Cambridge Civic Journal Forum

December 11, 2022

ADDRESS OF THE MAYOR UPON THE FIRST ORGANIZATION OF THE CITY GOVERNMENT – 1846

City Seal - 1846
CITY OF CAMBRIDGE

ADDRESS OF THE MAYOR
UPON THE
FIRST ORGANIZATION
OF THE
CITY GOVERNMENT

MAY 4, 1846.

PRINTED BY ORDER OF THE CITY COUNCIL.
CAMBRIDGE:

PRINTED BY ANDREW REID,
CORNER OF MAIN AND MAGAZINE STREETS,
1846.

MAYOR’S ADDRESS.

Gentlemen of the City Council: –

On this occasion of the first organization of a City Government for Cambridge, it seems appropriate to advert briefly to the nature of the change we have made in our form of government, and the reasons which have led us to it. We may thus be enabled to appreciate more justly the interests confided in our care, and to understand and perform our duties better.

Under a town organization, all the business, which appertains to the interests of the people, and is subject to municipal regulation, is transacted immediately by the people themselves, that is, by those who are legally qualified to vote., assembled in town meeting. They exercise for themselves immediately, without delegating it to others, the right to deliberate and decide. They constitute the legislative department, and choose Selectmen and others to act for them as executive officers. Such, in brief, is the theory of town government. It is the simplest for; the most purely democratic; has existed in New England from the earliest period of the Colonial history; has done more to cherish the spirit of freedom in the breasts of the people; is regarded by them with feelings of strong attachment; and is not changed for any form of government, except for good and substantial reasons. Nay, the people will submit for years to great practical evils in the administration of town affairs, rather than change a form of government, to which they are attached by so many and such strong associations.

But, as a town increases in population beyond a certain limit, this theory of government, in itself so simple, becomes less and less practicable; a smaller and smaller proportion of the legal voters can be assembled in town meeting for the transaction of business; and the alternative presents itself as unavoidable, of a small minority of voters doing the whole business of the town, or the adoption of a form of government, by which municipal affairs shall be transacted through delegates or representatives elected. for that purpose. The number of inhabitants, contemplated by the Constitution of the Commonwealth to be such as to render a City Government expedient or necessary, is twelve thousand. The population of Cambridge exceeded this number by nearly five hundred, a year ago; and it may be reasonably presumed, that, at the present moment, it is between thirteen and fourteen thousand. It must be obvious to every one, at all acquainted with the mode of transacting town business, that the great interests of the population, relating to the management of the public property, the instruction of two or three thousand children, the support and employment for some part of the year of nearly two hundred paupers, the care of the roads and bridges requiring uninterrupted labor, the maintenance, direction and control of the Fire Department, the raising by taxation, and appropriating annually to specific projects, forty or fifty thousand dollars, cannot be judiciously or satisfactorily in a town meeting, in which by one-fifth or one-sixth of the voters are present, of whom many are but temporary residents, and few perhaps possessed of any considerable stake in the affairs of the town.

A City Government, with two council boards, each having a negative on the other, comprising a limited number of those in whom the electors have reposed confidence, by delegating to them the power to deliberate and act instead of themselves, affords a surer guaranty for a mature consideration of important measures, and a wise and satisfactory administration.

In regard also to accountability, for measures pursued, and for the expenditures of the public money, a city form of government affords far greater security. Where several boards of officers are authorized each to draw upon the treasury, and there is nothing to interpose an efficient check, and where each board looks to the interests of its own, and either does not know, or does not regard, the claims of any other department, it can hardly be otherwise than that specific appropriations will be exhausted before the end of the year; money intended for one purpose will be drawn out for another; some of the great interests of the town will suffer for want of the pecuniary means that had been provided; the treasury will become embarrassed; and a debt will be incurred that must be provided for by increased taxation the succeeding year.

If, moreover, the several boards of town officers act by sub-committees, and each subcommittee shall be swayed, it may be unconsciously, by local feelings, the interest of the whole will suffer by a care which is unequal; one section will be benefitted at the expense of another; and it may be, that one board of officers will be called on the make satisfaction for injuries supposed to have been done by another. The mode also of choosing those town officers, who are not chosen by ballot, that is, by nomination at large in town meeting, where the presiding officer is expected to propose the name which first strikes his ear, is, perhaps, of all modes that could be devised, the one which is the least likely to secure the services of the most suitable individuals.

