1) Baseball - Yankees-Red Sox Wild Card GameCambridge InsideOut - Oct 5, 2021
Possible Topics:
1) Baseball - Yankees-Red Sox Wild Card Game
2) Playing the Wild Card - October 4, 2021 Cambridge City Council meeting
3) A Long Look at a Short Meeting - Sept 27, 2021 Cambridge City Council Agenda
6) 2021 Proposed Reprecincting Plan
7) Topics for Cambridge Candidate Pages
8) The PACs are choosing up sides
9) Mirror, Mirror on the wall, who's the votingest of them all?
10) Voter Registration and Voting Options for the Municipal Election
11) The Candidates 2021 Cambridge Candidate Pages
12) Campaign Notes and Ballot Questions
13) When is a bus stop not a bus stop?
15) Civic Calendar
Playing the Wild Card - October 4, 2021 Cambridge City Council meeting
The main agenda item for this week is the Tax Rate Hearing at 6:30pm followed by the ritual of 11 roll call votes that will likely all be unanimous (unless one or two councillors want to play the tune of not using $22.5 million in Free Cash to reduce the FY22 tax rate because, you know, everyone would just love to pay higher taxes). I will also remind everyone, as Bob Healy would do every year at this time, that the City Council does not actually set the residential and commercial tax rates. That responsibility rests with the MA Dept. of Revenue even though (unless somebody miscalculated) the City has already done the calculations and knows the inevitable outcome, i.e. a residential tax rate of $5.92 per thousand and a commercial tax rate of $11.23 per thousand. The rates for last year were, respectively $5.85 and $11.85. Here's the full list what struck me as interesting this week: Manager's Agenda #1. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to votes necessary to seek approval from the Massachusetts Department of Revenue of the tax rate for FY2022. There are so many statistics you could look at when comparing things over the years, but here are a few:
Note: Condominium owners continue to get the sweetest deal of all. The trained (and maybe even the not-so-trained) eye will notice that the skewing of the tax rates is declining for a combination of reasons. Also embedded in the City Manager's letter is the warning that, “a major concern going forward is that if residential value increases outpaced commercial/industrial/personal property increases, the City could hit the ceiling for the property tax classification shift. Once the classification ceiling is reached, the residential class will bear the majority of any tax levy increase.” Cambridge residents, and especially condominium owners, have for some years enjoyed the luxury of relatively tame residential real estate taxes thanks to the policy of shifting most of the tax burden onto commercial properties. Manager's Agenda #3. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 21-22, regarding updating neighborhood organization lists. Order #4. That the City Manager is requested to re-establish the Community School Neighborhood Councils. Councillor Simmons, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Toomey “The Community Development Department (CDD) maintains a list of neighborhood organizations on its website. CDD recently reached out to known neighborhood organizations listed on the website to ensure information is current and accurate. Neighborhood planners are tasked with reaching out to neighborhood organizations annually to keep the information updated. Moreover, the webpage now includes clear information on how leaders of new or existing neighborhood organizations can report changes to neighborhood planners. CDD is currently working to further improve user friendliness of its neighborhood organizations webpage.” Meanwhile, the “A Better Cambridge” group is doing all that they can to challenge the legitimacy of any and all neighborhood organizations. Perhaps the best model for resident and neighborhood involvement would be a hybrid between neighborhood organizations (which are free to advocate as they see fit) and a revised and enhanced array of Community School Neighborhood Councils that can tap into City services and resources. That model has worked well in the past in my Mid-Cambridge neighborhood and in some other neighborhoods. Manager's Agenda #4. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 21-33, regarding Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment standards in the review of development projects. I have nothing in particular to say about this other than the general observation that just as horse stables gradually vanished giving way to garages and service stations, so too will a more comprehensive system for charging electric vehicles have to develop as gasoline-powered vehicles gradually give way to electric vehicle and perhaps even autonomous vehicles (for which we will be subscribers and not actual owners). Order #1. That the City Manager is requested to make available the appropriate staff and information pertaining to past efforts to establish a Green Jobs program. Councillor Simmons, Councillor McGovern, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Zondervan I doubt many people these days will dispute the value of job training for “green jobs.” Where I part company with these councillors is in their belief that this should best be done as a City program. It seems pretty clear that “Green Jobs” companies will do a far better job of this training and that it would be far more appropriate to simply connect our residents with these employers and make it as advantageous as possible for such companies to set up shop hear and in our surrounding communities. Order #2. That the City Manager is requested to establish a written plan designed to ensure that Black people, Indigenous people, and people of color will be recruited by the City, trained, and placed in leadership positions throughout the municipal government. Councillor Simmons I agree completely in the value of acting affirmatively in recruitment, training, and advancement, but I have never agreed with the notion that anyone should be “placed in leadership positions” based solely or primarily on their race or ethnicity - or any other fact, for that matter, other than who is the best person for the job. Order #3. That the City Manager is requested to direct appropriate staff to design a Language Access Plan in conjunction with the Cambridge Public Schools. Mayor Siddiqui, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler Order #5. That the City Council go on record requesting that the Neighborhood & Long Term Planning, Public Facilities, Arts and Celebrations Committee hold a hearing to discuss the ways the city might support residents interested in having pickle and paddle ball opportunities available. Councillor Nolan, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Toomey When I first moved to Cambridge from New York City in 1978 I brought my paddleball racket with me. I soon discovered that nobody in the area played either handball or paddleball - which were played everywhere in NYC. Order #6. City Council support of the MIT Graduate Student Union. Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Zondervan, Councillor McGovern, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Simmons I understand that unionization of graduate student is “a thing” these days, but I remain perplexed at the notion that the United Auto Workers are organizing graduate students at Harvard, and apparently now the United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America is organizing graduate students at MIT. I agree that graduate students should not be exploited as cheap labor with minimal benefits, but I also understand that the primary goal of a graduate student is to get a degree and no longer be a graduate student. It's not like we want to be awarding gold watches to graduate students for their many years of service. Order #7. That the City Manager is requested to present a plan, which includes funding, and the findings of any feasibility study of any DHSP and any other City department providing children and/or city youth programs, for rapidly expanding out of school time in the city to create enough slots for all families who need it. Councillor Zondervan, Councillor McGovern, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Carlone Order #8. That the City Manager is requested to convene a Caregiver Advisory Council that