2021 Municipal Election: Nomination Papers

June 29, 2021 – Nomination papers for City Council and School Committee will be available beginning Thursday, July 1st at the Election Commission office, 51 Inman Street, Cambridge. The office will be open on Thursday, July 1st from 8:30am until 5:00pm. The deadline to file nomination papers is Monday, August 2nd at 5:00pm. When visiting the Election Commission office please use the side entrance located on Inman Place until further notice. The 2021 Municipal Election Calendar is posted on the Commission’s website: www.cambridgema.gov/election

The requirements to run for City Council or School Committee are:

1. The person must be a registered voter in Cambridge. To register, one must be 18 years of age by Election Day, a U.S. citizen and a resident in the City of Cambridge.

2. The person must file no fewer than fifty (50) and no more than one hundred (100) certifiable signatures of registered voters in the City of Cambridge.

The Commission has prepared an information kit for candidates containing important dates, Commission policies, services, and publications. The kits will be available with the nomination papers on July 1st.

Election Day is Tuesday, November 2, 2021.

---

Candidates who have pulled nomination papers (as of Mon, July 20, 4:50pm) - 20 for CC, 9 for SC
Candidates	Office	Address	Born	Occupation	Signatures	Certified*	Notes
E. Denise Simmons	CC	188 Harvard St. #4B, 02139	1951	City Councillor	88(July 16)	83	July 1
Joe McGuirk	CC	314 Columbia St. #1, 02141	1965	Bartender	50(July 6),10(July 6)	46	July 1
Jivan Sobrinho-Wheeler	CC	187 Brookline St. #3, 02139	1992	City Councillor	43(July 15), 26(July 16)	39+25=64	July 1
Patricia M. Nolan	CC	184 Huron Ave., 02138	1957	City Councillor	46(July 8), 14(July 12)	44+14=58	July 1
Quinton Y. Zondervan	CC	235 Cardinal Madeiros Ave., 02141	1970	Politician			July 1
Sumbul Siddiqui	CC	283 Sidney St. #3, 02139	1988	Attorney	44(July 6), 46(July7), 16(July 9)	41+43=84	July 1
Frantz Pierre	CC	22 Water Street, Unit 808, 02141	1982		48(July 7), 35(July 12)	44+24=68	July 1
Marc C. McGovern	CC	17 Pleasant St., 02139	1968	Social Worker	83(July 20)	pending	July 1
Alanna M. Mallon	CC	3 Maple Ave., 02139	1970	City Councillor	100(July 13)	95	July 1
Nicola A. Williams	CC	8 Brewer St. #5, 02138	1963	Self-Employed	52(July 13)	48	July 1
Robert Eckstut	CC	251 Western Ave. #1, 02139	1985				July 1
Paul Toner	CC	24 Newman St., 02140	1966	Teacher, Lawyer	100(July 9)	96	July 1
Dana Bullister	CC	155 5th Street #1, 02141	1990	Entrepreneur			July 1
Roy Ribitzky	CC	163 Webster Ave. #3, 02141	1989	Food, Beverage Industry			July 1
Theodora Skeadas	CC	988 Memorial Drive #185, 02138	1990	Consultant	46(July 8), 49(July 14)	42+44=86	July 2
Gregg J. Moree	CC	25 Fairfield St. #4, 02140	1957				July 2
Dennis J. Carlone	CC	9 Washington Ave. #6, 02140	1947	Architect			July 2
Burhan Azeem	CC	35 Speridakis Terr., 02139	1997	Data Engineer			July 7
Tonia Hicks	CC	337 Pearl Street, 02139	1970				July 7
Santos Carrasquillo	CC	188 Harvard St. #3B, 02139	1989				July 8
Ayesha Wilson	SC	15 Concord Ave., 02138	1982	Education	44(July 1), 38(July 9)	43+38=81	July 1
David J. Weinstein	SC	45 S. Normandy Ave., 02138	1972	Writer/Communications	50(July 16)	50	July 1
Jose Luis Rojas Villarreal	SC	19 Cornelius Way, 02141	1971	Loan Officer			July 1
Fred Fantini	SC	4 Canal Park #203, 02141	1949	School Committee	48(July 12), 50(July 14), 2(July 15)	48+50+2=100	July 1
Christopher Lim	SC	48 Pleasant St., 02139	1975	Engineer	49(July 8), 16(July 9)	40+15=55	July 7
Akriti Bhambi	SC	311 Cardinal Madeiros Ave. #1, 02141	1988		93(July 12)	91	July 8
Rachel B. Weinstein	SC	60 Standish St. #1, 02138	1974		65(July 19)	61	July 12
Kathleen Kelly	SC	17 Marie Ave. #1, 02139	1960				July 14
Caroline Hunter	SC	23 Rockwell St.	1946				July 20

