Cambridge Civic Journal Forum

October 25, 2021

Doubling Down – Featured Items on the October 25, 2021 Cambridge City Council Agenda

Filed under: Cambridge,Central Square,City Council — Tags: , , , , , , , — Robert Winters @ 12:50 pm

Doubling Down – Featured Items on the October 25, 2021 Cambridge City Council Agenda

Let me start by expressing my severe dissatisfaction with Councillor Zondervan’s characterizations last week of planned improvements in Central Square’s Carl Barron Plaza and his inflammatory and politically-motivated portrayal of an arrest that occurred near the Senior Center. Zondervan continues to prove that he knows Net Zero about Central Square and the people who spend considerable time there. You can add Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler as equally clueless and politically motivated. The fact that few councillors choose to push back in these matters shows the collective lack of any spine among our elected representatives. I would love for them to prove me wrong this Monday.Carl Barron Plaza

Charter Right #1. A communication was received from the community, regarding Carl Barron Plaza reconstruction. [CHARTER RIGHT – ZONDERVAN, OCT 18, 2021]
Referred 8-1 to Policy Order #4 (TT – NO)

Order #4. Public Hearing on Carl Barron Plaza Redesign.   Councillor Zondervan, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Carlone
Adopted as Amended 7-2 (DS,TT – NO)

7 Communications regarding plans for the North Mass. Ave. reconfiguration involving bus lanes, bike lanes, and removal of parking.

This week brings a follow-up Order calling for an additional public hearing on the Carl Barron Plaza Redesign – an extension of the River Street reconstruction project that has had many public meetings stretched over the last several years. The irony is that the sponsors of this week’s Order argue that “petitioners express frustration that their ‘input, ideas, and vision’ for the plaza have not been sought up to this point.” Meanwhile, hundreds of residents and business owners who have expressed concerns about lack of process with the North Mass. Ave. redesign that will install separated bike lanes, bus-only lanes, and which will remove considerable parking will be getting only a quick Zoom meeting in a few days where they have already been told that the meeting is purely informational and that nothing in the plans will change.

Something that our elected representatives and City staff need to understand is that there is no single way to characterize “community members who use Carl Barron Plaza on a daily basis” or of those who frequent other parts of Central Square. Some are friends of mine, some are people with substance abuse problems, some are unhoused, some have stable housing and simply like to hang out in Central Square, and many are the patrons who keep Central Square businesses afloat. There are also predators who instill fear in other community members. The patrons who wait for the #1 Bus at Pearl Street are community members who have been driven away from the bus shelter by the intimidating behavior of other “community members.” It’s unfortunate that our elected officials (and City staff) routinely enable the predation and intimidation rather than take steps to realize the vision that many of us hold of a “family-friendly Central Square.”

Manager’s Agenda #3. Transmitting Communication from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $180,500 from Free Cash to the General Fund Human Service Programs Other Ordinary Maintenance account to support the expansion of Equity Roadmap’s Friday Night Hype program in Cambridge.
Order Adopted 9-0

As the Manager’s note says: “Friday Night Hype provides Upper School students with a safe space, a warm meal, mentorship, and various enrichment opportunities. Friday Night Hype was created to target inequities such as the opportunity and achievement gaps for young people and families.”

Order #1. That the City Manager is requested to confer with relative City departments on ways to report pedestrian and cyclist accidents in real time to residents.   Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Zondervan
Order Adopted as Amended 9-0

Order #3. That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to direct the City Solicitor and the appropriate staff to review the language of this proposed ordinance amendment [regarding gasoline service station regulations] and to report back to the City Council in advance of the next City Council meeting.   Councillor Nolan, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Carlone, Councillor Zondervan
Order Adopted 9-0

This Order revisits the June 13, 2016 proposal from Councillors Devereux, Mazen, and McGovern on “requiring gas pump labels with information about the environmental impact of burning fossil fuels at all gas stations in the City.” This kind of messaging opens up a potentially large can of worms. Will other consumer choices soon have accompanying messages? Will we soon be revisiting the “sugary drinks” proposals? Will our new cannabis outlets have warnings on all their products?

Order #5. That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to consult with the Community Development Department, the Traffic, Parking and Transportation Department, and any other appropriate City department to discuss implementation of a plan which charges EV customers for electricity and not parking at municipal EV charging locations.   Councillor Nolan, Vice Mayor Mallon, Mayor Siddiqui
Order Adopted 9-0

In other words, free parking for those who own and can afford electric vehicles.

Order #6. That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to confer with DCR on the possibility of again extending closures until at least the final Sunday in December 2021, if not longer, weather permitting.   Councillor Zondervan, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Mayor Siddiqui
Order Adopted 8-0-1 (Toomey – ABSENT)

Not a bad idea to fully embrace the longer seasonal weather delivered courtesy of climate change.

Order #7. Debt-Free Public Higher Education.   Councillor Zondervan, Councillor Nolan, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Carlone, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Toomey
Order Adopted as Amended 9-0

I had a debt-free public higher education courtesy of the City University of New York – Queens College. Well, there were fees, but my Regents Scholarship more than covered the cost of the books and fees and I had enough left over to fund a cross-country trip via thumb and Greyhound.