is overly represented by high priority families will be convened in partnership with DHSP that engages key stakeholders that includes, but is not limited to, the Agenda for Children, current and former out of school time staff and leadership, and out of school time community benefit organizations. Such a council will receive reports as ordered by Policy Order 2021 #201 that describe who applied and were enrolled, capacity, staffing, and outreach efforts. Councillor Zondervan, Councillor McGovern, Mayor Siddiqui I read an article in the Boston Globe yesterday (Human services agencies face staffing crisis, delaying services for those in need) explaining that “A steady stream of workers have left community-based human services jobs during the pandemic, and many jobs are going unfilled, leading to a staffing shortage that has reached emergency levels, providers say. Some programs are facing vacancy rates as high as 60 percent.” I also recall that our own Ellen Semonoff (DHSP) said recently that the limitation in providing slots in programs had more to do with lack of staff than lack of funding. City councillors may want to expand access to such programs, but you still need the content and the staff to provide anything of value. Committee Report #1. The Health and Environment Committee met on Apr 14, 2021 to conduct a public hearing regarding the City’s response to the COVID-19 Pandemic. Let the record show that City staff did an extraordinary job in helping us to navigate this pandemic even though nobody had a guidebook that laid out all that needed to be done. Let's also remember some of the Big Ideas that were proposed in the political arena that fell flat and were based on a combination of misunderstanding about the transmission of the virus as well as separate agendas about hostility toward motor vehicles. Remember those streets that were supposed to be pedestrian-priority but where almost all pedestrians still preferred the sidewalks, and where drivers used the barriers for slalom driving? Perhaps the most successful reconfiguration was the expansion of outdoor patios (street and sidewalk) that helped some businesses survive and which will likely continue, though perhaps in a more limited way, beyond this pandemic. - Robert Winters |
A Long Look at a Short Meeting - Sept 27, 2021 Cambridge City Council AgendaIt's a relatively compact agenda this week. Here are some of the seemingly more significant items on the agenda: Manager's Agenda #1. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to an update on COVID-19. Unfinished Business #5. That the Zoning Ordinance of the City of Cambridge be amended to allow the service of postoperative care for a dog (Ordinance #2021-16). [Referred to Committee In Council June 28, 2021; Passed to a Second Reading In Council Sept 13, 2021; To Be Ordained on or after Sept 27, 2021] Resolution #2. Thanks to Michael Monestime for his five years of work as Executive Director of the Central Square Business Association and best wishes in his future endeavors. Councillor Simmons, Councillor McGovern, Vice Mayor Mallon, Mayor Siddiqui Those of us who have been actively involved for a long time in trying to restore Central Square to its full potential will testify as to just how long people talked without success about establishing a Business Improvement District (hint - it was more than a quarter-century). Getting that level of agreement among many property owners was, as the saying goes, like herding cats. It was only when two main stars came into alignment that the impossible became possible - the energetic, take-no-prisoners efforts of Patrick Barrett, and the charismatic, hard-working, and relentlessly optimistic presence of Michael Monestime. From there the approval of the BID seemed almost easy because of the level of well-founded faith that everyone had in these two individuals to make things happen and to make things happen right. They chose great people for their staff and as their ambassadors on the street, and they managed to strike the right balance with City management and the City departments in terms of responsibility and initiative while being respectful of the surrounding neighborhoods. The pandemic was the ultimate test of not only how well the City could work with the BID, but also how well the BID could work with the local business community to find ways to survive the storm. Starlight Square is just one shining example, but there was much more and there will be much more. Not every business weathered the storm, but the Central Square business district in now well-positioned to emerge in good shape. Michael Monestime was a big part of how we got through this and why there is continued cause for optimism. Michael has the Midas touch, so look for great things in all that he does from here. Order #1. Resolution Condemning the Treatment of Haitian Immigrants in Texas. Councillor Simmons, Councillor Carlone, Councillor McGovern, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Toomey, Councillor Zondervan, Mayor Siddiqui Order #3. Affirming Reproductive Freedom. Mayor Siddiqui, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Simmons Order #5. End Title 42 Deportations. Councillor Zondervan, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Carlone I'm not sure that all national and foreign policy will yield to the exhortations of the Cambridge City Council, but knock yourselves out. Order #2. That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to reach out to the owner of 689 Massachusetts Avenue to inquire about the prospect of selling this building to the City of Cambridge, and to report back to the City Council on this matter in a timely manner. Councillor Simmons While I suppose the City could grab this building at significant cost to house the City Council aides or for some other purpose, this really is in the core of the Central Square business district and I would hate to see it turned over to institutional use. That said, Councillor Simmons has long advocated for some sort of Cambridge-specific museum to showcase our long history. I don't know if this would be a good museum location or if that might be a part of the future uses at this site, but I still would like to see more active ground-level activity throughout Central Square.
This is a great idea. Though some people would be more than happy to tear down much of Cambridge as they worship at the altar of higher density, it's nice to see that other people still want to celebrate some of the good planning and vision of those who came before us. The riverfront is just one example. There are also a lot of great neighborhoods that are spectacular just as they are. Committee Report #1. The Ordinance Committee met to conduct a public hearing on Apr 8, 2021 to discuss the Cambridge Missing Middle Housing Zoning Petition (Ordinance #2021-2). Speaking of worshiping at the altar of higher density, this cobweb-covered committee report is on a densification proposal that expired in July but which will likely rise from the dead when it's more politically expedient to ram through an even worse iteration. It continues to amaze me how some people see significantly higher density as an end in itself without regard to a wide range of other considerations. Let's try this one more time – Cambridge is already among the most densely developed and densely developed cities in both Massachusetts and the entire United States. By the way, the committee report indicates that this meeting that is only now being reported 6 months after the fact was not actually adjourned, but recessed. That means that if they should ever decide to reopen the meeting they can just blow off any additional public testimony. That would likely suit some of the councillors just fine – because they're not actually listening to anyone except the choir. - Robert Winters |
10:00am Dedication Ceremony – Opening of Timothy J. Toomey Jr. Park (71 Rogers St - between Second and Third Streets)
More info can be found at: www.cambridgema.gov/toomeypark. The new park has been open to the public since Fri, Sept 17. The design of the park (formerly known as Rogers Street Park) was informed by the Eastern Cambridge/Kendall Open Space Study and Connect Kendall Square Open Space Competition, which resulted in a framework plan that will guide the development of three new parks in eastern Cambridge.