The police regulations of towns, it is well known, are generally weak and inefficient. In places, where the conduct of every individual is exposed to the observation of all others, and the public sentiment is brought to bear directly upon it, there is less occasion for police restraint. But in regard to a town, situated like Cambridge, in immediate proximity to a large and overflowing commercial metropolis, crowding out into the suburbs, from year to year, its surplus population, large numbers of whom require, from their habits, more efficient restraint than a town administration affords, it may be necessary to resort to a City Government for adequate self-protection. There are many incidents, appertaining to such a local situation, and a rapidly concentrating population, which call for vigilant and efficient officers of police to give that protection to his person and property, which every individual has a right to demand of his government.

Exposed as our citizens are to have the quiet of their homes disturbed by riotous noises at night; to have their persons or lives endangered by the furious driving of horses through the streets, by those who have lost, in a measure, the capacity to guide them; to have depredations committed upon their own or the public property; their fences injured, their enclosures entered, their trees set for ornament and shade destroyed, their windows broken, their buildings set on fire, hospitals prepared for the sick attacked and partially demolished; to have the morals of the youth, the hope of the age, perilled by the establishment of places of low and vile resort, where the gambler and the profligate lie in wait to entrap the inexperienced and unwary; is there not occasion to adopt that form of government which is most likely to afford the adequate protection?

Under our City Charter, the administration of municipal affairs is vested in the City Council, composed of two Boards; of which, from the mode of election, the one represents the general, and the other the local, interests of the city The executive powers of the city, and administration of the police, with all the powers heretofore vested by law in the Selectmen of the town, are vested in the Mayor and Aldermen; and they are required to perform all the duties which the law requires of Selectmen of towns.

All the powers, which were heretofore vested by law in the town, or in the inhabitants, as a municipal corporation, are now, Gentlemen, vested in your two Boards, constituting, in their joint capacity, the City Council; and are to be exercised by concurrent vote, each Board having a negative on the other. You will establish your own rules of proceeding; such as are best calculated to facilitate the orderly transaction of business. You have the power to make all needful by-laws, which shall take effect without being submitted for approval to any court. You are required, in the language of the Charter, to take care that no money be paid out from the treasury, unless previously granted and appropriated; you are to secure a just and prompt accountability from all persons entrusted with the receipt, custody, or disbursement, of the monies or funds of the city. You are to have the care and superintendence of all the property of the city; and exclusive authority and power to lay out streets, construct drains and sewers, and to estimate the damages which any persons may sustain thereby. The powers are transferred to you, which have heretofore been vested in the Board of Health; and you may provide for the appointment of all officers necessary for the good government of the city, not otherwise provided for, prescribe their duties and fix their compensation.

Such, Gentlemen, is the nature of the change we have made in our form of government; and such are some of the powers now vested in you, as the City Council. The possession of powers implies corresponding duties, and involves responsibility for their faithful performance.

After completing the organization of the two Boards, by the election of the Clerk, and when existing vacancies in other Boards of officers shall have been filled, and a City Treasurer and a Collector of Taxes, with other subordinates required by law, shall have been chosen, you will be prepared to enter upon the duties bearing directly on the great interests of the city.

In the first place, an object of special care will be provision for the public schools. The very full and able report of the School Committee, which has been recently distributed, shows, that, in regard to instruction, discipline, and the manners and morals of the pupils, the schools have been improving from year to year, and are now in a condition more satisfactory than they have been at any previous period. There is also a marked improvement in the attendance of the children. The teachers are commended for a “laudable ambition and faithfulness,” and as not often disappointing the high expectations entertained. The great want in reference to the schools, – a want, which, more than all others, presses upon attention every year, and which is the unavoidable result of our rapidly increasing population, – is that of additional or larger buildings for their accommodation. There is a want, in this respect, existing in each of the Wards, but especially in the Second and Third. I refer you to the statements contained in the Report of the Committee, for the particulars; and add the expression of my hope, that the suggestions therein contained may receive your early and favorable consideration. The whole number of public schools is thirty; of teachers and assistants thirty-seven. The whole number of children in town, a year ago, as ascertained by the census, between the ages of four and sixteen, was two thousand eight hundred and fifty-eight, – being an increase in a single year of two hundred and thirty-nine, if the preceding census was correctly taken, of which there is some doubt. But taking a period of six years immediately preceding May 1st, 1845, the average annual increase in the number of children in Cambridge, between the ages of four and sixteen, has been one hundred and forty; rendering unavoidable a provision every year for at least two additional schools. I would here throw out the suggestion, though I do it with diffidence, whether it would not be expedient to require that a child, before entering the public schools, should have attained the age of five years.

