Cambridge InsideOut - Nov 16, 2021
Possible Topics:
1) November 15 City Council meeting
3) Election Results Final 2021 Cambridge Election Results
5) Universal Design Playground
6) November 8 City Council meeting
7) School Committee Campaign Finance
8) Boards & Civic Opportunities
To Be Continued - November 15, 2021 Cambridge City Council meetingMost of the significant items from last week were either delayed by Charter Right or Tabled where they may languish or eventually vanish when the lame duck dies. Here are the items worth mentioning: Manager's Agenda #1. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to an update on COVID-19. The rate of new cases has been growing since mid-October. While disturbing and somewhat frustrating, the fear and panic that was routine a year ago has largely given way to perspective and trust in the effectiveness of vaccines to at least ward off the worst of the ill effects. Will Thanksgiving and other holidays fuel the Covid fires, or will increased vaccination among younger people blunt those disease vectors? Time will tell. I think it's booster time. Manager's Agenda #2. 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. Manager's Agenda #3. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the reappointment of the following person as a members of the Fresh Pond Master Plan Advisory Board, for a term of three years, effective Nov 15, 2021. Manager's Agenda #4. 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. I'm glad to see the pace of board appointments picking up, and I hope there are lots more before the politicos sink their fangs into the process after January 1. There is still no protocol for how the councillors will exercise their new micromanagement authority come the New Year (if they dare to do so). Will appointees have to go before a Council tribunal to answer for the jokes they made on social media? Will members of the public be given an opportunity to voice their approval or disapproval of the background of board appointees? Will anyone even want to apply to be on a City board or commission? Manager's Agenda #7. Transmitting Communication from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $400,000 from MassDOT’s FY22 Complete Streets Program to the Public Investment Fund Public Works Extraordinary Expenditures account which will be used to support the Huron Avenue (Glacken Field to Fresh Pond Parkway) project. I believe the proposal is to create a two-way bike path on the Fresh Pond Reservation side of the street - no controversy expected. Manager's Agenda #9. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 21-6, regarding a report on housing development information. 2,814 affordable units in development of which 940 will be new units. This includes the Jefferson Park redevelopment at a cost of $251,769,435 for 278 units (which works out to $905,645 per unit). So glad to see our tax dollars at work in the least efficient way possible. Manager's Agenda #12. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Numbers 21-37 and 21-38, regarding digital equity. [McCormick, Gianetti] [Analysis of U.S. Digital Equity Programs] [CHA Housing Broadband Pilot Engineering Report] I have no real sense whether these reports are sufficiently responsive, but since the councillors will brutally criticize just about anything relating to municipal broadband or the alternatives, does it really even matter what's in the reports? Charter Right #1. That the City Council go on record requesting that the forthcoming new Universal Design Playground located in Danehy Park be named the Louis A. DePasquale Universal Design Playground. [Charter Right - Sobrinho-Wheeler, Nov 8, 2021] I have a few suggestions regarding the naming of several public restrooms in honor an elected official or two. Charter Right #2. That Article 20.90 - Alewife Overlay Districts 1-6 of the Cambridge Zoning Ordinance be amended to insert a new section entitled Section 20.94.3 - Temporarily prohibited uses (Ordinance #2021-25). [Charter Right – Toomey, Nov 8, 2021] Charter Right #3. Upper Mass. Ave. Bike Lane Improvements. [Charter Right – Simmons, Nov 8, 2021] Let the fur fly. 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. As for the upper Mass. Ave. bike lanes, it's all about whether or not you signed the pledge to cover your ears and close your eyes and mind. Order #2. That the Regular City Council meeting scheduled for Nov 29, 2021 be changed to a joint Roundtable meeting of the City Council and School Committee to discuss the past election, including but not limited to new practices and polling locations is Cambridge with the City Manager, Election Commission, and any other relevant departments. Mayor Siddiqui School buildings are public buildings, and they should accommodate our occasional elections as needed. Communications & Reports #1. A communication was received from Nancy Glowa, City Solicitor, transmitting a letter regarding an Open Meeting Law complaint from Heather Hoffman. I have some interest in this – mainly in regard to the erosion of standards in our new Zoomy version of City Council meetings. We have a City government that apparently believes in the principal: “The public will eventually find out what we did, and we'll convince them later that what we did was acceptable.” Communications & Reports #3. A communication was received from the City Clerk, transmitting the Pending Zoning Chart. Communications & Reports #5. A communication was received from the City Clerk, transmitting the 2020-2021 Referral List. See previous comment regarding the erosion of standards in our new Zoomy version of City Council meetings. - Robert Winters |
Fading Optimism: 7-day running average of new COVID positive tests
in Cambridge are again rising - quickly.
