cambridge's overall economic balance and competitiveness in a regional market." Unfinished Business #3. A re-filed Zoning Petition has been received from Joseph T. Maguire of Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc. transmitting a proposed revised amendment to the zoning ordinance by creating the Grand Junction Pathway Overlay District. [PASSED TO A SECOND READING ON FEB 10, 2020, TO BE ORDAINED ON OR AFTER FEB 24, 2020. (Deadline is Mar 9, 2020.)] This could be ordained either this week or next, but I suspect only if and when a firm commitment is made for the relocation of the Eversource electrical substation that had been planned for Fulkerson Street. Otherwise, expect another can to be kicked down the road. Unfinished Business #4. A Zoning Petition Has been received from Suzanne P. Blier regarding Harvard Square Zoning Petition. [PASSED TO A SECOND READING ON FEB 18, 2020, TO BE ORDAINED ON OR AFTER MAR 2, 2020. (Deadline is Mar 10, 2020.)] Communications & Reports #3. A communication was received from Councillor Dennis Carlone, transmitting Proposed Amendments to the Harvard Square Overlay District Zoning Petition. This petition was the subject of the February 18 Special City Council meeting where it was passed to a 2nd Reading and put in the queue for possible ordination at the March 2 meeting - the last before the deadline. That was an absurd meeting in many ways in that the language of the petition with the proposed amendments from the Ordinance Committee had already been shipped out for publication so that it could meet the legal requirements. The Council could talk and talk but not actually change anything lest it require re-advertisement with the amended language which would run afoul of the deadline for ordination. The Council will be able to propose amendments on Feb 24 or on the night of likely ordination on March 2. I don't think this zoning proposal has anything earth-shattering in it despite the ravings of our local goose guy. It will, hopefully, make it easier to do reasonable things in reasonable ways while still keeping the earth's magnetic field safe and keeping enough of the historic fabric of Harvard Square intact for a few more generations. Order #1. 100% Affordable Housing Overlay Zoning Petition 2020.   Councillor McGovern, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Toomey Communications & Reports #2. A communication was received from Councillor McGovern, transmitting a memorandum with comments on refilling the 100% Affordable Housing Overlay Zoning Petition 2020. The creep of government control continues, and another round of civic discord is again on the horizon. We will once again get to hear about why there should be significantly different zoning rules depending on who owns the property, and why greater and greater percentages of the Cambridge housing stock should be transferred from private ownership into the hands of government and quasi-government control. There's also that little matter of abutting neighbors having no real ability to respond to what could well be a radical departure from what might otherwise be expected with equitable zoning laws. Anyone who really understands how the affordability of housing works understands that this can only be addressed with adequate regional housing growth at all economic levels coupled with improved transportation. Instead, the City Council will apparently opt for subsidized housing built at great public expense that will not have any effect on general affordability of housing. Indeed, you should have heard Councillor Carlone at the recent Government Operation Committee meeting on the City Manager's possible contract renewal where he bemoaned the fact that "we've left a billion dollars on the table" that we could have extracted from residential and commercial property owners to pay for more and more projects. So by the time this City Council term is done we may have a new city manager, dramatically increased budgets and tax rates, and a housing policy that makes housing cheaper for those who seek it from the government and even more expensive for everyone else. Order #3. That the City Manager is requested to confer with Director of Cambridge Public Libraries to determine the feasibility of eliminating late fines.   Mayor Siddiqui, Vice Mayor Mallon This probably makes sense but I am curious about what will be done if someone loses a book or other material or simply chooses to never return it. Do we just keep sending nagging letters and email messages? Order #5. That the Department of Conservation and Recreation reconsider a road diet and protected bike lane for Gerrys Landing Road.   Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Zondervan, Councillor Nolan Order #6. That the City Manager is hereby requested to confer with relevant City departments and the MBTA on the feasibility of implementing additional dedicated bus lanes, as well as fully separate protected bicycle lanes.   Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Zondervan, Mayor Siddiqui I agree that separated paths for bicycles are warranted on roads where the difference in speeds between bicycles and motor vehicles is significant and where slower-speed alternatives are either difficult or nonexistent. This includes DCR roads like Gerry's Landing Road as well as the McGrath/O'Brien Highway. I also agree that dedicated bus lanes make sense in some places where the frequency of buses warrants it, but there's nothing more aggravating than being stuck in traffic while significant road space lies empty 99% of the time. Order #7. That the City Manager is requested to produce a Request For Proposal for the municipal broadband feasibility study that was called for by the City's Broadband Task Force in August 2016.   Councillor Nolan, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor McGovern Look for this to be a Big Ask during the discussion on a possible contract extension for the City Manager. I'm still not convinced that the financial exposure associated with a municipal investment in a technology that might become obsolete soon after it's built is worth the risk. I'm still willing to be convinced and maybe that's why a feasibility study (as opposed to a commitment to fund the build-out) is warranted. Committee Report #3. Report of the Government Operations, Rules & Claims Committee - Committee Meeting - Feb 4, 2020 10:00am regarding a meeting to review the City Council’s Rules for the 2020-2021 Legislative year. I was hoping that they might take a look at restructuring some of the Council subcommittees, e.g. splitting Arts & Celebrations out from Long-Term Planning, but I didn't see it in the verbose meeting minutes. Ironically, they spent a very long time talking about whether to further limit public comment. - Robert Winters Comments?

