Cambridge InsideOut - Dec 7, 2021

Preview of December 6, 2021 Cambridge City Council meeting - T Minus Two Meetings

The Pandemic Council Term is winding down even as the Omicron Variant is winding up for the next term. I fully expect another two years of coronagendas pushed through under the Shadow of Zoom. Running Down the Clock

Here are a few items of possible interest for this week:

Manager's Agenda #1. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to a COVID-19 update.
Placed on File 8-0-1 (Nolan - ABSENT)

Suffice to say that the latest rates of positive tests have been quite alarming - even though fatalities have become quite rare (as he searches for wood on which to vigorously knock). I would very much appreciate more information about where the increased positive tests are rooted. It appears as though the university populations and younger people are the chief contributors, but many of us would like more clarity.

Manager's Agenda #4. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the appointment of the following persons as new members of the Family Policy Council effective Dec 1, 2021: Wendy Georgan, Tabithlee Howard, Sophie Goldman, Elijah Lee-Robinson, Elaine Wen
Placed on File 9-0

Order #7. That the City Manager is requested to instruct the City Solicitor to draft the appropriate ordinance amendments for the City Council to review following the recent charter amendments. Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler
Order Adopted 8-0-1 (Simmons - ABSENT)

<sarcasm>I believe we need to see a report detailing the status of each of these appointees in terms of ethnic representativeness, rental status, and philosophy regarding housing density. After all, Family Policy is Housing Policy. Please wait until after January 1 to refer these appointments to the Civic Unity Committee.</sarcasm>

I am looking forward to seeing how the tribunals will be structured for the evaluation of the worthiness of citizen volunteers by a panel of clueless and politically motivated councillors. Meanwhile, all I have heard regarding the rather important matter of choosing the next City Manager is a throng of crickets.

Manager's Agenda #14. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 21-88, regarding amendments to the draft Ordinance to limit and monitor campaign donations by individuals seeking financial benefit from the City of Cambridge. [Solicitor's response]
Referred to Proposed Ordinance 7-0-0-2 (Simmons, Toomey - PRESENT)

On the Table #1. That the City Council adopt a municipal ordinance to reduce or limit campaign donations from donors seeking to enter into a contract, seeking approval for a special permit or up-zoning, seeking to acquire real estate from the city, or seeking financial assistance from the city; Ordinance #2020-27. [Tabled - Nov 8, 2021]
Taken from Table 9-0; Passed to 2nd Reading as Amended 7-2 (Simmons, Toomey - NO)

On the Table #2. That the attached Home Petition titled “Petition For An Act Authorizing The City Of Cambridge To Enact An Ordinance To Limit And Monitor Campaign Donations In Local Elections By Individuals Seeking Financial Reward From The City Of Cambridge” be forwarded to the General Court for adoption. [Tabled - Nov 8, 2021]
Taken from Table 9-0; Placed Back on Table 8-0-0-1 (Simmons - PRESENT)

For what it's worth, I don't actually support these restrictions. I'm all for disclosure, and I do my best to help illuminate campaign donations, but the forced imposition of restrictions like those in the proposed ordinance is a slippery slope that serves no useful purpose and is based on the loosiest and goosiest of interpretations and carve-outs for politically acceptable influence-purchasing. Every candidate is free to refuse donations from any source or to highlight the acceptance of those donations by their competitors.

And just to piss off anyone who continues to lose sleep over the Citizens United case decided by the U.S. Supreme Court, I actually agree that the right to raise and spend money falls under the category of “free speech”. That said, I think everyone should cast a suspicious eye toward Super-PACs, Independent Expenditure PACs (which, lets face it, often aren't all that independent of the candidates they support), and any other vehicle used to purchase election victories. Perhaps a more relevant pursuit would be to ensure that all credible candidates are guaranteed widely accessible free platforms via which voters can get to know them.

Some of the most lavishly-funded campaigns derive their treasures not from “individuals seeking financial reward from the City of Cambridge” but from highly-paid professionals who enjoy great access and influence with the councillors they support. I will add that I find it endlessly entertaining to listen to the rhetorical contortions of councillors arguing both sides of this issue. Everyone is always looking for an edge.

Communications #1-6 all address concerns about the recent N. Mass. Ave. bus and bike lane installation and its impacts on traffic and commercial viability.

Order #1. That the City Manager is requested to confer with appropriate departments on what the standard public process will be prior to implementing new sections of bike lanes, and what general evaluation process will take place post-installation. Councillor Toomey, Councillor Simmons
Order Adopted as Amended 9-0

The problem, of course, is that the City Council passed amendments to the Bike Safety Ordinance that essentially limits public process to little more than a discussion over the color of the flex posts. Considerations of such things as the viability of businesses, traffic congestion, and even actual bike safety must take a back seat to everything except perceived safety and the comfort of cyclists.

