One Year Review of Trump Presidency - One Down, Three To Go

Cabinet

Events, Policies

Cambridge League of Women Voters

Started out as the Cambridge Political Equality Association (CPEA) in 1896 “to extend study and discussion with a view to securing political equality for American citizens.”

While its original purview included black suffrage and proportional representation, by 1901 it had gravitated toward women’s suffrage, affiliating with the Massachusetts Woman Suffrage Association. Between 1901 and 1911, a period which coexisted with the “doldrums” of the suffrage movement, the CPEA concentrated on school suffrage and municipal reform. Paralleling the quickening in the national movement, in the 1910s the group took on more active political work, especially in preparation for the November 1915 Massachusetts referendum on women’s suffrage. In 1916 the CPEA was reorganized as a representative district of the Massachusetts Woman Suffrage Association and in 1920 it transitioned into the Cambridge League of Women Voters, which existed as a separate entity until 1980s.

“The organization’s activities were taken over by the Boston area League of Women Voters after the 1980s.”

Recently revived as Boston Leage of Women Voters - Cambridge Unit

https://historycambridge.org/articles/revisiting-the-cambridge-womens-suffrage-movement/

https://www.cambridgema.gov/Departments/citymanagersoffice/projectsandinitiatives/Completed/~/media/Files/citymanagersoffice/cambridgesuffragepresenation.pdf

https://www.vote411.org/

League of Women Voters of Boston     Cambridge Unit (Facebook page)

Local Press - Venture Cafe event

A few words on local journalism.

Michael Fitzgerald (Cambridge Day), Tim Rowe (CIC), Robert Winters (CCJ) - photo by Sam Seidel

City Council Committee Assignments: 2026-2027

Jan 8, 2025 – This is going to take some time to digest – especially the decision to appoint as Chair of the Public Safety Committee someone who has repeatedly called Cambridge Police murderers. Then again, this same Mayor Siddiqui appointed Mr. Zondervan to that position in both 2020 and 2022. - RW

Circle the Wagons - January 12, 2026 Cambridge City Council meeting

It didn’t take long for the newly inaugurated City Council and its chosen Mayor to reveal themselves. We will now have a Finance Committee Co-Chaired by someone who advocates dramatic new spending on so-called “social housing” a la Mamdani - regardless of property tax implications. Government Operations will be Chaired by someone who has consistently voted against keeping a city manager form of government. Most notably, the Public Safety Committee will be Chaired by someone who has repeatedly referred to Cambridge Police as murderers. This is going to be two years of circling the wagons to prevent our local government from confiscating property, making travel as difficult as possible, and obstructing law enforcement whenever and however possible. I can just feel that warmth of collectivism creeping in.

Here are a few agenda items of interest:

Manager’s Agenda #1. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to a federal update including an update on relevant court cases. [text of report]
pulled by Al-Zubi; comments by City Manager Yi-An Huang, Al-Zubi, City Solicitor Megan Bayer, Nolan, and Flaherty; Placed on File 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #2. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appointment of the following members to the Police Review and Advisory Board. [text of report]
pulled by Simmons; comments by Simmons, PRAB Exec. Director Carolina Almonte, Nolan, Huang; Appointments Approved 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #3. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appointment of the following members to the Mid-Cambridge Neighborhood Conservation District Commission. [text of report]
pulled by Azeem to note that though the City Council now has the power to review all appointments, he has a different point of view from all of these appointees - “That’s democracy.”; Appointments Approved 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #4. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the Final Landmark Designation Report for the Nathaniel Stickney House at 45 Mt. Auburn Street. [text of report]
pulled by Nolan; comments by Nolan, Al-Zubi; Charter Right - Al-Zubi (who wants to hear more from “the organizers”)

Order #3. That the City Manager is requested to conduct a comprehensive review of existing safety and security measures at Cambridge City Hall, which shall include an assessment of physical access controls, visitor screening practices, on-site security staffing and training, emergency response and evacuation protocols, and the use of security technologies such as surveillance systems and alarm monitoring.   Councillor Simmons, Councillor Flaherty
pulled by Simmons for comments; Charter Right - Simmons

I have very mixed feelings about this Order. There are serious trade-offs between security vs. accessibility and having a friendly and welcoming atmosphere in a building like City Hall.