Local Cambridge Elections: 2020

What's going on in the elections for the State Representatives and State Senators and other elected officials representing Cambridge?
I'll update this periodically with announced candidacies and credible rumors. Contact me with info. - RW

[Ward and Precinct Map] [Congressional District Map] [State Senate Districts Map] [State Representative Districts Map]

House Districts
24th Middlesex (Ward 11, Precincts 1 & 3)
David Rogers (D)
Jennifer Fries (D) is an announced challenger.

25th Middlesex (Ward 4; Ward 6, Precincts 2 & 3; Ward 7; Ward 8; Ward 10, Precincts 1 & 2)
Marjorie Decker (D)
Leslie R. Phillips (D), a perennial candidate, will likely (again) be a challenger for this seat.

26th Middlesex (Ward 1; Ward 2, Precinct 1; Ward 3; Ward 6, Precinct 1)
Mike Connolly (D)
Won't somebody please step forward and make a challenge for this seat?

29th Middlesex (Ward 9; Ward 10, Precinct 3; Ward 11, Precinct 2)
Jonathan Hecht (D) - announced Feb 10 that he would not be seeking re-election in 2020.
Steven Owens (D) of Watertown filed Feb 14 with OCPF.
There are several other individuals rumored to be considering a run for this seat.

8th Suffolk (Ward 2, Precincts 2 & 3; Ward 5)
Jay Livingstone (D)
Kelechi Linardon of Boston filed Feb 7 with OCPF.

Senate Districts
Middlesex & Suffolk (Ward 1; Ward 2, Precinct 1; Ward 3; Ward 4, Precinct 2; Ward 6; Ward 7; Ward 8)
Sal N. DiDomenico (D)

First Suffolk & Middlesex (Ward 2, Precincts 2 & 3; Ward 4, Precinct 1 & 3; Ward 5)
Joseph Boncore (D)

Second Middlesex (Ward 9; Ward 10; Ward 11)
Patricia D. Jehlen (D)

Governor’s Councilor – all of Cambridge is in the Sixth District
Terrence Kennedy (D)

U. S. Representatives
Fifth District (Ward 3, Precinct 2A; Ward 4, Precincts 2 & 3; Ward 6; Ward 7; Ward 8; Ward 9; Ward 10, Precincts 1 & 2)
Katherine Clark (D)

Seventh District (Ward 1; Ward 2; Ward 3, Precincts 1, 2, & 3; Ward 4, Precinct 1; Ward 5; Ward 10, Precinct 3; Ward 11)
Ayanna Pressley (D)

U. S. Senators
Elizabeth Warren (D) - current term ends Jan 3, 2025, currently seeking Democratic nomination for President of the USA.