* Signatures are provisionally certified by Election Commission staff, but not officially certified until voted by Election Commission.

2021 Cambridge Candidate Pages

---

Down the road a bit - Growing rumblings of the 2021 municipal election year

Dec 14, 2020, updated July 20, 2021 – 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. 8 incumbent city councillors have sent word to supporters about seeking reelection. Here's a list of what we know so far:

Name	Address	Filed w/OCPF	Notes
Challengers (11) who have declared intention to seek reelection, are actively fundraising, or have pulled nomination papers
Frantz Pierre	22 Water Street #808, 02141	Nov 10, 2020	case worker at Margaret Fuller House
Tonia Hicks	337 Pearl Street, 02139	Nov 13, 2020 declared	campaign Chair lives in Colorado, Treasurer lives in North Carolina
Dana Bullister	155 5th Street #1, 02141	Nov 23, 2020 declared	listed as own campaign Chair and Treasurer, was rumored as candidate in 2019
Joe McGuirk	314 Columbia St. #1, 02141	Dec 7, 2020 declared	bartender at Highland Kitchen in Somerville, and the Lexington at Cambridge Crossing
Santos Carrasquillo	188 Harvard St. #3B, 02139	Jan 11, 2021	occupation unknown
Theodora Skeadas	988 Memorial Drive #185, 02138	Feb 19, 2021 declared	Executive Director of Cambridge Local First; previously filed w/OCPF in Dec 2016 as a candidate but did not pursue at that time
Nicola Williams	8 Brewer St. #5, 02138	declared, actively fundraising, 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
Paul Toner	24 Newman St., 02140	declared, initial campaign deposit 4/18/21	Senior Director of National Policy, Partnerships and Northeast Region for Teach Plus; former VP and president of the Massachusetts Teachers Association (2006-2014), and of the Cambridge Teachers Association (2001-2006); middle school social studies teacher, lawyer, and former teacher union leader. He previously ran for City Council in 2017.
Roy Ribitzky (new website)	163 Webster Ave. #3, 02141	4/26/21	Guest Experience Professional in the Food and Beverage Industry; currently Bar Lead & Shift Supervisor at The Smoke Shop BBQ, Somerville.
Burhan Azeem	35 Speridakis Terr., 02139	5/2/21 announced via email (ran in 2019)	Works at startup that does at-home COVID & post-op care for patients in India.
Robert Eckstut	251 Western Ave. #1, 02139	5/12/21	Poker Player, author, activist (from LinkedIn page); Chair/Treasurer lives in California
Gregg Moree	25 Fairfield St. #4, 02140	7/2/21	perennial candidate
Rumored possible City Council candidates - either new or returning
Jeffery McNary	116 Norfolk St. #201, 02139	expressed interest	ran in 2019 w/o accepting donations
Sam Gebru	812 Memorial Dr. #614A, 02139	recently made $200 candidate loan to acct.	ran in 2017 and has kept campaign account active
Incumbents (8) who have declared intention to seek reelection; Tim Toomey will not seek re-election
Dennis Carlone	9 Washington Ave. #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 previously served 4 terms on School Committee
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
Denise Simmons	188 Harvard St. #4B, 02139	actively fundraising	first elected in 2001, 10 terms on City Council; previously served 5 terms on School Committee
Alanna Mallon	3 Maple Ave., 02139	declared	first elected in 2017, 2 terms on City Council
Sumbul Siddiqui	283 Sidney St. #3, 02139	declared on her website	first elected in 2017, 2 terms on City Council
Patty Nolan	184 Huron Ave., 02138	declared on her website	first elected in 2019, 1 term on City Council; previously served 7 terms on School Committee
New School Committee candidates (5 of the 6 incumbents are expected to seek reelection; Manikka Bowman will not seek re-election)
Christopher Lim	48 Pleasant St., 02139	pulled nomination papers July 7	ran in 2019; co-founder of Redwire, LLC; Masters in System Design and Management, MIT
Akriti Bhambi	311 Card. Madeiros Ave. #1, 02141	pulled nomination papers July 8	Director, Policy and Government Advocacy at Massachusetts Health & Hospital Association; former Chief Of Staff, Legislative Director for Rep. Marjorie Decker
Kathleen Kelly	17 Marie Ave. #1, 02139	pulled nomination papers July 14	Social Worker; previously served 3 terms on the School Committee (2014-2019)
Caroline Hunter	23 Rockwell St., 02139	pulled nomination papers July 20