Order #3. That the Cambridge City Council condemns, in the strongest possible terms, any actions that may result in the physical injury of any individual, regardless of their support or non-support, of the bike/bus lane implementation on Massachusetts Avenue. Councillor McGovern, Mayor Siddiqui, Vice Mayor Mallon
Order Adopted 7-0-0-2 (Simmons, Toomey - PRESENT)

To any idiot who thinks that you can advance your cause by spreading tacks or bricks or broken glass in bike lanes: Violence is a poor substitute for reason, persistence, or even mockery. Try winning your argument with wit and wisdom instead. Even if you don't prevail you can still live with your conscience (assuming you have one).

Order #2. City Council opposition to the MBTA’s plans to introduce new diesel infrastructure at the North Cambridge Garage and buses with diesel heaters. Vice Mayor Mallon, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Zondervan, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler
Placed on File (motion of Mallon) 8-1 (Zondervan - NO)

Order #6. That the City Clerk is requested to forward the Home Rule Petition establishing a Net Zero emissions requirement for building construction in Cambridge in accordance with its Net Zero Action Plan, adopted in 2015, to the entire state legislative delegation for immediate adoption. Councillor Zondervan, Councillor Nolan, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Carlone
Charter Right - Zondervan

I will soon be getting insulation pumped into all the outer walls of my building, and I think most Cambridge property owners are receptive to greater energy efficiency in their buildings. That said, I am always suspicious of actions by the City Council that may potentially lead to dramatic increases in the cost of home renovations.

Order #8. That the City Manager is requested to direct the City Solicitor to draft home rule language to establish a Cambridge Jobs Creation Trust for City Council review by the Dec 20, 2021 regular City Council meeting. Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Vice Mayor Mallon, Mayor Siddiqui
Order Adopted 9-0

It sure seems as though this City Council is poised to jack up the linkage fee on new commercial developments as high as legally possible regardless of the intended or unintended consequences. Any reasonable person likely supports job creation for residents, but the proposed Cambridge Jobs Creation Trust seems more like a justification for an increase in the linkage fee than anything else.

Order #9. That a special meeting of the City Council, School Committee, Cambridge Health Department and other appropriate city and school staff be scheduled to discuss the findings of the 2021 Cambridge Teen Health Survey for Middle and High School students and what immediate interventions are going to be implemented in response to concerns. Councillor McGovern, Mayor Siddiqui, Vice Mayor Mallon
Order Adopted 8-0-1 (Carlone - ABSENT)

Suffice to say that the statements “46% of high school students and 31% of middle school students reported feeling tense, nervous, or worried every day for two or more weeks in a row” and “35% of high school students and 27% of middle school students reported feeling so sad or hopeless almost every day for 2 weeks or more that they stopped doing usual activities” may well apply to a lot of people at various times during the pandemic. - Robert Winters

Comments?

The Beat Goes On - November 22, 2021 Cambridge City Council meeting

Here's my take on the interesting stuff this week: City Hall

Manager's Agenda #1. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to reappointments and new appointments of members of the Transit Advisory Committee for a term of 2-years, effective Nov 22, 2021.
Placed on File 9-0

Manager's Agenda #2. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the reappointments and new appointments of members of the Pedestrian Committee for a term of 2-years, effective Nov 22, 2021.
Placed on File 9-0

Manager's Agenda #3. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the reappointments and new appointments of members of the Bicycle Committee for a term of 2-years, effective Nov 22, 2021.
Placed on File 9-0

Manager's Agenda #4. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the reappointments of the following members of the Planning Board, effective Nov 22, 2021: Mary Flynn, Louis Bacci, Jr., Catherine Preston Connolly and H. Theodore Cohen.
Placed on File 6-3 (McGovern, Sobrinho-Wheeler, Zondervan - NO)

Charter Right #1. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to new appointments of members of the Foundry Advisory Committee for a term of three years, effective Nov 8, 2021. [Charter Right - Councillor Simmons, Nov 15, 2021]
Placed on File 8-0-1 (McGovern - ABSENT)

Charter Right #2. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to new appointments and reappointments of the following persons as members of the Citizens Committee on Civic Unity, effective Nov 1, 2021 for three year terms. [Charter Right - Councillor Simmons, Nov 15, 2021]
Placed on File 8-0-1 (McGovern - ABSENT)

I have no idea what Councillor Simmons is up to with her Charter Right last week to delay acceptance of the reports of the City Manager's appointments. I shudder to think of what it may be like next year when some councillors may question or veto some of these appointments for reasons having little or nothing to do with the qualifications of the appointees. Perhaps Councillor Simmons is offering us a chilling preview.

During a time when more comprehensive transportation planning is warranted it's interesting that we have no advisory committee addressing motor vehicle traffic, and all other transportation modes are balkanized into separate silos.

Manager's Agenda #5. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 21-80, regarding a report on redesign work done at Carl Barron Plaza.
Referred 9-0 to Dec 8 Joint Hearing of Health & Environment Committee and Veterans & Human Services Committee

A few tweaks here and there may be helpful, but the proposed redesign has been pretty well fleshed out at this point and is hostile to no one. Bringing up this matter at this point is more political turf-fighting than anything else. I will, however, note that several years ago I voted in favor of a Participatory Budget proposal for a public swing in one of more of the City's Squares. That might be a nice addition to Central Square.