Order #8. That the City Council go on record in support of implementing key safety improvements on the Harvard Bridge, including flex post-protected bike lanes by the end of the year and bus lanes as soon as can be feasibly coordinated with the MBTA.   Councillor Zondervan, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor McGovern, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Nolan
Order Adopted 9-0

I am not a member of the “separated bike lanes or bust” crowd, but I have always believed that they make sense on roads where there is considerable “friction” between cyclists and motor vehicles with a significant speed differential. The Harvard Bridge is one such location. I won’t say whether the current proposals are the right proposals, but I do agree that something needs to be done. What may become problematic is the traffic congestion and spillover traffic that may result from the combination of lane reductions on the bridge in conjunction with other reductions and reallocation of road width elsewhere along Mass. Ave. in both Boston and Cambridge.

Committee Report #1. The Ordinance Committee met on Sept 21, 2021 to continue a hearing on an amendment to Article 22 of the City of Cambridge Zoning Ordinance “Emissions Accounting” (Ord # 2021-13).
Report Accepted, Placed on File, Adopt Order 9-0

The greatest wisdom expressed in this report was from Sarah Gallop, representing MIT. “She stated that climate change is an urgent issue, but the zoning petition is an example of policymaking that is taking place outside of a thoughtful City-governed framework. She expressed concern with a number of piecemeal zoning petitions that have been passed recently. Each of these new zoning efforts has been advanced in a vacuum rather than in a comprehensive manner. She asked the council to return to a more collaborative approach to policymaking.”

This characterizes a lot of what has been coming out the the City Council over the last few years. I once wrote an essay entitled “In Search of a Progressive Definition” in which I noted that the word “progressive” is routinely left undefined or purposely vague. Since then I have come to the view that “progressive” most often is meant to describe the belief that “we know what is best for you, so just shut up and one day you will agree with us.” In this sense, “progressive” and “democratic” are actually antonyms. – Robert Winters

October 20, 2021

Cambridge InsideOut Episodes 521-522: October 19, 2021

Filed under: 2021 election,Cambridge,Cambridge InsideOut,Central Square — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , — Robert Winters @ 8:49 am

Episode 521 – Cambridge InsideOut: Oct 19, 2021 (Part 1)

This episode was recorded on Oct 19, 2021 at 6:00pm. Topics: Election Countdown; Zoom candidate forums don’t cut it; baseball; Toomey Park & Slide; North Mass. Ave. bike/bus lane controversy; pledging to never listen; coronagendas; Covid update. Hosts: Judy Nathans, Robert Winters
[On YouTube] [audio]

Episode 522 – Cambridge InsideOut: Oct 19, 2021 (Part 2)

This episode was recorded on Oct 19, 2021 at 6:30pm. Topics: Carl Barron Plaza – fact vs. fiction; what hostile architecture isn’t; hostile bus shelters and CDD stonewalling; Ballot Questions; Boards & Commissions – definitions, history, ideas, institutional memory; lazy councillors. Hosts: Judy Nathans, Robert Winters [On YouTube] [audio]

[Materials used in these episodes]

September 21, 2021

Cambridge InsideOut Episodes 517-518: September 21, 2021

Filed under: 2021 election,Cambridge,covid,elections — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , — Robert Winters @ 10:53 pm

Episode 517 – Cambridge InsideOut: Sept 21, 2021 (Part 1)

This episode was recorded on Sept 21, 2021 at 6:00pm. Topics: Covid updates; municipal elections; candidate forums; political endorsements; “pledging” to not consider other opinions; slates as incumbency protection; dictating “the issues”. Hosts: Judy Nathans, Robert Winters [On YouTube] [audio]

Episode 518 – Cambridge InsideOut: Sept 21, 2021 (Part 2)

This episode was recorded on Sept 21, 2021 at 6:30pm. Topics: Boston and Somerville preliminary elections; lefties vs. townies; Cambridge ballot questions and consequences; in search of the city manager search; major appointments and exits; the inescapable problem of Central Square drug abuse. Hosts: Judy Nathans, Robert Winters [On YouTube] [audio]

[Materials used in these episodes]

August 20, 2021

Christine Elow Named Acting Police Commissioner of Cambridge Police Department

Filed under: Cambridge — Tags: , , , — Robert Winters @ 1:26 pm

Aug 19, 2021 – City Manager Louis A. DePasquale has announced the appointment of Superintendent Christine Elow as Acting Commissioner of the Cambridge Police Department effective Saturday, August 21, 2021. Elow takes over for Commissioner Branville G. Bard, Jr., who accepted a new opportunity with the Johns Hopkins Institutions after leading the Department for the past four years.Cambridge Police

City Manager DePasquale said, “I am pleased to appoint Superintendent Elow as Acting Police Commissioner. Growing up in Cambridge and spending her entire career with the Cambridge Police Department, Christine has demonstrated strong leadership and a fervent commitment to the safety and betterment of our community. She cares deeply about this City and procedural justice. I am proud to have her serve as the Acting Police Commissioner.”

Elow has been with the Cambridge Police since joining as an officer in 1995 after serving in the U.S. Navy for four years. She served in the Patrol Division and oversaw the Professional Standards Unit, where she was responsible for receiving, processing, and investigating complaints made against members of the Department. She later served as Deputy Superintendent for Day Patrol and Community Services. In 2017, Elow was appointed Superintendent, making her the highest-ranking female officer in the history of the Department. She is a strong proponent of community-driven policing, juvenile justice issues, procedural justice, police training and innovative hiring practices. Elow holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice Administration from Curry College and a Master’s Degree from the Naval Postgraduate School’s Center for Homeland Defense and Security Program.