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.

2021 Cambridge Candidate Pages (preliminary)

Cambridge City Council Campaign Receipts 2021

Note: The "A Better Cambridge" PAC filed its Dissolution Report on April 14 - apparently in favor of operating all of its political campaign financing via its Independent Expenditure PAC. The significance of this change is that an ordinary political action committee (PAC) is required to file monthly bank reports (twice/month during the active campaign season). An Independent Expenditure PAC has no such reporting requirements, i.e. there is very little transparency.

---

New York State of Mind - Part 2

June 26, 2021 – On June 22, New York City Democrats voted for their party’s nominee for mayor in a ranked-choice primary. The initial (first round) results differed somewhat from polls done prior to the election with Eric Adams finishing in first place among #1 choices. As of June 23 with 97% of the ballots recorded, the #1 vote results were:

Eric Adams – 31.7% (polls suggested 20 percent)
Maya Wiley – 22.3% (polls suggested 9 percent)
Kathryn Garcia – 19.5% (polls suggested 21 percent)
Andrew Yang – 11.7% (polls suggested 16 percent)
Scott Stringer – 5.0% (polls suggested 10 percent)
other candidates – 9.8%

Ranked-Choice voting results are expected on June 29, though New York has a long history of long delays in producing final election results. Official results are not expected until the week of July 12. There were 22 mayoral candidates of whom 14 ran as Democrats.

Though most people expect that Eric Adams will prevail after the ballot transfers, other outcomes are possible. Scott Stringer, Dianne Morales, and Maya Wiley were apparently competing for the “progressive” vote, and it's possible that their #1 ballots could aggregate to elect Wiley or possibly Garcia. Shortly before the end of the balloting period, Garcia and Yang campaigned together and Yang asked his supporters to rank Garcia second. This could potentially vault Garcia past Wiley when Yang is counted out, but a request from a candidate doesn't necessarily translate into action by the voters. It's not likely that either of these candidates will eventally vault past Adams, but it is a possibility.

Many people see the strong finish of Adams, a former New York City Police Captain and current Brooklyn Borough President, as a repudication of the national “defund the police” movement. - RW

June 29 update – A Boston Globe article states: “New York City plans to resume counting votes Tuesday in its Democratic mayoral primary, which went into a state of suspended animation a week ago with Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams enjoying an early lead.” … “The city's Board of Elections planned to announce the latest vote tallies sometime in the afternoon, and it will be the public's first look at results from the city's new ranked choice voting system, which gives voters a say in who wins even if their top choice for the office doesn't have enough support.” … “New York City also plans on Tuesday to begin counting absentee ballots in the race. At least 124,000 Democrats voted by absentee ballot in the primary, based on ballots received through Sunday. None of those ballots will be included in the city's first pass at ranked choice analysis, meaning that there's a chance results could still change significantly. Elections officials plan on conducting another round of ranked choice analysis on July 6 that includes absentee ballots.”

Preliminary Results (corrected June 30) – After the Final (9th) Round of transfers, Eric Adams finished with 51.05% of the (nonexhausted) ballots edging out Kathryn Garcia with 48.95% of the (nonexhausted) ballots.