Click on graph above for latest Cambridge data.
Nov 16, 2021 Breakdown of Cases:
8051 tested positive (total) - an increase of 32 from the previous day and 1922 over 119 days
126 confirmed deaths (76 in long-term care facilities, 50 in general community)
257 known active cases - an increase of 32 from the previous day (4-day data lag)
4865 recoveries - an increase of 0 from the previous day (4-day data lag)
Thanks to vaccinations, even though the 7-day averages are up they are not as bad as they could have been.
Harvard University COVID-19 data MIT COVID-19 data
The surge in new positive tests is due to the Delta variant, and remains elevated.
High vaccination rates have helped to blunt what might have been a larger surge.
Covid Cases by Age Group - through Nov 11, 2021
Final Official City Council Results (Nov 12) 2021 Official City Council Full Results Distribution of #1 Votes by ward & precinct City Council 2021 - #2 Vote Distributions Alternate Measures of Popularity
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Final Official School Committee Results (Nov 12) 2021 Official School Committee Full Results Distribution of #1 Votes by ward & precinct School Committee 2021 - #2 Vote Distributions Alternate Measures of Popularity
All three ballot questions passed. |
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| City Council - Most #1 Votes Crane, Edward A.: 6032 in 1951 [1.675 x Quota, 4th] Sullivan, Walter J.: 5184 in 1963 [1.622 x Quota, 6th] Sullivan, Walter J.: 5137 in 1959 [1.539 x Quota, 7th] Sullivan, Walter J.: 4836 in 1971 [1.631 x Quota, 5th] Sullivan, Edward J.: 4833 in 1955 Sullivan, Walter J.: 4754 in 1961 Crane, Edward A.: 4465 in 1949 Sullivan, Edward J.: 4452 in 1957 Wolf, Alice K.: 4131 in 1991 [1.798 x Quota, 3rd] Siddiqui, Sumbul: 4124 in 2021 [1.890 x Quota, 1st] Crane, Edward A.: 4109 in 1961 Sullivan, Walter J.: 4103 in 1967 Sullivan, Walter J.: 4096 in 1965 Crane, Edward A.: 4071 in 1963 Sennott, Francis L: 4049 in 1941 … Galluccio, Anthony: 3230 in 2001 [1.886 x Quota, 2nd] |
School Committee - Most #1 Votes Dewey, Bradley: 5979 in 1947 Wise, Pearl K.: 5720 in 1951 Wolf, Alice K.: 5490 in 1979 [1.495 x Quota, 2nd] Wise, Pearl K.: 5357 in 1953 Barnes, William S.: 5171 in 1959 Shaplin, Judson T.: 5146 in 1957 Vellucci, Alfred E.: 4761 in 1953 Amory, Robert Jr.: 4756 in 1959 Fitzgerald, James F.: 4709 in 1963 Conant, Cora Butler: 4708 in 1945 Fitzgerald, James F.: 4622 in 1961 Shaplin, Judson T.: 4502 in 1955 Cooper, Frances M.: 4451 in 1983 Cooper, Frances M.: 4449 in 1989 Cassidy, James J. "Doc": 4334 in 1949 Cooper, Frances M.: 4307 in 1985 [1.331 x Quota, 5th] Duehay, Francis H.: 4257 in 1963 Wilson, Ayesha: 4184 in 2021 [1.463 x Quota, 3rd] … Nolan, Patricia M.: 3921 in 2013 [1.654 x Quota, 1st] … Walser, Nancy: 3842 in 2003 [1.438 x Quota, 4th] |
Nov 9, 2021 – The City of Cambridge today announced updates to its Outdoor Dining Policy that extends expanded outdoor dining in Cambridge once the Commonwealth’s COVID-19 Relief Measures expire.
After months of planning and working with stakeholders, the city has issued a new policy expanding its outdoor dining program that existed prior to the pandemic to include certain popular relief measures that were implemented during the pandemic.
Highlights of this new policy include the use of public streets for outdoor dining, the continued use of the sidewalk and the ability to extend continuously beyond the footprint of the brick and mortar, and the expansion of the patio heater program citywide.