Elow said, “It is a once in a lifetime opportunity to lead a police department in the City I grew up in and love dearly. I am truly honored to have the opportunity to serve in this role and plan on doing everything I can to help the Department advance its mission and serve as the model for policing in Massachusetts and the country.”City Seal

In addition to Elow being appointed as Acting Commissioner, Deputy Superintendent Robert Lowe will be appointed Acting Superintendent of the Support Services Division. Lowe, who also grew up in Cambridge and joined the Cambridge Police Department in 2001, was most recently the Commanding Officer for the Family and Social Justice Section. Acting Superintendent Lowe joins Superintendent Leonard DiPietro as part of the Department’s senior leadership team.

“I want to congratulate Acting Commissioner Elow and Acting Superintendent Lowe on their appointments. Their dedication to building public trust and longstanding roots in the community make them excellent choices to fill these roles during this transition,” said Mayor Sumbul Siddiqui.

“Cambridge PD is a nationally recognized agency and there is no one more prepared to lead it moving forward than Christine Elow,” said Commissioner Bard. “Superintendent Elow and Deputy Superintendent Lowe have been valuable members of my Command Staff and are highly regarded within the community. They are proven leaders who have earned these appointments and I have complete confidence in their abilities to help lead the Department going forward.”

May 24, 2021

Who’s Zoomin’ Who? – May 24-25, 2021 Cambridge City Council meeting

Filed under: Cambridge,City Council — Tags: , , , , , , , — Robert Winters @ 3:15 pm

Who’s Zoomin’ Who? – May 24-25, 2021 Cambridge City Council meeting

A temporary cease-fire may be going into effect in Israel and Gaza, but that won’t stop the Zoom speeches this Monday. Lots of rhetorical rockets were fired last week. This week there’s likely to be a lot of response and maybe even some skirmishes. What all this has to do with the City of Cambridge escapes me. [Note: This meeting was recessed and continued to a May 25 Special City Council meeting starting at 5:30pm.]City Hall

Here are some things that struck a chord or a nerve:

Manager’s Agenda #6. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to a request the adoption of a statutory small business exemption for personal property accounts equal to or less than $10,000 in assessed value and the authorization for an exemption for personal property accounts equal to or less than $20,000 in assessed value, by requesting a special act from the Legislature and the Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Orders Adopted 9-0

This exemption has been in effect for the current FY21 fiscal year, and the City sought and received a Special Act of the legislature to allow the City to make the exemption permanent. Perhaps most notable in this communication is this: “Not only will this tax exemption assist small businesses financially and administratively, but it will also relieve the burden upon the City for the collection and accounting of small accounts.”

Manager’s Agenda #7. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to a request to approve the acquisition of land in Lincoln, Massachusetts for the purpose of adding to the City’s watershed lands for water supply protection and conservation purposes. [Water Board Letter] [Map/Plot Plan]
Orders Adopted 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #8. Transmitting Communication from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of the PFAS Treatment Grant in the amount of $115,680.00 received from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection ‘s Drinking Water Program (DEP) to the Public Investment Fund Water Extraordinary Expenditures account which will assist in the effort to remove Per and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) from our finished water and will also help to offset the costs of the ongoing Cambridge Water Department bench-scale study to determine the effectiveness of granular activated carbon (GAC) to remove PFAS from our water.
Order Adopted 9-0

Unlike other items on this meeting agenda (see below) that have no connection whatsoever to the City of Cambridge but which will draw public comments galore, these two items have everything to do with one of the most essential services provided by our local government – the provision and security of clean drinking water. These items will likely draw little, if any, public comment.

Charter Right #1. In Support of H.R.2590, “The Palestinian Children and Families Act”.   Mayor Siddiqui, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor McGovern [Charter Right exercised by Councillor Nolan In Council May 17, 2021]
Resolution Adopted 9-0

Charter Right #2. That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to work with the Purchasing Department to review Cambridge’s corporate contracts and identify any companies that are in violation of Cambridge’s policy on discrimination, including (but not limited to) Hewlett Packard Enterprise and Hewlett Packard Incorporated over their role in abetting apartheid in the Middle East, and to suggest alternatives for Cambridge to explore in order to ensure the city embody the values it put on paper.   Councillor Zondervan, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Carlone [Charter Right exercised by Councillor Nolan In Council May 17, 2021]
Order Adopted as Amended by Substitution 9-0 (see notes below)

Note 1: Zondervan introduced an amendment to the substitute language specifically calling out Hewlett-Packard (and implicitly endorsing BDS).
Amendment Fails 3-6: YES – DC,JSW,QZ; NO – AM,MM,PN,DS,TT,SS

Note 2: Zondervan introduced another amendment to the substitute language saying same but w/o specifically calling out Hewlett-Packard (yet still implicitly endorsing BDS).
Amendment Fails 3-6: YES – DC,JSW,QZ; NO – AM,MM,PN,DS,TT,SS

Note 3: Zondervan introduced another amendment regarding right of people to defend themselves and specifically calling out Israeli government attacks against Palestinean people (replacing Netanyahu w/Israeli government and removing any reference to any negative actions by Hamas and Israel’s right to exist).
Amendment Fails 3-5-0-1: YES – JSW,QZ,SS; NO – AM,MM,PN,DS,TT; PRESENT – DC

Note 4: Sobrinho-Wheeler introduced an amendment to the substitute language amending “ORDERED: That the City Manager be and is hereby requested to work with the Purchasing Department to review Cambridge’s corporate contracts and purchases to identify any vendors or manufacturers whose products are used to perpetuate violations of International Human Rights Laws and Cambridge’s policy on discrimination.”
Amendment Passes 6-3: YES – DC,AM,MM,JSW,QZ,SS; NO – PN,DS,TT

Approximately 25 communications relating to last week’s Resolution and Policy Order regarding Israel, Gaza, and boycotts.

