Cambridge InsideOut - November 5, 2024

Possible Topics:

Robert

1) Restored Inscription - Front of Cambridge City Hall - Nov 2, 2024

2) Mass. Ballot Question #1 through #5
(and the contrast between Cambridge and Somerville City Council votes on MCAS question)

3) Election Day - Peace & Harmony … or Civil War

4) The Eve of Derangement - Nov 4, 2024 Cambridge City Council meeting

5) Oct 31 Economic Development and University Relations Committee meeting
- Economics of Real Estate: Housing, Zoning, and the Economic Impact of Zoning Proposals

6) Oct 29 Open House – Proposed Zoning for Multifamily Housing Citywide
Note: The proposed changes to allow multi-family housing in all residential zones is NOT the most substantial part nor the most controversial aspect of the currently proposed zoning changes. It is the proposal to allow much taller and much denser apartment buildings in all residential zones as of right with reduced setback requirements. The proposed increases would eliminate the existing Res A and Res B zones and make all residential zones taller and denser than the current Res C-1 zoning - citywide. There is much concern that this will lead to many teardowns of existing residential buildings (and the loss of what some euphemistically call “naturally affordable housing”). It also seems likely that the proposal will affect the currently rigged advantage for AHO (Affordable Housing Overlay) projects – which will then likely lead the City Council to write yet another AHO iteration (AHO 3.0) to give even greater allowances in height and density for AHO projects.

7) Oct 28 City Council/School Committee Roundtable - macro-economic trends in Cambridge and the City’s budget

8) Oct 23 Neighborhood and Long Term Planning hearing to hear specific ideas from neighborhood leaders about revisions to the Multifamily Housing Proposal
Cathie Zusy Photos     HSNC Presentation     John Pitkin Presentation

9) The Tax Bills Are Coming! The Tax Bills Are Coming! - October 21, 2024 Cambridge City Council meeting

10) Oct 7 Tax and Property Classification Hearing, FY2025 tax bills, and future expectations

11) Central Square Zoning and the Central Square Lots Study

12) Charter Revision and process

13) Catching Up on the Cambridge News

14) Problematic

15) Civic Calendar


Massachusetts 2024 Ballot Questions:

Question 1: Should the auditor oversee the legislature?

Question 2: Eliminating the MCAS graduation requirement

Question 3: A union for rideshare drivers

Question 4: Legalizing psychedelic drugs

Question 5: The minimum wage for tipped workers

City Hall Inscription
Restored Inscription - Front of Cambridge City Hall - Nov 2, 2024

City Hall - Nov 2, 2024

The Eve of Derangement - November 4, 2024 Cambridge City Council meeting

American flagThe night before a national election often feels strange – when our local government meets to talk about things like hazardous waste collection, speed bumps, and bikes lanes while on the national stage many people are in crisis mode imagining civil war breaking out if the candidate they hate gets elected as President. It often brings to mind the Serenity Prayer: “God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.” So let’s fix those potholes and catch up on those old SeeClickFix requests while much of the country readies for derangement. “Don’t follow leaders, watch the parking meters.”

I have of late been thinking a lot about what the word “democracy” actually means – a way of governing which depends on the will of the people. What exactly does that mean then “the people” are almost evenly divided between highly divergent viewpoints? Does this mean that 50.1% should translate into imposing policies that are abhorrent to 49.9% of the people or that an Electoral College win should be viewed as a mandate to run roughshod over the interests of the losing party? Extreme partisanship is a deranged view of democracy. If the country (or the city, for that matter) is nearly evenly divided on an issue, the better democratic option is to find whatever common ground there is and to work out compromises that a clear majority can accept and maybe even embrace. It should never be about “winner take all”. The American System is in some ways inferior to parliamentary systems where coalition governments have to be formed when there is no clear majority. Even Cambridge’s system of proportional representation raises the essential question: “Proportional to what?”

A good friend of mine once wrote an essay about our local Cambridge political factions in the 1980s and 1990s when rent control was THE defining local issue. The notable quote about those factions was simply: “They both benefit from the existence of a problem.” In other words, finding actual compromise solutions would dilute their political clout – even if it would be in everyone’s best interest to solve the existing problems. Partisanship continued to be rewarded right up to the point when Question 9 caused the entire political house of cards to come tumbling down.