Manager's Agenda #8. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 21-76, regarding a report on the incident involving the Cambridge Police Officers outside Central Square YMCA on Oct 17, 2021.
Placed on File 9-0

Some of us will be expecting apologies from a couple of city councillors on this one. Invoking irrelevant national issues in this matter was hostile and insulting - and entirely expected from those two councillors.

Order #3. That the City Manager is requested to direct City staff to work with partners including the Cambridge Redevelopment Authority (CRA) and the Central Square Business Improvement District on identifying spaces in Central Square that would support the creation and protection of cultural and human service spaces that align with the City’s goals. Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Carlone, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Toomey, Councillor Zondervan, Mayor Siddiqui
Order Adopted as Amended 9-0

The devil will be in the details. We all want to see stabilization of arts and cultural resources, but if the only result of this request is the expansion of some of the more problematic services that only serve to define Central Square in the worst possible way, that will not be an improvement.

Order #1. That the City Manager is requested to meet with the Public Health Department, the Department of Human Service Programs, and the Recreation & Aquatics Department to look into providing a suitable practice space for the Cambridge Synchronized Swimming Team for Cambridge residents. Vice Mayor Mallon, Mayor Siddiqui
Order Adopted 9-0

You can't top Harry Shearer, Martin Short, and Christopher Guest on SNL.

It's encouraging to see City Council Orders of late that call for the creation of spaces for pickleball, cricket, and now sychronized swimming. I just won't be satisfied until there's at least one miniature golf option available in the city - maybe coupled with a batting cage.

Committee Report #1. The Housing Committee met on Nov 10, 2021 to conduct a public hearing to discuss the Sept 20, 2021 Policy Order that seeks to amend the Zoning Ordinance via potentially raising the linkage fee.
Amended, Placed on File 9-0

Communications & Reports #3. A communication was received from City Solicitor Nancy E. Glowa, transmitting memorandums regarding Home Rule Petition on Transfer Fee amendment. [City Solicitor's Letter] [Petition (redlined)]
Placed on File, Order Adopted 9-0

And The Beat Goes On. Boston’s linkage fees total about $17.30 per square foot of new commercial development. Councillor Zondervan's motion to recommend an increase in Cambridge's linkage fee to $33.34/sq ft failed (for now). The meeting was recessed, not adjourned, and may reconvene at some point w/o additional public comment. Personally, I find problematic the continued singular belief that creating subsidized housing with little or no emphais on homeownership or building of equity. In Boston there is always at least some discussion of empowerment and wealth creation for those who might otherwise be excluded from such opportunities.

Communications & Reports #1. A communication was received from City Solicitor Nancy E. Glowa, transmitting a response of City of Cambridge to Open Meeting Law Complaint of Heather Hoffman dated Nov 3, 2021.
Placed on File, Order Adopted 9-0

Regardless of the particulars, there has been a trend during the pandemic toward limited transparency in Cambridge public meetings, especially in regard to late orders and other matters not known to the public prior to a meeting or available in publicly posted agenda materials. Even proposals for charter change sprang out of nowhere. Zoom is simply no substitute for actual public meetings.

Communications & Reports #5. A communication was received from Councillor Dennis Carlone transmitting recommendations regarding the Alewife Quadrangle urban design and zoning.
Placed on File 9-0

I'm sure Councillor Carlone has some good ideas here - as would be expected from someone whose livelihood is based on such ideas. That said, I'll repeat what I said last week on this topic: “Honestly, if our councillors were actually working for us they would have proposed interim Alewife zoning within one week of the Envision Alewife recommendations. Even if those recommendations were insufficient there would already have been interim zoning in place. Instead they now propose a moratorium after over a half billion dollars exchanges hands under existing zoning.”

Communications & Reports #6. A communication was received from Mayor Sumbul Siddiqui, regarding the 2022 City Council Inauguration.
Placed on File 9-0

The swearing-in ceremony is proposed to take place in-person on Jan 3, 2022 in the Sullivan Chamber with masks and distancing observed. There will be fewer invited guests, and the public will have to settle for Zoom. - Robert Winters

Comments?

Dollars per #1 Vote (and the bills are still being paid...)