“Throughout the pandemic, outdoor dining has been a lifesaver for many of our restaurants, and a great opportunity for our community to come together safely,” said Cambridge City Manager Louis A. DePasquale. “Creating this new city policy that allows for the continuation of these expanded relief measures is another important step as our small business community continues to work their way back from the impacts of this pandemic.”
Earlier this fall, the City of Cambridge announced it would be extending the temporary outdoor dining licenses through April 1, 2022, which is in line with the state’s expiration date of COVID-19 relief measures for outdoor dining. Since June 2020, over 250 establishments in Cambridge have expanded their outdoor dining with over 100 expanding into the roadway or into an adjacent parking lot.
The Cambridge Public Works and Traffic, Parking and Transportation departments will be releasing a new combined outdoor dining application for the use of the public way. A fact sheet with more information about the city’s Outdoor Dining Policy is available here. If restaurants have any questions or concerns, they can contact the Cambridge License Commission at license@cambridgema.gov.
Nov 4, 2021 – The City of Cambridge invites the community to attend the opening celebration ceremony for the new Universal Design Playground at Danehy Park on Saturday, November 13, at 11:00am, at 75 Field Street. The ceremony will include a speaking program, followed by refreshments. Rain date is November 14.
The 30,000 square foot play area is the first playground in Cambridge to fully incorporate Universal Design (UD) - the concept that all parts should be as usable as possible, without changes, by everyone. In addition to physical accessibility, UD takes sensory, cognitive, and emotional abilities into consideration to create an environment that is welcoming to all people to the greatest extent possible.
“Cambridge is known for the healthy, safe, and innovative designs of our parks and playgrounds, and many of our playgrounds incorporate elements of Universal Design,” said Cambridge City Manager Louis A. DePasquale. “By constructing a playground that demonstrates UD principles in every feature, we are taking the city’s commitment to inclusivity further and reimagining how we think about built spaces.”
The UD Playground has several areas that encourage visitors to interact with each other, including the Swing Zone, Spin Zone, and Climbing Slope. The Junior Play Area features a train-shaped play structure with various climbing features and a double slide. The Senior Play Area includes a tower, climbing ladder and wall, sliding bars and slide, and a talk-tube network that communicates messages to different parts of the structure. Both play areas accommodate people of all ages who use mobility devices, and both reflect details of Danehy Park’s history as the former site of the New England Brick Company.
The Sensory Walk Zone features a pathway designed with bands of crushed stone, concrete, and granite pavers. Whether or not someone uses a mobility device, they will experience tactile and auditory responses from the changing textures. There is also a music area that produces rain and chime sounds. Plantings on either side of the pathway engage the senses of smell, sight, and touch.
The playground’s “Sensory Hilltop” is reached through an accessible, labyrinth-style pathway. The Hilltop’s wooden features, designed by Cambridge artist Mitch Ryerson, are constructed from Black Locust wood, which is resistant to rot and splintering. These include log steppers, a log climber, and a central wooden structure. A wooden marimba invites visitors to experiment with sound, and animal-shaped engravings invite tactile exploration. A “Scentsation” vine provides shade and the smell of honeysuckle.
For more information about the Universal Design Playground, visit Cambridgema.gov/UDPlayground.