Call me naive, if you wish, but I still believe that the great majority of Americans share far more in common than the political partisans would have you believe. So bring on the protests while the rest of us are just taking care of our everyday lives. - RW


Meanwhile, back in The Peoples Republic, here are a few notable agenda items for this eve of derangement:

Manager’s Agenda #3. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 24-56, regarding a request to consider scheduling a Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Collection Day and a Paper Shredding Event on a Sunday, instead of having them all on Saturday. [text of report]
Placed on File 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #5. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 24-59, regarding the feasibility of speed control bumps on Antrim Street. [text of report]
pulled by Nolan; comments by Nolan, Brooke McKenna (TPT), Simmons, City Manager Yi-An Huang, Toner, Siddiqui, Deputy City Manager Owen O’Riordan; Placed on File 9-0


Order #1. That the City Manager is requested to work with relevant City departments to prepare a Home Rule Petition to enact legislation which would allow the City of Cambridge to prohibit associations from unreasonably restricting the use of a solar energy system.   Councillor Nolan, Councillor Azeem
pulled by Toner; Charter Right - Nolan

Order #2. That the City Manager is requested to direct the appropriate City staff to prominently incorporate recognition of the Massachusett Tribe during key official events, documents, websites, and communications, establish a living memorial in Cambridge that honors the Massachusett Tribe, with special recognition of Sqa Sachem for her leadership and enduring legacy and place a plaque with this language in a prominent location within City Hall, ensuring that this acknowledgment remains visible and lasting.   Mayor Simmons, Vice Mayor McGovern
pulled by Simmons (to amend to add Wilson, Toner 9-0); comments by Simmons, Zusy (who proposed deleting references to Sqa Sachem), McGovern, Nolan, Simmons, Wilson, Zusy, Simmons, Siddiqui; Zusy amendment Fails 1-8 (Zusy-Yes); Order Adopted as Amended 8-0-0-1 (Zusy-Present)
Note: Sqa Sachem is referenced in various sources, in particular Lucius Paige’s History of Cambridge (1877), Chapter XX, Indian History. Lucius Paige was both the Town Clerk and (after 1846) the City Clerk of Cambridge.

Order #3. That the City Manager is requested to work with the Law Department to draft a home rule petition for the creation of a Cambridge Jobs Training Trust, and report back to the City Council in a timely manner. [support letter]   Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Vice Mayor McGovern, Councillor Siddiqui, Councillor Wilson
pulled by Toner; comments by Sobrinho-Wheeler (with proposed amendment); Charter Right - Toner

Order #4. The City Manager is requested to work with the Department of Public Works (DPW) on the expansion of the mattress and box spring recycling program to include residents living in multi-unit residential buildings, starting with affordable housing properties that charge a fee to their residents.   Councillor Siddiqui, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Wilson, Councillor Nolan
Order Adopted 9-0


Resolution #10. Congratulations to Robin Harris on being awarded the 2022 National Humanities Medal by President Joe Biden.   Mayor Simmons, Vice Mayor McGovern, Councillor Wilson, Councillor Siddiqui
Comments by Toner, Nolan, Simmons

Resolution #16. Condolences on the death of Alan Steinert, Jr.   Councillor Toner, Councillor Nolan
pulled by Nolan to be added as sponsor

Resolution #19. Honoring Cambridge Veterans and Recognizing Veterans Day.   Councillor Wilson, Vice Mayor McGovern


Committee Report #1. The Ordinance Committee met on Apr 29, 2021 to conduct a public hearing on the Broad Canal Zoning Petition. [text of report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0

Committee Report #2. The Ordinance Committee conducted a public hearing on June 10, 2021 to discuss the Cambridge Missing Middle Housing Zoning Petition (Ordinance #2021-2). [text of report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0

Committee Report #3. The Ordinance Committee met on July 26, 2021 to continue discussion on two proposals to regulate campaign donations. [text of report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0

Committee Report #4. The Ordinance Committee met on July 28, 2021 to conduct a public hearing on an amendment to Article 22 of the City of Cambridge Zoning Ordinance “Emissions Accounting” (Ord#2021-13). [text of report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0

Committee Report #5. The Ordinance Committee met on Sept 29, 2021 to discuss the Neighborhood Conservation District citizen’s petition. [text of report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0

Committee Report #6. The Ordinance Committee met on Oct 16, 2019 at 2pm on Taxicab use of E-Hail in the Sullivan Chamber. [text of report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0

Committee Report #7. The Ordinance Committee met on Oct 23, 2019 at 5pm to discuss the Zoning petition to create an Alewife Quadrangle Northwest Overlay District. [text of report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0

Committee Report #8. The Neighborhood and Long-Term Planning, Public Facilities, Arts and Celebrations Committee held a public hearing on Oct 10, 2024 to discuss preliminary recommendations from the Central Square rezoning process. [text of report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0