The conviction exists in my own mind, that it will soon be necessary to make some changes in our school system. At present there are three schools, one in each Ward, combining the characters of a classical and grammar school. The multiplicity of studies is too great, and the time of the instructor too much divided, to allow of proper attention to the pupils in the higher department. What would be the best substitute for the present system, – whether the establishment of one school, centrally located, devoted exclusively to classical studies, or an arrangement, which perhaps might be made, for the admission of a larger number of pupils, on the part of the city, into the Hopkins’ School, or some modification of the two, – I do not feel prepared at present, to suggest.

In this connection I will say a word in reference to the Normal Schools. You are aware that they are institutions, mainly established and supported by the State, for the preparation of teachers for the common schools. There are three of them at present in the Commonwealth, sending out annually, as I am informed, about one hundred and fifty teachers. They have more than realized the sanguine expectations of the friends of the system; and are doing much to supply what has so long been complained of as the greatest want in the common school system of Massachusetts. Just previous to the close of the session or the Legislature, I attended, as a member of the Committee on Education, an examination of one of these schools, – that at West Newton; and the evidences exhibited of the thoroughness of the course of instruction, and of the great proficiency of the pupils, were in the highest degree satisfactory. In the Algebraic department particularly, a gentleman present, who had officially attended as an examiner at the Military Academy at West Point, pronounced the instruction at the Normal School to be a nearer approximation, than any he had elsewhere witnessed, to that in the above institution. I cannot refrain from expressing the hope, that, in order·more highly to elevate our own standard, hereafter, in the choice of teachers, when vacancies are to be filled, preference will be given by the committee to those who have been instructed at one of the Normal Schools.

A successful experiment has been made the past year of Teachers’ Institutes, as another means for the improvement of the teachers of common schools. They had previously been tried in the States of New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island, and had commended themselves to the friends or education. The aid of our own State treasury has been extended to them by a recent act of the Legislature, making an annual appropriation of twenty-five hundred dollars, without limit in regard to time. At these Institutes, teachers, in number not exceeding one hundred, are brought together, arranged in classes so as themselves to constitute a school, and instructed from day to day, for two or three weeks, by those most experienced and having the highest reputation in their profession. Ten of these Institutes will probably he held in different parts of the State, the present year, and it would seem important that the teachers of our own schools should be able to avail themselves of the advantages thus offered.

For the appropriations that will be needed for the purposes of instruction the present year, and for the erection of new school-houses, and the repair of the old, I refer you to the report of the school committee, in the confident belief, that you will cheerfully provide the means which are necessary to extend equal school privileges to all of the rising generation who are the objects of our care, and enable the schools of our new City to sustain the high reputation which they now enjoy.

In the next place, gentlemen, I ask your attention to the affairs of the Almshouse. Here is a large establishment, of which the value is estimated, in round numbers, at twenty thousand dollars, having afforded relief, in the course of the last year, to one hundred and eighty-seven paupers, of whom only twenty-three had any legal settlement in this Commonwealth, one hundred and sixty-four being State paupers, and one hundred and thirty-nine of these last foreigners; and some of the preceding being insane and others idiotic; and one hundred and fifty of the whole number, as stated in the return made by the Overseers to the Secretary of the Commonwealth, made paupers by intemperance; an establishment, which, in connection with the roads, draws from the treasury annually between eight and nine thousand dollars; but concerning the affairs of which, what the town has known has, for years, been comparatively nothing. Of the management of its concerns, no report has been made since I have had any acquaintance with the affairs of the town. Labor, to a vast amount in the course of the year, is performed upon the highways, by the inmates of this establishment; and I do not know but the value of that labor may be a full equivalent for the whole expense; but it would be some satisfaction to the citizens to be informed as to the fact, or at least to have presented to them from some authentic source an estimate of the balance, whether of profit or of loss.

The town has voted more than once, that all monies, paid for labor·performed by inmates of the Almshouse and the town teams, should be accounted for to the treasurer; but that vote seems not to have been regarded; and though it is well understood that considerable amounts, at various times, have been paid to those having the direction of the work, no account has been rendered to the treasurer, to the auditor, to the committee on finance, or to the town; and the citizens therefore have been kept in ignorance of the actual cost of supporting the establishment. My own conviction is that a parallel to this state of things is hardly to be found elsewhere in the Commonwealth. Let me not be understood as intimating that the money referred to has not been faithfully and properly applied toward defraying necessary expenses; but I speak of the mode of transacting the business as altogether improper, and express my trust, gentlemen, that you will adopt such measures, as in your judgment will secure in this case, what our Charter requires in all, a just and prompt accountability.

