Possible Topics:Cambridge InsideOut - February 2, 2021
Possible Topics:
2) Feb 3, 2021 City Council meeting
3) Down the road a bit - Growing rumblings of the 2021 municipal election year
4) Fun with Histograms - registered voters, and age of voters in even vs. odd years
5) Jan 11 City Council meeting
Hostile Architecture in Public Spaces?
6) Public Safety & Populist Politics
Task Force to Examine the Future of Public Safety
4342 tested positive - This is an increase of 23 testing positive over the previous day and 2632 over 82 days.
116 confirmed deaths (75 in long-term care facilities, 39 in general community
- an increase of 2 from previous day and 13 over the last 39 days).
Click on graph above for latest Cambridge data.
Feb 1, 2021 Breakdown of Cases (848 known current cases)
This is a decrease of 143 current cases from the previous day.
Recent 7-day averages are much higher than they have been since April,
but there are indications that things are improving.
Harvard University COVID-19 data MIT COVID-19 data
Neighborhoods with highest cumulative case rates since start of pandemic (Dec 21)
All neighborhoods (Dec 12). Charts exclude long-term care population.
Pre/Post-Groundhog Day featured attractions – Feb 3, 2021 Cambridge City Council meetingHere goes — A lot to chew on..... The Feb 1 meeting was postponed to Wed, Feb 3 due to the Snow Emergency. Starting with The Plague Order #2. Policy Order re: Establishing an On-Site Vaccination Program. Councillor Simmons, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor McGovern Order #4. Policy Order re: Covid-19 Protocols at Affordable Housing Worksites. Councillor Simmons Order #7. Vaccinating CPS Staff Plan PO. Vice Mayor Mallon Order #8. Supporting the School Committee. Councillor Nolan, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Toomey, Councillor Simmons Stay Positive and Test Negative. Seriously, we should get all teachers and school staff vaccinated and able to do their jobs without fear as soon as humanly possible. Coronagenda This now obsolete Order (the space on Green Street has been rented as state-funded temporary housing for a some time now) was contained in the Nov 12 committee report of a public hearing on homelessness. The New England School of English apparently made available their dormitory space on Green Street that had been vacant due to the current pandemic. It was never meant to be a long-term arrangement. Activists are using this opportunity to push an agenda centered on the demand that the City establish and fund non-congregate shelter/housing for unhoused individuals. Not addressed in their demands is the fact that without similar facilities being established in Boston and elsewhere this effectively becomes a regional facility drawing people from all over the Greater Boston area. Also not addressed by the activists are the staffing and logistical challenges associated with a clientele with a high incidence of substance abuse and mental health challenges. Indeed, during the relatively short time the Green Street facility has been open there have been several drug overdoses and one suicide (jump from the parking garage across the street). One of the great luxuries of activism is that you rarely have to deal with the hard stuff. A little open space while we still can.... and the joys of mitigation Manager's Agenda #10. Transmitting Communication from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $3,174,389 from Free Cash to the Mitigation Revenue Stabilization Fund which will be used to fund specific future projects, which will require separate individual appropriations by the City Council. Zoning and legal matters Manager's Agenda #8. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 20-63, which requested a review of the granting of an extension for the 605 Concord Avenue project. Manager's Agenda #9. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to a Planning Board recommendation to adopt with comments and suggested modifications, the Alewife Quadrangle Northwest Overlay District (Srinivasan, et al.) Zoning Petition. "The Board encourages the City Council to carefully consider to what extent a bridge may or may not be guaranteed as part of a Quadrangle Northwest Master Plan Special Permit and what types of alternatives would be acceptable to the City." – Ideally, this area should have its own commuter rail stop and multiple crossings over the railroad tracks, including at least one crossing that would permit shuttle buses and possibly other vehicles. The Alewife Triangle and Quadrangle should be united rather than forever remain separate oversized cul-de-sacs. Property owners and developers should recognize the value in this or seek another line of work. Unfinished Business #5. A Zoning Petition has been received from Cambridge Redevelopment Authority regarding a Zoning Ordinance to reflect the proposed changes to the KSURP. [PASSED TO A SECOND READING IN COUNCIL JAN 11, 2021. TO BE ORDAINED ON OR AFTER JAN 25, 2021] [Petition and Memo] [Draft Letter of Commitment] Communications #1. A communication was received from Tom Evans, Cambridge Redevelopment Authority, submitting a Letter of Commitment to accompany the MXD Zoning Petition and Kendall Square Urban Redevelopment Plan submission. Ordination seems likely at this meeting. I'll leave the details as a reading assignment. And then there's this The organization that calls itself "A Better Cambridge" (ABC) has now fully earned its alternative name "A Bigger Cambridge". The crux of this petition is the merging of the Residence A-1, A-2, B, C, and C-1 districts into a single unified Residence N district with dramatically increased allowable density (FAR 1.25 - Floor-Area-Ratio, the ratio of built living area as a fraction of the land area of the lot) and greatly diminished front, side and rear setbacks. It also permits additional height to allow 3 stories across all these combined districts. The appellation "Missing Middle Housing" has, in fact, nothing to do with this proposal other than as a sales pitch. In addition to allowing multi-family housing in all zones, this is simply a petition to increase - by a factor of 2 to 3 in many cases - the amount that can be built across the city - a real Gold Rush for property developers. For example, the Res A-1 and A-2 districts currently permit a 0.5 FAR; Res C permits a 0.6 FAR; and Res C-1 permits a 0.75 FAR. This proposal simply blows the lid off all of these allowable densities. Apparently, the fact that Cambridge is already one of the densest cities in the United States is simply not enough for the Sim City players who form the core of "A Bigger Cambridge". In terms of affordability for the "missing middle" there is simply nothing in this petition that would indicate this as a likely outcome. The affordability of the traditional two-family or three-family home in years past came with the responsibilities of being a landlord with the rents helping to cover the mortgage. This proposal would more likely result in even larger single-family homes (McMansions) and a greater stock of high-end condominiums and investment properties. It's true that Cambridge has a lot of nonconforming buildings that could not have been built under current zoning, including my own triple-decker (land area 3,133 sq ft, total living area 3,978 sq ft, and an FAR of 1.27 with negligible side setbacks and a very small yard). If I were proposing changes to Cambridge zoning I would likely allow some additional density where it makes sense, but I certainly would not recommend the replication of my own situation on my tiny lot as the new standard. What exactly is the goal of ABC? New York City ranks 6th with a population density of 27,016 per square mile. San Francisco ranks 21st at 17,246. Somerville is 16th at 18,432. Cambridge ranks 26th in the USA at 16,355. Boston is 51st at 13,321. Chicago is 75th at 11,868. Philadelphia is 95th at 11,234. Berkeley is 110th at 10,753. Cambridge is not Belmont (5,317/sq mi). Suffice to say, I think the general lay of the land in Cambridge today is actually quite good - an interesting balance of densities and housing types. Some greater flexibility for property owners might be a good thing, but wholesale redefinition of the city would not be a wise choice. Bikes, bikes, and more bikes and other transportation matters Manager's Agenda #12. Transmitting Communication from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $452,600 from the Mitigation Revenue Stabilization Fund received from various sources to the Public Investment Fund Community Development Extraordinary Expenditures account which will be used for the purchase and expenses of Bluebikes bikeshare equipment. Manager's Agenda #14. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number Awaiting Report 19-75, regarding the feasibility of partnering with a local research institution to conduct a study that determines how many ridehail vehicles are on the roads during both on and off-peak times and their impacts on congestion and safety. Manager's Agenda #15. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 19-151, regarding the feasibility of making Porter Square and Massachusetts Avenue between Roseland Street and Beech Street a quick-build complete street with bus priority. 2013 Cambridge commuter shares: 28% transit, 24% walk, 7% bike, 4% carpool. The numbers have likely shifted a bit since 2013 but even with BlueBike stations and various infrastructure changes across the city it's unlikely that the share of residents biking will ever rival transit or walking. At any given time are there more bikes on Cambridge roads or Ubers? If electric vehicles and or/autonomous vehicles proliferate, what do you think will be the result? 21st Century Commerce Resolution #14. The Cambridge City Council, hereby assembled, urges Amazon to meet and confer with the Cambridge community, included, but not limited to, representatives of labor unions including the International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 25. Councillor McGovern, Councillor Carlone, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Toomey Order #1. Spending Disparity Study PO. Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Toomey, Councillor Nolan Thank You Notes Resolution #15. Thank You to Lisa Peterson. Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Carlone, Councillor Nolan Resolution #17. Thank You to Elizabeth “Liza” Malenfant Paden. Mayor Siddiqui, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Carlone, Councillor Toomey I have known all of these Great Women of Cambridge for decades. Susan Fleischmann is the one who pushed me to start doing TV broadcasts - initially with Election Night coverage and then eventually the sequel to the original Cambridge InsideOut. I first met Lisa Peterson when she worked in the City Manager's Office during Bob Healy's tenure. She was our point person during the early days of Cambridge Recycling about 30 years ago. Liza (and, really, all you have to say is Liza in Cambridge civic circles and everyone knows who you mean) has been a friend in and out of City government - along with her extended family - for close to 30 years. The total hours I kept Liza from getting back to work on Inman Street over the years gabbing about life and politics and how the city operates is something we'd better not talk about lest they dock her retirement. A growing chorus of voices from Fairmont Avenue Oh, the hardship. I guess we'd also better start worrying about Washington Ave. vs. Washington St., Highland Ave. vs. Highland St., Oxford Ave. vs. Oxford St., and Wyman St. vs. Wyman Rd. Life in Cambridge is just so difficult. Luxury Seating Methinks the sponsors of this Order (and the activists who inspire them) wouldn't know the difference between hostile and helpful. Cambridge City Council on Hallucinogens This Order may actually explain a lot about the behavior of the Cambridge City Council. Perhaps when the pandemic winds down they can decorate the Sullivan Chamber with Peter Max posters and pipe in some Donovan songs like "Mellow Yellow" and "Sunshine Superman". Bringing back black lights would also be a nice touch. Carrots or Sticks Greater efficiency is always a good thing, but incentives are always better than mandates when it comes to private homes. I don't think enough councillors fully understand this. - Robert Winters |
Dec 14, 2020, updated Jan 17 – I really hate to get started on this topic so early in the game, but there are already rumors of possible candidates for 2021 and several potential candidates have already filed the paperwork with the Office of Campaign and Political Finance (OCPF) so that they can start raising campaign donations. At least one incumbent city councillor has already sent word out to supporters that he'll be seeking reelection, but most or all of the incumbents are likely to follow. Here's a brief list:
| Name | Address | Filed w/OCPF | Notes |
| Frantz Pierre | 22 Water Street #808, 02141 | Nov 10, 2020 | not listed as registered voter as of Nov 2020 at given address, case worker at Margaret Fuller House |
| Tonia Hicks | 337 Pearl Street, 02139 | Nov 13, 2020 | campaign Chair lives in Colorado, Treasurer lives in North Carolina |
| Dana Bullister | 155 5th Street #1, 02141 | Nov 23, 2020 | listed as own campaign Chair and Treasurer, was rumored as candidate in 2019 |
| Joe McGuirk | 314 Columbia St. #1, 02141 | Dec 7, 2020 | bartender at Highland Kitchen in Somerville, and the Lexington at Cambridge Crossing |
| Santos Carrasquillo | 188 Harvard St. #3B, 02139 | Jan 11, 2021 | occupation unknown |
| Rumored possible candidates - either new or returning | |||
| Nicola Williams | 8 Brewer St. #5, 02138 | not declared, ran in 2019 | business owner, community activist, organizer of the Cambridge Carribean Carnival, serves on the board of several Cambridge non-profit and neighborhood organizations |
| Patrick Barrett | 41 Pleasant St., 02139 | not declared | prime mover for Central Square BID, author of multiple successful and well-received zoning petitions, owner/builder of new hotel/restaurant in Central Square |
| Theodora Skeadas | 988 Memorial Drive #185, 02138 | not declared | Executive Director of Cambridge Local First; reliable sources suggest she'll be a 2021 Council candidate; filed w/OCPF in Dec 2016 as a candidate but did not pursue at that time |
| McNary, Jeffery | 116 Norfolk St. #201, 02139 | expressed interest | ran in 2019 w/o accepting donations |
| Incumbents who have declared intention to seek reelection or are actively fundraising (there are certainly others) | |||
| Dennis Carlone | 9 Washington St. #6, 02140 | declared | first elected 2013, 4 terms on City Council |
| Marc McGovern | 17 Pleasant St., 02139 | declared | first elected in 2013, 4 terms on City Council |
| Quinton Zondervan | 235 Cardinal Madeiros Ave., 02141 | raising money | first elected in 2017, 2 terms on City Council |
| Jivan Sobrinho-Wheeler | 187 Brookline St. #3, 02139 | actively fundraising | first elected in 2019, 1 term on City Council |
Please send me any additions, corrections or credible rumors at Robert@rwinters.com.