Order #4. That the City Council go on record acknowledging 2026 as the Centennial Celebration of Negro History Week, and recognizing its enduring contribution to the nation’s understanding of itself.   Councillor Simmons, Councillor Flaherty, Councillor McGovern
pulled by Simmons; comments by Simmons, Flaherty (noting the contributions of Marvin Gilmore), Nolan; Order Adopted 9-0

I am 100% in agreement with this Order. [Ref: The Cambridge African American History Trail]

Order #5. That the City Manager is requested to work with relevant departments to prepare for a Council discussion on best future uses for City-owned properties and the processes for redevelopment.   Councillor Nolan, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Zusy, Councillor Al-Zubi
pulled by Zusy; comments by Nolan, Zusy, Deputy City Manager Kathy Watkins, Al-Zubi; Al-Zubi added as sponsor 8-0-1 (MM Absent); Order Adopted as Amended 9-0

Charter Right #2. Restricting Eligibility for On-Street Resident Parking Permits in New Transit-Oriented Developments. [Charter Right – Simmons, Dec 22, 2025]
comments by Simmons, Zusy, Azeem, Flaherty; Order Adopted 9-0

This is not a new proposal. The response from the City Solicitor has always (correctly) been that this is not a legal restriction that can be imposed by the City, though a property owner may be able to make this a requirement in a lease. That said, I am told that Somerville has imposed such a restriction, but I suppose that will last right up until the point that someone takes it to court.

On The Table #3. An Ordinance has been received from Interim City Clerk Paula M. Crane, relative to amend the Zoning Map and Articles 3.000, 17.000, and 19.000 of the Cambridge Zoning Ordinance as follows with the intent of establishing four new zoning districts for the Cambridge Street corridor. [Passed to 2nd Reading, Dec 8, 2025; Eligible to be Ordained Dec 22, 2025; Expires Jan 28, 2026] (ORD25#17) [Revised][Published]
No Action Taken

We’ll have to see where this one lands. The parallel zoning change for Mass. Ave. was ordained 6-3 at the last regular meeting, but it’s anyone’s guess how the replacement of two councillors for this term will affect this one.

Committee Report #1. The Government Operations, Rules, and Claims Committee held a public hearing on Thurs, Dec 4, 2025 to discuss the organizational changes to the Equity & Inclusion Department. [text of report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0

This was a most interesting committee meeting - and I even testified at the meeting about my long-held view that all non-regulatory City boards should have sunset clauses and that they should only be reauthorized if they can demonstrate a clear need for continuation. That said, the most notable aspect of this meeting was that the City Manager deferred to his chosen “Chief of Equity and Inclusion” and “Chief People Officer” to answer all of the hard questions. The irony that the entire staff of the Women’s Commission was jettisoned by the Chief of Equity and Inclusion was more than a little interesting.

Communications & Reports #3. A communication was received from Mayor Siddiqui, transmitting an announcement of Cambridge City Council Committee Appointments for the 2026-2027 term. [text of report]
Placed on File 9-0

I just hope we can survive the next two years with this lineup.

Communications & Reports #4. A communication was received from Mayor Siddiqui, transmitting information from the School Committee. [text of report]
Placed on File 9-0

Though I appreciate these reports from the School Committee front, I’m really most interested to see how the MTA and CEA inflict their agendas via their newly elected members of the School Committee.

Late Resolution #2. Resolution on the death of Robert S. Hurlbut Jr.  Councillor McGovern, (Councillor Zusy, Councillor Nolan, Mayor Siddiqui)
comments by McGovern, Zusy, Nolan, Siddiqui, Flaherty

Comments?