The interest upon the original cost of the Almshouse establishment, which should be added to the average annual expenditure for its support, is about equal to the deduction that should be made on account of the allowance from the Commonwealth for the support of State paupers; an allowance, however, of such doubtful expediency and uncertain continuance, that it would seem to be wise for us to protect ourselves for the time, probably not very remote, when it shall be withhold altogether.

It may be proper that I should state to you, in this connection, if you are not already apprized of the fact, that a portion of the town’s claim upon the Commonwealth for the support of State paupers the last year was disallowed by the Legislature. But the amount was small in the case of our own town, when compared with most others, having been but one hundred and sixteen dollars and nineteen cents; and the credit was awarded by the Committee on Accounts to the Overseers of the town of Cambridge alone, of having fairly and openly presented that particular part of the claim, as being distinct in its character from the rest, and of doubtful legality, though sanctioned by a previous loose construction, which the Legislature itself had given to the law.

The subject of the public roads is one of great importance, and will require no small portion of your attention. So great is their extent, such the nature of the soil in many places, and so difficult is it to procure the most suitable material for repair, that probably you will find, as has been found heretofore, that, in this department, it is more difficult than in any other to make that provision which will prove satisfactory, either to yourselves, or to the citizens generally. The town has been subjected, from year to year, to the payment of damages and legal costs, by reason of defects or obstructions in the highways. Nearly three hundred dollars were paid on this account the last year. No human foresight can guard against all contingencies; but it would seem as though, in some of the instances referred to, there could hardly have been exercised the requisite precaution.

Claims, however, to a much larger amount, have been brought against the town the past year, for indemnity to societies and to individuals, for injury they have sustained by the work of reducing the level of the streets by the side of their buildings. Some of these claims have been allowed and paid by the Selectmen. Others will be immediately presented, gentlemen, for your consideration; and I have no doubt that it will be your purpose to take such action thereon, and without unnecessary delay, as justice and equity shall require.

The expenditure for the repairs of bridges the last year has been, as anticipated, more than usually great, having amounted to nearly three thousand dollars; of which the largest proportion was spent upon Prison Point Bridge. What amount will be required for this object the present year, it is not easy to anticipate. Part of one of the piers at the old Brighton Bridge is gone, and some of the remainder is in such tottering condition as greatly to endanger the draw on the passage of vessels. The caps and stringers of the bridge on the Brighton side are so much decayed that the transit of heavy teams has, for some time, been considered unsafe. It will require, and I trust will receive, your earliest practicable attention. Within a few days the draw of the bridge over the canal between the lower Port and East Cambridge has been broken down by a vessel, which was driven against it in the night, as alleged, by a sudden gust of wind. The Selectmen have thought it necessary to commence the work of reconstruction, the prosecution and completion of which will now be subject to your direction.

Pursuant to a Resolve of the Legislature, the sum of three hundred dollars has been paid to our treasury, on an obligation given by the town to the Commonwealth to assume and lay out Magazine street, in Ward II, heretofore belonging to the State, as a public highway, and put and keep the same in good repair. This obligation, given in behalf of the town under the hands and seals of the Selectmen, stipulates that the. work of repair shall be completed within six months from the date of the indenture, that is, from the 17th of March last, and your attention, gentlemen, is respectfully asked, to see that this engagement be literally fulfilled.

It may not be out of place, in this connection, to apprize you of an act, just passed by the Legislature, and not yet published, rendering towns liable for injuries upon any private ways within their limits, or roads that have been opened to the public, though not laid out or accepted as town ways, unless notice be posted up that such ways or roads are unsafe for travel.

By the report of the Committee on Finance, you perceive that nearly two thousand dollars have been expended the year past for the construction of main drains and common sewers. This work has been done under a law enacted in 1841, and accepted by the town, which authorizes the Selectmen to make such drains, and to apportion and assess the cost upon those who may enter into them their particular drains, or who, by any more remote means, shall receive any benefit thereby, for draining their cellars or lands. Of the above amount the larger portion has been reimbursed, by the payment of the assessment; but, in some instances, individuals assessed have withheld payment, on the plea that they were not benefitted, and have made their appeal to the County Commissioners. Their cases remain undecided. You will doubtless be notified of the time of hearing. Several other cases await the issue. Petitions for the construction of other drains have been presented to the Selectmen, but they have deemed it expedient to defer action thereon.