Committee Report #9. The Ordinance Committee held a public hearing on Oct 15, 2024 which was recessed and reconvened on Oct 29, 2024, regarding a Zoning Petition by the City of Cambridge Board of Zoning Appeal to amend the Cambridge Zoning Ordinance in Articles 2.000 and 8.000 with the intent to add a definition of “dormer” to Article 2.000 and to amend the requirements related to adding dormers to nonconforming one- and two-family dwellings in Section 8.22.1.h.2 in order to allow certain dormer(s) construction as-of-right. The Ordinance Committee voted favorably to forward the Board of Zoning Appeal’s amendments to the Cambridge Zoning Ordinance to add a definition of dormer to Article 2.000 and to amend the requirements related to adding dormers to non-conforming one- and two-family dwellings in Section 8.22.1.h.2, to the full City Council with a favorable recommendation and that it be passed to a second reading. [text of report]
pulled by McGovern; Passed to 2nd Reading 9-0; Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0

Committee Report #10. The Health and Environment Committee held a public hearing on Oct 22, 2024 to review and discuss the updates to the Zero Waste Master Plan (ZWMP). [text of report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0

Comments?

The Tax Bills Are Coming! The Tax Bills Are Coming! - October 21, 2024 Cambridge City Council meeting

‘Tis the season of anticipation. Property tax bills may already be in the mail. There’s a rather consequential US Presidential Election coming up in two weeks (with some having already voted). The Yankees will soon be playing the Dodgers (or maybe the Mets) in the World Series. The only things that seem settled are that the Boston Celtics are looking really great and the New England Patriots currently suck.Newsboy!

Here are the things on this Monday’s agenda that stirred some interest:

Manager’s Agenda #1. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to an update from the Human Resources Department. [text of report]
pulled by Wilson, comments by Wilson, Yi-An Huang, Chief People Officer Raecia Catchings, Nolan, Siddiqui, Azeem; Referred to Human Services & Veterans Committee 9-0


Manager’s Agenda #4. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 24-50, regarding a review on the Short Term Rentals Ordinance in Cambridge. [text of report]
pulled by Nolan; comments by Nolan w/late policy order with proposed amendments, Azeem, Toner, Peter McLaughlin (Commissioner, Inspectional Services), Jimmy DeAngelo (Housing Inspector), Sobrinho-Wheeler, Megan Bayer (City Solicitor), Zusy, Yi-An Huang, Owen O’Riordan; Rules Suspended to take up late policy order; Late Order Adopted 9-0; Placed on File 9-0

Late Order #4. Short-Term Rentals Ordinance Amendments.   Councillor Nolan, Councillor Azeem (PO24#143)
Order Adopted 9-0


Manager’s Agenda #6. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 24-44 regarding a legal opinion on restricting the use of a solar system. [text of report]
Placed on File 9-0

This is noteworthy only because most of us think of the “solar system” as something other than what you might mount on your roof.


Manager’s Agenda #7. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the Planning Board Report regarding the BZA Dormers Zoning Petition.
pulled by McGovern noting that Ordinance Committee meeting on this had to be recessed; Planning Board Report Referred to Ordinance Committee 9-0

Order #2. That the City Manager is requested to direct the Law Department and the Community Development Department to work with the Board of Zoning Appeal to clean up language and come back to the Ordinance Committee with clarifications and amendments to requirements related to adding dormers to nonconforming one- and two-family dwellings.   Vice Mayor McGovern, Councillor Nolan
Order Adopted 7-0-2 (MM,AW-Absent)


Manager’s Agenda #8. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 24-51 regarding automated parking enforcement. [text of report]
pulled by Nolan; comments by Nolan, Megan Bayer on possibility of joint Home Rule Petition w/Boston, Yi-An Huang, Sobrinho-Wheeler, Wilson, Toner, Simmons, Zusy, Nolan; Placed on File 9-0


Manager’s Agenda #9. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 24-20, regarding recommendations for amendments to the Parking and Transportation Demand Management (PTDM) and Zoning Ordinances. [text of report]
pulled by McGovern; comments by McGovern, Iram Farooq, Zusy, Toner, Megan Bayer, Azeem, Siddiqui, Owen O’Riordan, Nolan, Stephanie Groll (TPT), Sobrinho-Wheeler, Brooke McKenna (TPT); Adopt Proposed Zoning Amendments as a City Council Zoning Petition 8-0-1 (Azeem Absent); Refer amendments to PTDM Ordinance and Commercial Parking Space Permits Ordinance to Ordinance Committee 9-0; Placed on File 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #10. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Policy Order Number 24-50, regarding proposed amendments to the Cycling Safety Ordinance to extend the deadline associated with the completion of those sections of the ordinance that are required to be completed by May 1, 2026. [text of report] [as amended Oct 21, 2024 to reflect new Nov 30, 2026 date]
pulled by McGovern; comments by Azeem, McGovern (proposing date change from Nov 1, 2027 to Nov 30, 2026), Brooke McKenna (on no loss of parking for Newtowne Court residents), Toner, Nolan, Owen O’Riordan, Yi-An Huang, Sobrinho-Wheeler, Zusy, Siddiqui, Simmons, Wilson; Amendment to change Nov 1 to Nov 30 Adopted 9-0; Amendment to change Nov 30, 2027 to Nov 30, 2026 Initially Adopted 5-3-0-1 (BA,MM,SS,JSW,CZ-Yes; PT,AW,DS-No; PN-Present), then votes changed to Adopted 7-2 (PT-DS-No); Referred to Ordinance Committee as Amended 9-0