Cambridge Seeking Community Members for New Board and Commission Vacancies

Jan 12, 2026 – Serving on a City of Cambridge board, commission or committee can be a rewarding experience and an excellent way to contribute to our community. Members have the opportunity to participate in the City’s decision-making process for a variety of topics.

The City of Cambridge is currently seeking to fill vacancies on the Cambridge Bicycle Committee, Pedestrian Committee, Human Rights Commission and Open Data Review Board.

Apply today at Cambridgema.gov/apply. A cover letter and resume or applicable experience can be submitted during the online application process. If you have questions about the application process or need assistance, please contact the City Manager's Office at 617-349-4300 or boardsandcommissions@cambridgema.gov.

Below is more detailed information on each of the current vacancies:

Bicycle Committee (Application Deadline: February 13)

The Bicycle Committee provides feedback to City staff on bicycle-related projects. City staff use this advice to inform city and state projects in Cambridge.

The Bicycle Committee also works in the community to encourage biking through events and publicity. The Bicycle Committee also works with other bike organizations in area on these goals.

The Bicycle Committee is made up of people who live or work in Cambridge, and have an interest in bicycle issues. Members include commuters, people with disabilities, parents, seniors, youth, students, and low-income neighborhood residents.

The term length is two years, and Bicycle Committee generally meets for two hours on the second Wednesday of every month and, as needed, for up to two hours on the third Wednesday of every month as part of combined meetings of the Bicycle, Pedestrian, and Transit Advisory Committees. Most meetings are hybrid. Members can join remotely or in-person at the City Hall Annex (344 Broadway).

If interested applicants have questions or require more information, please contact Nick Schmidt at nschmidt@cambridgema.gov.

Pedestrian Committee (Application Deadline: February 13)

The Pedestrian Committee works to improve walking in Cambridge. This means making walking or rolling safer, more comfortable, and more enjoyable. The Committee does this by providing input to City staff on projects related to walking and rolling. These can be City, state, or development projects in Cambridge. The Pedestrian Committee gives input on designs, plans, policies, programs, and events.

The Pedestrian Committee is made up of people who live or work in Cambridge, and have an interest in pedestrian issues. Members include commuters, people with disabilities, parents, seniors, youth, students, and low-income neighborhood residents.

The term length is two years and the Committee generally meets for two hours on the last Thursday of every month and, as needed, for up to two hours on the third Wednesday of every month as part of combined meetings of the Bicycle, Pedestrian, and Transit Advisory Committees. Members can join remotely or in-person at the City Hall Annex (344 Broadway). If interested applicants have questions or require more information, please contact Nick Schmidt at nschmidt@cambridgema.gov.

Human Rights Commission (Application Deadline: February 13)

The Cambridge Human Rights Commission (CHRC) is dedicated to upholding and safeguarding the fundamental human rights of residents and visitors to the City. CHRC works to eradicate discrimination through an investigative process, proactive community outreach, and collaborations with City and community partners. CHRC aims to create an environment where people of diverse backgrounds can live without fear of discrimination based on the following protected classes: race; color; sex; age; religious creed; disability; national origin or ancestry; sexual orientation; gender identity or gender expression; marital status; family status; military status; source of income; family structure, and relationship status.

Commissioners support staff by working to fulfill the goals and objectives of the Cambridge Human Rights Commission Ordinance, Chapter 2.76 of the Cambridge Municipal Code, which covers discrimination in employment, in places of public accommodation, and in education, and the Cambridge Fair Housing Ordinance, Chapter 14.04 of the Cambridge Municipal Code, which covers discrimination in housing.

The term length is three years and meetings are typically held on the first Thursday of most months from 6-8pm. Members can join remotely or in-person at 689 Massachusetts Avenue, 2nd Floor.