And now, gentlemen, I ask your attention to a few remarks in reference to the Fire Department. By the report of the condition of the Department, made to the Selectmen by the Chief Engineer, on the 1st of April last, there are five Engines, with companies attached consisting each of about forty members, all of which are in good condition, and one of them is new. The same is reported of the apparatus generally, particularly the suction, (twenty-seven feet,) and leading hose, (five hundred feet,) and hose carriages, some of which are new. Two of the engine houses are in good condition, one of them new. The house of No. 2 is said to be out of repair, and needing to be set back from the street. The house of No. 4 is reported as in a very bad condition, and a petition has been presented for a new one. There is one Hook and Ladder Company, consisting of twenty-two members. There is another engine, No. 5, which is pronounced indifferent; no company is attached to it, and it is kept in a hired house. Each of the five companies has a compensation of four hundred dollars, and the Hook and Ladder Company two hundred dollars, amounting to twenty-two hundred dollars, exclusive of the pay of the Engineers.

The Fire Department is certainly one of great and growing importance to Cambridge, where buildings are multiplying with such rapidity, and where, in many parts, they are placed in such close proximity. If well regulated and efficient, it gives a feeling of security to the citizens, which could not otherwise be purchased; and they are, in no small measure, reimbursed for the cost of maintaining it, by the reduced rates at which they can effect insurance on their property. What is the best system for the management of such a Department, I feel not qualified to judge. Whether, and under what conditions, minors should be admitted as members; whether the services of volunteers are to be accepted; and if so, under what restrictions; are some of the questions which should receive mature consideration. The act of the Legislature, passed in 1832, establishing the Fire Department in Cambridge, placed the entire control of it in the hands of the Selectmen, authorizing them to appoint the officers and members, to fix and establish their powers and duties, and to ordain rules and regulations for their government. Such rules and regulations have been made by the Selectmen, and duly published. The power and authority which were by law vested in that board have now, by the City Charter, been transferred to and vested in the Mayor and Aldermen. Whether any additional provisions will be required, gentlemen, for the better government of the Department, I submit to your judgment. The members of the several companies have always displayed a commendable degree of alacrity and promptness in repairing, upon alarm, to the scene of danger; their operations have been skilfully and efficiently directed; and a spirit of ambition has induced efforts to excel. In all those respects, I doubt not they will sustain a creditable comparison with any Fire Department around us. Their services have always been duly appreciated by the inhabitants, and by the officers of the town; and the necessary annual appropriations, now amounting to at least four thousand dollars, have not been withheld.

If, however, beyond all this favorable appreciation of their services, the members of the department expect to be indulged in every request to go abroad, it may be hundreds of miles with their engines, for display, at times too, when their services are required at home, and seek opportunities to manifest their resentment at refusal; if their spirit of emulation, so laudable and useful when confined to proper objects, is allowed to break out into acts of insubordination, toward their own officers, or the municipal authorities; if they show themselves actuated by such an esprit du corps, as shall lead all the members to make common cause with any one, who may subject himself to censure for disobedience of orders, or neglect of duty; if, beyond this, leaving their proper sphere, and their usual party connections, they combine in measures to influence elections, and calling the department together by preconcerted signals, striking the bells to create an alarm of fire, and this too on the Sabbath, they concert their measures for the defeat of particular candidates; it becomes a serious question, whether we are not fostering the growth of a power in our midst, which will one day lead, if unrestrained, to the enactment among us of the scenes which have rendered the same department in Philadelphia so notorious; and the dangers of which will far·outweigh all the benefits conferred.

But I leave a topic on which I should not thus have spoken, had I not felt compelled, by a sense of public duty, to disregard those personal considerations, which, of themselves, would have constrained me to be silent.

It will be your duty, gentlemen, to make an estimate of the probable wants of the City for the year, and to provide the ways and means that will enable you to meet them. The report of the committee on finance, recently printed and in your hands, shows the condition of the treasury on the first of March. Since that time $1402 29 have been received, and $1534 39 have been paid out, leaving a balance in the treasury at the present time of $135 29. The expenditures of the year ending March 1st, for ordinary purposes, were $39,142 03, and, in addition, there had been paid, towards a reduction of the town debt, one half of the note due to the Lowell Institution for Savings, viz.: $5000, thus making the aggregate expenditure $44,142 03.

In March, 1842, the debt amounted to $41,527 41. Since which time, $19,527 41 have been paid, leaving the debt at the present time $22,000, of which $7000, being the amount of a note to Catherine E. Thompson, will become due on the 16th of December next.

An apprehension has been felt by many, which has disinclined them to favor the adoption of a City Government, that its administration would be attended with increased taxation. I do not believe, however, that such is a necessary result; and, though some additional expenditures may be required at first, yet the improved mode of transacting business, and the more strict system of accountability from those entrusted with the disbursements, must furnish a guard against abuse, and conduce to economy. If additional expense be the result, is it not compensated for by the removal or diminution of public evils, and the acquisition of greater security to person and property?