At last count on Monday morning, there were 426 people signed up for Public Comment with the overwhelming majority of those signed up expected to comment on these two matters that have nothing whatsoever to do with the City of Cambridge. A Special Meeting was scheduled for Tues, May 25 to continue the meeting. The Monday meeting was all Public Comment (apparently 537 people

Applications & Petitions #1. A petition was received from Loren Crowe, requesting that the City Council ordain ordinance language relative to the creation and operation of Neighborhood Conservation Districts in the city. [Text of Petition]
Referred to Ordinance Committee 8-0-1 (Carlone ABSENT) [Note: QZ motion to Place on File failed 1-7-1]

This petition appears to be the latest skirmish in a battle that began when some people in East Cambridge sought to create a neighborhood conservation district a couple of years ago. This tit-for-tat battle has now turned into a “cause” for those who see preservation as antithetical to their idea of “progress.” What comes to mind when I see these battles for power and control are Jane Jacobs vs. Robert Moses in New York City, and the demolition of over half of Boston’s West End to make way for Jerome Rappaport’s Charles River Park. “If You Lived Here You’d Be Home Now” – but only if you never lived here before.

Order #2. That the City Council amend the Article 22 of the Zoning Ordinance of the City of Cambridge entitled “SUSTAINABLE DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT” to insert a new section 22.24.4 (Ordinance #2021-13).   Councillor Zondervan, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Carlone, Councillor Nolan
Referred to Ordinance Committee & Planning Board 8-0-1 (Carlone ABSENT) – This is same zoning peition filed in April, re-filed due to expiration.

This is being billed by its authors as the “Cambridge Green New Deal Zoning Petition.” It is presented as being primarily about reporting requirements for emissions associated with the construction and maintenance of new buildings and is being pitched in terms of “green jobs” and “economic opportunity and climate justice for our most vulnerable residents.” However, it appears to really be about forcing the elimination of natural gas as a fuel source (which cannot currently be banned according to a ruling from the Mass. Atty. General), and additional government control over property, e.g. “The developer will present a payment schedule for how to zero out the Total Emissions of the building, using a social cost of carbon formula approved by CDD. The payment schedule may be annualized over a period not to exceed 10 years. The outstanding balance shall act as a lien on the property in case it is sold. Any offset must demonstrate direct benefits to low-income and minority communities in Cambridge, including economic opportunity through job creation and or financial savings through e.g. utility bill reductions.” Oh yeah, and “any residential buildings that include affordable units” will be exempt from any of the proposed requirements.

This current City Council can be characterized best by one word: “Control”

Order #3. Cambridge HEART Proposal.   Councillor Nolan, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Carlone
Charter Right – Zondervan

Communications & Reports #1. A communication was received from Councillor Simmons and Councillor McGovern, transmitting a memorandum regarding the Report for Future of Public Safety Task Force.
Placed on File 8-0-1 (Carlone ABSENT)

The so-called "HEART proposal" comes from the group that calls itself “The Black Response” and is fundamentally rooted in the abolition of traditional police. It appears that its presentation at this moment is meant as a challenge (more like a short circuit) to the report from the Task Force which nonetheless shares some similar ideas. We are fortunate to have a Police Commissioner and a City administration open to reasonable suggestions and it will be interesting to see if some helpful reallocation of resources grows from these suggestions without jeopardizing public safety. The deliberations of the Task Force have been far from transparent, but there was at least some effort to involve a greater cross-section of the community. Emphasis is needed about what exactly constitutes “the community” with councillors and residents alike routinely claiming what is not theirs in any reasonable sense. Contrary to some of rhetoric offered at the recent FY22 Budget Hearings, a proposal from a small unrepresentative group of advocates does not translate into “the community has spoken.” – Robert Winters

Don’t forget about these:

Tues, May 25

3:00pm   The City Council’s Health and Environment Committee will meet to discuss proposed amendments to the Building Energy Use Disclosure Ordinance (BEUDO) that would drive down energy use and emissions in existing buildings in Cambridge as well as an update on the Net Zero Action Plan 5-Year Review process and recommendations.  (Sullivan Chamber) [Chair = Zondervan]

Wed, May 26

10:00am   The City Council’s Neighborhood and Long Term Planning, Public Facilities, Arts & Celebrations Committee will conduct a public hearing on the reappointment of Conrad Crawford to the Cambridge Redevelopment Authority Board and to discuss the pilot of street closures in Harvard Square.  (Sullivan Chamber) [Chair = Nolan]

12:00pm   Special Meeting of the City Council  (Sullivan Chamber)
Note: There has been no notice whatsoever of the purpose of this Special Meeting.
Late Breaking News: The City Clerk finally posted the agenda for this Special Meeting on Monday afternoon. “The City Council will hold a special meeting to discuss the charter assessment conducted by the Collins Center.”