Alas, there was a glitch! Eric Adams' ballots increased 6.9% from the initial count, Wiley 5.4%, Garcia 7.5%. In contrast, Taylor's ballots increased 685.7%, Isaac Wright 607.2%. The overwhelming majority of those added ballots later exhausted for lack of additional rankings. In the correct tabulation on June 30, the increases frrom Election night were as expected ranging from a low of 1.5% (Garcia) to a high of 5.4% (Foldenauer).

Apparently the glitch was caused by not clearing out the ballot records from a previous test deck consisting of 135,000 ballot records. The test deck likely had some of the same candidate codes as real candidates and when the test deck and the actual ballot data were pooled it produced the ridiculous inflated totals. Electio officials have now purged the test deck data and are reloading the actual ballot data. This time they'll also go through a validation step just to make sure there are no other problems. I'm not sure if the revised results will be made public tonight or on Wednesday. Big time Oops.

July 6 Update – With most of the outstanding absentee ballots counted, New York City elections officials released an updated tally for the Democratic mayoral primary. After the Final (8th) Round of transfers, Eric Adams finished with 50.53% of the (nonexhausted) ballots edging out Kathryn Garcia with 49.47% of the (nonexhausted) ballots.

Excel file with all three iterations of the tally – the bogus tally (June 29), the revised tally (June 30), and the latest tally (July 6).

PDF of latest (July 6) tally (Adams over Garcia 50.53% to 49.47% - a 1.06% margin)

PDF of the June 30 tally (Adams over Garcia 51.05% to 48.95% - a 2.10% margin)

PDF of the June 29 (bogus) tally (Adams over Garcia 51.10% to 48.90% - a 2.20% margin)

