Tripling Down – June 8, 2026 Cambridge City Council meeting
I may provide more details in the coming days, but here are the featured agenda items that jumped out at me:
Manager’s Agenda #2. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to appointments to the Cambridge Commission on the Status of Women. [text of report]
Manager’s Agenda #4. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to appropriations to the Combined Sewer Overflow and Stormwater Management Advisory Committee (CSO Advisory Committee) for a term of five years, effective June 8, 2026. [text of report]
Manager’s Agenda #7. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to a five-year progress review of the Affordable Housing Overlay. [text of report]
The one sure thing about self-reporting and self-evaluation is that you never have to worry about a bad review, or about any negatives whatsoever. Trophies for everyone!
Manager’s Agenda #11. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to AR26-30 regarding a report on how the decision to install artificial turf was made. [text of report]
At the risk of creating enemies among the free-range crowd, the greater issue is not whether Ahern Field specifically should have artificial turf, but whether that part of Cambridge (and really all parts of Cambridge) has ready access to actual green space where kids can play and cows can graze (well, maybe not that so much). To this point, the report states:
Open Space Context in East Cambridge
Ahern Field is part of a broader network of open spaces in East Cambridge, which contains a variety of nearby open spaces that support recreation, gathering, lawn use, and neighborhood access to green space. Recent additions and improvements including Toomey Park, Triangle Park, Little Binney Street, and publicly accessible open space at the Moderna campus provide a range of passive and active recreation opportunities within walking distance.
Note: A strategically placed shortcut across the infrequently used Grand Junction RR tracks could go a long way toward providing greater access to nearby Donnelly Field from East Cambridge.
Order #1. That the City Manager is requested to confer with the Cambridge Historical Commission, the Law Department, the Department of Public Works, Inspectional Services, the Cambridge Public Health Department, Community Preservation Act staff, the Harvard Square Business Association, and the owners of properties abutting the Old Stone Wall, for the purpose of developing a practical plan to stabilize, preserve, and restore this historic resource. Councillor Simmons, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Flaherty
Old Stone Wall, May 8, 2020
Order #2. That the City Manager is requested to confer with the Police Department, the Community Safety Department, the Emergency Communications Department, the Department of Human Service Programs, the Department of Public Works, the Law Department, and any other relevant City departments and community partners to develop a Neighborhood Safety Additions Plan for the areas of the City previously served by ShotSpotter technology. Councillor Simmons, Councillor Flaherty
“The discontinuation of any public safety tool should be accompanied by a serious review of what additional resources, strategies, staffing, partnerships, or investments may be needed to ensure that the City is not merely removing an existing tool, but actively and concurrently strengthening its broader approach to neighborhood safety…”
Order #3. That the City Manager is requested to use the Federal Stabilization Fund to provide one-time stabilization payments to Cambridge-based and Cambridge-serving organizations impacted by FY27 MOVA cuts, report back to the City Council with a proposed funding plan, and work with the Mayor’s Office and other relevant City staff to engage with the broader Cambridge nonprofit community to assess the full scope of federal and state funding reductions and their impact on the City’s safety net services. Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Zusy
Order #4. That the City Council shall complete the required review and determinations prescribed by Section 2.128.060(c) before taking any future vote regarding the continued use of ShotSpotter or any other surveillance technology. Councillor Flaherty, Councillor Simmons
Last week’s action to disallow any discussion or possible amendments to the related Order was deplorable and unprecedented. This new Order appears to be an effort to introduce some of the concerns that might have been expressed last week were it not for the actions of the Fascist Five to shut down all discussion. My guess is that one of them exercises their Charter Right on this Order or again makes a peremptory motion to defeat it without any discussion. Prove me wrong.
Order #5. That the City Manager is requested to direct the Community Development Department, and other relevant City departments, to examine and report back to the City Council with a feasibility analysis with findings, options, and recommendations regarding the following proposed amendments to the multifamily zoning ordinance. Councillor Flaherty, Councillor Zusy
I’m sure the message will go out from the ABC brass to again urge their sheep-like adherents to oppose any and all amendments or new proposals that might in any way modify last year’s Multi-Family Housing Zoning Ordinance because, as they seem to believe, the City Council is infallible and every action their dutiful majority takes is pure perfection with absolutely zero unintended consequences.
Charter Right #1. Zero Waste Master Plan Ordinance changes. [Charter Right – Simmons, June 1, 2026]
On The Table #8. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to proposed changes to the City’s Zero Waste Master Plan. [Tabled June 1, 2026] [text of report]
Besides renaming the Recycling Advisory Committee (on which I served for 22 years) as the more updated Waste Reduction Committee (as opposed to Waist Reduction Committee), it seems (to me at least) that the primary changes here are that (a) all larger residential properties and all commercial properties (including restaurants) will now be required to participate in food waste diversion and recycling with appropriate containers, (b) retailers will no longer be able to offer reusable bags and may only offer paper bags or compostable plastic bags, and (c) food-service retailers will be required to allow customers to opt-in to single-use products (e.g. straws, condiments, napkins, etc.) rather than opting out, and to require recycling collection for front-of-house operations.
Applications & Petitions #1. A Zoning Petition has been received from Doug Brown to amend the current Article(s) and/or section(s) numbered and entitled Articles 2, 5, 6, 11 and 19 height, setback, parking, open space and design review requirements. [text of petition]
Most or all of the proposed changes seem completely sensible, so my guess is that the petition will effectively be Dead On Arrival as it violates the ABC orthodoxy. I will be delighted if it proves otherwise.
Resolution #1. City Council thanks and warmest congratulations to S&S owners Gary Mitchell, Aimee Baum, and the entire Mitchell-Wheeler family on 107 extraordinary years of service to Cambridge and the Inman Square community, and in expressing its profound admiration for their dedication to preserving a beloved neighborhood institution across six generations. Councillor Simmons, Councillor Flaherty, Councillor McGovern, Mayor Siddiqui
We had a great meal at the S&S this past Thursday. It has been a neighborhood institution for more than a century, and the loss of a real delicatessen is an especially great loss. I really hope that whatever follows in that space (or in a portion of that space) also becomes a neighborhood institution. I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that I was once upon a time a frequent patron at the old Inman Square Men’s Bar (Ladies Invited!) that also occupied a space in that block. There was once an article in the old Cambridge TAB that referred to Inman Square at that time as “Real Square”. It used to have the delightful feel of a place that was at least a bit lost in time – in a good way.
Committee Report #1. The Human Services and Veterans Committee held a public hearing on Wed, Apr 8, 2026 to review and discuss the final research report on Rise Up Cambridge. [text of report]
Committee Report #2. The Finance Committee held a public hearing on Thurs, Apr 9, 2026 to continue the discussion from Feb 25, 2026, on establishing future Budget Priorities. [text of report]