Edward Markey (D, incumbent) - current term ends on Jan 3, 2021, seeking re-election in 2020
Joseph Kennedy III (D) is challenging Markey for the seat.
Shiva Ayyadurai (R), a perennial candidate, is also seeking this Senate seat.

Catching Up on the Cambridge News - Feb 16, 2020

Cambridge Achieves 30 Percent Trash Reduction Milestone One Year Early
Feb 14, 2020 – In 2009, the City of Cambridge adopted a goal to reduce trash by 30% by 2020 and 80% by 2050, using 2008 as a baseline. Subsequently, the Department of Public Works (DPW) launched new programs and educational campaigns over the past decade to encourage residents to reconsider what they toss in the trash.

Today, Cambridge officials announced that the 30% trash reduction goal was achieved one year early. In 2019, the City of Cambridge reduced its trash reduction numbers by 32%, to 15.6 pounds per week per household, compared to 22.8 pounds per week per household in 2008.

“By adding new programs that encourage diverting items from the waste stream and enhancing our existing recycling programs, we’ve been able to achieve this ambitious goal ahead of schedule,” said Public Works Commissioner Owen O’Riordan. “I want to thank Cambridge residents and our Recycling Advisory Committee for their hard work in helping the city reduce the amount of trash we send to the landfill. It may take an extra minute or two to separate your items, but it’s worth the extra effort.”

Cambridge achieved this goal by improving curbside recycling, encouraging reduce and reuse practices, and enhancing opportunities to divert hard-to-recycle items such as electronics and textiles. Among the most impactful programs was Cambridge’s curbside compost program which expanded citywide in 2018 as part of recommendations from the city’s Zero Waste Master Plan. The compost program is accessible to more than 32,000 households in Cambridge. The curbside compost program has reduced trash by 7% and has substantially reduced the net greenhouse gas emissions of our waste programs. It also costs the city less money to dispose of food waste in the compost program than in the trash.

The Zero Waste Master Plan, which was developed to assist the City in achieving goals of reducing waste and greenhouse gas emissions, also identified mattress recycling as a program that can help reduce trash. Launched in April 2019, the program has diverted more than 5,000 mattresses to date. Instead of going to a landfill, the mattresses are collected by UTEC (United Teen Equality Center), a nonprofit organization serving at-risk young adults, that picks up, deconstructs, and recycles mattresses. This new program reduced trash by 250,000 pounds in 2019.

Cambridge has also encouraged residents to utilize its Recycling Center, at 147 Hampshire Street, to drop off items that may be recycled, but cannot be collected curbside, such as electronics, plastic bags, and scrap metal.

“I’m incredibly proud of this achievement and the various efforts that DPW staff have deployed since 2009 that have contributed to the city meeting the 30% trash reduction goal ahead of schedule,” said Cambridge City Manager Louis A. DePasquale. “This accomplishment highlights the city’s commitment to using data and evidence to drive strategic decisions to achieve goals set by the City Council. Without the help of our impassioned residents and the support of the City Council, this goal would not have been accomplished. I look forward to making strides outlined in our Zero Waste Master Plan to continue decreasing trash in Cambridge.”

“We’re thrilled that we could come together as a community to accomplish this goal,” said Mayor Sumbul Siddiqui. “Reducing waste is one of several ways Cambridge is working to help reduce our impact on climate change.”

Residents are encouraged to visit CambridgeMA.Gov/Recycle to learn more about how they may collaborate with the city on reducing trash. Stay tuned for opportunities coming this spring to help celebrate this milestone.

Cambridge Recycling Director Michael Orr inspects sorted recycling bales
with Kate Riley, Public Works Community Relations Manager

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River Street Reconstruction - February 2020 Project Update
Work on the River Street Reconstruction and Carl Barron Plaza project continues in many areas.

Working group meeting postponed to March
Given that many of the project work items are still in progress, the project team has postponed the next working group meeting to March 24. This will allow the project team to make substantial progress on design work. The information for this meeting is as follows:
Tuesday, March 24, 2020, 6:00pm-8:00pm, Doors open 5:45pm
Manning Apartments, 1st Floor Community Room, 237 Franklin Street

Public meeting planned for April
The project team is also working toward a public meeting in April to show the latest designs. This meeting will include corridor designs, traffic analysis, bus routings, and a few concepts for a redesigned Carl Barron Plaza. Stay tuned for updates on the topics and a save the date for this meeting.

