Goblin It Up on Halloween – October 31, 2022 Cambridge City Council meeting

If the Traffic Board can come back from the grave, I suppose anything is possible. Here are a few items of interest on this week’s agenda:

On the Table #1. Policy Order Seeking Development Analysis. [Charter Right – McGovern Oct 17, 2022; Tabled Oct 24, 2022]

As I said last week, this Order highlights the need to at least occasionally assess the cumulative effect of multiple City ordinances and policy initiatives. The fact that this was seen as controversial speaks volumes about the lack of vision of some city councillors and the degree to which they are beholden to specific interest groups.

Applications & Petitions #2. A Zoning Petition Has been received from Patrick Barrett et al. North Mass Ave BA-5 Zoning District Petition.
Pulled by Toner; Referred to Ordinance Committee & Planning Board 9-0

It’s unfortunate that the designations of the city’s local business mixed-use zoning districts are essentially the same as Covid variants. In any case, Mr. Barrett is back with another zoning petition - a small one in the vicinity of Mass. Ave. and Cedar Street. In addition to other changes, this would establish a max. height of 80 ft. - considerably less than the ∞ height limit that I hear is soon to be proposed by one of our early alphabetical political interest groups.

Applications & Petitions #3. A Zoning Petition Has been received from Duane Callender, et al. Cambridge Lab Regulation Zoning Amendment.
Pulled by Mallon raising issue and objecting to Zondervan and his Aide (Dan Totten) doing an end run to supercede previous City Council petition and what it means to be collegial; Referred to Ordinance Committee & Planning Board 9-0

It is interesting that a similar zoning proposal introduced on Sept 12 by Councillors Zondervan & McGovern (a.k.a. The Odd Couple) that would have banned labs from “fragile districts including Central Square, Harvard Square, and Cambridge Street” was viewed as needing further discussion and refinement and was referred to the Economic Development Committee and Long-Term Planning Committee rather than have the zoning petition clock start ticking by referring it to the Ordinance Committee and Planning Board. Councillor Zondervan at that time was not pleased by this and, apparently, this has now resulted in its reintroduction as a citizens petition which necessarily will start the clock. This is somewhat insulting to the majority of councillors who, presumably, wanted to have that further discussion and refinement. That said, this new petition is different in that it at least attempts to distinguish between what the drafters of the petition see as good vs. evil “lab” uses.

Communications #43. A communication was received from Theodora M. Skeadas, regarding from Cambridge Local First supporting the Cambridge Lab Regulation Zoning Amendment.

Pardon my cynicism, but has anyone else noted just how many past and future City Council candidates have used Cambridge Local First as a stepping-stone toward their candidacy?

Resolution #5. Congratulations to Chief Ranger Jean Rogers on her retirement from the Cambridge Water Department.   Councillor Toner

I have known Ranger Jean since she first came to work as the Fresh Pond Ranger. Happy retirement, Jean.

Order #1. That the City Manager is requested to direct the City Solicitor and CDD to review the proposed language for Ordinance #2022-18 [Incentive Zoning], as amended in Committee and report their findings back to the City Council.   Councillor Zondervan
Pulled by Zondervan; Order Adopted 9-0

Committee Reports #3. Ordinance Committee - Oct 26, 2022 1:00pm. [text of report] The Ordinance Committee held a public hearing on a Zoning Petition to amend Section 11.202(d) of Article 11.000, entitled SPECIAL REGULATIONS, of the Zoning Ordinance of the City of Cambridge, by substitution.

These concern the proposed amended language for Incentive Zoning (Linkage) that would shorten the timeline for the next nexus study.

Order #2. That the City Manager is requested to direct the Police Commissioner to convene a meeting with the LBJ tenant community to address their concerns about undesirable and threatening behavior in and near the LBJ Apartment building.
Order Adopted 9-0

Needless to say, the proliferation of this behavior is a BIG problem throughout the greater Central Square area. I’m sure the City’s new Community Safety Department will take care of everything. By the way, has anyone else noted that Councillor Zondervan, Mayor Siddiqui’s questionable choice as Chair of the Council’s Public Safety Committee, has held only one meeting of that committee (May 18), and the topic of that meeting was “to discuss the City’s implementation of the 988 program with City staff and other subject matter experts.” As Leslie Neilson once said, “Nothing to see here.”