New Two-Acre Timothy J. Toomey, Jr. Park Opens in East Cambridge
Sept 20, 2021 – The City of Cambridge today announced the opening of the new Timothy J. Toomey, Jr. Park in East Cambridge, located on Rogers Street between Second Street and Third Street. The opening of the park is a milestone in the City’s efforts to simultaneously design and construct three new parks in the East Cambridge neighborhood. The dedication ceremony will be held on Saturday, October 2 at 10:00am. Through a unanimous vote of the City Council, this new two-acre park is named for City Councillor Timothy J. Toomey, Jr., a lifelong resident of the East Cambridge neighborhood. Councillor Toomey has served in public office for over 35 years as a member of the Cambridge School Committee, a Cambridge City Councillor, and a State Representative. “I'm very humbled and honored for the recognition of service and the opportunity I've had to serve the Cambridge community,” said Timothy J. Toomey, Jr. “The opening of this beautiful park is the culmination of neighborhood residents' advocacy for open space, the hard work of my fellow City Councillors and City officials, and the donation of this land from Alexandria Real Estate. This is a grand achievement for East Cambridge and our community as a whole.” “The City has a longstanding commitment to ensuring access to high-quality open space throughout the city,” said City Manager Louis A. DePasquale. “This stunning new park, which was once home to low-rise manufacturing buildings, is the result of the years of planning and community input. Timothy J. Toomey, Jr. Park is an amazing amenity for the East Cambridge community and the city, and it will serve as a vital neighborhood and civic gathering space. This park is a fitting tribute to Councillor Toomey for his decades of public service and lifelong commitment to East Cambridge.” The new park features a play area designed for children of all ages, including a tot area with animal play sculptures and water and sand play areas near the Rogers Street edge of the park. A gradually sloping paved pathway winds up the constructed hill on the eastern portion of the park, where children and caretakers will find a variety of play features: basket swings, a wooden climbing structure, and slides embedded in the hillside beneath a shade structure. The top of the hill features a whimsical playhouse modeled after a piping plover designed by the playground equipment creator MONSTRUM, which specializes in artistic playground designs. The park also includes a newly constructed dog run, replacing a temporary facility that operated on the site prior to park construction. A large open-air green is located at the center of the park, consisting of a flat area for field sports and a sloped lawn that can serve passive uses, or double as a sledding hill in the winter. There are three picnic areas located off of the park pathways and benches throughout the park. The park is extensively planted, with over 150 new trees as a part of this project, and planting areas are lined with boulders donated to the project by DivcoWest. The park project also includes notable infrastructure features that will provide benefits to the wider community. One such feature is a charging and storage area for electric park maintenance equipment that made creative use of the newly-constructed hill. “The Department of Public Works is committed to deploying efforts to reduce the city’s environmental footprint in our park maintenance—not just for Toomey Park, but in other parks in the eastern part of the city as well,” said Public Works Commissioner Owen O’Riordan. “Having the necessary infrastructure to support green initiatives built into the project from the beginning will facilitate our crews' abilities to conduct park maintenance while reducing our carbon footprint.” The park also features an extensive subsurface stormwater infiltration system. During large storm events, stormwater from the park and surrounding streets are diverted to this system, which is designed to capture and infiltrate over 76,000 gallons of water, helping to improve water quality by reducing runoff during storms. “It’s not often that we are able to build a new park from the ground up in Cambridge, and the team and community embraced the opportunity to make Toomey Park a space that both supports our work on resilience and sustainability and emphasizes creating spaces for neighbors to play together and connect with each other,” said Assistant City Manager for Community Development Iram Farooq. “This is truly a community effort. We’re excited to celebrate the new Toomey Park with neighbors and community members.” Publicly accessible restrooms are available at the 75 Binney Street building across Rogers Street from the park. Metered parking is available on Second Street or Rogers Street. The park is open from dawn to dusk. The design of the park was led by landscape architect Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates. For more information on Timothy J. Toomey, Jr. Park, visit, www.cambridgema.gov/toomeypark. |
Click on graph above for latest Cambridge data.
Oct 5, 2021 Breakdown of Cases:
7478 tested positive (total) - an increase of 15 from the previous day and 1349 over 77 days
124 confirmed deaths (76 in long-term care facilities, 48 in general community)
[1 new death 27 days ago - the first new reported death in 122 days]
432 known active cases - an increase of 15 from the previous day (6-day data lag)
4571 recoveries - an increase of 0 from the previous day (6-day data lag)
Thanks to vaccinations, even though the 7-day averages are up again they are not as bad as they could be.
Harvard University COVID-19 data MIT COVID-19 data
The recent sustained increase in new cases is due to the Delta variant. Will it continue to wane as have previous surges?
It appears as though high vaccination rates have blunted what might have been an even larger surge.
Covid Cases by Age Group - through Sept 28, 2021
2021 PROPOSED REPRECINCTING PLAN
Request for Public Feedback
Sept 30, 2021 – The Election Commission is seeking feedback from the public regarding its proposed reprecincting plan. Members of the public are invited to join the Board of Election Commissioners meeting on Wednesday, October 6, 2021, at 5:30pm via Zoom. The Current Ward and Precinct Map (based on 2010 census), Proposed Ward and Precinct Map (based on 2020 census), Proposed Map with Current Precinct Boundary Overlay, and the 2020 Population by Census Block Map can be viewed at https://www.cambridgema.gov/Departments/ElectionCommission/Reprecincting
Current Ward and Precinct Map (based on 2010 census)
Proposed Ward and Precinct Map (based on 2020 census)
Written comments, questions, or suggestions can be sent by email to elections@cambridgema.gov or by mail to 51 Inman Street, Cambridge, MA 02139. Written comments should be submitted by Wednesday, October 6, 2021 at 5:00pm to be considered at the 5:30pm meeting.
2021 Cambridge Reprecincting Proposal
The population of Cambridge increased from 105,162 in 2010 to 118,403 in the 2020 US Census, however, the changes were not evenly distributed throughout the city. Some precincts increased dramatically in population, while others stayed the same or decreased. With 33 precincts, each precinct must have a population within 5% of 3,588. Any change that is made in one precinct has a cascading effect on the entire map as other precincts will need to be adjusted to keep the population of every precinct within that range.
The Board of Election Commissioners took a number of factors into consideration in creating this proposal, such as minimizing the number of voters who need to cross major thoroughfares in order to vote and keeping most voters in the same precincts whenever possible. It should be noted that reprecincting changes will not take effect until the 2022 elections. Some of the current polling locations may be changed in 2022 in order to better accommodate voters under the new map.
What is Reprecincting?
Every ten years after the Federal Census is complete, new ward and precinct boundary lines are drawn to reflect changes in the City’s population and to anticipate the needs of the City’s election system for the next decade.