Possessing as we do a building so large and commodious as that we now occupy, a building erected but about sixteen years since, and probably as centrally located as any one could be, a building, which, with some small alterations, I judge, may be made suitable to accommodate, for the present, each of the two boards constituting the City Council, and leave a Hall of sufficient size for those general meetings of the inhabitants, occasions for which are contemplated by our Charter to arise, I do not suppose, gentlemen, that you will think it expedient to provide for the erection of any other building as a City Hall.

Called upon as you will be to make appropriations more than ordinary for the schools, one of which is now held in this building, but which must soon, I presume, be removed, and several other objects presenting claims that cannot, with a due regard to the public interest, be postponed, I feel assured, that, without suggestion from me, you will be disposed to guard against all unnecessary expenditure.

We have reason to be gratified at the prosperity and rapid increase of our population, attended with an annual addition of seven or eight hundred thousand dollars to the taxable property; but a necessary attendant upon this rapid growth is a progressively increasing expenditure, though not necessarily an increase in taxation. With us the ration of assessment has never been higher than 51 cents on $100; for each of the last two years it has been 48 cents;– while, in the town of Marblehead the last year, it was nearly 83 cents; in Newburyport, 78; Beverly, 68; Lowell, 66; Fall River, 63; Danvers, 62; Salem, 58; Manchester, 54; in all of them exceeding our own, and all of them except two under a town government. The comparison, I am inclined to think, if further extended, would, in most instances, be favorable to ourselves. Some allowance must probably be made, however, for a difference in the system of taxation; – some towns making the assessment on a full, and others on a reduced, valuation.

And now, gentlemen, having presented to you these considerations, as not inappropriate to the occasion, and in discharge of the duty imposed on me by the Charter, to communicate to your boards such information, and recommend such measures, as the interests of the City in my judgment may require, I have only to add in conclusion, that: – entering, as I do, upon an untried field of duty, with little experience to guide me, I shall need your indulgent consideration, and that of my fellow citizens. I shall be liable to err in judgment. From mistakes and errors none can be exempt. I can only pledge my sincere endeavors to discharge my duty according to the best of my ability and understanding. I feel strong in the assurance that I can rely on your aid and cooperation. An important trust has been reposed in us. Let us not be unmindful of the obligation to execute that trust with strict fidelity; with a single eye to the public welfare; and unswayed from duty by regard to popular opinion. Guided by that wisdom which is from above, a guidance at all times needed, to supply human deficiency and correct human error, may we be enabled so to administer the affairs of our new City, that none will regret the change. May we secure for our measures the favor, confidence, and respect of all good men; and, above all, may we secure for ourselves that richest of rewards, which springs from the consciousness of sincere and upright endeavor.


City of Cambridge.

In Common Council, May 4, 1846.
ORDERED, That Messrs. Norris, Valentine and Saunders, be a Committee, with such as the Aldermen may join, to wait upon the Mayor, and request a copy of his address to the City Council, for publication.

Sent up for concurrence.
CHAS. S. NEWELL, Clerk of Common Council

In Board of Aldermen, May 4, 1846.
Concurred; and Aldermen Hastings and Batchelder are joined.
LUCIUS R. PAIGE, City Clerk.

Note: The Mayor in 1846 was James D. Green

December 6, 2022

Cambridge InsideOut Episodes 571-572: December 6, 2022

Episode 571 – Cambridge InsideOut: Dec 6, 2022 (Part 1)

This episode was recorded on Dec 6, 2022 at 6:00pm. Topics: Charter Review Ups & Downs; Caroline Hunter elected to School Committee in Vacancy Recount – and memories from 1994; Covid update; and a good word for the Manager’s 90-day update. Hosts: Patrick Barrett, Robert Winters [On YouTube] [audio]


Episode 572 – Cambridge InsideOut: Dec 6, 2022 (Part 2)

This episode was recorded on Nov 15, 2022 at 6:30pm. Topics: This episode was recorded on Dec 6, 2022 at 6:30pm. Topics: Truth-Telling; the Inconvenient truths about proposed lab bans; Pride in the good things; the value of nuance vs. broad proposals; the problem with movements and binary thinking. Hosts: Patrick Barrett, Robert Winters [On YouTube] [audio]

[Materials used in these episodes]