Order #3. That the City Manager direct the City Solicitor to research these questions [whether or not a person can be legally required to state their name, and address for the record when they are speaking at a City Council or Committee meeting; and whether or not we should be requiring that an individual provide their name, address, and phone number, to register for public comment] and to report back to the Government Operations, Rules, and Claims Committee at their next meeting.   Vice Mayor Mallon
Order Adopted 9-0

In my opinion, the only persons who should not be required to give their name and address during public comment or when making comments on social media or any website are people enrolled in the federal witness protection program.

Order #6. That the Mayor schedule a Roundtable meeting on Municipal Broadband.   Councillor Nolan, Vice Mayor Mallon, Mayor Siddiqui
Pulled by Nolan; Order Adopted 9-0 as Amended

I’d love to see what the latest cost estimates are for this.

Committee Reports #1. Transportation & Public Utilities Committee - Oct 11, 2022, 1:00pm. [text of report] The Transportation and Public Utilities Committee conducted a public meeting to discuss station expansion, rebalancing, and e-bike implementation with the BlueBikes system.
Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0

My only request is that they repair the station across the street from my house. The sound of cyclists unsuccessfully slamming bikes into those unwelcoming slots all day and night is disturbing the peace.

Committee Reports #2. Ordinance Committee - Oct 19, 2022 4:00pm. [text of report] The purpose of the meeting was to conduct a Public Hearing on the proposed Green Jobs Ordinance (Ordinance #2022-6).
Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0

Jobs are good - green ones too. Mine is currently more crimson than green. - Robert Winters

Comments?

Getting Board and Commissioned - October 24, 2022 Cambridge City Council meeting

Over 15 years ago I wrote an essay for The Alewife titled “Getting Board and Commissioned” that was basically an appeal for residents to apply to serve on City boards and commissions. I would still encourage people to do so based on all the same reasons I expressed in that essay. Things are potentially a bit different now in that for some of these boards you could be subjected to scrutiny by elected councillors and their political handlers. That’s a shame, but it’s still worth applying. One thing that has been missing for a very long time is a full accounting of what City boards continue to exist. Some were created based on short-term concerns and have either quietly disappeared or were officially discontinued.

Perhaps the most intriguing of these is the Traffic Board (officially the “Traffic and Parking Commission”) that was created in 1961 by a Special Act of the Massachusetts Legislature and quietly disappeared at least 20 years ago but which legally continues to exist (and due to the “holdover” rules in Massachusetts its 3 members continue to be legal appointees to that board). The significance of this particular board (and the Special Act that created it) is that (a) it grants authority to the Traffic Director to make or change regulations, and (b) it is the legal mechanism via which citizens can appeal a traffic or parking regulation issued by the Traffic Director. City Manager Communication #4 is the first time in decades that acknowledges the Traffic Board. There are a few other interesting items as well, but Mgr #4 is definitely the highlight. It also proposes stipends for some of the City’s boards and commissions. It also clarifies which City boards and commissions are subject to City Council review of appointees.

Manager’s Agenda #1. Transmitting Communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation $1,409,562 from Free Cash to the Community Benefits Stabilization Fund.
Order Adopted 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #2. Transmitting Communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $2,050,000 from Free Cash to the Mitigation Revenue Stabilization Fund which will be used to fund specific future projects, which will require separate individual appropriations by the City Council.
Order Adopted 9-0

We’ll have to wait and see how these funds are proposed to be spent. These are just formal transfers to the specified Community Benefits and Mitigation funds.

Manager’s Agenda #4. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report items numbered 21-52 & 22-25, regarding a report on Boards and Commissions. (CM22#207) [Manager’s Communication] [Info Charts] [Job Description Best Practices] [Standard Demographic Battery for Cambridge Surveys] [Boards/Commission Application] [Survey of Other Communities – Stipends] [Zoning Petition Recommended Language - Removing Limit on BZA compensation]
Attachment A [Info Charts] referred to Gov't Operations Committee; Attachment F [Zoning Petition Recommended Language - Removing Limit on BZA compensation] referred to Ordinance Committee and Planning Board as a City Council Zoning Petition; Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0

This is one of the more substantial items in recent years to appear on the City Manager’s Agenda. It includes:

• proposing a standard operating procedure for recruiting, screening, and interviewing candidates to Boards and Commissions
• developing strategies for orienting and training new appointees and conducting exit interviews with departing members
• consideration of term limits for members of boards and commissions with some accommodation for longer service
• developing a standardized presentation of appointments and re-appointments to City Council
• proposal for stipends to some boards and commission members who meet more regularly, e.g. Planning Board, BZA, Historical Commission

The Manager’s Office has provided a long-overdue accounting of all City boards, commissions, and other committees with details on number of members, how each board came to be, which are or are not subject to City Council approval of members, and which are or are not in the Cambridge Municipal Code but which are not technically “boards or commissions” (and are therefore not subject to City Council review of appointments). As mentioned above, this is the first time in decades that the City is acknowledging that the “Traffic and Parking Commission” was never legally discontinued and which provides a legitimate avenue via which residents can appeal regulations issued by the Traffic Director.

I don’t personally see much value in providing stipends to board members. I seriously doubt if such financial considerations factor into most residents’ decisions on whether or not they want to serve on a City board or commission. The level of time commitment is surely a factor, but that is hardly addressed by offering a modest stipend. I’m also not enamored by term limits because any board or organization can benefit from having a mix of new members and long-term members with long-term perspectives.

Not specifically addressed in the Manager’s communication is the issue of “self-perpetuation” of existing boards and the practice of City staff often deciding who may or may not be appointed based on whether or not the appointee shares the philosophy or agenda of the staff person reviewing the list of possible appointees. My feeling has always been that all appointees to City boards have to represent the interests of all residents and not just use their position for their own personal advocacy or that of City staff.

I also feel strongly that there should be a periodic review of all boards, commissions, committees, and task forces to assess their current relevance and whether some might be discontinued, merged, or redefined. A sunset can be a beautiful thing.

Charter Right #1. Policy Order Seeking Development Analysis [Charter Right – McGovern, Oct 17, 2022]
Amended (QZ) 9-0; Tabled (DS) 9-0

Regardless of the motivations behind this particular Order, it highlights the need to at least occasionally assess the cumulative effect of multiple City ordinances and policy initiatives. I know an MIT mathematician who once brilliantly commented on a mathematical paper that it was “locally comprehensible but globally incomprehensible”. The same could be said of the patchwork of City ordinances and policies each of which may have been born out of the best of intentions but which in combination with all else creates a bureaucratic rat’s nest or a level of economic burden that drives reasonable people to frustration and worse.

Unfinished Business #3. That section 6.36 entitled, Schedule of Parking and Loading Requirements, of Article 6.000, entitled “Off Street Parking and Loading Requirements and Nighttime Curfew on Large Commercial Through Trucks”, of the Zoning Ordinance of the City of Cambridge be amended (Ordinance #2022-5) [Passed to 2nd Reading as Amended, Oct 3, 2022; To Be Ordained as Amended on or after Oct 24, 2022; Expires Nov 1, 2022]
Ordained as Amended (to add “including in all overlay districts” at end of section 6.31) 8-1 (Carlone - NO)

The correct answer on the question of reducing or eliminating parking minimums is: “It’s complicated.” That said, my expectation is that this City Council will once again go with its quasi-religious tendency to adopt the latest trendy housing, zoning, or transportation philosophy hook, line, and sinker without any consideration of nuance, applicability in different settings, or consideration of unintended consequences.

Order #1. That the Rules of the City Council be amended to add the following sentence at the beginning: “The rules of the City Council should be reviewed and provisionally adopted towards the beginning of every new City Council term.”   Vice Mayor Mallon
Order Adopted 9-0

Order #2. That the Rules of the City Council be amended to add the following sentence at the end of Rule 5: “All motions made by any members of the Council should require a second prior to debate.”   Vice Mayor Mallon
Order Fails of Adoption 2-7 (Simmons, Toner - YES)

Order #3. That the Rules of the City Council be amended to add the following sentence at the end of Rule 12: “During debate each Councillor will state their comments clearly and concisely with the understanding that other members are waiting to present their comments.”   Vice Mayor Mallon
Order Adopted 9-0

Former Mayor Frank Duehay once said to me that the death knell of any organization is when they spend excessive time and emphasis on their by-laws instead of their mission. Now I don’t think this City Council or their predecessors have overthunk their rules, but my antennae do go up when the modification of rules becomes a focal point. I can’t help but think that some of these rules changes are driven by the misbehavior of one or two specific councillors. For example, regarding the proposed rules change in Order #2, wouldn’t it have been nice if a “second” had been required at various times when Councillor Zondervan proposed something that everyone in the room knew was eventually heading toward a 1-8 vote? As for the proposed rules change in Order #3, this could easily apply to more than a few councillors who have been more interested in speechmaking than in conducting an efficient meeting.