City Council

City Council Candidate	Start	Receipts	Expend	Balance	As Of	#1 Votes	$/Vote
Azeem, Burhan	$53.68	$37,632.62	$33,144.25	$4,542.05	12/03/21	1379	$24.03
Bullister, Dana	$0.00	$14,911.40	$14,665.96	$245.44	12/06/21	520	$28.20
Carlone, Dennis	$7,231.04	$40,755.60	$35,919.96	$12,066.68	12/01/21	1493	$24.06
Eckstut, Robert	$0.00	$9,886.39	$9,611.70	$274.69	12/01/21	70	$137.31
Hicks, Tonia	$0.00	$18,732.43	$13,644.76	$5,087.67	12/01/21	363	$37.59
Levy, Ilan	$54.78	$0.00	$51.00	$3.78	12/01/21	97	$0.53
Mallon, Alanna	$4,944.73	$40,101.06	$39,170.86	$5,874.93	12/03/21	1220	$32.11
McGovern, Marc	$11,356.02	$63,867.84	$57,803.94	$17,419.92	12/02/21	1539	$37.56
McGuirk, Joe	$0.00	$26,301.86	$23,725.91	$2,575.95	12/01/21	611	$38.83
Moree, Gregg	$0.00	$100.00	$100.00	$0.00	12/06/21	80	$1.25
Nolan, Patty	$6,855.33	$36,802.28	$21,904.93	$21,752.68	12/01/21	1971	$11.11
Pierre, Frantz	$0.00	$3,336.17	$2,267.83	$1,068.34	12/03/21	355	$6.39
Siddiqui, Sumbul	$15,318.99	$40,185.32	$35,766.85	$19,737.46	12/01/21	4124	$8.67
Simmons, Denise	$8,662.33	$66,036.93	$53,022.38	$21,676.88	12/01/21	1764	$30.06
Skeadas, Theodora	$0.00	$46,663.79	$45,676.59	$987.20	12/01/21	813	$56.18
Sobrinho-Wheeler, Jivan	$2,103.89	$29,671.99	$30,656.76	$1,119.12	12/01/21	1225	$25.03
Toner, Paul	$156.57	$75,417.89	$71,722.94	$3,851.52	12/02/21	1703	$42.12
Williams, Nicola A.	$262.21	$59,552.39	$57,417.34	$2,397.26	12/01/21	1159	$49.54
Zondervan, Quinton	$256.49	$68,232.77	$65,702.99	$2,786.27	12/01/21	1295	$50.74

School Committee

School Committee Candidate	Start	Receipts	Expend	Balance	#1 Votes	$/Vote
Bhambi, Akriti	$0.00	$65,832.00	$32,337.97	$33,494.03	3017	$10.72
Fantini, Fred	$5,041.23	$6,886.00	$4,223.86	$7,703.37	3070	$1.38
Hunter, Caroline	$0.00	$5,066.89	$1,458.24	$3,608.65	1456	$1.00
Johnson, Daria	$0.00	$4,650.00	$939.50	$3,710.50	1026	$0.92
Lim, Christopher	$252.02	$2,489.00	$2,014.00	$727.02	1093	$1.84
Rojas Villarreal, Jose Luis	$516.81	$3,000.00	$1,349.88	$2,166.93	1569	$0.86
Weinstein, David	$4,090.77	$12,719.85	$9,448.90	$7,361.72	1617	$5.84
Weinstein, Rachel	$5,791.68	$23,873.00	$21,569.96	$8,094.72	2950	$7.31
Wilson, Ayesha	$2,089.36	$17,322.49	$8,955.96	$10,455.89	4184	$2.14

A Closer Look at the Ballots - Slate Voting

There is no doubt that candidate slates are influencing the outcomes in Cambridge municipal elections, but it's not so easy to measure the effect. For example, most candidates on the ABC Slate (A Better Cambridge) performed well enough to be elected, but how much of that is related to the slate and how much is attributable to the individual candidates - especially the incumbents? Incumbency is by far the most significant factor in most elections. Even without hard evidence, it's easy to conclude that the election of candidates like Sumbul Siddiqui and Denise Simmons cannot reasonably be attributed to their presence on any candidate slate. Beyond that, it's not so easy to draw conclusions though it is reasonable to assume that other candidates are at least somewhat dependent on slates and feeder candidates.

Incumbency was clearly the most significant factor in the recent election results. Paul Toner basically replaced retiring incumbent Tim Toomey, and it's likely that Jivan Sobrinho-Wheeler failure to build a loyal base of #1 voters allowed Burhan Azeem, a candidate with similar appeal, to replace Sobrinho-Wheeler. Other than that (and Sumbul Siddiqui's disproportionate total of #1 Votes), the election was basically ho-hum. On the School Committee side, all five incumbents on the ballot were easily reelected, and outgoing incumbent Manikka Bowman's personally endorsed challenger Akriti Bhambi was elected to replace her. Again, ho-hum.

Save for some single-issue candidate lists, there were five promoted City Council candidate slates of which I am aware (including the late addition of the “Justice Slate” that seems to be the work of the local Democratic Socialists (though I have a hard time distinguishing them from the “Our Revolution” group). Anyway here are the five main ones (in decreasing order of the number of endorsed candidates):

ABC	CResA	ORC	Justice	CCC	ABC = A Better Cambridge CResA = Cambridge Residents Alliance ORC = Our Revolution Cambridge Justice = Justice Slate CCC = Cambridge Citizens Coalition
Azeem	Carlone	Carlone	Azeem	Bullister
Hicks	Hicks	Hicks	Hicks	Carlone
Mallon	Nolan	Skeadas	Skeadas	Nolan
McGovern	Skeadas	S-Wheeler	S-Wheeler	Williams
McGuirk	S-Wheeler	Williams	Zondervan
Siddiqui	Williams	Zondervan
Simmons	Zondervan
S-Wheeler
Toner