Voting precincts established by a city or town must meet the following requirements:
Thurs, Sept 23 – I'll soon be sending out requests to City Council and School Committee candidates to submit content for their Candidate Pages. Some candidates have already sent me a fair amount without being asked. Though I have some ideas about what this year's relevant topics should be (based on years past, current events, and ears to the ground), I welcome suggestions. It gets a bit tiresome doing this all by myself. - Robert Winters
PS - I generally prefer topic areas rather than pointed questions. This has always been meant as a way for candidates to express themselves freely rather than respond to either my or anyone else's personal agenda.
| City Council Candidates | School Committee Candidates |
| Suggested topics for this year: 1) Background [biographical, etc.] 2) Top Priorities [List about three and elaborate below] 3) Land Use, Planning, Zoning, Density a) Housing: Density, Affordability, Regulation, Housing Supply b) Public Housing, Subsidized Housing, Inclusionary Zoning c) Economic Development and Commerce (including cannabis businesses) d) Open Space, Parks, Playgrounds e) Architecture & Urban Design f) Major Squares and Centers 4) Energy, Environment, Infrastructure a) Water, Sewer, Electrical, Natural Gas b) Telecommunications, Internet, Broadband Access c) Solid Waste, Recycling, Composting d) Tree Canopy, Green Roofs, Solar Energy 5) Traffic, Parking, and Transportation a) Roadways, Parking, Resident Permits b) Transit c) Bicycle Infrastructure d) Other Transportation Modes 6) Public Health a) COVID-19 b) Substance Abuse & Mental Health c) Homelessness and Safety Nets 7) Public Safety and Intervention a) Future of Policing and Funding b) Problematic Areas, including major Squares 8) Human Services Programs a) Youth Programs, Senior Programs b) Sports & Recreation c) Child Care and Pre-K d) Community School Programs 9) Government and Elections a) Plan E Charter, Charter Change, Ballot Questions b) Hiring of City Manager c) Proportional Representation 10) Civic Participation and Inclusion a) Boards & Commissions b) Neighborhood Associations c) Community Schools/Neighborhood Councils d) Historic Preservation, Neighborhood Conservation Districts e) Civic Unity, Race, Class, Affirmative Action 11) Municipal Finance a) City Budget b) Assessments, Property Taxes, etc. c) Community Preservation Act 12) Everything Else, including a) Cambridge History b) Arts and Public Celebrations c) University Relations |
Suggested topics for this year: 1) Background [biographical, etc.] 2) Top Priorities [List about three, then elaborate below] 3) Top Challenges Facing CPS today, including a) Navigating COVID-19, remote and in-person learning b) COVID-related learning loss and plans to get children back on track c) Achievement gaps - meeting the needs of all students d) Academic challenge - meeting the needs of advanced learners e) School safety, student behavior, attendance 4) School Department Administration a) Interim Superintendent and Next Steps b) Relationship between School Committee and CPSD Administration 5) School Department Budget and Capital Needs a) School Building Construction & Rehabilitation 6) Controlled Choice, Student Assignment Policies 7) Curriculum and Programs, especially a) Math & Science Education b) Vocational Programs c) Arts & Music d) MCAS testing 8) Everything Else, including: a) Parent Involvement and School Councils b) Enrollment in Public vs. Charter vs. Private Schools c) Teacher Evaluations and Performance Measures |
Sept 29 - Cambridge has a growing presence of Political Action Committees each trying to influence how you vote. What each of them stands for is a bit muddy in spite of their various pronouncements and what will surely soon be slick mailings to Cambridge voters. At least two of these entities have migrated to the “Independent Expenditure Political Action Committee” mode in order to be able to accept (and spend) more money under the debatable theory that they are operating independently of any of the campaigns of specific candidates.
Interestingly, all but one have so far ignored the School Committee unlike in years past when an actual civic organization like the Cambridge Civic Association (CCA) put at least as much effort into its School Committee endorsements as it did into its City Council endorsements.
Anyway, the current scorecard is below. Note the crossover of candidates who appear on multiple slates and, perhaps just as significantly, the exclusion of some candidates from particular slates that actually align with in terms of policy positions. Make no mistake about it – the primary role of most candidate slates is incumbency protection and the last thing a PAC want is to have one of their challengers bump off one of their incumbents. The remaining candidates are a mix of candidates who might add to the PAC's elected ranks as well as some “feeders” whose role is to draw in votes to the slate that will be transferred to other slate candidates upon defeat. Needless to say, nobody will ever openly tell a candidate that they are primarily a “feeder”. RW
| PAC | A Better Cambridge (ABC) |
Cambridge Citizens Coalition (CCC) |
Cambridge Residents Alliance (CResA) |
Our Revolution Cambridge (ORC) |
| Endorsed Candidates |
Burhan Azeem Tonia Hicks Alanna Mallon Marc McGovern Joe McGuirk Sumbul Siddiqui Denise Simmons Jivan Sobrinho-Wheeler Paul Toner |
Dana Bullister Dennis Carlone Patricia Nolan Nicola Williams |
Dennis Carlone Tonia Hicks Patricia Nolan Theodora Skeadas Jivan Sobrinho-Wheeler Nicola Williams Quinton Zondervan |
Dennis Carlone Tonia Hicks Theodora Skeadas Jivan Sobrinho-Wheeler Nicola Williams Quinton Zondervan School Committee: Daria Johnson José Luis Rojas Villarreal David Weinstein Rachel Weinstein Ayesha Wilson |
Sept 28 - Political campaign organizations love to do “opposition research” on other candidates. One of the things they often inquire about is voting history. Fortunately, I have all that data on hand, so allow me to save you the trouble. Bear in mind that younger candidates and candidates who only recently moved to Cambridge (or moved back to Cambridge) are at a bit of a disadvantage in terms of the totals. Though I have all the voter histories for 45 city-wide elections going back to 1997, here are the voting records for just the November elections (24 of them). [Note: It's possible that some records were corrected in the intervening years, but the table below comes from the original voter history files with some updates I made over the years as better information became available.] - Robert Winters