Order #4. That the City Manager is requested to work with all relevant City departments to develop a communication on the most environmentally responsive and responsible methods of [managing] yard waste, and utilize the City website and other communication avenues to publicize best practices for leaf disposal.   Councillor Nolan, Councillor Carlone, Councillor Zondervan
Order Adopted 9-0

Makes sense. Those leaves can be your soil’s best friend and the enemy of your local storm drain. - Robert Winters (who was once known as “Compost Man” around town and who regularly clears the nearby storm drains)

Comments?

A word or two about Cambridge property tax increases

There’s a phrase that the Cambridge City Administration has been including in its annual “Dear Residents and Taxpayers of Cambridge” mailing for years that goes something like this: “For FY23, 80% of residential taxpayers will see a reduction, no increase, or an increase of less than $250.” This phrase used to end with “or an increase of less than $100”, but I suppose the percentages are much more appealing with the change. One might actually be led to believe that the tax levy is going down based on the initial reading of this annual message. In fact, this year (FY23) the tax levy went up by 7.4%, and the increases in recent years were 4.7%, 7.85%, 6.9%, 5.3%, and 3.8% (reverse chronologically). Much of the tax increases were picked up by commercial properties due to tax classification and City’s tax policy decisions, but the residential tax burden has certainly been on the rise.

One major source of confusion in the competing narratives of “80% of residential taxpayers will see a reduction…” and the “the tax levy went up by 7.4%” comes down to the fact that condominiums now comprise a very large percentage of residential tax bills, and condo owners have been getting a pretty sweet deal while much of the burden has shifted onto two- and three-family property owners (as well as new residential buildings). Here’s a chart showing the median annual changes in residential tax bills (including the residential exemption) over the last 15 years:

As you can see from these figures, it’s the large number of condominiums (nearly 15,000) that enables the City to declare that “80% of residential taxpayers will see a reduction, no increase, or an increase of less than $250.” For owners of single-, two-, and three-family homes, the story is quite different - especially during the last 5 years. Indeed, this year is the sweetest deal of all for condo owners. This year’s median change for condo owners is a reduction of $107, while it’s increases of $419 for a single-family, $269 for a two-family, and $379 for a three-family.

Comments?

City Manager Contracts

Cambridge City Manager Yi-An Huang Seeks New Members for the Cambridge Traffic Board
Application Deadline is 11-21-22

Oct 24, 2022 – Cambridge City Manager Yi-An Huang is seeking new members for the Cambridge Traffic Board, a three-member board established to review petitions regarding the adoption, alteration, and repeal of the city’s Traffic Rules and Regulations and to provide advice and consultation to the Traffic, Parking, and Transportation Department.

Board members are appointed by the City Manager; a chairperson will be designated by the City Manager each year from among the three members. Members serve a three-year term and are eligible for reappointment.

The Traffic Board was established pursuant to Chapter 455, Acts of 1961, an Act establishing a Department of Traffic and Parking in the City of Cambridge as amended by Section 7 of Chapter 786 of the Acts of 1962, Chapter 340 of the Acts of 1972, Chapter 239 of the Acts of 1977, Chapters 166, 424, and 585 of the Acts of 1981 and Chapter 441 of the Acts of 1991.

Applicants must be Cambridge residents. Persons holding public office in Cambridge and salaried employees of the City of Cambridge are not eligible for appointment.

The City of Cambridge is committed to advancing a culture of antiracism, diversity, equity, and inclusion. All board and commission members in Cambridge must have the ability to work and interact effectively with individuals and groups with a variety of identities, cultures, backgrounds, and ideologies. Women, minorities, veterans, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Members of the Traffic Board should be able to:

• Participate in a collaborative process with other Board members;
• Consider diverse ideas and perspectives with empathy and respect;
• Willingness to Work with the Traffic, Parking, and Transportation Department;
• Review and understand the city’s policies, rules, and regulations related to the regulation of the city’s streets and wider transportation network;
• Understand issues related to the safety, sustainability, and accessibility of the city’s transportation network and its operations;
• Demonstrate strong attentiveness and listening skills to complex presentations and discussions.