As you can see, some candidates appear on multiple slates. Of some interest is the question of how the individual candidates within a slate do among pure slate voters. Relatively few voters are pure slate voters, but it's interesting (and simple) to examine the ballots of the ultra-loyal, Kool-Aid-drinking voters who vote the whole slate before entertaining any other choices. The fact that there were different numbers of endorsed candidates on the respective slates complicates any attempt at comparison. That said, here are the results:

Slate	Top 1	Top 2	Top 3	Top 4	Top 5	Top 6	Top 7	Top 8	Top 9
ABC	13928	8700	5446	3011	1893	1309	956	761	581
CResA	8319	4606	2827	1435	766	489	204
ORC	6348	2836	1302	750	355	219
Justice	5075	2188	830	344	106
CCC	5143	2134	1234	607

It's easier to achieve blind loyalty with a relatively short slate. A CCC supporter might emphasize their 607 loyalists over ABC's 581 loyalists, but that's a relatively meaningless comparison due to the number of candidates endorsed. It's a lot easier to get 4 straight than 9 straight. It's also meaningless to compare the Top 4 numbers for ABC vs. CCC because of the preponderance of incumbents on the ABC Slate and, well, the mathematics of permutations, combinations, and probabilities.

The median number of candidates ranked is 6. The most common number of rankings is 3, but there are also many voters who will rank 4, 5, 6, or 9 candidates (number to be elected). [This is relatively consistent across all Cambridge City Council PR elections.] Here's a table showing the number of candidates ranked and the number of ballots for each:

Candidates ranked	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	Total
Number of ballots	260	1329	1135	2736	2228	2198	1965	1679	1635	2570	1039	581	414	263	239	1803	22074

Within each slate, you can see which candidates were most favored and which candidates were least favored. This is somewhat reminiscent of the days decades ago when the Cambridge Civic Association (CCA) would assemble a slate of endorsed candidates who were all supposedly equally beloved, but where what was then call a “whispering campaign” let it be known who the actual favorites were and who were on the slate primarily as feeder candidates whose primary role was to be defeated and help to get the preferred slate candidates over the top on transfers.

So, for each of the five known slates, here are how their endorsed candidates fared among the slate loyalists - both in terms of being the #1 favorite and the least favored.

ABC 9	#1 Votes	#9 Votes
Azeem	204	25
Hicks	33	76
Mallon	53	22
McGovern	49	44
McGuirk	16	73
Siddiqui	121	12
Simmons	41	34
S-Wheeler	48	45
Toner	16	250
Total	581	581

CResA 7	#1 Votes	#7 Votes
Carlone	57	30
Hicks	15	50
Nolan	18	35
Skeadas	14	31
S-Wheeler	15	20
Williams	31	16
Zondervan	54	22
Total	204	204

ORC 6	#1 Votes	#6 Votes
Carlone	27	69
Hicks	21	59
Skeadas	19	31
S-Wheeler	47	12
Williams	28	25
Zondervan	77	23
Total	219	219

Justice 5	#1 Votes	#5 Votes
Azeem	12	51
Hicks	6	19
Skeadas	6	14
S-Wheeler	50	7
Zondervan	32	15
Total	106	106

CCC 4	#1 Votes	#4 Votes
Bullister	56	342
Carlone	224	72
Nolan	196	88
Williams	131	105
Total	607	607

As the saying from Animal Farm goes, “All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.” Apparently the same commandment applies to endorsed candidates within each slate. Totals for favored candidates are shown in green and least favored in red.

It certainly appears to be the case that within the ABC Slate people favored Burhan Azeem by a large margin, and even more were intent on burying Paul Toner. Paul Toner and Joe McGuirk also tied for last in #1 support among ABC loyalists.

Within the CCC Slate it appears that Dennis Carlone was especially favored, and Dana Bullister was by far the least favored.

The Justice Slate appears to have had as its primary purpose the promotion of Jivan Sobrinho-Wheeler with Burhan Azeem their least favored.

Our Revolution was primarily backing Quinton Zondervan, with Dennis Carlone buried as the candidate with the most last-place rankings.

The Cambridge Residents Alliance primarily favored Dennis Carlone and Quinton Zondervan with Tonia Hicks receiving the least favor.

Ballot Rotation - Or Not: 2021 Cambridge Municipal Election

The proportional representation (PR) elections we use in Cambridge are governed by the grandfathered Chapter 54A of the Mass. General Laws (repealed in 1972). One provision is the requirement that there be cyclic rotation of the order of the candidate names on ballots so that, at least in theory, each candidate will appear at the top of approximately the same number of ballots as every other candidate. We have long referred to this as “the barrel roll”. Here's the relevant section of Chapter 54A:

§ 5. Printing of ballots; arrangement of names; number of ballots. Ballots used in elections to such a body or office by proportional representation or preferential voting shall be printed in as many lots as there are candidates for election thereto. In the first lot the names of the candidates shall appear in the alphabetical order of their surnames. In the second lot the names shall appear in the same order except that the first name in the first lot shall be placed last. In each succeeding lot the order shall be the same as that of the lot preceding, except that the first name in that preceding lot shall be placed last. Sets of ballots to be used at the several polling places shall be made up by combining ballots from the different lots in regular rotation, so that no two successive voters shall receive ballots from the same lot, and so that each candidate's name shall appear first and in each other position substantially the same number of times on the ballots used. The number of ballots provided for each polling place shall exceed by twenty per cent the number of voters entitled to vote thereat. [Added St.1938, c. 341, § 1.]