If you know of any great potential candidates for either Cambridge City Council or School Committee, please encourage them to consider being a candidate in the 2021 municipal election.
Registered Voters by Age: 2012-2020
Distribution of Residents who Voted by Age: 2012-2020
Distribution of Residents who Voted in Municipal Elections by Age: 2013-2019
Insurrection and Featured Items on the January 11, 2021 City Council AgendaThe news has become an endless series of rearrangements of the words and phrases "25th Amendment", impeachment, insurrection, Pence, Trump, Pelosi, Cruz, and Hawley - as Trump manages to continue owning the headlines by any means necessary. At this rate the Biden Inauguration on January 20 might get as far as Page 2 in the New York Times below the fold. Any early initiatives of the incoming Administration will get less attention than the repercussions of the Jan 6 Invasion of Idiots. Let's not forget that this "insurrection" involved the murder of a police officer. It's incredible how violence in the name of politics with little or no consequence has become normalized in this country. That has to change. The right to peaceful assembly does not include the right to murder or to threaten people or to destroy property without consequence simply because you're angry. I just hope the Joint Chiefs of Staff are keeping a watchful eye on the “football”. The best plan I've heard so far (from Rep. James Clyburn) is to play Censure the Menace, pass Articles of Impeachment, and then wait 100 days before proceeding with a post-transition impeachment trial in order to reclaim the agenda before cooking the goose and relegating him to the darkest dungeon of American history. Though almost nobody ever seems to talk about it, we should also be having a serious discussion about the flaws in our election systems that yield perverse results like we have had to endure for the last four years. Unfortunately, after elections have passed and some have declared victory and others have conceded defeat, almost everyone quickly forgets the flawed mechanisms of the democracy they so want to defend. Here you go (but please don't storm City Hall to overthrow the government): Manager's Agenda #1. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to a COVID-19 update. The current daily rate of new positive Covid-19 tests is alarming in spite of the promise of the roll-out of vaccinations. Other than the fact that a large proportion of new cases are among people in the 20-29 and 30-39 age ranges, there hasn't been much information on specific means of transmission, e.g. reckless gatherings, routine letting your guard down, or transmission at the workplace or other specific sites. I would prefer it if councillors would focus more on targeted prevention than on equitable infection. Resolution #3. Congratulations to Mayor Marty Walsh. Councillor Simmons, Councillor Toomey At least it's not Sanders. Meanwhile, more than a few hats appear to be headed for the Boston Mayoral Ring which could well result in typical vote-splitting in a plurality election leading to a top-two runoff between those lucky enough to not have their prime constituency split in a many-candidate primary. Ranked Choice Voting would be preferable, but I guess voters only understand that when betting on horses. Order #2. Lighting Up City Hall for a National Moment of Unity and Remembrance. Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Toomey Perhaps we should arrange for the lights to continuously flicker or be put on a dimmer switch. Order #4. That the City Manager and his staff prepare a memorandum outlining any federal, state or municipal law that restricts the City of Cambridge from allocating direct financial assistance to residents, non-profit agencies or small businesses and to develop a plan to offer direct financial assistance to Cambridge residents, non-profit organizations and small businesses suffering during the Covid-19 Pandemic. Councillor Carlone, Councillor Simmons The Anti-Aid Amendment for starters. There are creative ways to provide such aid indirectly, and we've seen that for much of this past year via contributions to the Mayor's Disaster Relief Fund. There are legitimate reasons for concern about direct financial assistance, but I'll leave it to the City Solicitor to provide those lessons. Meanwhile, here's a good reference courtesy of the Town of Natick. Order #5. That the City Council go on record asking the MBTA to reconsider bench bars at This reminds me of when over 20 years ago we recommended installing