Post-Election Mayoral Arm-Twisting Season Begins – November 8, 2021 Cambridge City Council Agenda
Now begins the season of phone calls and private meetings during which the various mayoral hopefuls try to make their case to be the next all-powerful weak mayor. Needless to say, Mayor Siddiqui's 4121 #1 Votes gives her an edge (if she wants it), but I'm sure others will make the case in the name of “equity” and “whose turn it is” to ascend to the hallowed throne. Meanwhile, has anyone heard anything at all about where we stand on the rather important matter of selecting the next City Manager? Oops, I guess they must have forgotten. As for the business of city councilling, here's a sampler of what's up for discussion/action/inaction this week: Manager's Agenda #4. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 21-84 regarding BEUDO (Building Energy Use Disclosure Ordinance) proposed amendments. [CDD Memo] [current draft] [City Solicitor opinion] Covered under the proposed amendments are: (1) municipal property with one or more buildings with 10,000 sq ft or more; (2) one or more non-residential building(s) where such building(s) singly or together contain 25,000 to 49,999 sq ft); and (3) one or more residential building(s) that singly or together contain 50 or more residential dwelling units - rental or condos. So my electric and gas bills can stay safely in my bottom drawer – for now. Some councillors are already looking ahead to the day when they can drop the bar down to cottages or people living in a van down by the river. Unfinished Business #5. Ordinance #2021-24 (Oct 25, 2021 Order #3) That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to direct the City Solicitor and the appropriate staff to review the language of this proposed ordinance amendment and to report back to the City Council in advance of the next City Council meeting. [Passed to a 2nd Reading Oct 25, 2021; To Be Ordained on or after Nov 8, 2021]
Order #1. That the City Council go on record requesting that the forthcoming new Universal Design Playground located in Danehy Park be named the Louis A. DePasquale Universal Design Playground. Councillor Simmons, Councillor Carlone, Councillor McGovern, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Toomey There are some who choose to protest the naming of public facilities after people who are either still living or still working for the city. Just a reminder that we're not issuing postage stamps or minting coins (well, except for perhaps Al Vellucci). So here's to Thomas W. Danehy Park, the Walter J. Sullivan Water Treatment Facility, the Robert W. Healy Public Safety Building, and Timothy J. Toomey Park, and the Louis A. DePasquale Universal Design Playground. My ideal is a bit different, courtesy of the late, great John Prine. Order #2. That the City Manager is requested to work with the appropriate City departments, as well as the Commission of Persons with Disabilities and the Special Education Parents Advisory Council, to develop a plan to install fully accessible equipment in every playground throughout the city. Councillor McGovern, Mayor Siddiqui, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Carlone, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Toomey, Councillor Zondervan This would be great, but presumably it means “in addition to the existing playground equipment” as opposed to “replace all playground equipment”. I doubt if monkey bars and skate parks can be made fully accessible.
Committee Report #1. The Neighborhood and Long-Term Planning, Public Facilities, Arts & Celebrations Committee met on June 2, 2021 to conduct a public hearing to discuss the Alewife Envision Plan. I'm all for coming up with a grand vision for this area with multiple bridges crossing the tracks and all sorts of fun, new additions. That said, don't you think all this grand visionary stuff should have been put in place long before parcels were sold with the presumption that they could be built out under existing zoning? Parcels in this area were apparently only very recently sold for a sum in the neighborhood of half a billion dollars. If the City were to now pass either temporary or permanent zoning changes that significantly decrease the development potential, it sure seems like a good case could be made by the new owners that they should be compensated for that loss. I hope that won't happen, but this says a lot about the consequences of City Council inaction or lack of a coherent vision. By the way, the order contains one of the more interesting maps from the 1979 Alewife Revitalization study, a.k.a. “The Fishbook”. Order #5. Upper Mass. Ave. Bike Lane Improvements. Councillor Nolan The latest installment in the ongoing turf wars over roadway allocation where politicians deftly try to please all of the people all of the time. The problem here is, of course, that these things should never have been enshrined into an ordinance with inflexible mandates. But hey, don't forget to sign The Pledge. Meanwhile, Cambridge roads are starting to feel more like a Habitrail for hamsters – overly prescriptive and thoroughly inflexible. Committee Report #3. The Neighborhood and Long-Term Planning, Public Facilities, Arts & Celebrations Committee and the Housing Committee met on Aug 24, 2021 to conduct a joint follow-up hearing to continue the discussion on the elimination of single and two-family only zoning and restrictions on the type of housing that can be built city-wide. Now that the election has passed it will be interesting to see how fast The Densifiers try to rush through their Big Plans. I do like the idea of relaxing some of the restrictions to allow more multi-family homes, but I would prefer to see housing growth based more on available opportunities than on wholesale revision and density doubling densification based on a transient and trendy philosophy and historical revisionism. We have been down that road before. Committee Report #4. The Ordinance