The standard practice for absentee ballots has been to list candidates strictly alphabetically. Previously this was a relatively small fraction of all ballots cast, but that changed significantly with the introduction of “No Excuse Absentee Voting” a.k.a. Mail-In Voting. Here are the “top of ballot” rotation totals for each of the candidates (along with the #1 Vote totals):

Count	Top of Ballot	#1 Votes
10,615	Azeem	1379
638	Bullister	520
650	Carlone	1493
665	Eckstut	70
644	Hicks	363
641	Levy	97
639	Mallon	1220
654	McGovern	1539
651	McGuirk	611
637	Moree	80
645	Nolan	1971
626	Pierre	355
645	Siddiqui	4124
629	Simmons	1764
633	Skeadas	813
625	Sobrinho-Wheeler	1225
612	Toner	1703
614	Williams	1159
611	Zondervan	1295

Count	Top of Ballot	#1 Votes
11,095	Bhambi	3017
1351	Fantini	3070
1369	Hunter	1456
1345	Johnson	1026
1342	Lim	1093
1336	Rojas Villarreal	1569
1341	D. Weinstein	1617
1330	R. Weinstein	2950
1332	Wilson	4184

The average for all City Council candidates except the first was 637, so Burhan Azeem was listed at the top of approximately 9,978 additional ballots thanks to Mail-In Voting. Similarly for the School Committee, except for the first the average was 1343, so Akriti Bhambi appeared at the top of approximately 9,752 additional ballots thanks to Mail-In Voting. How much of an effect did this lack of ballot rotation have on the results of the election? We can only speculate. Notably, Ayesha Wilson (who appears last on the strictly alphabetical ballots) did spectacularly better than all other candidates.

I think there's a good case to be made for ballot rotation on ALL ballots in future elections, including all absentee and mail-in ballots. - RW

Cambridge to Launch Curbside Textiles Collection Beginning December 7, 2021

Nov 29, 2021 – The City of Cambridge announced today that it will be launching free curbside collection of clothing and textiles for reuse and recycling beginning December 7, 2021. Residents can schedule their free curbside collection through the Zero Waste Cambridge app or the Get Rid of It Right tool beginning today. Curbside collection of textiles is free and will take place at least once per week in Cambridge. Recycle

The city has partnered with HELPSY, a textiles recovery company, to collect from Cambridge on a weekly basis. Collected items are sorted into textiles that are suitable for the secondhand market, textiles that can be repaired, and textiles to remanufactured into new items (e.g., industrial rags, insulation, or padding).

“This new curbside textile recovery program will make disposing of textiles easier for residents while helping the city reach our goals to reduce trash and greenhouse gas emissions in Cambridge,” said Cambridge City Manager Louis A. DePasquale.

All clean and dry textiles, regardless of stains or tears, can be recycled or repurposed in this program. “Textiles” refers to all clothing, footwear, bedding, and other fabrics. While it’s estimated that 95% of all textiles could be given a second life, only 15% are diverted from the landfill or incinerator. In Cambridge, textiles make up 7% of our trash. By recovering textiles from the trash, we can reduce our climate emissions, water consumption, and our waste in landfills.

Organizations, such as schools and nonprofits, can also partner with HELPSY to host a textiles drop-off bin or textile drive, and in turn, will receive funds based on pounds collected. Those interested should contact the Public Works Recycling Division by emailing recycle@cambridgema.gov.

In addition to scheduling curbside collection of textiles online, residents will be able to use drop-off bins placed at select City parks and buildings, including schools. To schedule a curbside collection or find the nearest drop-off bin, visit www.CambridgeMA.Gov/Textiles or use the Zero Waste Cambridge app.

Recycling Updates - December 2021

Curbside Clothing & Textiles Recovery Program Begins Dec. 7!

Free curbside collection of clothing and textiles for reuse and recycling beginning December 7. Residents can schedule their free curbside collection through the Zero Waste Cambridge app or the Get Rid of It Right tool beginning today. Curbside collection of textiles is free and occurs at least once per week. Drop-off bins are also available at select locations.

The City has partnered with HELPSY, a textiles recovery company, to collect from Cambridge. Collected items are sorted into textiles that are suitable for reuse in the secondhand market, textiles that can be repaired, and textiles to remanufactured into new items (e.g., industrial rags, insulation, or padding).

Visit CambridgeMA.Gov/Textiles for more info.

Learn What Happens to Textiles After Collection

Learn about the importance of diverting textiles from the trash in a webinar with our textiles recovery contractor, HELPSY. Register for the December 14th webinar here.