Thurs, May 27

Time Unknown   The City Council’s Civic Unity Committee shall meet to discuss the recently released ‘Social Equity Legislation in Cannabis: A National Study of State and Local Approaches’ by the Initiative organization.  (Sullivan Chamber) [Chair = Simmons]

Tues, June 1

3:00pm   The City Council’s Economic Development and University Relations Committee will conduct a public hearing on the small business grant and loan programs managed by the Economic Development Division of the Community Development Department throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.  (Sullivan Chamber) [Chair = Mallon]

Wed, June 2

2:00pm   The City Council’s Neighborhood and Long Term Planning, Public Facilities, Arts & Celebrations Committee will conduct a public hearing to discuss the Alewife Envision Plan.  (Sullivan Chamber) [Chair = Nolan]

5:30pm   The City Council’s Ordinance Committee will meet to conduct a public hearing on an order to amend the Municipal Code of the City of Cambridge to insert new section Restricting the Use of Chemical Crowd Control Agents and Kinetic Impact Projectiles.  (Sullivan Chamber) [Co-Chairs = Carlone, McGovern]

Tues, June 8

11:00am   The City Council’s Economic Development and University Relations Committee will conduct a public hearing to discuss strategies and opportunities to alleviate permit and license fees for small businesses, through possible consolidation or elimination.  (Sullivan Chamber) [Chair = Mallon]

Wed, June 9

11:00am   The City Council’s Health and Environment Committee will meet to discuss the city’s progress on our Zero Waste Plan, and relevant items referred to committee, including eliminating single use plastics.  (Sullivan Chamber)

5:00pm   The City Council’s Neighborhood and Long-Term Planning, Public Facilities, Arts & Celebrations Committee will hold a public hearing to follow-up from the initial neighborhood group hearing and further discuss how the City can work with groups.  (Sullivan Chamber) [Chair = Nolan]

Thurs, June 10

5:30pm   The City Council’s Ordinance Committee will conduct a public hearing on the Cambridge Missing Middle Housing Zoning Petition (Ordinance #2021-2).  (Sullivan Chamber) [Co-Chairs = Carlone, McGovern]

Tues, June 15

11:00am   The City Council’s Government Operations Committee will meet to discuss the hiring of the next City Manager.  (Sullivan Chamber) [Chair = Simmons]

March 27, 2021

Fatal Shooting Under Investigation in Cambridge – March 27, 2021

Filed under: Cambridge — Tags: , , , — Robert Winters @ 2:23 pm

Fatal Shooting Under Investigation in Cambridge

Mar 27, 2021 – Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan and Cambridge Police Commission Branville Bard have confirmed the investigation into a fatal shooting that occurred at approximately 12:40 a.m. this morning on Pemberton Street.Murder - Mar 27, 2021

The man was reportedly located unconscious outside his vehicle by a passerby who called 911. Upon arrival on scene police located the victim, Xavier Louis-Jacques, 19, of Cambridge, suffering from apparent gunshot wounds in the area of the Rindge baseball field and the basketball courts located on Pemberton Street. The victim was treated on scene and transported to Mount Auburn Hospital where he later died.

Detectives are seeking to speak to any possible witnesses for further information. Anyone with any information related to this incident is asked to call Cambridge Police at 617-349-3300. Those who wish to provide information anonymously may dial the Cambridge Police Anonymous Crime Tip Hotline at 617-349-3359 and leave a message. Anonymous tips may also be sent via the Cambridge Police MyPD mobile app or via text message to 847411. Begin your text with TIP650 and then type your message. To send anonymous tips via email, visit www.CambridgePolice.org/Tips.

This is an active and ongoing investigation being conducted by the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office, Cambridge Police and State Police Detectives assigned to the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office.

March 8, 2021

Getting to know your job (or not) – Preview of the March 8, 2021 Cambridge City Council meeting

Filed under: Cambridge,City Council,covid — Tags: , , , , , , , , — Robert Winters @ 1:08 pm

Getting to know your job (or not) – Preview of the March 8, 2021 Cambridge City Council meeting

When you have watched the Cambridge City Council for over three decades (as I have) you develop certain expectations. For example, when there are no City Council orders calling for the overthrow of Muammar Qaddafi, you start to worry if everyone is feeling OK or if they are in need of some intervention. You also come to expect a fair number of poorly-researched "drive-by orders" asking the City Manager and staff to dedicate many hours to explore some barely-formed notion that someone heard about in Santa Monica or elsewhere. I’m reasonably OK with the latter (mainly because I don’t have to follow up on the requests for information), but I have always found the former (foreign intervention) to be just a bit out of the range of the role of the City Council. This week we’ll hear about farmers in India.City Hall

Another common situation is the failure of some city councillors to understand what they can and cannot do under our Plan E Charter. In recent months we have seen efforts to micromanage City departments – most notably the License Commission and the Police Department (CPD), but also the Public Health Department. Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, in particular, has repeatedly expressed his frustration when five councillors expressing a point of view fails to result in all hands on deck carrying it out. In other words, his notion of a city manager is to not actually be a manager but rather a messenger incapable of making managerial decisions regarding logistics, financing, approving contracts, labor negotiation or much of anything else – as if doing so is somehow a breakdown in “democracy”.

One case in point this week is seen in the responses from the City Solicitor regarding whether the Cambridge City Council can forbid the use of tear gas by CPD (which it hasn’t actually used for nearly half a century). It’s now essentially a moot point thanks to recent state legislation and CPD policies restricting its use, but the Solicitor does take the councillors to school regarding the limits of Council authority in matters such as this. I generally find the expressed dichotomies of some councillors to be willfully ignorant. They may see this as a choice between peaceful negotiation and tear gas, but the significant choice really only comes up in a full-scale riot or insurrection when it’s a choice between lethal and non-lethal force – and it’s good to have non-lethal options in that case.