Committee met on Oct 20, 2021 to conduct a hearing on an ordinance amendment to reduce or limit campaign donations. Policy Order/Home Rule Petition: 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. Councillor Carlone Late Order #6. That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to instruct the Law Department to provide a legal opinion regarding the effect of the proposed Ordinance to Limit and monitor campaign donations on the petitioners of a Citizens’ Petition and the Owners, Board members and employees of an organization seeking financial assistance from the City of Cambridge; and to draft enforcement language and to draft language exempting labor unions from the Ordinance and to provide an opinion about whether Somerville’s Ordinance regarding campaign donations would survive a legal challenge. Councillor Carlone While I may agree with the general idea of this proposal, the devil may lie in the details. It's not always so clear which donors to campaigns are seeking or will eventually receive financial reward. For example, if someone contributes either money or labor toward a political campaign and is currently hired or is later hired as a City Council Aide, would that be a violation? Or is political patronage not covered under the proposed ordinance? - Robert Winters |
School Committee Campaign Finance: Jan 1, 2020 through Oct 15, 2021
| Candidate | From | To | Start | Receipts | Expend | Balance |
| Bhambi, Akriti | 7/1/21 | 10/19/21 | 0.00 | 65832.00 | 32337.97 | 33494.03 |
| Fantini, Fred | 1/1/20 | 10/25/21 | 5041.23 | 6886.00 | 4223.86 | 7703.37 |
| Hunter, Caroline | 1/1/21 | 10/15/21 | 0.00 | 5066.89 | 1458.24 | 3608.65 |
| Johnson, Daria | 1/1/21 | 10/15/21 | 0.00 | 4650.00 | 939.50 | 3710.50 |
| Lim, Christopher | 1/1/20 | 10/25/21 | 252.02 | 2489.00 | 2014.00 | 727.02 |
| Rojas Villarreal, Jose Luis | 1/1/20 | 10/15/21 | 516.81 | 3000.00 | 1349.88 | 2166.93 |
| Weinstein, David | 1/1/20 | 10/15/21 | 4090.77 | 12719.85 | 9448.90 | 7361.72 |
| Weinstein, Rachel | 1/1/20 | 10/15/21 | 5791.68 | 23873.00 | 21569.96 | 8094.72 |
| Wilson, Ayesha | 1/1/20 | 10/15/21 | 2089.36 | 17322.49 | 8955.96 | 10455.89 |
Nov 3, 2021 – Cambridge City Manager Louis A. DePasquale is seeking Cambridge residents interested in serving on the Cambridge Peace Commission.
Commission members are volunteers appointed by the City Manager who work with the staff in accomplishing the goals and work of the Cambridge Peace Commission. 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.
Composed of members who serve three-year terms and represent the socioeconomic, racial, and ethnic diversity of the city, the Peace Commission meets on the third Wednesday of most months at 6:00pm. Currently, the Commission is meeting virtually.
Members are expected to participate in regular meetings and help in organizing the Commission’s programs and events, including the annual commemorations of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the Holocaust, and Meet Your Neighbor Day in September. Additionally, members are encouraged to learn about the day-to-day work and projects of the staff, and offer advice and viewpoints that reflect the Commission’s purpose and role within city government.
As a City department, the Peace Commission works with other municipal agencies, communities of faith, nonprofit organizations, and the community as a whole to build connections, strengthen relationships, and promote understanding. It responds to traumatic events and violence affecting Cambridge and its residents, and coordinates and supports compassionate community responses to support recovery and healing. The Commission builds trust and relationships by enhancing dialogue and connection between diverse groups through community conversations, vigils, and other activities that promote a strong and resilient community. The Commission also raises awareness about local and global peace and social justice issues through educational forums, discussions, and presentations.
The Peace Commission fosters a community where differences and diversity are understood and celebrated, so that all residents can contribute to making Cambridge an equitable and peaceful community. The Commission works to increase awareness, mobilize communities, and activate residents to create a safe, healthy, connected, and supportive city.
For more information about the Commission, visit Cambridgema.gov/peace.
Applications to serve on this commission 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, Nov 29, 2021.
Oct 28, 2021 – Cambridge City Manager Louis A. DePasquale is seeking volunteers to fill vacancies on the Cambridge LGBTQ+ Commission.
The Commission’s mission is to advocate for a culture of respect and to monitor progress toward equality of all persons with regard to sexual orientation and gender identity and expression. The Commission also promotes policies and practices that have a positive effect on the health, welfare, and safety of persons who live, visit, or work in the City of Cambridge with regard to sexual orientation and gender identity and expression.
The Commission holds a public meeting on the 4th Thursday of each month (3rd Thursday in November, and no meeting in December or August). Though scheduled meetings are required, much of the work done by Commissioners is often outside of scheduled meetings through working groups. Commissioners work together and with city staff to achieve the goals and objectives of the LGBTQ+ Commission Ordinance.
The LGBTQ+ Commission consists of 20 members appointed by the City Manager to serve three-year terms. Individuals who live or work in Cambridge are eligible to apply. We are seeking members of all ages, gender identities, sexual orientations, racial/ethnic backgrounds, and abilities to join the Commission. It is desirable for this Commission to be fully representative of the diverse Cambridge community; and 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.