---

Campaign Trailhead and Summer Vacation – June 28, 2021 Cambridge City Council meeting This is the last City Council meeting until the Midsummer meeting in August and then again in September. These are the days when councillors are setting the table for their respective political sales pitches with an eye toward the November municipal election. Here are the items that seem most notable: Note: Even though City Hall is open, only 4 councillors (Toomey, Siddiqui, Nolan, Carlone) bothered to actually show up while the other 5 continued to call in from the privacy of their own homes. I went there just to reacquaint myself with the surroundings. Public comment seems to be dominated by people who want to sell dope and want to have money funneled their way via City ordinance. It's also worth noting that this meeting was not accessible via the Open Meeting Portal nor via the new streaming video link. I was only able to access the meeting via Zoom. It is somewhat bewildering how we can never seem to master our chosen technologies. Manager's Agenda #4. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 21-41, regarding a report on closing Mass Ave from Prospect Street to Sydney Street on Friday and Saturday evenings. Charter Right - McGovern While we may respect the intention of the Order that led to this report, there are significant reasons for not routinely shutting down this important thoroughfare. It's also not necessary since so much of the action is on the sidewalks and places of business. That said, we really should revive something like the Central Square World's Fair and host a few really signature events each year in Central Square. It really is the most happening place in Cambridge. Manager's Agenda #8. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to recommendation from the Planning Board and communication from Community Development Department and Law Department staff related to the Cannabis Delivery Zoning Petition. [Law Dept. memo] [recommended amended text of petition] Placed on File 9-0 Unfinished Business #7. ORDINANCE 2021-8 Cannabis Delivery Zoning Amendments. [PASSED TO A SECOND READING ON JUNE 14, 2021; TO BE ORDAINED ON OR AFTER JUNE 28, 2021] Amended 8-0-1 as proposed in Mgr #8 (Toomey PRESENT); Ordained 8-0-1 (Toomey PRESENT) Order #11. That the Chairs of the Ordinance Committee convene a hearing on amending the Cannabis Business Permitting Ordinance to extend the preference period.   Councillor Zondervan, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Carlone Order Adopted as Amended 9-0 While I can certainly respect the notion of affirmatively acting to give some disadvantaged people a leg up in economic opportunities, there does come a point where you cross over into the realm of political patronage and we may now be crossing that line. I will add that we may very soon see at least four cannabis retailers in Central Square in addition to any “cannabis courier establishments.” Meanwhile, Graffiti Alley, the parking lots, the sidewalks of Central Square, and even the public toilets continue to see a thriving environment for drug sales - cannabis and otherwise. Charter Right #1. Transmitting Communication from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $65,019,211, received from the U.S. Department of Treasury through the new Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Fund (CLFRF) established by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), to the Grant Fund Finance Department Other Ordinary Maintenance account which will be used to. [CHARTER RIGHT EXERCISED BY COUNCILLOR ZONDERVAN IN COUNCIL JUNE 21, 2021] Sobrinho-Wheeler Motion to Table Fails 2-7 (JSW,QZ - YES); Order Adopted 9-0; Reconsideration Fails 0-9 The Manager's report on this topic last week was very informative, and also served as a reminder of just how much effort and money was expended during this pandemic on the essential services need to get through this dark tunnel. I seriously hope the Council rhetoric doesn't devolve into wish lists and giveaways. I will be far more interested to see if forthcoming federal infrastructure legislation can somehow tip the balance to turn some desirable projects from infeasible to not only feasible but recommended, and that includes things like bridges connecting the Alewife Triangle and Quadrangle and other desirable connections. We should have some "shovel ready" plans in place in order to take advantage of any federal funds for such permanent improvements. Let the pandemic relief and recovery money go to pandemic relief and recovery. Charter Right #2. That the City Manager is requested to direct the appropriate City staff to determine the feasibility of establishing a pilot reparations program that would take a to-be-determined percentage of revenue from local cannabis sales and distribute these monies to local Black-owned businesses and to economic empowerment applicants. [CHARTER RIGHT EXERCISED BY COUNCILLOR ZONDERVAN IN COUNCIL JUNE 21, 2021] Tabled 9-0 (Simmons) Please note that this proposal is characterized as a “pilot reparations programs” which suggests that there will be more proposals to come. I absolutely agree with the idea of economic empowerment and providing strategic advantages, but I absolutely disagree with the concept of reparations. Charter Right #3. That the City Council go on record in favor of filing of the attached Home Rule Petition entitled: AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF CAMBRIDGE TO INCLUDE A BALLOT QUESTION ON THE NOVEMBER 2, 2021 MUNICIPAL BALLOT RELATIVE TO THE HOME RULE CHARTER. [CHARTER RIGHT EXERCISED BY COUNCILLOR TOOMEY IN COUNCIL JUNE 21, 2021] Late Amendments unseen by the public Approved 1-8 (Toomey - NO); Order Approved as Amended 8-1 (Toomey - NO); Reconsideration Fails 0-9 Apparently, there will be one track that asks Attornet General to opine on legality then straight to municipal ballot; other track is Home Rule petition to state legislature. There were only two extremely-low attendance Zoom meetings on this topic, and the proposal to hand over the authority to approve all appointments to City boards and commissions is nothing more than a power grab guaranteed to politicize all City boards and destroy any possibility of proportionality in the membership of those boards. This would be a major structural change with not only unintended consequences but, more fundamentally, intentional consequences. In short, if five city councillors want to have the Planning Board or any other board be 100% compliant with their point of view (or their endorsing organization's point of view) – even if the appointees have no other qualifications – they will be able to do so if this proposed change is approved. The other two proposed changes are benign - requiring an annual review of the City Manager's performance and a review of the Charter every decade (unless 5 city councillor can completely control who participates in the charter review - see above). Unfinished Business #6. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to proposed amendments to the Tree Protection Ordinance. [PASS TO A SECOND READING ON JUNE 14, 2021; TO BE ORDAINED ON OR AFTER JUNE 28, 2021] Amended 8-0-0-1 (Toomey - PRESENT) Ordained as Amended 7-1-0-1 (Toomey - NO; Simmons - PRESENT) Order #1. That the Zoning Ordinance of the City of Cambridge be amended to insert a new row in section 4.31 “Residential Uses” regarding the service of post-operative care for a dog.   Councillor McGovern, Vice Mayor Mallon Referred to Ordinance Committee & Planning Board 9-0 Reconsidered 9-0; Adopted as Amended by Substitution 9-0 This is an example of what the City Council actually should be doing, i.e. recognizing a problem and fixing it – no ideology required. There apparently was a recent BZA case where it was decided that providing care for the pet of a friend was a technical zoning violation. This zoning amendment is intended to remedy that zoning malady. Order #2. City Council support of HD.3403 and SD.2340, An Act Relative to Fare Free Buses.   Vice Mayor Mallon, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler Order Adopted 9-0 Order #3. City Council support of the Cambridge Transit Advisory Committee’s suggested configuration for the #47 Bus.   Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler Order Adopted 9-0 Order #4. City Council endorsement of the Agassiz Neighborhood name being changed to the Baldwin Neighborhood in honor of Maria L. Baldwin.   Councillor Simmons, Mayor Siddiqui Charter Right - Nolan Order #5. That the City Manager is requested to confer with the Personnel Department, and other relevant City departments to examine and implement a flexible, permanent remote work policy for City employees who can perform their tasks remotely.   Vice Mayor Mallon, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Nolan Order Adopted 8-0-1 (Toomey ABSENT) I agree completely that there should be continued flexibility for some City workers, but I see no reason whatsoever at this point for city councillors not showing up in person at City Council meetings. Order #6. That the City Manager is requested to work with the DPW and the family to install a suitable memorial in a meaningful location, including a new tree planting, to honor the life of Luca Gibson.   Councillor Zondervan, Mayor Siddiqui Order Adopted 9-0 Order #7. That the City Manager is requested to instruct the City Solicitor to prepare an ordinance which allows individual condominium owners the ability to obtain a City construction permit to repair known structural and other safety violations even without a majority of the building’s condominium owners’ vote of approval.   Councillor Carlone, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler Order Adopted 8-0-0-1 (McGovern PRESENT) This would open some interesting legal cans of worms. Even more fundamentally, the transition over the last 40 years from individual ownership of whole properties to condominium ownership has produced more than a few unintended consequences and long-term maintenance issues that could use a fresh look. Unilateral action by one condo owner leading to assessments for all owners may not be the best or even the legal solution. Order #8. That the City Manager is requested to work with the Finance and Personnel Departments to examine stipend models for the City's multi-member bodies.   Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Vice Mayor Mallon, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Zondervan Order Adopted 9-0 I suppose that examining the issue is harmless, but I still cannot warm up to the idea of paying members of boards and commissions. I would rather see a change in culture that rewards constructive civic participation in other ways. Former Mayor David Maher understood this and hosted events thanking residents who volunteer to serve on City boards and commissions. Covid notwithstanding, it's a shame that subsequent mayors failed to see the value in such recognition. This isn't all about money. Order #10. That the City Manager is requested to confer with the Law Department, Cambridge Development Department, and the City Manager’s Housing Liaison to discuss and advise on a condominium conversion ordinance.   Mayor Siddiqui, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler Order Adopted; Referred to Law Department and to Housing Committee 7-1-0-1 (Toomey - NO; McGovern - PRESENT) Those horses left the barn 25 years ago and much of the city's multi-family stock has already been converted (and with it one of the most time-tested routes to middle class stability). This is just a political attention-getting move now. Committee Report #1. The Neighborhood and Long-Term Planning, Public Facilities, Arts and Celebrations Committee and the Housing Committee conducted a joint hearing on Wed, Feb 17, 2021 to discuss the elimination of single and two-family only zoning and restrictions on the type of housing that can be built city-wide. Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0 This is the kind of actual conversation that we should be having - as opposed to intense densification proposals like the so-called "Missing Middle" petition that will soon be expiring and could potentially be reintroduced (likely an even worse iteration). There are strong arguments in favor of liberalizing zoning to allow multi-family homes in all residential zones, and it is also reasonable to review the allowable densities every once in a while without necessarily opening the floodgates to demolition and redevelopment in places that are now functioning well. Cambridge has an interesting brand of density that works in its own curious ways in most neighborhoods, but it also has a variety of densities that provide choices for people with different needs and preferences. We need a little more Jane Jacobs and a little less Robert Moses. Perhaps most of all we need to have local zoning ordinances that allow reasonable people to do reasonable things. Communications & Reports #2. A communication was received from Anthony Wilson, City Clerk, transmitting information regarding the Early Voting Home Rule Legislation. Modified Home Rule Petition Re-Filed 9-0; Report Placed on File 9-0 This matter has been on the City Council Calendar for ages and may even become obsolete depending on what the state legislature finally decides regarding permanently establishing such things as "no excuse absentee voting," ballot dropboxes, and other accommodations. The City Clerk has readied this for re-filing the Home Rule petition, but I'm not so sure that this will be necessary or even advisable at this point. I also would not want to burden the Election Commission staff unnecessarily if there are other perfectly good alternatives. - Robert Winters Comments?