| Candidate | reg_date | n97 | n98 | n99 | n00 | n01 | n02 | n03 | n04 | n05 | n06 | n07 | n08 | n09 | n10 | n11 | n12 | n13 | n14 | n15 | n16 | n17 | n18 | n19 | n20 | Total |
| Fantini, Alfred B. | 7/9/1982 | n97 | n98 | n99 | n00 | n01 | n02 | n03 | n04 | n05 | n06 | n07 | n08 | n09 | n10 | n11 | n12 | n13 | n14 | n15 | n16 | n17 | n18 | n19 | n20 | 24 |
| Nolan, Patricia M. | 10/5/1992 | n97 | n98 | n99 | n00 | n01 | n02 | n03 | n04 | n05 | n06 | n07 | n08 | n09 | n10 | n11 | n12 | n13 | n14 | n15 | n16 | n17 | n18 | n19 | n20 | 24 |
| Simmons, E. Denise | 6/1/1987 | n97 | n98 | n99 | n00 | n01 | n02 | n03 | n04 | n05 | n06 | n07 | n08 | n09 | n10 | n11 | n12 | n13 | n14 | n15 | n16 | n17 | n18 | n19 | n20 | 24 |
| Toner, Paul F. | 8/18/1984 | n97 | n98 | n99 | n00 | n01 | n02 | n03 | n04 | n05 | n06 | n07 | n08 | n09 | n10 | n11 | n12 | n13 | n14 | n15 | n16 | n17 | n18 | n19 | n20 | 24 |
| Carlone, Dennis J. | 10/4/1980 | n97 | n98 | n99 | n00 | n01 | n02 | n03 | n04 | n06 | n08 | n09 | n10 | n11 | n12 | n13 | n14 | n15 | n16 | n17 | n18 | n19 | n20 | 22 | ||
| McGovern, Marc C. | 9/30/1994 | n99 | n00 | n01 | n02 | n03 | n04 | n05 | n06 | n07 | n08 | n09 | n10 | n11 | n12 | n13 | n14 | n15 | n16 | n17 | n18 | n19 | n20 | 22 | ||
| Moree, Gregg J. | 4/18/1984 | n98 | n99 | n00 | n01 | n02 | n03 | n04 | n06 | n07 | n08 | n09 | n10 | n11 | n12 | n13 | n14 | n15 | n16 | n17 | n18 | n20 | 21 | |||
| Weinstein, David J. | 8/28/2002 | n02 | n03 | n04 | n05 | n06 | n07 | n08 | n09 | n10 | n11 | n12 | n13 | n14 | n15 | n16 | n17 | n18 | n19 | n20 | 19 | |||||
| Zondervan, Quinton Y. | 6/4/2004 | n04 | n05 | n06 | n07 | n08 | n09 | n10 | n11 | n12 | n13 | n14 | n15 | n16 | n17 | n18 | n19 | n20 | 17 | |||||||
| Mallon, Alanna M. | 9/27/2004 | n04 | n06 | n08 | n09 | n10 | n11 | n12 | n13 | n14 | n15 | n16 | n17 | n18 | n19 | n20 | 15 | |||||||||
| Williams, Nicola A. | 8/30/2006 | n06 | n07 | n08 | n09 | n10 | n11 | n12 | n13 | n14 | n15 | n16 | n17 | n18 | n19 | n20 | 15 | |||||||||
| Hunter, Caroline M. | 7/19/2021 | n97 | n98 | n99 | n00 | n01 | n02 | n03 | n04 | n05 | n06 | n07 | n08 | n09 | n10 | 14 | ||||||||||
| Johnson, Daria A. | 6/24/1996 | n00 | n03 | n04 | n07 | n08 | n12 | n13 | n14 | n16 | n18 | n19 | n20 | 12 | ||||||||||||
| Weinstein, Rachel B. | 7/28/2009 | n09 | n10 | n11 | n12 | n13 | n14 | n15 | n16 | n17 | n18 | n19 | n20 | 12 | ||||||||||||
| Lim, Christopher | 7/18/2006 | n06 | n08 | n10 | n12 | n14 | n16 | n17 | n18 | n19 | n20 | 10 | ||||||||||||||
| McGuirk, Joe | 3/5/2010 | n10 | n12 | n13 | n14 | n16 | n17 | n18 | n19 | n20 | 9 | |||||||||||||||
| Siddiqui, Sumbul | 6/6/2006 | n14 | n15 | n16 | n17 | n18 | n19 | n20 | 7 | |||||||||||||||||
| Levy, Ilan | 7/13/2015 | n15 | n16 | n17 | n18 | n19 | n20 | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Pierre, Frantz | 6/21/2003 | n05 | n08 | n10 | n11 | n12 | n15 | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Rojas Villarreal, José Luis | 9/19/2015 | n15 | n16 | n17 | n18 | n19 | n20 | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Bullister, Dana | 6/4/2016 | n16 | n17 | n18 | n19 | n20 | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Skeadas, Theodora Theo | 6/10/2016 | n16 | n17 | n18 | n19 | n20 | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Azeem, Burhan | 10/14/2015 | n16 | n17 | n19 | n20 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Bhambi, Akriti | 8/6/2018 | n18 | n19 | n20 | 3 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Hicks, Tonia D. | 8/15/2018 | n18 | n19 | n20 | 3 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Sobrinho-Wheeler, Jivan | 3/28/2018 | n18 | n19 | n20 | 3 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Wilson, Ayesha | 11/14/2017 | n18 | n19 | n20 | 3 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Eckstut, Robert | 8/8/2019 | n19 | n20 | 2 |
Early voting is available to all voters for the Municipal Election on Tuesday, November 2nd. Early voting is available by mail and in-person to all registered voters in Cambridge. However, you choose to vote, please be advised that once a voter casts an early voting ballot, the voter may no longer vote at the polls.
Voter Registration
For anyone wanting to vote early in-person, by mail, or by drop box, the first step is making sure you are registered. To check your voter registration status and to find information on how to register to vote, please go to www.registertovotema.com. You will need a license, or an I.D. issued by the Registry of Motor Vehicles to apply online. To be eligible to vote in the Municipal Election on Tuesday, November 2, 2021, you must register to vote or make changes to your voter registration by Wednesday, October 13, 2021. The office will be open until 8:00pm on October 13, 2021.
Early Voting by Mail
To vote by mail:
Send your signed application by email, fax or mail:
• Email: elections@cambridgema.gov
• Fax: 617-349-4366
• Mail: Cambridge Election Commission 51 Inman Street Cambridge, MA 02139
You can check the status of your ballot at www.TrackMyBallotMA.com.
The deadline to return a vote by mail ballot is November 2, 2021 at 8:00pm to be counted.
The deadline to submit a Vote by Mail Application for a mailed ballot for the election is Wednesday, October 27, 2021 at 5:00pm. The Cambridge Election Commission recommends submitting this application no later than October 19th to ensure the timely delivery of your ballot.
The Election Commission is open to the public by walk-in or appointment. If you would like to schedule an appointment at, please go to https://calendly.com/cambridge-election-commission.
Early Voting In-Person
To vote in person, visit any one of the three (3) early voting locations offered in Cambridge during the period from Saturday, October 23, 2021 to Friday, October 29, 2021 for the Municipal Election. You must be a registered voter in Cambridge to vote at the early voting locations. Please refer to the City’s designated early voting schedule below. The deadline to vote early in person is Friday, October 29, 2021 at 5:00pm.
DESIGNATED EARLY VOTING LOCATIONS, HOURS AND DAYS
Cambridge Water Department - 250 Fresh Pond Parkway, Cambridge
Main Library – 449 Broadway, Cambridge
Valente Library – 826 Cambridge Street, Side Entrance on Berkshire Street, Cambridge
| Saturday | Sunday | Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
| October 23 | October 24 | October 25 | October 26 | October 27 | October 28 | October 29 |
| 10am – 3pm | ALL SITES CLOSED |
11am – 7pm | 10am – 5pm | 11am – 7pm | 10am - 5pm | 10am -5pm |
The Election Commission office located 51 Inman Street will NOT be an early voting location for the Municipal Election, November 2, 2021. Voters must go to one of the designated early voting locations listed above.