Order #1. That the regular City Council meeting scheduled for Oct 28, 2024 is changed to a Joint Roundtable with the City Council and School Committee to discuss macro-economic trends in Cambridge and the City’s budget.   Mayor Simmons, Vice Mayor McGovern
pulled by Nolan; comments by Nolan, Siddiqui; Order Adopted 9-0

Communications & Reports #2. A communication from Councillor Nolan and Councillor Toner, transmitting the Fall Schedule for Finance Committee Meetings. [text of report]
Placed on File 9-0


Order #3. That the City Manager is requested to work with the Community Development Department to provide an update on the status of the [Resident Experiences of Inclusion and Bias in Inclusionary Housing in Cambridge] report’s recommendations, including progress on implementation and planned next steps.   Councillor Siddiqui, Mayor Simmons, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Wilson
Order Adopted 7-0-2 (MM,AW-Absent)

Committee Report #1. The Health and Environment Committee held a public hearing on Oct, 8, 2024 to receive and update from City staff on BEUDO implementation and to review and discuss regulations, elements of BEUDO, and possible future updates. [text of report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0

Late Resolution #13. Happy 90th Birthday to Larry Berman.   Mayor Simmons

Comments?

Taxing Time – October 7, 2024 Cambridge City Council meeting

It’s that time of year again, fellow citizens (especially you property owners), when the bills come due to pay for all that marvelous largess of your favorite elected officials and City staff. It’s Taxing Time! The revenuers are coming!Peoples Republic of Cambridge

Here are the items that got my attention:

Charter Right #1. That the City Manager is requested to work with the appropriate departments to produce the petition(s) necessary to accomplish the goal of lowering the speed limit as much as possible on all state highways that fall within Cambridge’s geographic boundaries, including and especially Memorial Drive. [Charter Right – Azeem, Sept 30, 2024] (PO24#137)
Comments by all; Adopted as Amended 5-4 (BA,MM,PN,SS,JSW-Yes; PT,AW,CZ,DS-No)

Manager’s Agenda #2. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to an update on Memorial Drive. (CM24#219) [text of report]
pulled by Toner; Placed on File 8-0-1 (DS-Absent)

“In the short time since the crash, DCR has mobilized its Engineering staff, completing layout of an expanded shared use path along the river straddling the BU rotary, for a total of roughly 1,000 linear feet. DCR will widen the path west of the Rotary (to the Magazine Beach parking lot) and east of the rotary (to the BU boathouse).”

“Although the BU Bridge refurbishment project is complete along with improvements to the intersection on the south end of the bridge at Commonwealth Avenue, a severe southbound queueing problem persists, stretching well into lower Cambridgeport in the afternoon rush period, especially before events at Fenway Park. The problem is caused by southbound approach capacity at Commonwealth Avenue rather than by the rotary itself. Additionally, the current bicycle lanes on the BU Bridge do not have physical separation and the lane configuration is challenging for cyclists. Conversations are currently underway between the multiple jurisdictional stakeholders around the rotary and the Bridge about possible improvements to improve both the congestion impacts in Cambridgeport and the bicycle facilities on the Bridge itself.”


Tax Rate Hearing #1. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to votes necessary to seek approval from the Massachusetts Department of Revenue of the tax rate for FY2025. (CM24#220) [text of report]
Orders Adopted, Placed on File 8-0-1 (DS-Absent)

Agenda Item Number 1A     Oct 7, 2024
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is authorized to use $2,000,000 in Overlay Surplus Reserve to be used to reduce the Fiscal Year 2025 tax rate.
Order Adopted 8-0-1 (DS-Absent)

Agenda Item Number 1B     Oct 7, 2024
ORDERED: That the City Council classifies property within the City of Cambridge into five property classes allowed for the purpose of allocating the property tax levy. Additionally, that the City Council hereby adopts a minimum residential factor of 64.2099 for the purpose of distributing the property tax levy.
Order Adopted 8-0-1 (DS-Absent)