Click on graph above for latest Cambridge data.

July 20, 2021 Breakdown of Cases:
6140 tested positive - an increase of 11 from the previous day.
123 confirmed deaths (76 in long-term care facilities, 47 in general community)
54 known active cases - an increase of 10 from the previous day
4155 recoveries - an increase of 0 from the previous day

“On June 9, 2021, all suspect (antibody positive) cases were removed from the Cambridge case totals,
reducing the city’s case total by 228 cases. Suspect cases are no longer included in the city’s case total.”

Things have improved thanks to vaccinations, and the 7-day averages of new cases are now consistently low.

Harvard University COVID-19 data     MIT COVID-19 data

Frankly, I'm getting very concerned about the recent increase in new cases - small compared to months ago, but worrisome.

---

"Movement" Politics

Cambridge Housing Justice is organized by: The Black Response, Project Right to Housing, The Material Aid and Advocacy Program, Our Revolution Cambridge, Cambridge Residents Alliance, Cambridge DSA, and Cambridge NAACP.

SAY "NO" TO #UNAFFORDABLECAMBRIDGE

Cambridge City Council has been considering whether to support the so-called “Missing Middle” housing petition. This plan will allow for-profit developers to create more luxury housing with NO provision for affordable housing. It will NOT help remedy racial disparities in Cambridge. It WILL push out low and middle income community members, including many people of color, from Cambridge.

JOIN US! THURSDAY JUNE 17 5PM, CAMBRIDGE CITY HALL LAWN
This rally is for you if:

• You or your family have been pushed out of Cambridge due to rising rents
• You lost your job or business and you're at risk of losing your housing
• You are paying more than 30% of your income on housing
• Your landlord charges high rents under substandard conditions
• You are a senior and can't afford to move because of the price of housing
• You feel that the City's housing policies are inequitable and you will never be able to own a home in Cambridge
• You cannot afford so-called “affordable housing”
• Your loved ones can't live with you or you will lose your housing
• You can't accept that promotion because you will lose your housing
• You need someone to advocate for housing with you
• You have been pushed out of public housing because you make a little too much
• You have been on an affordable housing waiting list for years
• You are at risk of homelessness or experiencing homeless in Cambridge
• You care about the environment, and want the same privilege of having green space in your housing development
• You are blocked from affordable housing due to your relationship to substances or involvement with the criminal legal system
• You are worried about losing your neighbors and diversity in Cambridge

   

---

The Port Organizing Group - a group convened by Port residents working to rebuild the Area 4/Port Neighborhood Coalition. It will:
  • Inform residents about neighborhood issues
  • Share information about Port-related happenings and projects
  • Be a respected voice and advocate for neighborhood concerns

There is a lot going on in Cambridge that affects Port/Area 4 residents. Let’s get together to discuss our ideas and concerns to see how we can take action together as neighbors.

The Port Organizing Group - Santos Carrasquillo, Marian Darlington-Hope, Lee Farris, Charles Franklin, Corey Godfrey, Richard Goldberg, Gregory O'Bannon, Nancy Ryan, Dan Totten, Alex Wang, Susan Yanow, and others.

---

CIVIC CALENDAR (abridged)

Tues, July 20

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

General Business

1. Update from the Community Development Department

Public Hearings

6:30pm   PB# 368
Volpe Exchange Parcel – 55 Broadway (33 Broadway, 2 Potter Street, 20 Potter Street, 156 Linskey Way, 220 Binney Street, 60 Sixth Street, 182 Binney Street) – PUD Special Permit application by Massachusetts Institute of Technology to redevelop the Volpe Exchange Parcel into a mixed-use center including residential, retail, office and laboratory buildings, as well as a Community Center pursuant to Planned Unit Development 7 (Section 13.90) and Project Review Special Permit (Section 19.20). (Materials)