Official Ballot Drop Box Locations
Official ballot drop boxes will be available at the following six (6) locations for Cambridge voters beginning Friday, October 9, 2021 through Tuesday, November 2, 2021 at 8:00pm. The drop boxes will be open from 7:00am to 8:00pm Monday through Sunday.
Note: Location #6 located in the front of the Coffon Building is already open for use.
Relocation of Some Polling Sites & Voting on Election Day
Voting on Election Day will still be available for those who want to vote at the polls. Some polling sites were relocated for the upcoming Municipal Election on November 2, 2021. Your polling site location will be in the same ward and precinct or near your regular polling site for voter convenience and to minimize voter confusion. In the next few weeks, voters will receive an Early Voting Guide and a Voter Notification Card in the mail that will have information pertaining to where you vote, any relocated polling sites and other important election related information. Please refer to the voter information which will be mailed to you over the next few weeks. A list of wards/precincts and polling sites are available below, so you know where to go if you choose to vote on Election Day. The highlighted locations were relocated for the 2021 Municipal Election.
2021 Polling Sites
| Precinct | Location |
| Ward 1 | |
| 1-1 | COMMUNITY CHARTER SCHOOL OF CAMBRIDGE, 245 Bent Street, Main Entrance |
| 1-2 | COMMUNITY CHARTER SCHOOL OF CAMBRIDGE, 245 Bent Street, Main Entrance |
| 1-3 | MILLER RIVER APARTMENTS, 15 Lambert Street, Cambridge Street entrance |
| Ward 2 | |
| 2-1 | PISANI CENTER, 131 Washington Street |
| 2-2 | M.I.T., Kresge Auditorium, behind Stratton Center, 70 Mass. Avenue |
| 2-3 | M.I.T., Kresge Auditorium, behind Stratton Center, 70 Mass. Avenue |
| Ward 3 | |
| 3-1 | VALENTE BRANCH LIBRARY, 826 Cambridge Street, Side Entrance on Berkshire Street |
| 3-2 | MOSES YOUTH CENTER, 243 Harvard Street, Lower Level, Rear Entrance |
| 3-2A | MOSES YOUTH CENTER, 243 Harvard Street, Lower Level, Rear Entrance |
| 3-3 | SALVATION ARMY HEADQUARTERS, 402 Massachusetts Avenue |
| Ward 4 | |
| 4-1 | CAMBRIDGE COMMUNITY CENTER, 5 Callender Street, Howard Street Entrance |
| 4-2 | CITY HALL, 795 Massachusetts Avenue, Driveway Entrance |
| 4-3 | MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. SCHOOL, 102 Putnam Avenue, Playground Gym Entrance |
| Ward 5 | |
| 5-1 | LBJ APARTMENTS, 150 Erie Street, Community Room (Parking Lot Entrance) |
| 5-2 | MORSE SCHOOL, 40 Granite Street, Main Entrance |
| 5-3 | MORSE SCHOOL, 40 Granite Street, Main Entrance |
| Ward 6 | |
| 6-1 | CITY HALL ANNEX, 344 Broadway Conference Room, Second Floor |
| 6-2 | CAMBRIDGE RINDGE & LATIN SCHOOL, 459 Broadway, Media Cafeteria, Cambridge Street Entrance |
| 6-3 | CAMBRIDGE RINDGE & LATIN SCHOOL, 459 Broadway, Media Cafeteria, Cambridge Street Entrance |
| Ward 7 | |
| 7-1 | BALDWIN SCHOOL, Community Floor, 28 Sacramento Street entrance |
| 7-2 | BALDWIN SCHOOL, Community Floor, 28 Sacramento Street entrance |
| 7-3 | GUND HALL, 48 Quincy Street, Cambridge Street Entrance |
| Ward 8 | |
| 8-1 | GRAHAM AND PARKS SCHOOL, 44 Linnaean St., playground entrance |
| 8-2 | FRIENDS CENTER, 5 Longfellow Park, Community Room |
| 8-3 | MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. SCHOOL, 102 Putnam Avenue, Playground Gym Entrance |
| Ward 9 | |
| 9-1 | HOLY TRINITY ARMENIAN CHURCH, 145 Brattle Street, Parking Lot Entrance on Sparks Street |
| 9-2 | CAMBRIDGE WATER DEPARTMENT, 250 Fresh Pond Parkway |
| 9-3 | RUSSELL YOUTH CENTER, 680 Huron Avenue, Second Floor |
| Ward 10 | |
| 10-1 | PEABODY SCHOOL GYM, 70 Rindge Avenue, Rear Entrance |
| 10-2 | GRAHAM AND PARKS SCHOOL, 44 Linnaean Street., Playground Entrance |
| 10-3 | CAMBRIDGE FRIENDS SCHOOL, 5 Cadbury Road, Front Entrance |
| Ward 11 | |
| 11-1 | RESERVOIR CHURCH, 170 Rindge Avenue, Rear Entrance |
| 11-2 | PEABODY SCHOOL GYM, 70 Rindge Avenue, Rear Entrance |
| 11-3 | BURNS APARTMENTS, 50 Churchill Avenue, Community Room |
Voters are encouraged to wear a mask or face covering in the early voting locations and on Election Day at polling sites to help mitigate public health risks associated with COVID-19.