Agenda Item Number 1C     Oct 7, 2024
ORDERED: That the City Council approves a thirty (30) percent residential exemption for owner-occupied homes.
Order Adopted 8-0-1 (DS-Absent)

The bottom line is: The FY25 Adopted Operating Budget increased by 8.1% ($71.8 million) over the FY24 Adopted Budget. This compares to last year’s 7.2% over the FY23 Adopted Budget ($57.8 million) - after some one-time accounting changes. The FY25 Budget adopted by the City Council in June 2024 projected a property tax levy increase of $53.4 million (9.28%) to $628.8 million in order to fund operating and capital expenditures. With approval of the recommendations in this memo, the actual FY25 tax levy required to support the FY25 Budget is $628,388,753 which is an increase of $52,970,264 or 9.21% from FY24. This increase is slightly lower than the estimated increase of 9.28% projected in June 2024 as part of the Adopted Budget, due in large part to higher than projected investment earnings.

The property tax levy increase of 9.21% is higher than the FY24 increase of 8.3%. The five-year (FY21-FY25) annual average increase is 7.51%, and the ten-year (FY16-FY25) annual average increase is 6.31%. The FY25 residential tax rate will be $6.35 per thousand dollars of value, subject to Department of Revenue approval. This is an increase of $0.43, or approximately 7.3% from FY24. The commercial tax rate will be $11.52, which is an increase of $1.06, or 10.1% from FY24.

By property class, an average a single-family home will see a 7.86% tax increase, a two-family will see a 6.44% increase, a three-family will see a 7.5% increase, and a condo will see an 11.46% increase. This last figure is interesting in that due to the flat residential exemption, condo owners have actually been seeing decreases in recent years. Here are the median figures including the CPA Surcharge:

FY2025 Taxes

Residential
Property Type
FY24 Median Tax
(incl. CPA surcharge)
FY25 Median Tax
(incl. CPA surcharge)
Median
$ increase
%
increase
Condominium $1,555 $1,734 $ 179 11.51%
Single-Family $7,674 $8,277 $ 603 7.86%
Two-Family $6,713 $7,146 $ 433 6.45%
Three-Family $8,246 $8,865 $ 619 7.51%

History of changes in residential property taxes

Median Annual Tax Increases - Cambridge (not incl. CPA surcharge)
Tax Year condo single-family two-family three-family
FY2009 $ 18 $ 40 $ 24 $ 72
FY2010 $ 69 $ 119 $ 47 $ 41
FY2011 $ 77 $ 306 $ 132 $ 154
FY2012 $ 60 $ 269 $ 177 $ 215
FY2013 $ 65 $ 159 $ 80 $ 85
FY2014 - $ 38 $ 109 $ 110 $ 201
FY2015 $ 15 $ 11 $ 334 $ 253
FY2016 - $ 18 $ 64 $ 101 $ 217
FY2017 $ 11 $ 324 $ 237 $ 336
FY2018 $ 76 $ 136 $ 33 $ 61
FY2019 $ 21 $ 124 $ 292 $ 469
FY2020 $ 43 $ 449 $ 366 $ 369
FY2021 $ 3 $ 246 $ 131 $ 218
FY2022 $ 33 $ 545 $ 301 $ 335
FY2023 - $ 107 $ 419 $ 269 $ 379
FY2024 - $ 7 $ 743 $ 494 $ 598
FY2025 $ 175 $ 587 $ 421 $ 602
5 year average - $19.40 $508.00 $323.20 $426.40
10 year average $23.00 $363.70 $264.50 $358.40
15 year average $27.27 $299.40 $231.87 $299.47
number of properties (FY2023) 14841 3910 2292 1168

Note: Unlike previous years, the information on the number of residential properties in each
of the 17 Residential Tax Districts was not provided in this year’s City Manager letter.