hospitable benches throughout Central Square despite warnings that they would be immediately occupied by drunks and other substance abusers. My attitude at the time was to simply make sure there were a lot more benches than drunks, but a lot of business owners saw it differently. Many benches were moved or removed over time from very problematic locations, but apparently the reduction of benches still failed to cure alcoholism or drug abuse. I never cared for the addition of hostile mid-bench barriers but, then again, I also think cops (or social workers for the "defunders") should be enforcing a "move along, buddy" policy with vagrants. I guess I'm just old-fashioned. I hope I haven't triggered anyone. Addendum to Order #5: One of the things I have come to appreciate as I grow older is how many standards for ADA and otherwise can really matter in ways I never previously appreciated. For example, when the building inspectors told me I had to put in a banister on a very short stairwell going down to my basement I thought it was ridiculous and reluctantly installed the banister. Later I came to realize how useful it was. When I had balance issues a while back I really came to appreciate things like handholds and even the importance of relatively level sidewalks. Live and learn. Unless I hear otherwise I'll trust the MBTA's call on their benches. I always thought they needed at least side rails. To the organized parade of local members of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) who chose to use this issue as yet another organizing tool, perhaps one day you'll understand.
Committee Report #2. Ordinance Committee met on Nov 19, 2020 to discuss on the KSURP Zoning Ordinance Amendment. Committee Report #3. Ordinance Committee met on Jan 5, 2021 to continue discussion of the KSURP Zoning Ordinance Amendment petition. [Order Printout] [Appl. & Petition Printout] [Petition & Memo] This football appears to be on the tee and ready to be kicked off to a 2nd Reading. The deadline for ordination is February 17. - Robert Winters |
Jan 7, 2021 – City Manager Louis A. DePasquale today announced he has appointed a new Task Force to examine the future of public safety in Cambridge. “The City Manager’s Task Force to Examine the Future of Public Safety in Cambridge” will be co-chaired by Councilors E. Denise Simmons and Marc C. McGovern and consists of 14 members who live and/or work in the City. The group will seek to examine ways to reform community safety in Cambridge by mitigating police response to select calls for service, while enhancing community cohesion to include restorative processes.
The following were named to the Public Safety Task Force:
Khalil Abdur-Rashid, Imam Dr. Chandra Banks, Ed.M. Loren Crowe Leo Gayne Samuel M. Gebru Christina Giacobbe Rev. Jaron S. Green |
Tina-Marie Johnson Rev. Irene Monroe Catherine Pemberton Christopher Schmidt Rae Simpson, PhD Queen-Cheyenne Wade Pastor Ellis |
“I want to thank each member of the task force for their willingness to play a pivotal role in helping shape the future of public safety in Cambridge,” said City Manager Louis DePasquale. “This work will impact generations to come and improve the overall quality of service our public safety agencies provide our community. I am grateful to Councilors Simmons and McGovern for agreeing to serve as co-chairs of the Task Force. I cannot think of two more passionate leaders to facilitate the Task Force’s proceedings.”
“I am very excited by the work of this task force, because as a City, Cambridge must continually be willing to explore how we keep our residents safe, and how we can build up greater trust and a sense of partnership between our public safety agencies and the public they serve,” says Councilor E. Denise Simmons. “I know the members of this new task force are going to help us take some important steps in those endeavors.”
“As a social worker for the past 25 years, I know the importance of clinical responses to people in crisis,” said Cambridge City Councilor Marc McGovern. “I'm honored to be co-chairing this task force that will work toward implementing such a program in Cambridge.”
“My staff and I look forward to working closely with the City Manager and new Task Force on this important work,” said Police Commissioner Branville Bard, Jr. “I have long been supportive of creating an alternate or non-police response for appropriate non-emergency situations, particularly those involving individuals experiencing mental illness, and this group is an important step in moving ahead in that direction.”