| Final List of Candidates for the Nov 2, 2021 Cambridge Municipal Election - 19 for CC, 9 for SC | ||||
| City Council Candidates | Address | Born | Occupation | Notes |
| Burhan Azeem | 35 Speridakis Terr., 02139 | 1997 | Data Engineer | ran in 2019 |
| Dana Bullister | 155 5th Street #1, 02141 | 1990 | Entrepreneur | |
| Dennis J. Carlone | 9 Washington Ave. #6, 02140 | 1947 | Architect | incumbent |
| Robert Eckstut | 251 Western Ave. #1, 02139 | 1985 | ||
| Tonia D. Hicks | 337 Pearl Street, 02139 | 1970 | ||
| Ilan Levy | 148 Spring St., 02141 | 1967 | Software engineer | |
| Alanna M. Mallon | 3 Maple Ave., 02139 | 1970 | City Councillor | incumbent |
| Marc C. McGovern | 17 Pleasant St., 02139 | 1968 | Social Worker | incumbent |
| Joe McGuirk | 314 Columbia St. #1, 02141 | 1965 | Bartender | |
| Gregg J. Moree | 25 Fairfield St. #4, 02140 | 1957 | perennial candidate | |
| Patricia M. Nolan | 184 Huron Ave., 02138 | 1957 | City Councillor | incumbent |
| Frantz Pierre | 22 Water Street, Unit 808, 02141 | 1982 | ||
| Sumbul Siddiqui | 283 Sidney St. #3, 02139 | 1988 | Attorney | incumbent |
| E. Denise Simmons | 188 Harvard St. #4B, 02139 | 1951 | City Councillor | incumbent |
| Theodora Theo Skeadas | 988 Memorial Drive #185, 02138 | 1990 | Consultant | |
| Jivan Sobrinho-Wheeler | 187 Brookline St. #3, 02139 | 1992 | City Councillor | incumbent |
| Paul F. Toner | 24 Newman St., 02140 | 1966 | Teacher, Lawyer | ran in 2017 |
| Nicola A. Williams | 8 Brewer St. #5, 02138 | 1963 | Self-Employed | ran in 2019 |
| Quinton Y. Zondervan | 235 Cardinal Medeiros Ave., 02141 | 1970 | Politician | incumbent |
| School Committee Candidates | Address | Born | Occupation | Notes |
| Akriti Bhambi | 311 Cardinal Medeiros Ave. #1, 02141 | 1988 | ||
| Alfred B. Fantini | 4 Canal Park #203, 02141 | 1949 | School Committee | incumbent |
| Caroline M. Hunter | 23 Rockwell St., 02139 | 1946 | ||
| Daria A. Johnson | 2 Leighton St. #413, 02141 | 1976 | ||
| Christopher Lim | 48 Pleasant St., 02139 | 1975 | Engineer | ran in 2019 |
| José Luis Rojas Villarreal | 19 Cornelius Way, 02141 | 1971 | Loan Officer | incumbent |
| David J. Weinstein | 45 S. Normandy Ave., 02138 | 1972 | Writer/Communications | incumbent |
| Rachel B. Weinstein | 60 Standish St. #1, 02138 | 1974 | incumbent | |
| Ayesha Wilson | 15 Concord Ave., 02138 | 1982 | Education | incumbent |
2021 Cambridge Candidate Pages
Calendar of Cambridge Candidate Forums and Events - 2021
City Council Campaign Receipts and Monthly Bank Reports – 2021
Sept 19 - The following message was sent on September 7 (12 days ago) to the Community Development Department. There has been no acknowledgement of receipt of the message by anyone at CDD. It is interesting that the City provides no mechanism for members of the public to contact the respective Chairs of these citizen boards, so unless you know the members personally (and I do, but I am trying to do things properly here), all communications apparently have to be sent to City staff before anyone on the committee will see it. That should change. All City boards should have a simple mechanism via which members of the public can communicate without having to contact individual members. - RW
To: Transit Advisory Committee, Pedestrian Advisory Committee, Community Development Department
I would like to formally request that the Transit Advisory Committee, Pedestrian Advisory Committee, and any other relevant entity in the Community Development Department issue a policy statement that simply states that seating specifically designated for a bus stop be available for the use of bus passengers.
This may seem obvious enough, but there has been an ongoing problem in Central Square where the #1 Bus stops – primarily inbound, but also outbound – have been occupied all day by people who are not bus passengers, who spend the entire day there, and who often engage in intimidating behavior. There are plenty of alternatives in Central Square for people to congregate and sit. Bus stops have a designated use that other seating areas do not, and that designated use needs to be respected. At almost any hour of the day you will find people waiting for the #1 Bus at a distance from the bus stop because of the lack of access at the bus shelters.
Robert Winters
366 BroadwayPS - I was unable to find any email contact information for the respective Chairs of the Transit Advisory Committee and the Pedestrian Advisory Committee, so I would appreciate it if this request could also be forwarded to them for their consideration.
Message received on Sept 21 from Susanne Rasmussen, Director of Environmental and Transportation Planning, CDD:
I have received your email requesting a policy statement stating that bus stop seating be designated for the use of bus passengers. Benches at bus stops are available to be used by both bus passengers and people in general – they are not designated for the sole use of transit riders. Multiple city agencies have programs and staffing in place to respond if there are concerns about behavior that affects the ability of people to use transit and public streets and plazas in general.
With respect to reaching members of the city’s transportation advisory committees, we don’t provide personal information for advisory committee members but City staff contacts for each committee are listed on our website. The relevant staff persons for the committees you asked about have relayed your communication.
And my response (Sept 21):
With all due respect, I consider this statement to be nonresponsive. I was asking that bus stop seating be given a special use designation. Law enforcement personnel are hesitant to do anything without such a designation, and I believe this to be an entirely reasonable request. I am also not aware of any regulation that would prevent such a designation.
Robert Winters
Sept 13, 2021 – Cambridge City Manager Louis A. DePasquale is seeking volunteers to serve on the Cambridge Commission on Immigrant Rights and Citizenship (CIRC).
The Commission consists of 11 members, who are appointed by the City Manager, following an application and interview process. The term of the appointment is three years. Meetings are typically held on the fourth Thursday of every month at 6:00pm.
Cambridge welcomes immigrants and wants to encourage their success and access to opportunity and advancement in this country. It is a goal of this Commission to get the message of welcome out, through collaboration with organizations that already provide services and outreach to our immigrant communities. The Commission acts as a centralizing organization in Cambridge, to address immigrant rights and citizenship issues through providing information, referral, guidance, coordination and technical assistance to other public agencies and private persons, organizations and institutions engaged in activities and programs intended to support immigrant rights and citizenship.
Commissioners are expected to work with other members of the Commission and CIRC staff to fulfill the goals and objectives of the Cambridge Commission on Immigrant Rights and Citizenship Ordinance (Cambridge Municipal Code Chapter 2.123).
Commissioners should be knowledgeable about immigrant rights and citizenship, preferably with lived experience as an immigrant to the United States, and must be Cambridge residents. 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, and to work and interact effectively with individuals and groups with a variety of identities, cultures, backgrounds, and ideologies.
The deadline for submitting applications is Friday, October 15, 2021. Applications can be submitted to City Manager Louis A. DePasquale using the City’s online application system at Cambridgema.gov/apply. A cover letter and resume, or an overview of relevant experience, can be submitted during the online application process. Paper applications can also be obtained at the City Manager’s Office at Cambridge City Hall, 795 Massachusetts Avenue.
For more information, contact Jennifer Mathews at 617-349-4396 or jmathews@cambridgema.gov.
Sept 13, 2021 – Cambridge City Manager Louis A. DePasquale is seeking volunteers to serve on the Cambridge Human Rights Commission (CHRC).