Tax Year condo single-family two-family three-family my increase
FY2006  $ (2)  $ 169  $ (718)  $ (369)  $ (273.60)
FY2006  $ 69  $ (39)  $ (55)  $ (115)  $  273.60)
FY2007  $ 66  $ 261  $ 89  $ (69)  $ (410.49)
FY2008  $ (12)  $ (117)  $ (73)  $ (129)  $  (233.19)
FY2009  $ 18  $ 40  $ 24  $ 72  $ 3.34
FY2010  $ 69  $ 119  $ 47  $ 41  $ 58.86
FY2011  $  77  $  306  $ 132  $  154  $  248.04
FY2012  $   60  $  269  $ 177  $ 215  $  151.45
FY2013  $  65  $  159  $  80  $  85  $ 52.82
FY2014  $     (38)  $ 109  $ 110  $   201  $ 367.41
FY2015  $ 15  $ 11  $ 334  $ 253  $ 303.89
FY2016  $ (18)  $  64  $ 101  $  217  $  159.24
FY2017  $      11  $    324  $ 237  $   336  $  366.43
FY2018  $  76  $    136  $  33  $  61  $  (165.83)
FY2019  $  21  $  124  $ 292  $  469  $  279.34
FY2020  $  43  $  449  $ 366  $  369  $  446.61
FY2021  $ 3  $    246  $ 131  $   218  $  121.43
FY2022  $  33  $  545  $ 301  $ 335  $  390.18
FY2023  $ (107)  $  419  $ 269  $ 379  $  174.44
FY2024  $(7)  $ 743  $ 494  $ 598  $ 259.36
FY2025  $  175  $ 587  $ 421  $  602  $  352.65
Total  $619.00  $4,755.00  $3,510.00  $4,292.00  $2,652.38
average  $  30.95  $237.75  $175.50  $  214.60  $ 132.62
5-yr avg  $  19.40  $508.00  $ 323.20  $ 426.40  $259.61
10-yr avg  $23.00  $363.70  $ 264.50  $ 358.40  $238.39
15-yr avg  $27.27  $299.40  $ 231.87  $ 299.47  $233.83

Order #1. That this City Council go on record in support of 2024 ballot Question 2 to replace the MCAS graduation requirement and require instead that districts certify that students have satisfactorily completed coursework demonstrating mastery of the skills and knowledge required by the Commonwealth’s strong, statewide standards in order to graduate.   Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Siddiqui, Councillor Wilson (PO24#139)
pulled by Toner; comments by all but Simmons; Order Fails 4-4-0-1 (MM,SS,JSW,AW-Yes; BA,PN,PT,CZ-No; DS-Present)
Note: Councillor Toner quoted statistics that, over the last 10 years at CRLS, there have been 5,352 graduations and only 41 who did not receive a diploma due to failure to pass 10th Grade MCAS exam.

Late Communications & Reports #2. A communication from David Murphy, Interim Superintendent of Schools, re: CPS MCAS Achievement Data.
Placed on File 9-0

Suffice to say that I do not agree with this policy order nor do I agree with the current heavily funded media campaign sponsored by the Mass. Teacher’s Association (MTA) in support of this measure. Maintaining the MCAS graduation requirement does not mean that teachers must “teach to the test.” It simply means that they have to do a great job of teaching. Lowering standards (even if the MTA claims this would do otherwise) is what some refer to as the “soft bigotry of low expectations” and I agree with this characterization. – Robert Winters

Comments?

Volunteer Opportunities - Cambridge Boards & Commissions (click for details)

Cambridge Kiosk Advisory Committee - deadline Mon, Dec 9, 2024

Transit Advisory Committee - deadline Oct 15, 2024 (but apparently still open)

Catching Up on the (Official) Cambridge NewsCity Seal

Fire House Open House - Halloween 2024 (Nov 4, 2024)

Cambridge Senior Center Celebrates 29th Anniversary (Nov 1, 2024)

Historic Harvard Square Kiosk Set to Be Transformed Into Community Space and Information Center (Oct 31, 2024)

Help Decide How The Arts Get Funded In Cambridge (Oct 30, 2024)

Road Closures for the 2024 Cambridge Half Marathon + 5K on Sunday, November 3 (Oct 30, 2024)

Members Sought to Serve on Cambridge Kiosk Advisory Committee (Oct 30, 2024)

City of Cambridge Signs Agreement with City of Boston to Increase Contracting Opportunities and Support For Diverse and Local Small Businesses (Oct 29, 2024)

DPW Announces Draft Strategies from updated Zero Waste Master Plan (Oct 29, 2024)

Shop Locally This Holiday Season (Oct 29, 2024)

Nov 6 Pathway for Immigrant Workers Clinic (Oct 29, 2024)

With Respiratory Virus Season Approaching, Now is the Time to Get Vaccinated (Oct 28, 2024)

Cambridge Police Swear-In New Officers on October 28, 2024 (Oct 28, 2024)

From English Classes to a College Degree: One CLC Student’s Journey to Higher Education (Oct 28, 2024)

Smoke in the Area last evening and this morning, October 28th (Oct 28, 2024)

Veterans Day Observance Event 11-11-24 (Oct 28, 2024)

Volunteer Attorneys Needed for Cambridge Immigration Legal Screening Clinic (Oct 24, 2024