If interested applicants have questions or require more information, please contact Carolina Almonte at calmonte@cambridgema.gov.

Open Data Review Board (Application Deadline: February 13)

The Open Data Review Board makes recommendations to the City Manager and the Data Analytics & Open Data Program Manager on policies, rules, and standards related to Cambridge’s Open Data Program, including methods for determining the appropriate level of accessibility for new datasets and timelines for making new datasets available.

The Review Board will help answer questions such as what privacy and security standards should Cambridge adopt as it assesses potential open datasets, what data quality and standards should be in place to ensure the accuracy of its own open datasets in order to improve city operations, how might Cambridge align open data initiatives with the city's other strategic initiatives, and how should Cambridge engage and educate the broader community.

The term length is two years and meetings are usually hybrid and held quarterly on a Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday from 5:30-8pm in the Ackermann Room of Cambridge City Hall, 795 Massachusetts Avenue.

If interested applicants have questions or require more information, please contact Reinhard Engels, Data Analytics & Open Data Program Manager, rengels@cambridgema.gov.

Interested candidates are encouraged to review the Cambridge Open Data Strategic Plan for 2026-2028 to learn more about the program’s goals and priorities.

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

Bicycle Committee (Application Deadline: February 13)

Pedestrian Committee (Application Deadline: February 13)

Human Rights Commission (Application Deadline: February 13)

Open Data Review Board (Application Deadline: February 13)

How a developer’s lawsuit against Cambridge aims to topple affordable housing rules across Massachusetts

The suit takes aim at inclusionary development requirements, which have created thousands of affordable apartments in recent decades
Boston Globe, by Andrew Brinker, Dec 29, 2025

New lawsuit challenges Cambridge inclusionary zoning ordinance

By Michael P. Norton, State House News Service, Dec 3, 2025

Related: Lessons in Inclusionary Zoning - by Patrick Barrett

Urgent Legal and Policy Concerns Regarding Cambridge’s Inclusionary Zoning Ordinance (May 1, 2025)

Follow-Up Memo on Inclusionary Zoning Ordinance Concerns Under MBTA Communities Act Compliance (June 11, 2025)

Wheeling and Dealing – December 22, 2025 Cambridge City Council meeting

While backroom deals are being cut to see whether Councillors McGovern or Siddiqui (or someone else) can garner the necessary majorities for who will be the next Mayor (and Vice Mayor), the curtain closes tonight on the 2024-2025 City Council. Even though the controversial super-upzonings of Cambridge Street and Mass. Ave. don’t expire until January 28, the rush is on to ram them through now to prevent any uncertainty that might arise with the election of two new city councillors. They’re even trading token amounts of permissible building heights in exchange for possible mayoral and vice mayoral votes. For what it’s worth, the jockeying for who might be the Chair of the School Committee under the rules of the new Charter is even more bizarre – with the teacher’s union wielding an obscene degree of influence.

I’m pretty sure the next two years are going to suck. Good thing I’m now streaming Turner Classic Movies because I will be needing a lot of Fred Astaire, Cyd Charisse, Leslie Caron, Katherine Hepburn, and Barbara Stanwyck to get through the next two years.

Here are the items on this week’s agenda prior to the curtain coming down:

Manager’s Agenda #1. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to a federal update including an update on relevant court cases. [text of report]
pulled by Siddiqui; comments by City Manager Yi-An Huang, Siddiqui, Nolan, City Solicitor Megan Bayer; Placed on File 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #3. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appointment of the following members to the Board of Zoning Appeal (BZA) effective Dec 22, 2025. [text of report]
Appointments Confirmed 8-0-1 (Simmons - Absent)

Manager’s Agenda #5. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to combined sewer overflows. [text of report]
pulled by Nolan; comments by Nolan, John Nardone, Jim Wilcox (City Engineer, DPW), Toner, Zusy; Placed on File 9-0

I can never get enough information about infrastructure.