The Human Rights Commission is made up of 11 members, appointed by the City Manager following an application and interview process. Commissioners serve three-year terms. Meetings are typically held on the first Thursday of every month at 6:00pm.
The Human Rights Commission protects the civil rights of residents and visitors to Cambridge and works with Commission staff on the investigation, mediation, and resolution of complaints of discrimination in housing, public accommodations, employment, or education based upon race, color, sex, age, religion, disability, national origin or ancestry, sexual orientation, gender, marital status, family status, military status, or source of income. The Commission enforces two Ordinances: the Cambridge Human Rights Ordinance (Cambridge Municipal Code Chapter 2.76) and the Cambridge Fair Housing Ordinance (Cambridge Municipal Code Chapter 14.04). Commissioners are expected to attend monthly meetings, participate in subcommittees on outreach and public education, review and approve the outcome of CHRC investigations as needed, and work with CHRC staff.
Additionally, it is a City of Cambridge goal to expand and deepen community engagement with a focus on strengthening the diversity and inclusion of its various boards and commissions, and to work and interact effectively with individuals and groups with a variety of identities, cultures, backgrounds, and ideologies.
The deadline for submitting applications is Friday, October 15, 2021. Applications can be submitted to City Manager Louis A. DePasquale using the City’s online application system at Cambridgema.gov/apply. A cover letter and resume, or an overview of relevant experience, can be submitted during the online application process. Paper applications can also be obtained at the City Manager’s Office at Cambridge City Hall, 795 Massachusetts Avenue.
For more information, contact Jennifer Mathews at 617-349-4396 or jmathews@cambridgema.gov.
CIVIC CALENDAR (abridged)
6:00pm School Committee Meeting (Attles Meeting Room, CRLS)
The next Regular Meeting of the School Committee will be held on Tues, Oct 5 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.
The School Committee will entertain a motion to convene Executive Session immediately following the Regular Meeting on Tues, Oct 5, in the Dr. Henrietta S. Attles Meeting Room, 459 Broadway, Cambridge, to discuss strategy for collective bargaining (CEA Units A&B, C, D and E, Food Service, and Interim Superintendent) and to discuss strategy with respect to litigation as an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining strategy and litigation positions of the School Committee.
6:30pm Planning Board meeting (Remote Meeting - web only)
General Business
1. Update from the Community Development Department
2. Adoption of Planning Board meeting transcripts (8/17/2021)
Public Hearings
6:30pm PB# 369 (continued from 8/17/2021)
600 Massachusetts Avenue –Special Permit application by Cifrino Mass Ave Realty, LLC to construct a residential addition of 46 units to the existing commercial building footprint with the final gross floor area proposed would be 79,203 GSF with an exemption for the basement gross floor area pursuant to Project Review (19.20); Exclusion of basement GFA from total GFA calculation (2.000); Additional height in Central Square Sq. Overlay (20.304.2.2(a)); Additional FAR for residential uses(20.304.3); FAR Exemption for Residential Balconies (20.304.3); Waiver of yard setback requirements (20.304.4.1); Waiver of private open space requirements (20.304.4.2); Waiver of parking and loading requirements (20.304.63(b)); and Reduction of Green Roofs requirement (22.35.3). (Materials)
General Business
3. PB-47
150 Cambridgepark Drive – Design Review (Materials)
Board of Zoning Appeal Cases
BZA-120040 (continued from 7/13/2021)
150 Cambridgepark Drive – Variance to construct new elevator shaft for a freight elevator and enclose existing covered walkway surrounding the base of the building. Petitioner also seeks to construct expanded loading dock. Art. 5.000, Sec. 5.32 (Table of Dimensional Requirements). Art. 8.000, Sec. 8.22.3 (Non-Conforming Structure). Art. 10.000, Sec. 10.30 (Variance). (Materials)
5:30pm Cambridge Election Commission remote meeting (Zoom)
I. PUBLIC COMMENT II. MINUTES III. REPORTS 1. Assistant Director's Report 2. Commissioners' Reports |
IV. ACTION AGENDA Old Business 1. 2021 Proposed Re-Precincting Plan 2. 2021 Municipal Election |
5:30-7:30pm Transit Advisory Committee (Zoom presumed)
6:30pm School Committee Candidates Forum hosted by My Brother's Keeper on Cable TV 22-CityView [This will be videotaped]
5:30pm Cambridge Election Commission remote meeting (Zoom)
I. PUBLIC COMMENT II. MINUTES III. REPORTS 1. Assistant Director's Report 2. Commissioners' Reports |
IV. ACTION AGENDA Old Business 2. 2021 Municipal Election 1. 2021 Proposed Re-Precincting Plan |
6:00pm Cambridge Historical Commission meeting (Zoom)
6:30pm City Council Candidates Forum hosted by My Brother's Keeper on Cable TV 22-CityView [This will be videotaped]
8:00am-9:30am Recycling Advisory Committee meeting (Zoom)
5:00pm The City Council's Neighborhood and Long-Term Planning, Public Facilities, Arts and Celebrations Committee will conduct a public hearing to discuss the long-term plan for school buildings, including a systemwide summary of status of plans, update on current projects, any plans for future relocations, and projections for enrollment changes over time. (Zoom)
5:30pm Bicycle Committee meeting (Location TBA)
6:00-7:30pm Central Square Advisory Committee meeting (Zoom)
5:30pm The City Council's Public Safety Committee will meet to hear from outside experts on specific details being considered by the HEART team to implement a public safety response. (Zoom)
6:30pm-9:00pm Cambridgeport Neighborhood Association Candidate Night [Council first, then School Committee] (Zoom unless things improve)
5:30pm City Council meeting (Sullivan Chamber)
11:00am The City Council's Ordinance Committee will meet to conduct a hearing on an ordinance amendment to reduce or limit campaign donations. (Zoom)
5:30pm Cambridge Redevelopment Authority Board Meeting (Police Station, First Floor Conference Room, 125 Sixth St.)
6:00pm-8:30pm Mid-Cambridge Neighborhood Association Candidates Forum (virtual)
time TBD PSNA City Council Candidates Forum (virtual)
5:30pm City Council meeting (Sullivan Chamber)
6:00pm-8:00pm Pedestrian Committee meeting (Location TBA)
5:30-7:30pm Joint Transit Advisory, Bicycle, & Pedestrian Advisory Committee meeting (Zoom presumed)
5:30pm City Council meeting (Sullivan Chamber)
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.
With one month to go before the municipal election (and less if you consider Early Voting and Mail-In Voting), there is usually some expectation of political theater or credit-grabbing at this and the next few City Council meetings. In this game of musical chairs, the music is still playing.