The Traffic Board meets on an as-needed basis based on submission, if any, of petitions and for necessary consultation with Traffic, Parking, and Transportation Department leadership. Under the provisions of the Massachusetts Open Meeting Law, meetings are usually required to be in person, although the Traffic Board may meet remotely under the temporary Open Meeting Law provisions established during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Members must review petitions and petition materials prior to each meeting they attend.

Individuals interested in being considered should apply by using the city’s online application system at www.cambridgema.gov/apply and selecting “Traffic Board” in the list of Current Vacancies. A cover letter and résumé or summary of applicable experience can be submitted during the online application process. Paper applications are available in the City Manager’s Office at Cambridge City Hall, 795 Massachusetts Avenue. The deadline for submitting applications is Monday, November 21, 2022.

City Manager Yi-An Huang Seeks New Members for the Cambridge Board of Zoning Appeal

Oct 14, 2022 – Cambridge City Manager Yi-An Huang is seeking persons interested in serving on the Cambridge Board of Zoning Appeal.

The Board of Zoning Appeal (BZA) has an important role in decisions that help shape the use and appearance of buildings in our community. Under the Cambridge Zoning Ordinance, certain uses and types of development may require a variance, special permit, or a comprehensive permit from the BZA, a quasi-judicial body that conducts public hearings on all applications and appeals before it and issues decisions. The Board also hears appeals of Zoning Determinations made by the Commissioner of Inspectional Services.

The BZA is made up of five members and up to seven associate members. The members are appointed by the City Manager, and then approved by the City Council. Regular members generally serve a 5-year term, while associates serve a 2-year term. While board and commission members in Cambridge do not receive compensation for their time, the city is exploring offering a stipend for high time commitment boards such as the BZA.

The BZA meets twice each month on Thursday evenings for approximately 3-4 hours. Members are expected to attend all meetings, and associate members attend on an as-needed basis. Under the provisions of the Massachusetts Open Meeting Law, meetings are usually required to be in person; although the BZA has been meeting remotely under the temporary Open Meeting Law provisions established during the COVID-19 pandemic and may continue to meet remotely through March 2023.

Members must review application and petition materials prior to each meeting they attend. Materials may include development plans and specifications, narrative descriptions, analyses of the applicability of provisions of the Zoning Ordinance to applications, petitions, and appeals before the Board, information from city departments, written comments from the public, and other documents.

The City of Cambridge is committed to advancing a culture of antiracism, diversity, equity, and inclusion. All board and commission members in Cambridge must have the ability to work and interact effectively with individuals and groups with a variety of identities, cultures, backgrounds, and ideologies. Women, minorities, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply. All BZA members must be Cambridge residents. While there is no requirement for a technical background to serve on the BZA, an interest and understanding of development, architecture, urban design, and zoning law is desirable. Additionally, members of the BZA should be able to:

• Participate in a collaborative process with other Board members;
• Consider diverse ideas and perspectives;
• Apply the provisions of the Cambridge Zoning Ordinance and the state’s Zoning Act to the facts presented in applications and petitions to the Board in quasi-judicial proceedings;
• Demonstrate strong attentiveness and listening skills to long and complicated presentations and discussions.

Individuals interested in being considered should apply by using the city’s online application system at www.cambridgema.gov/apply and selecting “Board of Zoning Appeal” in the list of Current Vacancies. A cover letter and résumé or summary of applicable experience can be submitted during the online application process. Paper applications are available in the City Manager’s Office at Cambridge City Hall, 795 Massachusetts Avenue. The deadline for submitting applications is November 7, 2022.

Plague Report (Nov 1) - Only 14 new Covid cases today, but 1 new death (general community).