Some councillors a few weeks ago expressed frustration regarding the role of the License Commission in managing potential conflicts regarding live entertainment and enforcement of the Noise Ordinance in allowing acoustic music without a license. It’s great that the City Council wants to recommend some changes, but they also have the luxury of never having to adjudicate the conflicts. That said, the License Commission seems to have understood the desired goals and they are now proposing ways to realize those goals while still being able to adjudicate conflicts – something that is definitely not the job of a city councillor.

It is entirely proper for a city councillor to second-guess the decisions of the City Manager and his staff. It would also be proper for a councillor or even a majority of councillors to tell the Manager that they think one of his departments is dysfunctional. If the Manager remains unresponsive, a simple majority of the City Council can even exercise its nuclear option and send the Manager packing. On the other hand, if a city councillor chooses to bypass the Manager and directly browbeat a department head or other employee, that might actually cross the line into felony territory. Councillors need to know their limitations. That goes for their aides as well.

Here are the visible highlights this week:

Manager’s Agenda #1. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to an update on the COVID-19 vaccination rollout.
Placed on File 9-0

Communications & Reports #2. A communication was received from Mayor Sumbul Siddiqui, transmitting COVID-19 Update Questions.
Placed on File 9-0

Communications & Reports #1. A communication was received from Mayor Siddiqui, communicating information from the School Committee.
Placed on File 9-0

Order #1. Mobile Vaccines Policy Order.   Vice Mayor Mallon, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Simmons
Order Adopted 9-0

Order #2. Waiving Business Fees.   Councillor Nolan, Councillor Carlone, Mayor Siddiqui, Vice Mayor Mallon
Order Adopted 9-0

Order #3. Honoring the Cambridge Lives Lost to COVID-19.   Mayor Siddiqui, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler
Order Adopted 9-0

The City’s many responses to the pandemic continue. Vaccinations are increasing and there is light at the end of the tunnel, but the 7-day averages of new cases are no longer decreasing – and this is a cause for some concern. It may be the presence of virus variants, and I’m sure the count will soon be decreasing again. In the meantime, we remain vigilant – and hopeful.

And soon there will be baseball.

Manager’s Agenda #8. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to a Planning Board recommendation on the Green Roofs Ordinance (Oliver, et al.) Zoning Petition.
Referred to Petition 9-0

The Planning Board recommends against adoption of this petition in its present form. While the intentions of the petitioners are to be respected, the petition is highly deficient in terms of definitions, practical considerations regarding maintenance and cost, and how the proposed requirements would interact with code requirements related to safety, accessibility, and building mechanical systems. It’s also unclear how this proposal dovetails with existing zoning regulations and other proposals now under consideration.

Manager’s Agenda #9. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to Calendar Item Number 2 dated Nov 2, 2020, which requested draft ordinance language to prohibit the use of tear gas in Cambridge.
Placed on File 9-0

“I am of the opinion that the authority to dictate what weapons are used by Cambridge police officers when carrying out their official duties, under the City’s Plan E Charter and its Home Rule powers, rests with the City Manager and not the City Council; that future changes in weapons and equipment already in use by the Police Department would likely be subject to collective bargaining as to the impact of such changes; and that an ordinance restricting police officers from carrying assault weapons would thus be invalid as inconsistent with or frustrating the purposes of State law.” — That sums it up pretty well. Both responses from the City Solicitor are worth reading.

Charter Right #2. Task Force Transparency. [CHARTER RIGHT EXERCISED BY COUNCILLOR SIMMONS IN COUNCIL MAR 1, 2021 (Order #2 of Mar 1, 2021)]
Adopted as Amended by Simmons Substitution 9-0
[after QZ amendment to have joint meeting w/Public Safety Committee failed 3-6 (DC,JSW,QZ – YES)]

Regarding the Task Force, I’ll repeat what I said last week: “Apparently Councillor Zondervan and I have the same wish but likely for diametrically opposite reasons. I have been asking to get access to these meetings (or at least the recordings) of the new Task Force on the Future of Public Safety, and apparently now so is he. My concern is that I don’t want to see problematic people dominating the conversation, and I suspect Councillor Zondervan may desire to ensure the exact opposite. Public Safety, in my view, translates into an improved police force sharing specific responsibilities with others as appropriate. Others openly express a desire to abolish police entirely. That’s a non-starter for me and not a plausible outcome of this process, but I would like to at least sample the dialogue.”

Charter Right #3. Shelter Wages. [CHARTER RIGHT EXERCISED BY COUNCILLOR ZONDERVAN IN COUNCIL MAR 1, 2021 (Order #4 of Mar 1, 2021)]
Adopted as Amended 9-0

Again, repeating what I said last week: “I have no idea what constitutes an appropriate wage for people who work at the 240 Albany Street wet shelter, but it’s not a City-owned facility and it serves the region and not just Cambridge residents. My understanding is that the City’s Living Wage Ordinance applies to people working for the City and to companies bidding on City contracts. Does this describe how the Bay Cove (formerly CASPAR) shelter operates? This is not the only facility they operate. [“Each year, Bay Cove provides services to more than 25,000 individuals and families who face the challenges of developmental and intellectual disabilities, mental illness, substance use disorder, homelessness and/or aging, at more than 170 program sites in Metro Boston and southeastern Massachusetts.”] There are waiver provisions in the ordinance. I’m curious to see how this plays out. After all, there are other shelter facilities in Cambridge that are not funded via City contracts. Would they all then be obliged to raise wages even if their funding sources cannot support it?”