Design updates - Carl Barron Plaza
Carl Barron Plaza is the public plaza space in front of Cambridge Savings Bank, Amazon, and the Holmes Building entrance. At the last meeting of the River Street Working Group in December, the working group came to consensus for looking at expanded plaza space. The main way to create a larger plaza is by changing bus routes and stop locations at the busway. The project team calls this new configuration the “Butterfly” design because of its butterfly shape. This design allows for more plaza space while keeping two well-used bus stops on the edges of an expanded plaza.

At the current time, the project team is creating a few distinct conceptual designs to bring to the public for comments. A specific design for the plaza is not yet selected.

To see some of the conceptual designs, view the slideshow from the last working group meeting.

Design updates - River Street corridor
Work to improve the design on the corridor continues. The project team is reviewing the River Street design at places where the street is narrow, evaluating daily use and maintenance. Some minor curb adjustments are expected.

At the same time, the project team is continuing to conduct detailed traffic analysis and modeling. This analysis and modeling will help the project team make sure that the new River Street will work for everybody no matter how they get around and will function to move people safely and efficiently.

The project team is also reviewing curbside access (loading, parking, etc.) along River Street. This review is to make sure that the River Street design meets curb access needs for people going to local businesses, residents, and visitors.

Exploring changes to bus routes and stop locations
We are discussing with the community and the MBTA shifting MBTA Route 64 from Magazine Street to River Street. Using River Street is a more direct route to Central Square. We are also discussing shifting Route 47 from Massachusetts Avenue to Green and Franklin Streets. Using Green and Franklin streets would allow for more plaza space at Carl Barron Plaza and make Route 47 more reliable.

The project team will share more information about these changes at upcoming project meetings. We are also planning to engage riders and the public in additional outreach efforts.

Work continues on public art on River Street
Ritsuko Taho is the artist for the River Street project. She is the original artist who created the “Multicultural Manifestos” artwork in Carl Barron Plaza. This artwork includes the "dream towers" and "dream wheels" in the plaza. The "Multicultural Manifestos" artwork will be removed from the plaza during the reconstruction process. The artist will then take elements of that work and create a new work that will be located in several places along the corridor. We hope to preview the new work at the next working group and public meeting.

Tell us how River Street works today on our questionnaire
The River Street Reconstruction project will renew infrastructure on and under River Street. This questionnaire’s goal is to hear what you feel and think about River Street today. By taking this questionnaire, you will help the project team think about how to design the street. We will also use your answers to compare what people think and feel before and after our reconstruction project.

This survey takes between 5 to 10 minutes. Take the River Street survey.

Project web page with meeting materials and other useful information.

For more information on this project or to be added to the project email list, please visit: cambridgema.gov/riverstreet. If you have any questions about this project or upcoming meetings, contact the River Street Reconstruction team by e-mail at riverstreet@cambridgema.gov. You may also contact Bill Deignan at wdeignan@cambridgema.gov or 617-349-4632.

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Renew Your Resident Parking Permit for 2020 Now to Avoid Delays Later
Feb 7, 2020 – The renewal season for 2020 Resident/Visitor Parking Permits for the City of Cambridge is in process from Jan 2 - Mar 31, 2020. Please note that 2019 Resident and Visitor Permits are valid through Mar 31, 2020.

Residents who have a current Resident or Visitor Parking Permit have the option of renewing their permit(s) online at CambridgeMA.gov/parking-permits. Online applications can take up to three weeks for processing and delivery, so please plan accordingly, keeping in mind the March 31 expiration date for 2019 permits.

Permits can also be renewed by mail using the application available at CambridgeMA.gov/parking-permits or in person during regular hours at the Traffic, Parking, and Transportation Department, 344 Broadway, Cambridge, Monday: 8:30am-8:00pm, Tuesday-Thursday: 8:30am-5:00pm, Friday: 8:30am-12:00pm.