Rehash It, Don't Trash It

The December Rehash It, Don't Trash It newsletter has info on potatoes, beans, corn, and squash.

The Cambridge Recycling Advisory Committee (RAC), a volunteer group of citizens, writes this section each month.

Yard Waste & Christmas Tree Collection

We still need your help collecting leaves from streets and sidewalks for yard waste collection. The last week of yard waste collection is December 27-31.

Christmas Tree collection will take place January 3-14, 2022. Simply place the bare trees at the curb on your collection day.

REMEMBER: No tree stands, lights, tinsel, or other decorations on trees will be accepted. Bare trees only.

Reduce & Reuse Tips

Tip #1: How to manage packaging waste.
Help our collection crews by sorting your waste properly (and educating your friends and neighbors!). Cardboard should be broken down as much as possible. If you have excess cardboard, break it down and nest them inside each other.

Here's more helpful info on how to sort waste from shipments.

Envelopes:

Padded Envelope (100% plastic): Plastic Film Drop-off, or Trash
Padded Envelope (Paper & plastic): Trash
Padded Envelope (100% Paper): Recycle

Inside cardboard boxes you may find: Recycle

Plastic Pillows & Bubblewrap: Plastic Film Drop-off, or Trash
Paper padding/fill material: Recycle
Shredded paper fill material: Trash or Reuse
Insulated box liners: Trash
Packing nuts (Both Styrofoam and compostable): Trash
Foam Blocks: Trash
Tissue paper: Trash

Use the Get Rid of It Right tool on our website for other answers to how to sort waste.

BONUS: Consider offering packaging for reuse on Buy Nothing Cambridge on Facebook, NextDoor.com, or Facebook Marketplace.

Tip #2 : Avoid Supply Chain Headaches; give experiences.
Supply chain issues are unlike ever before. But, that doesn't mean you have to forgo giving great gifts. Tickets to shows, movies, plays, or workout classes (i.e. yoga, spinning, etc) make terrific waste-free gifts. Gift cards to favorite local restaurants are also easy and great ideas.

Upcoming Dates

Tues, 12/14: Cambridge's Textiles Recovery Program Webinar
Mon, 12/27: Last week for Yard Waste Collection until Apr 1, 2022
Mon, 1/3/22-1/14/22: Christmas tree recycling collection

Email us to share other waste-related events!

Join the Recycling Mailing List!

What Are We Reading?

Your Clothes Create More Plastic Waste than Plates or Straws (Newsweek)

Inside the World of Buy Nothing, Where Dryer Lint Is a Hot Commodity (NY Times - subscription required)

Craft beer has a plastic problem. Some local breweries are finding solutions (WBUR)

Built Not to Last: How to Overcome Planned Obsolescence (Sierra Club)

Volunteer Opportunities - Cambridge Boards & Commissions

Members Sought to fill Cambridge Library Board of Trustees Vacancies

Nov 16, 2021 – Cambridge City Manager Louis A. DePasquale is seeking to fill two vacancies on the Board of Trustees for the Cambridge Public Library. City Seal

Library trustees are volunteer community representatives, library advocates, and leaders in the establishment of goals and policies for the Cambridge Public Library system. Trustees are a vital link between the library staff and the community and work to ensure the quality of library services, collections, and programs, and to make certain that the library reflects and is relevant to the community.

Trustees serve a 3-year term and are expected to attend monthly board meetings, committee and community meetings, appropriate continuing education workshops or conferences, and library programs as their schedules allow.

Ideal candidates will have an interest in and passion for public libraries and an understanding of the importance of the public library as a center of information, culture, recreation, and life-long learning in the community. Candidates should also have knowledge of the community, including an awareness of diverse social and economic conditions, needs and interests of all groups. Strong verbal and written communication skills, including public speaking skills are required. Trustees work productively as a team. It is also important for candidates to understand how the role of the public library is evolving and how information technology and societal changes inform the library’s future. Additionally, it is a City of Cambridge goal to expand and deepen community engagement with a focus on strengthening the diversity and inclusion of its various boards and commissions.

The deadline for submitting applications is Mon, Dec 13, 2021. Applications can be submitted to City Manager Louis A. DePasquale using the City’s online application system at Cambridgema.gov/apply. A cover letter and resume or applicable experience can be submitted during the online application process. Paper applications are available in the City Manager’s Office at Cambridge City Hall, 795 Massachusetts Avenue. For more information about the role of Library Trustees, contact Maria McCauley, Director of Libraries at 617-349-4032.

Members Sought for Cambridge's Open Data Review Board

Nov 16, 2021 – Cambridge City Manager Louis A. DePasquale is seeking to fill vacancies on Cambridge’s Open Data Review Board and is looking for representatives from public, private, academic, or nonprofit sectors with expertise in or relevant experience with Open Data.

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

The Review Board, comprised of at least three residents and four or more city employees, will meet quarterly to help ensure that the program balances its goals of transparency and accessibility with the city’s obligation to protect private, confidential, and sensitive information. It is a City of Cambridge goal to expand and deepen community engagement with a focus on strengthening the diversity and inclusion of its various boards and commissions.