December 5, 2022

First pass at the Dec 5, 2022 Cambridge City Council agenda

First pass at the Dec 5, 2022 Cambridge City Council agenda

The clock is running down on the first half of the game. Time to get a beer or decide to be a candidate or both. Here’s hoping that Maura Healey is in a Cambridge appointing mood this month and next so that we can open up some seats and bring in some prospects from the minors. Here’s what’s on this week’s dance card:Countdown

Manager’s Agenda #4. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to a Planning Board report with a recommendation to adopt the Emissions the Accounting Zoning Petition (Version 3) with clarifying comments. [Planning Board report]
pulled by Zondervan; Referred to Petition 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #5. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to a Planning Board Zoning Petition to consider adoption of the attached Climate Resilience Zoning. [Planning Board Zoning Petition]
pulled by Nolan; Referred to Planning Board & Ordinance Committee 9-0


Manager’s Agenda #6. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the City Manager’s 90 Day Report.
pulled by Mallon; Placed on File 9-0

Committee Report #1. The Government Operations, Rules & Claims Committee held a public meeting on Nov 22, 2022 to discuss the City Manager’s Annual Evaluation process. [text of report]
Placed on File 9-0

Communications & Reports #1. A communication was received from Vice Mayor Mallon, transmitting information regarding the City Manager Annual Review process. [City Manager Performance Review] [Proposed City Manager Annual Performance Review Process] [City Manager Draft Annual Performance Review Template]
Placed on File as Amended 9-0

I especially liked this note in the Manager’s Report: “Finally, many of our greatest challenges are fundamentally regional issues – housing, homelessness, climate change, and transportation. We often view our work within our 6.4 square miles, but there is a need for greater coordination with our neighbors and state government. As we enter 2023 and welcome a new Healey administration, I’m looking forward to Cambridge having a greater voice to advocate for and collaborate to find solutions that match the scale of our challenges.”

And this: “As with all relationships, I believe the relationship between the City and Council is not a static arrangement that can be written down or governed through contract provisions. Relationships are interactions between people over time and built on mutual respect, shared norms, communication, and trust. There will be mistakes and areas for improvement, and we won’t agree on every issue, but I’m committed to creating a government that works and where we are increasing alignment and trust between the City, Council, and community.”

Perhaps the greatest indication of the mettle of our new City Manager will be how he handles all the upcoming appointments to City Boards & Commissions. Will political considerations outweigh other factors? For at least this one observer, those appointments and how the city councillors handle or mishandle their newfound power to review (some of) these appointments will be very telling. The City Manager also speaks of “greater empowerment for leaders and staff,” but accountability and answering for poor decisions and the willingness to change direction when warranted are just as important. The same goes for all of our elected officials.


Manager’s Agenda #7. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to asking the Department of Conservation and Recreation to suspend the Saturday closures of Memorial Drive between Greenough Boulevard and Western Avenue for the remainder of this year. (CM22#241)
pulled by Zondervan; Zondervan motion to ask Manager to not ask DCR to suspend remaining Saturday closures fails 3-6 (AM,QZ,SS – YES; BA,DC,MM,PN,DS,PT – NO); Placed on File 9-0

Charter Right #1. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Reports Items Numbered 16-111, 18-38, and 20-61, regarding Municipal Property Inventory. [Charter Right – Zondervan, Nov 21, 2022]
Placed on File 8-0-1 (Toner ABSENT)

I wish this Property Inventory was so heavily intertwined with the future of the greater Central Square area, but this is the hand we’ve been dealt. I will be very disappointed if the provision of subsidized housing outweighs the whole range of other possibilities. I also hope that residents and councillors from the other side of the city don’t continue in their misguided and lazy belief that all social services should be further concentrated in Central Square – one of our most significant commercial and cultural districts in the city.

83 Communications – mostly from last week expressing shock and outrage about the proposal from three councillors to supersize the city no matter what anyone thinks.

Order #1. That the City Manager is requested to direct the Traffic, Parking and Transportation Department to work with the residents at 931 Massachusetts Avenue to identify and provide a short-term parking spot in front of 931 Massachusetts Avenue.   Councillor Toner, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Simmons
pulled by Toner; Toner amendment Adopted 6-3 (BA,AM,QZ – NO); Azeem amendment Adopted 6-3 (DC,DS,PT – NO); McGovern amendment Adopted 9-0; Order Adopted as Amended 8-1 (QZ – NO)

Further evidence that an amended and overly rigid Bicycle Safety Ordinance is no substitute for good traffic engineering that anticipates and takes into account the whole range of parking and transportation needs.