On the Table #7. The Health & Environment Committee met on Oct 13, 2020 to discuss amending the Tree Protection Ordinance based on the findings of the Urban Forest Master Plan Task Force. [TABLED IN COUNCIL MAR 1, 2021 BY COUNCILLOR ZONDERVAN]

Committee Report #1. The Health and Environment Committee met on Nov 10, 2020 to continue discussing amending the Tree Protection Ordinance based on the findings of the Urban Forest Master Plan Task Force.
Tabled 9-0 (Zondervan)

Once again, I hope that this City Council will somehow see the wisdom in not overly restricting reasonable choices of homeowners or burdening them with unreasonable costs.

Unfinished Business #9. The City Manager be and hereby is requested to confer with the City of Cambridge Law Department to review the above changes to the language of the Domestic Partnerships Ordinance and report back to the Council. [PASSED TO A SECOND READING IN COUNCIL JULY 27, 2020. TO BE ORDAINED ON OR AFTER SEPT 14, 2020]
Ordained as Amended 7-0-0-2 (Simmons, Toomey – PRESENT)

Committee Report #2. The Ordinance Committee met on Jan 20, 2021 to conduct a public hearing on amendments to the Domestic Partnership Ordinance.
Placed on File 9-0; Ordained as Amended 7-0-0-2 (Simmons, Toomey – PRESENT)

It looks like this may be ordained after many months of discussion. I’ll withhold my opinion regarding the need for such detailed revision.

Order #4. That the Cambridge City Council goes on record in support of the farmer protests in India.   Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Zondervan, Mayor Siddiqui
Order Adopted 9-0

See my remarks above.

Order #5. That the City Manager consult relevant staff to implement universal Pre-K in Cambridge.   Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Carlone, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Toomey, Councillor Zondervan
Order Adopted as Amended 9-0

This has been in the works for some time, and I look forward to seeing what the detailed implementation of this goal will actually looks like as we eventually emerge from this Covid nightmare. I suspect there will be plenty of nuance – in part informed by having a pre-K Montessori School on one side of me and a Rock & Roll Daycare on the other side of me and an elementary school building across the street. Any comprehensive plan will have to integrate new options with existing options in a way that parents and taxpayers can afford. – Robert Winters

February 28, 2021

March Madness – March 1, 2021 Cambridge City Council meeting

Filed under: Cambridge,City Council — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , — Robert Winters @ 10:17 pm

March Madness – March 1, 2021 Cambridge City Council meeting

Here we go on the road to Spring and hopefully something at least a little closer to normalcy.City Hall

Manager’s Agenda #1. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to an update on the COVID-19 vaccination rollout.
Placed on File 9-0

Communications & Reports #1. A communication was received from Mayor Sumbul Siddiqui, transmitting questions for the COVID-19 update.
Placed on File 9-0

Though the overall trends are good, I am a little concerned that the 15-day moving average of new infections seems to have stopped its decline. Whether via vaccination or vigilance, those numbers have to be driven down.

Manager’s Agenda #2. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to additional information and revised Financial Analysis for the Alewife Zoning Petition.
Referred to Committee Report #3

Committee Report #1. The Ordinance Committee met on Dec 16, 2020 to conduct a public hearing on the Alewife Quadrangle Northwest Overlay petition.
Referred to Report #2

Committee Report #2. The Ordinance Committee met on Feb 10, 2021 to conduct a public hearing on the Alewife zoning petition.
Referred to Report #3

Committee Report #3. The Ordinance Committee met on Feb 16, 2020 to conduct a public hearing to continue discussion on the Alewife zoning petition.
Passed to 2nd Reading as Amended by Substitution 6-3 (DC,MM,PN,DS,JSW,SS – YES; AM,TT,QZ – NO)

The committee reports seem to suggest some continuing reluctance to approve this petition for reasons that vary all over the map. This may be the best shot at getting the bridge over the tracks that everyone seems to want, and if it does happen I hope it can at least support small shuttle buses rather than just bicycles and pedestrians. Linking the Alewife Quadrangle and Triangle in a meaningful way is a very worthwhile goal. It would be even better if there could be multiple crossings and a new commuter rail stop.

One person at the Dec 16 hearing said, "A single bridge really does not address the needs of the majority of the current workers and residents in the area. Three bridges would be optimal. Two bridges creating a loop for a shuttle with both directly benefit the residents at large but also provide linkage to potential customer servicing businesses." Though that might push things into deal-breaker territory, I agree with the general sentiment. I’ll add that if DCR can build an additional simple pedestrian bridge over the Little River north of this area that would make for a perfect combination.

Manager’s Agenda #3. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the City of Cambridge retaining its AAA rating from the nation’s three major credit rating agencies. [Moody’s] [Standard & Poor’s] [Fitch]
Placed on File 9-0

Even with the financial pressures from the pandemic we still managed to again pull off a triple triple. As usual, I’m sure there will be some people who will find a way to spin this as a bad thing.

Charter Right #1. The Health & Environment Committee met on Oct 13, 2020 to conduct a public hearing to discuss amending the Tree Protection Ordinance based on the findings of the Urban Forest Master Plan Task Force. [CHARTER RIGHT EXERCISED BY COUNCILLOR ZONDERVAN IN COUNCIL FEB 22, 2021]
Tabled 9-0 (Zondervan)

I suppose we’ll have to wait a little longer to resolve this, but I continue to hope that this City Council will somehow see the wisdom in not overly restricting reasonable choices of homeowners or burdening them with unreasonable costs.