Mass Ave Planning Study Community Meeting - Ideas for North Mass Ave (Oct 24, 2024)
We will be hosting an in-person community open house about ideas for North Mass Ave! Join us on November 14, 6pm-8pm at Lesley University Hall in Porter Square

Visit your Neighborhood Fire House, Thursday, October 31st, 4-6 pm (Oct 24, 2024)

Enjoy and Make it a Safe Halloween (Oct 24, 2024)

City of Cambridge Halloween Events and Important Safety Tips (Oct 23, 2024)

Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day Saturday, November 2nd (Oct 23, 2024)
The last of four Household Hazardous Waste Collection Days in 2024 will be on Saturday, November 2, from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., at 51 Mooney Street. Please enter the event via Fawcett St. This event is for Cambridge residents only.

Cambridge Police Department Halloween Safety Reminders (Oct 23, 2024)

Main St Kendall Square Separated Bike Lane Installation to Begin This Week (Oct 22, 2024)

City of Cambridge Closures and Service Information for Veterans Day Holiday Monday, November 11 (Oct 21, 2024)

New Cambridge Interactive GIS Tool: AxisGIS (Oct 21, 2024)

Upcoming Paving Work on Cycling Safety Ordinance Streets (Oct 21, 2024)

Early Voting Underway for 2024 State/Presidential Election (Oct 19, 2024)

Cambridge Police Department Promotes Seven Members to Lieutenants and Sergeants (Oct 18, 2024)

City of Cambridge to Construct First Standalone Fire Training Facility (Oct 17, 2024)

Mass. State Building Code 10th Edition Became Effective on 10-11-24 (Oct 16, 2024)

Mass Ave Planning Study Working Group Meeting - Intro to Zoning and a Focus on Porter Square (Oct 16, 2024)
Intro to Zoning and a Focus on Porter Square - October 30, 6pm-8pm

Designated Historic Landmarks Map (Oct 16, 2024)

Advance Removal and Depositing of Ballots for the State/Presidential Election, November 5, 2024 (Oct 15, 2024)

Post Processing of Ballots for the State/Presidential Election, November 5, 2024 (Oct 15, 2024)

Citywide Multifamily Housing Proposal Information Sessions (Oct 15, 2024)
Thurs, Oct 24, 5:30-7:30pm (Virtual); Tues, Oct 29, 5:30-7:30pm Open House (Cambridge Senior Center, 806 Mass. Ave.)

November 5, 2024 Presidential Election Voting Options (Oct 11, 2024)

Central Square Rezoning Block Party (Oct 11, 2024)
The Central Square Rezoning team is concluding the community engagement phase for the project with a BLOCK PARTY on Saturday, October 19th from 1-5pm on Norfolk St between Mass. Ave. and Bishop Allen Drive

STEAM It Up! Family Event on Thursday, October 24 (Oct 11, 2024)

Fall Foliage Map (Oct 10, 2024)

Cambridge Man Arrested With Ghost Gun, Firearm and Drugs (Oct 10, 2024)

Cambridge Police Department Participates in Domestic Violence Awareness Month Vigil (Oct 10, 2024)

USS Salem Technical Rescue Exercise at Quincy Shipyard (Oct 10, 2024)

Current Board Vacancies: Transit Advisory Committee (Oct 8, 2024)

Registration Open for Flu and COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics (Oct 8, 2024)

GIS Data Download Updates (Oct 8, 2024)

Greater Cambridge Energy Program Open House (Oct 8, 2024)

Exhibit: Beloved Apple Tree Reborn Via Public Art Project Coming To Cambridge School (Oct 7, 2024)

Fire Prevention Week is October 6-12, 2024. This Year's theme is Smoke Alarms: Make them Work for You (Oct 7, 2024)

Register for 2024 Cambridge Pride Basketball Tryouts! (Oct 7, 2024)

New Lease Rent Relief Grant Application Re-Opens for Cambridge Small Businesses (Oct 7, 2024)

Attend the “Keep It Local” Job Fair on October 24! (Oct 7, 2024)

MassDOT Advisory: Cambridge Somerville Sidewalk Closures Along Route 28 (McGrath Highway) (Oct 3, 2024)

Small Business Financial Education Program (Oct 3, 2024)

City of Cambridge Closures and Service Information for Indigenous Peoples’ Day Holiday Monday, October 14 (Oct 2, 2024)

Applications Now Being Accepted for Cambridge Preschool Program 2025-2026 School Year (Oct 1, 2024)

Get Help with Winter Heating Bills: Apply to the Fuel Assistance Program (Oct 1, 2024)

Cambridge Community Invited to Annual Vigil Honoring Survivors of Domestic Violence (Oct 1, 2024)