Members of the new Public Safety Task Force will meet virtually at least twice a month. The first meeting is scheduled to take place in January 2021.
Meet the New Year, Same as the Old Year - Featured Items on the January 4, 2021 Cambridge City Council AgendaThere are two things in my daily/weekly routine that fill me with dread. The first is when I check the latest count of Covid infections and deaths among Cambridge residents. The most recent count indicated 51 new infections but fortunately no new deaths. However, after a long period of no new deaths (it was pinned at 100 for 82 days), there have been 8 new reported deaths since Dec 15, and this is very alarming. My other moment of dread is when I check the agenda for the next City Council meeting. That's when I expect to see the latest attempt by our elected scolds to dictate to Cambridge residents what they in their imagined brilliance feel is The Way Things Must Be. Whether it's dictating how to manage trees in my yard or whether my gas stove should be banned, they are always in the hunt for further ways to limit personal choice or play to the latest trendy movements. Thankfully, this week they gave us a break, but who know what's in the pipeline. Sometimes I think that constitutional rights may be the only recourse. The last meeting of 2020 had some interesting late additions. They emerged from Executive Session with a late appropriation order for a $1.4 million legal settlement (or so it appears). We are only left to speculate whether this was related to the Vail Court eminent domain taking of a few years ago or something else. In the Vail Court case, if the property owners had any sense (they didn't) they could have built a mixed income residential development that would have added vitality to that corner of Central Square. Instead, the City felt compelled to take the property by eminent domain for the usual uninspired purposes. Had that property been redeveloped in concert with the underutilized parking lot at the corner of Prospect Street we could have seen a really interesting revitalization of what may be the single most drab location in the Greater Central Square area. That, of course, would have required creative thinking and negotiation from the Community Development Department, but instead we ended up with asphalt and legal settlements. Then again, perhaps the $1.4 million was for hush money. At least that would make for a more interesting story. The other big story from the previous meeting was the $18.5 million eminent domain taking of an athletic field along Fresh Pond Parkway and the simultaneous disposal of the Green Ribbon Open Space Report from March 2000 (see comments of previous meeting if interested). Predictably, the councillors endorsed by ABC (A Bigger Cambridge) would prefer to Build Baby Build on that land. Clearly Cambridge has far too much open space. </sarcasm> Here's my first pass at the marginally interesting stuff this week: Manager's Agenda #1. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to an update on COVID-19. Charter Right #1. Policy Order re: Covid-19 Vaccines. Order #4. That the City Council go on record supporting the School Committee in aligning School opening and closing with the “Schools and Path to Zero” framework with the goal of opening up all schools for in person learning, and supporting all efforts to include as many students as practically possible for at least some in person learning, with the goal of full time in person learning as soon as it can be done safely. Councillor Nolan, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Simmons There was a great little book published some years ago called Innumeracy - Mathematical Illiteracy and its Consequences by John Allen Paulos. I often think of this book and it's theme when reading or hearing from city councillors or from more than a few people in the City's employ. Whether it's in promoting development with few goals or quantification, or the laundry list of brainstorming ideas that was dubbed "Envision Cambridge," or in making sense of the relative risk of Covid-19 infection from various activities, innumeracy is often the rule. Regarding the public schools, at some point three metrics were chosen to determine whether our schools would be primarily in-person or done via remote learning. If we exceed 2 of the 3 metrics, it's shutdown time for all the schools. That's where we are right now - average of 25.7 new cases/day (the limit is 25, so a slight excess) and 851.5/ml viral copies in wastewater testing (limit is 100/ml). The crux of Order #4 seems to be to support the proposal to open the schools and keep them open just as long as individual schools can demonstrate that they are maintaining and ensuring a low-risk environment. I have no idea what the thinking of School Committee members is on this matter, but I do like the basic idea of evaluating each situation on its own merits. As for the Order re: vaccines held over from the last meeting, I'll simply note that on the one hand our councillors want to ensure that only the most effective vaccines are made available to Cambridge residents, but they also want us to be last in line only after all higher-risk communities have been vaccinated (Order #3 of Dec 21). The truth is that most of these decisions are not in the hands of city councillors but more appropriately in the hands of public health officials, and for this I am grateful. Manager's Agenda #2. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the biennial City of Cambridge Resident Telephone Survey for 2020. I used to actually read these survey results, but I now question their validity. On the housing question in particular, I will simply note that possibly 100% of residents want housing to be affordable, but that's not the same as endorsing the City's approach to "affordable housing." So many satisfaction surveys are more a function of the way the questions are asked than of the responses received. By the way, I believe that mom and apple pie are still highly regarded. Manager's Agenda #3. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to a Zoning Petition which amends Article 8.000 of the Cambridge Zoning Ordinance. Since the court decision leading to this recommendation would favor slightly more flexibility for owners of single-family and two-family homes, I'll not be surprised if there's resistance to the recommendation by the density boosters who would prefer that Cambridge be more like Coop City in the Bronx. The nerve of someone wanting to live in a single- or two-family home. Don't they know there's a crisis going on? </sarcasm> Manager's Agenda #4. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 20-72, regarding keeping Riverbend Park opened beyond Dec 27, 2020. Sorry folks. I guess the ample sidewalks and paths alongside Memorial Drive will have to be repopulated for the duration of the season. Order #1. That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to direct the Law Department to draft Home Rule Petition language for a Fire Cadet Program similar to the language used in the Police Department Home Rule Petition. Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Toomey, Councillor Simmons This is a good idea, but I still find it remarkable that a Home Rule Petition is required to create programs like these. Order #3. That the Cambridge City Council formally expresses its interest in joining other cities actively pursuing digital equity and internet access by signing up for Next Century Cities. Councillor Nolan, Councillor Zondervan In all the controversy and committee meetings about the possibility of investing in municipal broadband, there are a few things that don't get nearly enough attention. One is the matter of TV - you know, as in television programs. You would think from the proponents that TV (Cable or otherwise) is something only senior citizens want. Maybe it's true and that nobody under 50 watches television anymore, but it never seems to be part of the discussion. Another matter rarely addressed is the matter of who would actually provide the content and connectivity. It's not the same as water or electricity where you simply introduce the water or voltage to the conduit. Another point not emphasized nearly enough is that cities where municipal broadband has been established tend to be those who already operate their own electric utilities - and we don't. Anyway, I don't know much about Next Century Cities, but they seem to be concerned only with equity rather than content. Committee Report #1. The Economic Development & University Relations Committee met on Nov 19, 2020 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. Committee Report #2. The Public Safety Committee met on July 7, 2020 to conduct a public hearing on the Cambridge Police Department's Use of Force Policy and related matters. These reports are included for information only. Meanwhile, Councillor Zondervan is having another committee meeting this week in which he'll continue his campaign to defund the police. Political theater is such a poor substitute for real entertainment. - Robert Winters |
Dec 23, 2020 – The City of Cambridge today announced that in addition to Governor Baker's capacity restrictions released on December 22, 2020 in the Governor’s COVID-19 Order #59, the City is issuing a temporary emergency order to further reduce the spread of COVID-19 in Cambridge. Effective at 12:00am on Saturday, December 26, the City of Cambridge will roll back to a modified Phase II, Step 2 of the Commonwealth’s Reopening Massachusetts Plan until at least 12:00am on January 16, 2021, or until further modified.
Since July, the City of Cambridge has remained in Phase III, Step 1 of the Commonwealth’s Reopening Massachusetts Plan. Returning to a modified Phase II, Step 2 will require certain sectors designated as eligible to operate in Phase III, Step 1 to close, while allowing a limited number of Phase III, Step 1 sectors to continue operating with restrictions.
“Like many communities, Cambridge has experienced an increase in COVID-19 cases among its residents following the Thanksgiving holiday and our daily case rate has not returned to pre-Thanksgiving levels,” said City Manager Louis A. DePasquale. “We continue to urge everyone to take personal responsibility for slowing the spread of COVID-19 and follow the public health guidelines while visiting public spaces or businesses. I strongly encourage residents for the next few weeks to minimize or avoid in-person gatherings with people from outside their immediate household.”