Supersize It – Regardless of the Consequences

Manager’s Agenda #6. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to a revised Massachusetts Avenue zoning petition. [CDD memo (this is for Cambridge St.)]
pulled by McGovern; comments by McGovern; Unfinished Business #3 and Charter Right #1 brought forward 9-0; McGovern - amend petition by substitution 9-0; comments by Toner, Siddiqui, Nolan (favors reduction to 11 stories, has concerns about what might happen in Inclusionary Zoning (IZ) thrown out); Megan Bayer notes if IZ thrown out then Zoning Ordinance could be amended to grant extra height/density in exchange for affordable units; comments by Zusy (favors reduction to 11 stories, quotes Hindu scripture Bhagavad Gita - inaction is often the best action, also notes other recent upzonings done in rapid succession), Sobrinho-Wheeler (opposed to all reductions, continues to believe that this will yield affordable housing), Azeem (says a Special Permit will still be needed for larger developments), Wilson (need to be making extremely bold decisions), Melissa Peters (CDD), Jeff Roberts (CDD); McGovern asks about 11 vs. 12 stories; Melissa Peters, Yi-An Huang strongly favor 12 stories; McGovern justifies more height even for relatively few “affordable” units, continues to quote the Envision housing goals (made up by CDD after the fact), opposed to any height reduction; comments by Nolan re: new construction methods that less tall buildings more economically viable; comments by Zusy in favor of 11 stories, suggests that proposed zoning will make housing less affordable for those supporting the upzoning, suggests Central Square a better place for the additional height, petition needs more refinement; Wilson notes that we cannot build ourselves out of this housing crisis and that this upzoning will not yield any actual affordability; Charter Right #1 initially Passes 5-4 (PN,SS,AW,CZ,DS - Yes; BA,MM,JSW,PT - No); discussion re: substitute language; Simmons changes vote to No, so Charter Right #1 Fails 4-5 (PN,SS,AW,CZ - Yes; BA,MM,JSW,PT,DS - No); Ordained as Amended 6-3 (PN,AW,CZ - No); Reconsideration Fails 0-9; Placed on File 9-0
Due to error in posted agenda (as noted - Cambridge St. language was posted instead of Mass Ave language), Rules Suspended (hoping the same does prevail) 9-0; Reconsideration Prevails 9-0; Jeff Roberts (CDD) notes typos needed to be corrected in 17.805 (not 17.705); Petition Amended by Substitution 9-0; Petition Re-Ordained as Amended 6-3 (PN,AW,CZ - No); Reconsideration Fails 0-9

Charter Right #1. That the City Manager is requested to instruct the Community Development Department to reduce the recommendations for the Massachusetts Avenue subdistrict (MAS-12) from a maximum of 12 stories to 11 stories with ground floor active use/retail as consistent with the recommendation of the Mass Ave Planning Study. [Charter Right – Siddiqui, Dec 15, 2025]
Brought forward along with Manager’s Agenda #6; initially Passes 5-4 (PN,SS,AW,CZ,DS - Yes; BA,MM,JSW,PT - No); discussion re: substitute language; Simmons changes vote to No, so Charter Right #1 Fails 4-5 (PN,SS,AW,CZ - Yes; BA,MM,JSW,PT,DS - No)

Unfinished Business #3. An Ordinance has been received from Interim City Clerk Paula M. Crane, relative to amend the Zoning Map and Articles 2.000, 3.000, 4.000, 5.000, 6.000, 11.000 17.000, and 20.000 of the Cambridge Zoning Ordinance as follows with the intent of establishing four new zoning districts for the Massachusetts Avenue corridor. [Passed to 2nd Reading, Dec 8, 2025; Eligible to be Ordained Dec 22, 2025; Expires Jan 28, 2026] [Revised][Published]
Brought forward along with Manager’s Agenda #6; Ordained as Amended 6-3 (PN,AW,CZ - No)
Due to error in posted agenda (as noted - Cambridge St. language was posted instead of Mass Ave language), Rules Suspended (hoping the same does prevail) 9-0; Reconsideration Prevails 9-0; Jeff Roberts (CDD) notes typos needed to be corrected in 17.805 (not 17.705); Petition Amended by Substitution 9-0; Petition Re-Ordained as Amended 6-3 (PN,AW,CZ - No); Reconsideration Fails 0-9