8:00pm   PB# 379 (continued from 6/15/2021)
95 First Street – Special Permit application by Ivy League Technologies, LLC to convert an existing space to a Cannabis Retail Store pursuant to Section 11.800 Adult Use Marijuana Retail Establishment. (Materials)

Board of Zoning Appeal Cases

BZA-124307
364R Third Street - Variance to relocate a gas regulator station from 330 Third Street, to 364R Third Street (a/k/a 21 Athenaeum Street) (the "Property"). The Property currently contains a number of fuel tanks and other structures dedicated to the provision of utilities, and is situated such that the gas regulator station will be significantly more screened from public view, making it a more appropriate location than its existing prominent location on Third Street where it is openly visible by the public. Art. 5.000, Sec. 5.32 (Table of Dimensional Requirements). Art. 10.000, Sec. 10.30 (Variance).
Special Permit to relocate a gas regulator station from 330 Third Street to the Property. A “gas regulator station” is a permitted use under Article 4.000, Section 4.32(g)(2) of the Ordinance in the O-3A zoning district, where the Property is located, upon the issuance of a special permit by the Board of Zoning Appeal. Art. 4.000, Sec. 4.32.G.2 (Gas Regulator Station Use in Zone O-3A). Art. 10.000, Sec. 10.40 (Special Permit). (Materials)

Wed, July 21

2:00pm   The City Council's Public Safety Committee and the Economic Development & University Relations Committee will meet jointly to hear from Saskia VannJames, President of the Massachusetts Recreational Consumer Council, on the importance of cannabis cooperatives and their potential role in the equitable development of Cambridge’s emerging recreational cannabis industry.  (Remotely Held for No Good Reason)

5:30pm   Cambridge Election Commission meeting  (51 Inman St., 2nd Floor Conference Room)
Note: This meeting will be held entirely in person – no remote access.

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. 2021 Municipal Election - Official Review and Certification of Nomination Papers - Polling Locations       - Election Worker Training - Update - Legislative Changes for the 2021 Municipal Election 2. 2021 Re-Precincting Update New Business

Mon, July 26

5:30pm   The City Council's Ordinance Committee will meet to continue discussion on two proposals to regulate campaign donations.  (Remotely Held for No Good Reason)

Tues, July 27

10:00am   The City Council's Finance Committee will meet to discuss the plans for the $65,019,211 in funding from the American Rescue Grant.  (Remotely Held for No Good Reason)

Wed, July 28

5:30pm   The City Council's Ordinance Committee will meet to conduct a public hearing on an amendment to Article 22 of the City of Cambridge Zoning Ordinance “Emissions Accounting” (Ord # 2021-13).  (Remotely Held for No Good Reason)

Mon, Aug 2

5:00pm deadline for City Council and School Committee candidates to submit nomination papers & statements of financial interest.  (51 Inman St., use side basement entrance on Inman Place)

5:30pm   Special (Midsummer) City Council meeting  (Sullivan Chamber)

Tues, Aug 3

5:00pm   School Committee Meeting  (webcast from Attles Meeting Room, CRLS)

Wed, Aug 4

11:00am   The City Council's Government Operations, Rules & Claims Committee will meet to continue discussing the hiring of the next City Manager.  (Remotely Held for No Good Reason)

Wed, Aug 11

5:30pm   The City Council's Government Operations, Rules & Claims Committee will meet to continue discussing the hiring of the next City Manager.  (Remotely Held for No Good Reason)

Thurs, Sept 23

5:00-8:00pm  City Council Candidates Forum (5pm-8pm) hosted by My Brother's Keeper  (location TBD)

Thurs, Oct 21

5:00-8:00pm  School Committee Candidates Forum (5pm-8pm) hosted by My Brother's Keeper  (location TBD)

Tues, Nov 2

Municipal Election. Polls are open 7:00am until 8:00pm.
All absentee ballots (except Overseas Absentee Ballots) must arrive at the Election Commission office by 8:00pm to be counted. Ballot count begins at Senior Center, 806 Massachusetts Avenue, Central Square after the polls close. Overseas Absentee Ballots are due by 5:00pm on Friday, Nov 12, but must be postmarked by Nov 2.

---