The City of Cambridge is issuing a Temporary Emergency Order that will require the following additional mandatory closures beginning at 12:00am on Saturday, December 26, 2020 for a three-week period until 12:00am on January 16, 2021, or until further modified:
In Cambridge, the following Phase III, Step 1 sectors will be allowed to operate, in accordance with capacity limits set forth in Governor Baker’s COVID-19 Order #59, with additional City restrictions beginning at 12:00am on Saturday, December 26, 2020 for a three-week period until 12:00am on January 16, 2021, or until further modified:
"While new infection rates in Cambridge are currently lower than in neighboring communities, as well as in most large cities in the Commonwealth, we have seen significant increased community transmission in Cambridge since Thanksgiving," said Claude A. Jacob, Chief Public Health Officer and director of the Cambridge Public Health Department. "We are especially concerned about transmission to residents at greatest risk for severe illness, and believe the measures announced today will contribute to slowing the spread of the virus."
As COVID-19 infections rise in Massachusetts and the region, the City of Cambridge will continue to take a cautious and measured approach to activities and industries permitted in Cambridge and will continue to closely monitor public health data as part of its decision-making process.
View full text of Governor’s COVID-19 Order #59 that was issued on December 22, 2020.
As a reminder, the City’s Face Coverings Order remains in effect at all times when outside your home.
For more information and to sign up to receive updates on COVID-19, please visit the City’s dedicated information page: https://www.cambridgema.gov/covid19
CIVIC CALENDAR (abridged)
6:00pm School Committee Virtual Meeting (webcast from Media Arts Studio, 454 Broadway)
The next Regular Meeting of the School Committee will be held Virtually on Tues, Feb 2 at 6:00pm for the purpose of discussing any and all business that may properly come before the Committee. Individuals must sign up in advance to provide public comments at regular meetings or public hearings. The sign-up window is Thurs, Jan 28 through Tues, Feb 2 at 12 Noon (by phone)
- To sign up to call in using the ZOOM app on your computer or mobile device: visit www.cpsd.us/school_committee/virtual.
6:30pm Planning Board meeting (Remote Meeting - web and Zoom only)
Register for Zoom Webinar to participate in real time (before or during the meeting). Check your e-mail (including spam/junk folder) for confirmation.
General Business
1. Update from the Community Development Department
2. Adoption of Planning Board meeting transcripts (12/15/2020, 12/22/2020, 1/5/2021)
3. Town Gown Reports (Reports)
• Lesley University
• Harvard University
• Hult International School of Business
• Massachusetts Institute of Technology
5:30pm City Council meeting (Sullivan Chamber - Televised)
5:30pm The City Council's Ordinance Committee will meet to conduct a public hearing on the Green Roofs zoning petition. (Sullivan Chamber - Televised)
10:00am School Committee Virtual Community Meeting (Zoom)
There will be a Virtual Community Meeting of the School Committee on Thurs, Jan 28, 5:30pm for the purpose of discussing FY22 Budget Priorities. The Meeting is anticipated to end by 7:00pm. To join the meeting, please visit https://zoom.us/j/97562093454.
5:30pm City Council meeting (Sullivan Chamber - Televised)
5:30pm The City Council's Ordinance Committee will meet to conduct a public hearing on the Alewife zoning petition. (Sullivan Chamber - Televised)
5:30pm The City Council's Ordinance Committee will meet to conduct a public hearing a petition to amend Article 8.000 of the Cambridge Zoning Ordinance. (Sullivan Chamber - Televised)
2:00pm The City Council's Neighborhood and Long Term Planning, Public Facilities, Arts and Celebrations Committee and the Housing Committee will conduct a joint hearing to discuss the elimination of single and two-family only zoning and restrictions on the type of housing that can be built city-wide. (Sullivan Chamber - Televised)
5:30pm Cambridge Redevelopment Authority Annual Board Meeting (Police Station, First Floor Conference Room, 125 Sixth St.)
6:00-7:30pm Central Square Advisory Committee meeting (Zoom)
5:30pm City Council meeting (Sullivan Chamber - Televised)