Manager’s Agenda #7. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to a revised Cambridge Street zoning petition. [CDD memo] [Revised Cambridge St Petition (Markup)][Revised Cambridge St Petition (Clean)][Revised Cambridge St Map][Revised Cambridge St Map Descriptions][Combined Mass Ave/Cambridge St. amendments (Markup)][Combined Mass Ave/Cambridge St. amendments (Clean)]
pulled by McGovern; Unfinished Business #4 brought forward 9-0; comments by Sobrinho-Wheeler, Nolan in favor of delaying this; comments by Toner, Simmons in favor of voting now; Unf. Business #4 Tabled 7-2 (PT,DS - No); Placed on File 9-0

Unfinished Business #4. An Ordinance has been received from Interim City Clerk Paula M. Crane, relative to amend the Zoning Map and Articles 3.000, 17.000, and 19.000 of the Cambridge Zoning Ordinance as follows with the intent of establishing four new zoning districts for the Cambridge Street corridor. [Passed to 2nd Reading, Dec 8, 2025; Eligible to be Ordained Dec 22, 2025; Expires Jan 28, 2026] [Revised][Published]
Brought forward along with Manager’s Agenda #7; Tabled 7-2 (PT,DS - No)

Communications #45. Nonie Valentine, re: Pause on extreme upzoning on Mass. Ave. and Cambridge St.

I’m with Nonie on this one. We can do so much better, but that would require much better local representation than we currently have or will have in the near future.

Order #1. That the City Manager works with the Government Operations and Civic Unity Committee to hold hearings to discuss new ideas to honor and remember individuals (i.e. communal memorial garden, wall or path), criteria for eligibility, a committee structure with diverse representation of the city residents, and a means for recording and maintaining our current and future memorials.   Councillor Toner, Mayor Simmons, Vice Mayor McGovern, Councillor Zusy
Comments by Nolan, Simmons; Charter Right - Simmons

Order #2. Restricting Eligibility for On-Street Resident Parking Permits in New Transit-Oriented Developments.   Councillor Zusy, Councillor Azeem, Councillor Nolan
Charter Right - Simmons

This is not a new proposal. The response from the City Solicitor has always (correctly) been that this is not a legal restriction that can be imposed by the City, though a property owner may be able to make this a requirement in a lease. That said, I am told that Somerville has imposed such a restriction, but I suppose that will last right up until the point that someone takes it to court.

Resolution #4. Congratulations to Kathleen Rawlins on her retirement from the Historical Commission.   Councillor Toner, Mayor Simmons

Kit Rawlins has been a welcome presence with the Historical Commission for many years, and I wish her the happiest possible retirement.

Resolution #9. Congratulations to Patrol Officer Devon Brooks on his retirement from the Cambridge Police Department.   Councillor Toner, Councillor Wilson, Mayor Simmons

I have for years regularly bicycled alongside Devon on the semi-annual bike rides organized by the Cambridge Bicycle Committee, and I often encountered him while on duty. Like so many others in the Cambridge Police Department, Devon has consistently demonstrated how fortunate we are to have such a caring, effective, and good-natured local police force.

Note: The meeting ended with a personal statement by exiting Councillor Toner thanking family, friends, colleagues, and City staff. Mayor Simmons closed with an acknowledgment of Councillor Toner’s exemplary service. This was the last regular meeting for departing Councillors Paul Toner and Ayesha Wilson.

Comments?