There were only 14 new COVID positive tests reported today, but 1 new death, and the 7-day daily average dropped to 11.0. The total number of residents who have tested positive is now 33,630 (not including me and possibly thousands of others who have tested positive at home). The Cambridge total increased by 14 on Tuesday, and 19 (covering 3 days), 29, 23, 6, 53, 38 (covering 3 days), 20, 27, 61, and 22 in recent days. Time will tell where this is headed, especially as the BA.4&5 and the new BF.7 variants work their way through. The 7-day averages now appear to be settled into the 10-20 range. The percentage of positive tests (measured over the last two weeks) stands at 7.65% (previous rates 7.38%, 7.27%, 6.75%, 5.65%, 5.91%, 6.40%, 6.05%, 5.94%, 6.15%, 5.72%, 6.87%, 7.32%, 7.55%, 7.69%, 6.88%, 5.98, 6.47%, 7.66%, 7.41%, 7.08%, 7.45%, 7.36%, 6.11%, 4.65%, 4.2%, 3.85%, 3%, 2.3%, 1.94%, 1.63%, 1.71%, 1.56%, 1.09%, 0.87%). Most importantly, the effects of the virus appear to be much milder than previous variants.

Experts say COVID-19 won’t hit as hard this fall, but remain wary of the possible rise of a new variant (Sept 1, 2022, Boston Globe)

Click on graph above for latest Cambridge data.

Nov 1, 2022 Breakdown of Cases:
33630 tested positive (total) - an increase of 14 since Monday
[includes 4472 Harvard (0 new) and 2766 MIT (0 new)]
173 confirmed deaths - 89 in long-term care facilities, 84 in general community
2 new deaths Oct 25 (long-term care), 1 new death Oct 28 (general community), 1 new death Nov 1 (general community)

Thanks to vaccinations, even though the 7-day averages were dreadful
the impacts were not as bad as they could have been.

City of Cambridge Covid Information     Harvard University COVID-19 data     MIT COVID-19 data

High vaccination rates have helped to blunt what might have been a larger surge and far more deaths.

Covid Cases by Age Group - through Nov 1, 2022

(click on above graph for the latest)
MWRA Biobot wastewater data - Oct 27, 2022

MWRA Biobot recent wastewater data - North System - Oct 27, 2022
The 7-day average reached as high as 8644 (copies/mL) in January before dropping to as low as 101 in March.
The recent rise due to the BA.2 variants brought it back up to 1273 after which it dropped to about half of that.
Very recently the wastewater figures have been moderating.
BA.5 is now dominant and the 7-day average now stands at 340(copies/mL).

The main Omicron wave crested 10 months ago, the Omicron BA.5 subvariant is now the predominant threat, and now there’s a newer BF.7 variant in the mix. The percentages detected in wastewater samples in Middlesex County are now BA.5 at 95.0%, BA.4** at 4.5%, BA.2* at 0.0%, and 0.5% other as of week of Oct 3.

Omicron Variant Overview - week of Oct 10, 2022

An asterisk (*) indicates that sub-lineages are included. BA.2.* includes BA.2.12.1 and other sublineages. “Other” indicates all other lineages of SARS-CoV-2.

Featured recent stories in the Cambridge Chronicle (the paper of record) - with some comments:

If you would like to subscribe or pick up a free paper copy at various sites, I encourage you to do so. It really is The Paper of Record (even if the parent company (Gannett) is neglecting it and worse).

Fuel assistance applications available for Cambridge, Somerville residents in need (Oct 18, 2022)

Trees have a story to tell, on your next walk in the woods take in the natural history (Oct 17, 2022)

Star Market and Shaw's acquired: What to know about the Kroger-Albertsons deal (Oct 14, 2022)

MA electricity, gas prices going up 64 percent compared to last year (Sept 22, 2022)

Measure to limit wildlife-killing rat, mice poisons is in Senate hands (Sept 22, 2022)

Somerville, Medford rents rise as landlords tout Green Line Extension (Sept 22, 2022, subscribers only)

Removing dams restores river ecology, but the process can take years (Sept 15, 2022)

Is the drought making MA water unsafe? Here's where e-coli outbreaks have been reported (Sept 12, 2022)

Coalition says just enforcing waste bans would greatly reduce trash (Sept 9, 2022)

Plans show Cambridge nightclub, music venue could become 6-story hotel (Sept 7, 2022)

PHOTOS: Oldtime Baseball Game honors Jim Corsi (Aug 25, 2022)

Beware the Asian longhorned beetle and lanternfly, Mass residents advised (Aug 17, 2022)

Governor’s desk crowded with almost 70 measures still pending (Aug 11, 2022)