Applications to serve on the Commission 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 may be submitted during the online application process. Paper applications are available in the City Manager’s Office at Cambridge City Hall, 795 Massachusetts Avenue.
The deadline to submit an application is Mon, Dec 6, 2021. To learn more about the Commission please visit Cambridgema.gov/lgbtqplus.
Oct 28, 2021 – Cambridge City Manager Louis A. DePasquale is seeking to fill vacancies for members and alternate members on the following Cambridge Neighborhood Conservation District (NCD) Commissions: Mid Cambridge, Avon Hill, and Half Crown-Marsh.
Neighborhood Conservation Districts were established by city ordinance in 1983. Conservation district designation recognizes a distinctive physical environment that reflects the architectural, cultural, political, economic, or social history of the city. NCDs foster wider public knowledge and appreciation of such neighborhoods. Designation encourages the conservation and maintenance of these areas so that the city may be a more attractive and desirable place in which to live and work.
Each NCD commission includes five members and three alternates. Most members must reside in the respective district. More information and maps of each NCD are available through the following links:
The volunteer commissions meet monthly and are supported by the professional staff of the Cambridge Historical Commission. Applicants should have an interest in architecture and local history and be committed to conserving and enhancing the characteristic built environment of the neighborhood. Minority candidates are particularly encouraged to apply. 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.
Experience in the fields of real estate, architecture, or historic preservation is desirable. Appointments to these Commissions are made by the City Manager, with regard for a diversity of viewpoints and experience.
Individuals interested in being considered should apply through the city’s online application system at Cambridgema.gov/apply and select the respective commission. A cover letter and résumé or summary of applicable experience can be submitted during the online application process. Paper applications are also available through the City Manager’s Office at Cambridge City Hall, 795 Massachusetts Avenue. The deadline for submitting applications is Tues, Nov 30, 2021.
CIVIC CALENDAR (abridged)
2:00pm The City Council's Ordinance Committee will meet to conduct a public hearing on the Advancing Housing Affordability (AHA) Zoning Petition by Francis Donovan, et al (Ordinance #2021-17) (Zoom)
6:00pm School Committee Meeting (Attles Meeting Room, CRLS)
The next Regular Meeting of the School Committee will be held on Tues, Nov 16 at 6:00pm held in and broadcast from the Dr. Henrietta S. Attles Meeting Room, CRLS for the purpose of discussing any and all business that may properly come before the Committee.
Individuals must sign up in advance to provide virtual public comments. The sign-up window is Fri, Nov 12 through Tues, Nov 16 at 12 Noon (by phone) and 5:30pm (online).
- To sign up to call-in by phone: contact the School Committee office at 617-349-6620.
- To sign up to call in using the ZOOM app on your computer or mobile device: visit www.cpsd.us/school_committee/virtual.
Meetings will be livestreamed at www.cpsd.us and broadcast on Cambridge Educational Access TV (CEATV) Channel 98/99, as usual.
6:30pm Planning Board meeting (Remote Meeting - web 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
Public Hearings
6:30pm PB# 355
1686 Massachusetts Avenue –Special Permit application by Budega, Inc. to modify the special permit decision to permit a change to the ownership structure of a permitted a Cannabis Retail Store pursuant to sections 11.800 Cannabis Use Special Permit and 10.43 Special Permit. (Materials)
7:00pm Francis Donovan Zoning Petition
Zoning petition by Francis Donovan, et al., to amend Articles 4.000, 5.000, 6.000, and 11.000 of the Cambridge Zoning Ordinance. (Materials)
General Business
2. PB-179
Cambridge Crossing Parcel I2 – Design Update (Materials)
Board of Zoning Appeal Cases
BZA-150580 (scheduled to be heard by BZA on 11/18/2021)
1815 Massachusetts Avenue – Special Permit to modify existing mobile communications facility by removing and replacing eight antennas and repositioning four existing antennas. Art. 4.000, Sec. 4.32.G.1 & Sec. 4.40 (Footnote 49) (Telecommunication Facility).Art. 10.000, Sec. 10.40-10.46 (Special Permit). 6409A – Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation act. (Materials)
9:00am Take a virtual tour of the Cambridge curbside compost program (click to register)
4:00pm The City Council's Public Safety Committee will meet to hear an update on the city’s implementation of the HEART proposal as part of an alternative public safety response. (Zoom)
5:30pm Cambridge Redevelopment Authority Board Meeting (Zoom)
5:30pm Cambridge Election Commission remote meeting (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 New Business 1. Dec 14, 2021 Special State Primary 2. Jan 11, 2022 Special State Election |
5:30pm-7:00pm River Street Reconstruction Working Group Meeting #12 (Register for Remote Meeting)
The City invites you to attend the next meeting of the working group for the River Street Reconstruction Project. The River Street Reconstruction Project will upgrade the underground infrastructure and has developed a new design for River Street, the bus terminal area at River and Magazine Streets near Central Square, and Carl Barron Plaza.