The featured photo on the 2020 Permit is of Little Fresh Pond by Judy Silvan.

For more information, visit CambridgeMA.gov/parking-permits.

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Members Sought for Cambridge Cemetery Master Plan Stakeholders Group

Mar 9, 2020 – Cambridge City Manager Louis A. DePasquale is seeking applicants to serve on a stakeholder’s group to review the City of Cambridge ongoing Cemetery Master Plan process. The Master Plan seeks to improve the layout and operation of the Cambridge Cemetery.

The City’s consultant will be considering alternative forms of internment, adding and re-landscaping areas, and addressing how best to create and enhance the final place of rest for Cambridge citizens. The stakeholder’s group will meet periodically over the next 12 months. Subcommittees may be set up to investigate specific topics and report back to the full committee. All stakeholder group meetings are open to the public.

Applicants are sought from various stakeholder groups, including residents, local cemetery operators/administrators, property owners and local funeral services businesses. Applications can be submitted at cambridgema.gov/apply. A cover letter describing interest, a resume and applicable expertise or experience can be submitted during the online application process. Paper applications are available in the City Manager’s Office at Cambridge City Hall, 795 Massachusetts Avenue. The deadline for submitting an application to serve on the task force is April 6, 2020.

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Members Sought for Cambridge Citizens’ Committee on Civic Unity

Feb 27, 2020 – Cambridge City Manager Louis A. DePasquale is seeking members of the community who live and/or work in Cambridge to serve on the Citizens’ Committee on Civic Unity.

The mission of the City of Cambridge Citizens’ Committee on Civic Unity is to foster fairness, equity, unity, appreciation, and mutual understanding across all people and entities in Cambridge. The Citizens’ Committee on Civic Unity works to provide opportunities for constructive discussions and community events regarding race, class, religion, gender, abilities, and sexual orientation, through recognizing and raising awareness of historic, existing, and potential civic issues; providing opportunities for honest dialogue and engagement; and by building bridges across communities to better understand and connect with one another.

The Committee generally meets monthly. Committee meetings are open to the public and may include presentations by guest speakers, city staff, and various experts. For information on the committee’s work, current goals, meeting schedule, and events, please visit: www.cambridgema.gov/civicunity

Letters of interest can be submitted to City Manager Louis A. DePasquale using the City’s online application system at cambridgema.gov/apply. Paper applications are available in the City Manager’s Office at Cambridge City Hall, 795 Massachusetts Avenue. Once your application is submitted, you will receive a confirmation email. Applications are due by Monday, March 23, 2020.

If you have questions about the application process, please contact the City Manager's Office at 617-349-4300 or fgaines@Cambridgema.gov.

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City of Cambridge Seeks Members for Temporary Leaf Blower Use Review Group

Feb 25, 2020 – Cambridge City Manager Louis A. DePasquale is seeking applicants to serve on a temporary Leaf Blower Use Review Group that will review the City of Cambridge Noise Ordinance specific to the use of leaf blowers in the community. The group will meet monthly over the next 6 months.

Subcommittees may be set up to investigate specific topics to report back to the full committee. All Leaf Blower Use Review Group meetings will be open to the public. Applicants are sought from various stakeholder groups, including residents, neighborhood groups, city boards/committees, universities, property owners, and local businesses.

The deadline to submit an application to serve on the Review Group is March 26, 2020. Applications can be submitted to City Manager Louis A. DePasquale using the City’s online application system at cambridgema.gov/apply. A cover letter describing interest, and résumé or applicable experience can be submitted during the online application process. Paper applications are available in the City Manager’s Office at Cambridge City Hall, 795 Massachusetts Avenue. Once your application is submitted, you will receive a confirmation email.