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

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

For more information about this board, contact Josh Wolff, Data Analytics & Open Data Program Manager, jwolff@cambridgema.gov.

Member Sought to Fill Vacancy on Cambridge Water Board

Nov 16, 2021 – Cambridge City Manager Louis A. DePasquale is seeking a Cambridge resident to fill a vacancy on the Cambridge Water Board. City Seal

The Cambridge Water Board is a five-member board appointed by the City Manager that acts in an advisory role to the Managing Director of the Cambridge Water Department. Members typically assist in developing, modifying, and approving policy related to Water Department owned land and land use. It is a City of Cambridge goal to expand and deepen community engagement with a focus on strengthening the diversity and inclusion of its various boards and commissions.

The board generally meets on the second Tuesday of the month, from 5:00-6:30pm, at the Walter J. Sullivan Water Purification Facility, 250 Fresh Pond Parkway.

Applications to serve on this committee can be submitted to City Manager Louis A. DePasquale using the City’s online application system at Cambridgema.gov/apply. A cover letter and resume or applicable experience should 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 application deadline is Mon, Dec 13, 2021.

CIVIC CALENDAR (abridged)

Tues, Dec 7

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

The next Regular Meeting of the School Committee will be held on Tues, Dec 7 at 6:00pm for the purpose of discussing any and all business that may properly come before the Committee.

The next Special Meeting of the School Committee will be held on Tues, Dec 7 for the purpose of entertaining a motion to go into Executive Session immediately following the Regular Meeting, to discuss strategy for contract negotiations for non-union personnel (Interim Superintendent of Schools) as an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the contract negotiation position of the Cambridge School Committee.

6:30pm Planning Board meeting (Remote Meeting - web only)

General Business

1. Update from the Community Development Department

Public Hearings

6:30pm PB# 385
180 Fawcett Street – Special Permit application by CCF Fawcett Street Property, LLC to construct a 58,456 square foot four story building for technical office use and a 55-vehicle parking garage below pursuant to Sections 6.35.1 Reduction of required off-street parking spaces; 19.20 Project Review; 20.73 Flood Plain Overlay District Special Permit; 20.95.1 Floor area ratio (FAR) in excess of 1.5; 20.95.2 Building height in excess of 35 feet; 20.95.22 Public infrastructure FAR bonus; and 22.35.3 Reduction of Green Roofs requirement. (Materials)

General Business

2. PB-303
MIT SoMa Building 2 – Design Review and Minor Amendment (Materials)

3. PB-383
330 and 585 Third Street – Extension Request (Letter)

Wed, Dec 8

8:00am-9:30am Recycling Advisory Committee meeting (Zoom)

10:00am The City Council's Health & Environment Committee and the Human Services & Veterans Committee will meet to discuss the redesign of Carl Barron Plaza with a special focus on the needs of the unhoused community and the ideas presented within Communication #10 from the Oct 18, 2021 regular meeting. (Zoom)

5:30pm The City Council's Ordinance Committee will meet to conduct a public hearing on the Yard Setback Zoning Petition (Ord #2021-22) (Sullivan Chamber)

5:30pm Cambridge Election Commission meeting (Remote via Zoom)

I. PUBLIC COMMENT

II. MINUTES

III. REPORTS

1. Executive Director’s Report

2. Assistant Director's Report

3. Commissioners' Reports

IV. ACTION AGENDA

Old Business

1. Reprecincting Update

2. Dec 14, 2021 Special State Primary

3. Jan 11, 2022 Special State Election

New Business

Thurs, Dec 9

5:30pm Neighborhood Group Meeting sponsored by Community Development Department (Zoom)
Virtual meeting of neighborhood group leaders to discuss important issues identified by groups. All are welcome.

Mon, Dec 13

5:30pm City Council meeting (Sullivan Chamber)

Tues, Dec 14

6:00pm School Committee Roundtable Meeting (Attles Meeting Room, CRLS)
The next Roundtable Meeting will be held on Tues, Dec 14 at 06:00pm for the purpose of reviewing the Superintendent's Entry Plan Findings and discussing next steps in response to the Findings. The meeting will be live-streamed at www.cpsd.us and broadcast on Cambridge Educational Access TV (CEATV) Channel 98/99, as usual. There will be no public comment.

6:30pm Planning Board meeting (Remote Meeting - web only)
• Continued Hearing - PB-315, MXD District Infill Development Concept Plan Amendment - Application Materials
• Continued Hearing - PB-378, 1290 Massachusetts Avenue - Application Materials
• Design Review - PB-243, 41 Linskey Way - Materials

Wed, Dec 15

5:30pm The City Council's Ordinance Committee will meet to conduct a public hearing on the Off-Street Parking Zoning Petition (Ord #2021-23) (Sullivan Chamber)

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

Thurs, Dec 16

5:30pm The City Council's Human Services and Veterans Committee will hold a public hearing to receive a report from the Department of Human Services Programs regarding changes made to DHSP after school programs. (Sullivan Chamber)

Mon, Dec 20