Visit http://www.cambridgema.gov/riverstreet for updates. As we are entering the final design phases of this project, this may be the last Working Group meeting. At this meeting, we will review an updated and refined Carl Barron Plaza design. [meeting flyer]
6:00pm-8:00pm Pedestrian Committee meeting (Location TBA)
6:00pm-8:00pm Fresh Pond Reservation Master Plan Advisory Board meeting (Zoom)
Agenda includes: Maynard Ecology Center Update (S. Corda & S.Agger); Watershed Manager's Report (D. Kaplan) - Update on Huron Forest inventory, DOT's final treatment schedule for multi-use path, Update on DPW's Huron Ave sidewalk, roadway bike lanes & Tree Plantings, Black's Nook - Management of wildlife when Pond is dredged; Landscape Management Report: (V. Falcione); Pat Pratt Memorial Grove; Status of new multi-use path directional and forest protection signs, expanding size and info on fence poison ivy signs; Impact of Continued Alewife Development on the Reservation - Envision group Alewife District Plan, recent laboratory development, etc.; Public Comment
5:30pm City Council meeting (Sullivan Chamber)
6:30pm Planning Board meeting (Remote Meeting - web only)
5:30pm City Council Roundtable meeting with School Committee (Sullivan Chamber)
6:00pm School Committee School Climate Sub-Committee Meeting (Zoom)
There will be a Virtual Meeting of the School Climate Sub-Committee on Tues, Nov 30 at 6:00pm for the purpose of discussing the Teen Health Survey. This meeting is expected to end by or before 8:00pm.
2:00pm The City Council's Housing Committee will conduct a public hearing to receive updates from the Community Development Department, the Cambridge Housing Authority, Homeowners Rehab, Inc., and Just A Start on the continued work they are currently engaged in, and the impact of the continuing Covid-19 pandemic upon their operations. (Zoom)
5:30pm The City Council's Finance Committee will meet to receive an overview and update on funds received from the State and Local Fiscal Recovery (American Rescue Plan Act) Grant. (Zoom)
6:00-7:30pm Joint Central Square and Harvard Square Advisory Committees meeting (Zoom)
6:00pm Cambridge Historical Commission meeting (Zoom)
5:30pm City Council meeting (Sullivan Chamber)
6:30pm Planning Board meeting (Remote Meeting - web only)
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)
8:00am-9:30am Recycling Advisory Committee meeting (Zoom)
5:30pm Neighborhood Group Meeting meeting sponsored by Community Development Department (Zoom)
Virtual meeting of neighborhood group leaders to discuss important issues identified by groups. All are welcome.
5:30pm City Council meeting (Sullivan Chamber)
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.)
5:30pm City Council meeting (Sullivan Chamber)
10:00am Inaugural City Council meeting (Sullivan Chamber - Televised) - location presumed, but may only be accessible via Zoom
6:00pm Inaugural School Committee meeting (Cambridge Public Library, Lecture Hall, 449 Broadway) - location presumed, but may only be accessible via Zoom
The Election is over save for the overseas votes, and it's pretty much a wash. We replaced the retiring Tim Toomey with Paul Toner, and, for the kids, Sobrinho-Wheeler with Burhan Azeem. All of the incumbents were reelected to the School Committee and we added the lavishly well-funded Akriti Bhambi to fill the soon-to-be vacated seat. It's always interesting to see how people associated with the various slates view these elections entirely through the lens of their respective slates and agendas with barely any acknowledgment of the fact that almost all of the incumbents were reelected based on their individual campaigns.
This will pass 9-0 unless one of the councillors casts a protest vote because the proposal to label gas pumps doesn't go far enough. Maybe the next step will be stenciling city roads with “How Dare You!” and a little Greta image.