Be Part Of Cambridge Arts’ Holiday Art Market (Oct 1, 2024)

Engine 2’s new pump has been placed in service at the Lafayette Square Fire House (Oct 1, 2024)

Carl Barron Achievement Awards (Oct 1, 2024)

Parking and Traffic Impacts October 5-6 (Oct 1, 2024)

Kendall Square Construction Projects (Oct 1, 2024)

CPD’s Harvard Square-Central Square Unit Builds Relationships as Part of Its Approach (Oct 1, 2024)

Problematic - Graffiti Alley

Glory-Martyrs

Fuck Hamas

Coming up soon (more details here):

Tues, Nov 5

7:00am-8:00pm   Election Day  (citywide)

9:00pm   Cambridge Election Commission  (Senior Center, 806 Mass. Ave., First Floor)

I. REPORTS

1. Commissioners’ Reports

IV. ACTION AGENDA

Old Business

1. State/Presidential Election, Nov 5, 2024
- Election Night Tabulation

New Business

Wed, Nov 6

5:30pm   The City Council’s Human Services and Veterans Committee will hold a public hearing to receive an update on Afterschool programming in Cambridge.  (Sullivan Chamber and Zoom)

Mon, Nov 11

11:00am-12:00pm   City of Cambridge Veterans Day Observance Event  (Cambridge Common)

The City of Cambridge Department of Veterans Services will host a Veterans Day Observance event at the Cambridge Common, by the Civil War monument, which is bordered by Mass. Ave., Garden Street, and Waterhouse Street, near Harvard Square. Please join us as we welcome Retired Justice Shannon Frison (USMC Major) as our keynote speaker. An informal gathering and free luncheon will follow from 12-3pm, at the Sheraton Commander Hotel, Liberty Revolution Ballroom, 16 Garden Street, Cambridge, adjacent to the Cambridge Common. In case of inclement weather, the 11am ceremony will move to the Sheraton Commander. [flyer]

Wed, Nov 13

8:00-9:30am   Recycling Advisory Committee (RAC) Meeting  (DPW, 147 Hampshire St., or via Zoom)
RAC Meeting Agenda     Minutes of Past Meetings

Fri, Nov 15

3:30pm   Cambridge Election Commission  (City Hall Annex, 344 Broadway, Second Floor)
3:30pm – COUNTING OF PROVISIONAL BALLOTS
5:00pm – COUNTING OF OVERSEAS BALLOTS

I. MINUTES

II. REPORTS

1. Executive Director’s Report

2. Assistant Director’s Report

3. Commissioners’ Reports

IV. ACTION AGENDA

Old Business

1. State/Presidential Election, Nov 5th
- Review of Provisional Ballots
- Overseas Absentee Ballots will be Counted

New Business

Mon, Nov 18

5:30pm   City Council meeting  (Sullivan Chamber and Zoom)

Tues, Nov 19

2:00pm   The City Council’s Ordinance Committee will hold a public hearing on Multi Family Zoning Petition – Part 1 and Multi Family Zoning Petition – Part 2. This meeting will consist of staff presentation, Councillor questions, and discussion only.  (Sullivan Chamber and Zoom)

Wed, Nov 20

1:00pm   The City Council’s Finance Committee will hold a public hearing to review and discuss the Operating Budget in advance of the FY26 budget season.  (Sullivan Chamber and Zoom)

Mon, Nov 25

5:30pm   City Council meeting  (Sullivan Chamber and Zoom)

Mon, Dec 2

5:30pm   City Council meeting  (Sullivan Chamber and Zoom)

Wed, Dec 4

2:30pm   The City Council’s Ordinance Committee will hold a public hearing on Multi Family Zoning Petition – Part 1 and Multi Family Zoning Petition – Part 2, which will be a follow-up meeting from the Nov 19, 2024 hearing, and will begin with public comment followed by Council discussion on housing zoning proposals.  (Sullivan Chamber and Zoom)

Mon, Dec 9

5:30pm   City Council meeting  (Sullivan Chamber and Zoom)

Wed, Dec 11

8:00-9:30am   Recycling Advisory Committee (RAC) Meeting  (DPW, 147 Hampshire St., or via Zoom)
Minutes of Past Meetings

3:00pm   The City Council’s Finance Committee will hold a public hearing for an update and discussion on Public Investment Planning.  (Sullivan Chamber and Zoom)

Mon, Dec 16

5:30pm   City Council meeting  (Sullivan Chamber and Zoom)

Mon, Dec 23

5:30pm   City Council meeting  (Sullivan Chamber and Zoom)

Mon, Dec 30

5:30pm   City Council meeting  (Sullivan Chamber and Zoom)