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CIVIC CALENDAR (abridged)

Tues, Mar 10

6:30pm   Planning Board meeting  (2nd Floor Meeting Room, City Hall Annex, 344 Broadway)

General Business

1. Update from the Community Development Department

2. Adoption of Planning Board meeting transcripts

Public Hearings

6:30pm   Family Definition Amendment Petition
Zoning petition by Christopher Schmidt, et al., to amend the definition of “Family” in Section 2.000 of the Zoning Ordinance. (Notice) (Materials)

7:30pm   PB# 354 (continued from 12/17/2019)
87-101 CambridgePark Drive – Special Permit application by HCP/King 101 CPD LLC to construct a 141,834 square foot technical office building with ground floor retail and below grade parking for 247 vehicles pursuant to Sections 20.70 Flood Plain Overlay District; 20.94.1 Retail Use; 20.95.1 Floor Area Ratio; 20.95.2 Height in excess of 55 feet; 20.95.34(1) Waiver of Yard Requirements; and 19.20 Project Review. (Notice) (Materials)

Wed, Mar 11

8:00-9:30am   Recycling Advisory Committee (RAC) Meeting  (Sullivan Chamber, City Hall)

5:30-7:30pm   Bicycle Committee meeting  (4th Floor Conference Room, 344 Broadway)

5:30pm   Cambridge Redevelopment Authority Board Meeting  (Police Station, First Floor Conference Room, 125 Sixth St.) - cancelled (COVID-19)

Thurs, Mar 12

5:30pm   The City Council's Government Operations, Rules & Claims Committee will meet to continue discussion on extending the contract of City Manager Louis A. DePasquale beyond January 2021.  (Sullivan Chamber - Televised) - date unclear from City Clerk's calendar.

6:00pm   Special Meeting of the School Committee  (Attles Meeting Room, CRLS)
Special Meeting of the School Committee for the purpose of the Superintendent’s presentation of the FY21 Proposed School Department Budget to the School Committee.

Mon, Mar 16

5:30pm   City Council meeting  (Sullivan Chamber - Televised)

6:30pm   East Cambridge Neighborhood Conservation District Study Committee  (East End House, 105 Spring Street)

Tues, Mar 17

5:00pm   The City Council's Ordinance Committee will meet for a hearing on a petition to amend the definition of family in the Cambridge the zoning ordinance.  (Sullivan Chamber - Televised)

6:00pm   School Committee Regular Meeting and Budget Workshop  (Attles Meeting Room, CRLS)
There will be a Public Hearing on the FY20-21 Proposed School Department Budget and the Student Opportunity Act Plan at the beginning of this Regular Meeting. There will be a FY21 Budget Workshop immediately following the Regular Meeting.

Wed, Mar 18

6:00-7:30pm   Central Square Advisory Committee meeting  (4th Floor Conference Room, City Hall Annex, 344 Broadway)

Tues, Mar 19

time not specified   Public Hearing on FY 2021 Proposed School Department Budget  (location not specified)

Mon, Mar 23

5:30pm   City Council meeting  (Sullivan Chamber - Televised)

Tues, Mar 24

5:30pm   Roundtable/Working Meeting for members of the City Council and School Committee to continue discussion regarding the school budget for Fiscal Year 2021.  (Henrietta Attles Meeting Room, CRLS - Televised)
It is anticipated this meeting will end no later than 7:30pm.

Thurs, Mar 26

10:00am   The City Council's Neighborhood & Long Term Planning, Public Facilities, Arts & Celebration Committee will conduct a public hearing to discuss the timeline, scope, and budget of the Tobin/Vassal Lane School Project and how it fits onto the long term plan for all school buildings in the City to accommodate expected enrollment changes of the next 10 to 20 years and to receive an update on the legislative office plans.  (Sullivan Chamber - Televised)

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

6:00pm   Commission on Immigrant Rights and Citizenship meeting  (2nd Floor Conference Room, 51 Inman St.)

Tues, Mar 31

time not specified   School Committee Budget Workshop  (location not specified)

3:00pm   The City Council's Economic Development and University Relations Committee will meet for a hearing to discuss challenges and opportunities that exist in City purchasing, procurement and programs for MWBEs and other historically disadvantaged businesses and non-profits in Cambridge.  (Sullivan Chamber - Televised)

Wed, Apr 1

2:30-5:00pm   Cambridge Redevelopment Authority Design Review Meeting  (Police Station, First Floor Community Room, 125 Sixth St.)