On the Table #4. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 20-64, requesting Home Rule language to allow for acoustic live entertainment performances in small businesses under certain conditions without a license. [TABLED IN COUNCIL FEB 22, 2021] [Related: Late Order #4 of Feb 22 meeting]

I’m not sure how this will ultimately play out, but at the very least I hope this City Council can appreciate that there may be differences in what should be permitted in a central business district like Central Square or Harvard Square or the Porter Square Shopping Center vs. some of the smaller neighborhood mixed use zones where there can be conflicts between entertainment uses and residential uses. I hope they can also consider the fact that uses by time of day are not really found in the zoning code and that it’s really the License Commission that helps to smooth out the potential conflicts.

On the Table #5. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 20-63, which requested a review of the granting of an extension for the 605 Concord Avenue project. [CHARTER RIGHT EXERCISED BY COUNCIL NOLAN IN COUNCIL FEB 3, 2021; TABLED IN COUNCIL FEB 8, 2021]
Placed on File 9-0

On the Table #6. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to a further response to Calendar Item Number 2, regarding a report on reviewing the granting of an extension for the 605 Concord Avenue project, which was previously answered as Awaiting Report Item Number 20-63 on Feb 1, 2021. [TABLED IN COUNCIL FEB 22, 2021] [Related: Late Order #5 of Feb 22 meeting]
Placed on File 9-0

Both of these communications are still just as clear as an unmuddied lake or an azure sky of deepest summer – and laying on the table won’t make them any clearer. You don’t change the rules in the middle of the game.

Applications & Petitions #3. A Zoning Petition has been received from Beals Associates Inc. regarding Broad Canal Subdistrict Zoning Petition as submitted with strike outs.
Referred to Ordinance Committee & Planning Board 9-0

Highlights: Up to 582,000 additional square feet in the form of an infill building between the two existing buildings; expanded retail space; activation of the ground floor and the public realm along Main Street and the Broad Canal; proposed floating restaurant in the Broad Canal; Broad Canal restoration and maintenance; upgrades to Poor Man’s Landing in the Charles River; restoration of the DCR Boathouse (old MDC Boathouse) near the Museum of Science.

Order #1. Lowell Street Property.   Councillor Nolan, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Mayor Siddiqui
Order Adopted 9-0

This takes me back about 30 years to 1990-1991 when then City Councillor Ed Cyr proposed that the City identify various City-owned properties as possible housing sites – a "Land Bank". The list included about a dozen locations, including such places as the dead-end of Norfolk St. near DPW, the park house at the Corporal Burns Playground, and (you guessed it) 25 Lowell Street. I don’t have a strong opinion on this specific Order either way, but I do find it bizarre that there is now such a frenzy to densely develop every possible square inch of Cambridge land – especially if that land has an 02138 zip code.

We used to think in terms of prioritizing "transit-oriented development" or "smart growth". Now it’s just "development" and "growth" and the desire to build everywhere at maximum density regardless of any and all other factors. I guess this is how some people define "a better Cambridge" – not me. Several weeks ago some councillors expressed a desire to build on a newly-acquired softball field. Soon they’ll be taking up a proposal to more than double the allowable density across much of the city. It’s like they put amphetamines in the Cambridge Kool-Aid.

Order #2. Task Force Transparency.   Councillor Zondervan
Charter Right – Simmons

Apparently Councillor Zondervan and I have the same wish but likely for diametrically opposite reasons. I have been asking to get access to these meetings (or at least the recordings) of the new Task Force on the Future of Public Safety, and apparently now so is he. My concern is that I don’t want to see problematic people dominating the conversation, and I suspect Councillor Zondervan may desire to ensure the exact opposite. Public Safety, in my view, translates into an improved police force sharing specific responsibilities with others as appropriate. Others openly express a desire to abolish police entirely. That’s a non-starter for me and not a plausible outcome of this process, but I would like to at least sample the dialogue.

Order #3. Budget Reallocation Update.   Councillor Zondervan, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Nolan
Order Adopted 9-0

This appears to be primarily a prompt by the sponsors to accelerate their desire to "Defund the Police".

Order #4. Shelter Wages.   Councillor Zondervan, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler
Charter Right – Zondervan (with Mallon amendments pending)

I have no idea what constitutes an appropriate wage for people who work at the 240 Albany Street wet shelter, but it’s not a City-owned facility and it serves the region and not just Cambridge residents. My understanding is that the City’s Living Wage Ordinance applies to people working for the City and to companies bidding on City contracts. Does this describe how the Bay Cove (formerly CASPAR) shelter operates? This is not the only facility they operate. [“Each year, Bay Cove provides services to more than 25,000 individuals and families who face the challenges of developmental and intellectual disabilities, mental illness, substance use disorder, homelessness and/or aging, at more than 170 program sites in Metro Boston and southeastern Massachusetts.”] There are waiver provisions in the ordinance. I’m curious to see how this plays out. After all, there are other shelter facilities in Cambridge that are not funded via City contracts. Would they all then be obliged to raise wages even if their funding sources cannot support it?

Communications & Reports #2. A communication was received from Mayor Siddiqui, communicating information from the School Committee.
Placed on File 9-0

Though informative, this communication also reports the unbearable tragedy of the suicide of a 10th grader in the Cambridge Public Schools. The process of finding an interim and "permanent" Superintendent of Schools continues, and expanded in-person learning begins this week on Monday. – Robert Winters

« Newer Posts — Older Posts »

Powered by WordPress