5:30-7:30pm   Transit Advisory Committee  (Senior Center)

7:00-8:30pm  Designing with Plant Communities  (Cambridge Public Library, 449 Broadway, Cambridge)
Dan Jaffe, Horticulturist, Norcross Wildlife Sanctuary
All too often, during the design process, we think of plants on an individual or species basis. Yet in the landscape, plants are constantly interacting with one another in intricate ways. What happens if we create planting plans focused on complete systems rather than collections of individuals? Join us to learn how to create healthy, resilient plant communities that are beautiful and ecologically vibrant. Dan Jaffe will discuss how to select and combine the right species for specific site conditions, and how this community-oriented approach can be applied to plantings of all sizes. [Flyer]
Dan Jaffe is passionate about ecological horticulture, and enhancing the wildlife value of every landscape. Prior to joining Norcross Wildlife Sanctuary, he was the senior plant propagator at Garden in the Woods. He is the co-author of Native Plants for New England Gardens, which features his captivating photographs.

Thurs, Apr 2

11:00am   The City Council's Human Services and Veterans Committee will hold a public hearing to discuss harm reduction in Cambridge, hear input from community partners and legal scholars, and host a mock-SIS demonstration, and discuss a policy order out of committee asking the City to move forward with approving a supervised injection services location.  (Sullivan Chamber - Televised)

6:00pm   Human Rights Commission meeting  (2nd Floor Conference Room, 51 Inman St.)

Mon, Apr 6

5:30pm   City Council meeting  (Sullivan Chamber - Televised)

6:30pm   East Cambridge Neighborhood Conservation District Study Committee  (East End House, 105 Spring Street)

Tues, Apr 7

time not specified   School Committee Vote to Adopt FY2021 Proposed School Department Budget  (location not specified)

3:00pm   The City Council's Economic Development and University Relations Committee will meet for a hearing to discuss a report back from the Economic Development Division of the Community Development Department on steps the City of Cambridge has taken towards developing a vacant storefront registration policy.  (Sullivan Chamber - Televised)

Wed, Apr 8

8:00-9:30am   Recycling Advisory Committee (RAC) Meeting  (Sullivan Chamber, City Hall)

Mon, Apr 13

5:30pm   City Council meeting  (Sullivan Chamber - Televised)

Tues, Apr 14

5:00pm   The City Council's Ordinance Committee will hold a public hearing on the Affordable Housing Overlay Petition.  (Sullivan Chamber - Televised)

Wed, Apr 15

3:00pm   The City Council's Ordinance Committee will hold a public hearing on the Affordable Housing Overlay Petition.  (Sullivan Chamber - Televised)

5:30pm   Cambridge Redevelopment Authority Board Meeting  (Police Station, First Floor Conference Room, 125 Sixth St.)

5:30-7:30pm   Bicycle Committee meeting  (4th Floor Conference Room, 344 Broadway)

Thurs, Apr 16

5:30pm   The City Council's Health and Environment Committee to hear a progress report and recommendations from the Climate Resilience Zoning Task Force.   (Sullivan Chamber - Televised)

Mon, Apr 20

6:30pm   East Cambridge Neighborhood Conservation District Study Committee  (East End House, 105 Spring Street)
[Note: This is the Patriots Day Holiday, so this scheduled meeting will likely be cancelled or rescheduled.]

Wed, Apr 22

6:00-7:30pm   Central Square Advisory Committee meeting  (4th Floor Conference Room, City Hall Annex, 344 Broadway)

Thurs, Apr 23

6:00pm   Commission on Immigrant Rights and Citizenship meeting  (2nd Floor Conference Room, 51 Inman St.)

Mon, Apr 27

5:30pm   City Council meeting  (Sullivan Chamber - Televised)

Tues, Apr 28

5:00pm   The City Council's Ordinance Committee will hold a public hearing to discuss the Harvard Square Conservation District Study Committee report.  (Sullivan Chamber - Televised)

Thurs, Apr 30

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