Order #3. That the City Manager is requested to work with the appropriate departments to conduct street cleaning without towing starting with the 2023 season.   Councillor Zondervan, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Azeem
pulled by Nolan; Charter Right – Simmons

I have mixed feelings about this – especially as a resident who has been voluntarily clearing the storm drains in my neighborhood for decades. I have always appreciated a good curb-to-curb cleaning during the warmer months and plowing snow as close to the curb as possible during winter. Having even one vehicle to go around negates much of this benefit. I would be happier if a new policy had some discretion, i.e., if the crews and police feel that little is gained by towing in a specific occasion then a pricey ticket may be sufficient. Unfortunately, there are many people now living in Cambridge who might just write that off as the “cost of doing business” as they wallow in their negligence. – Robert Winters

November 25, 2022

HISTORY OF CAMBRIDGE – Rev. Lucius Paige, 1877 – INDIAN HISTORY

Filed under: Cambridge,history — Tags: , , , — Robert Winters @ 11:45 pm

HISTORY OF CAMBRIDGE
Rev. Lucius Paige, 1877

CHAPTER XX.

INDIAN HISTORY.

IN describing the original settlement of Cambridge by the English, the author of “Wonder-working Providence” calls attention to their preservation when “they were in such great straites for foode”; and what “was more remarkable, when they had scarce houses to shelter themselves, and no doores to hinder the Indians accesse to all they had in them, yet did the Lord so awe their hearts, that although they frequented the Englishmens places of aboade, where their whole substance, weake wives, and little ones, lay open to their plunder during their absence, being whole dayes at Sabbath-assemblies, yet had they none of their food or stuffe diminished, neither children nor wives hurt in the least measure, although the Indians came commonly to them at those times, much hungry belly (as they use to say) and were then in number and strength beyond the English by far.” 1 There may have been some Indians in the easterly part of the town, as in old records that section is sometimes styled “Wigwam Neck”; but the far greater number probably dwelt near Menotomy River and Mystic Pond. They were subject to the “Squaw-sachem,” formerly wife of Nanepashemet, who is mentioned in “Mourt’s Relation.” A party from Plymouth visited the Indians at “the bottom of the Massachusetts Bay,” whose sachem, Obbatinewat, a subject of Massasoit, “used us very kindly; he told us he durst not then remain in any settled place, for fear of the Tarentines. Also the squaw-sachim, or Massachusetts queen was an enemy to him.” 2 On promise of protection, however, he “went along with us, to bring us to the squaw-sachim.” Crossing the bay to its northerly side, “we went ashore, all but two men, and marched in arms up in the country. Having gone three miles, me came to a place where corn had been newly gathered, a house pulled down, and the people gone. A mile from hence, Nanepashemet their king in his life-time had lived. His house was not like others, but a scaffold was largely built, with poles and planks some six foot from ground, and the house upon that, being situated on the top of a hill. Not far from hence in a bottom, we came to a fort built by their deceased king, the manner thus: there were poles, some thirty or forty foot long, stuck in the ground as thick as they could be set one by another, and with these they enclosed a ring some forty or fifty foot over. A trench breast high was digged on each side; one way there was to go into it with a bridge; in the midst of this palisado stood the frame of a house, wherein being dead he lay buried. About a mile from hence, we came to such another, but seated on the top of an hill; here Nanepashemet was killed, none dwelling in it since the time of his death.” 3 After his decease, his widow administered the government of the tribe as squaw-sachem, and married Webcowits, her principal powwow, conjurer, or medicine man. By this marriage, however, he did not become a sachem, or king, but merely a prince-consort.

In the “First General Letter of the Governor and Deputy of the New England Company for a Plantation in Massachusetts Bay, to the Governor and Council for London’s Plantation in the Massachusetts Bay in New England,” dated “In Gravesend the 17th of April, 1629,” is this important direction, – “If any of the salvages pretend right of inheritance to all or any part of the lands granted in our pattent, wee pray you endeavour to purchase their tytle, that wee may avoyde the least scruple of intrusion.” 4 Accordingly, at the session of the General Court, March 13, 1638-9, “Mr. Gibons was desired to agree with the Indians for the land within the bounds of Watertowne, Cambridge, and Boston.” 5 The deed of conveyance, or release of title, I have not been able to find; yet there is sufficient evidence that the purchase was made of the squaw-sachem, and that the price was duly paid. The General Court ordered, May 20, 1610, that the 18l. 8s. 6d layd out by Capt. Gibons shall bee paid him, vid.: 13l. 8s. 6d. by Watertowne and 10l. by Cambridge; and also Cambridge is to give Squa-Sachem a coate every winter while shee liveth.” 6 This sale or conveyance to Cambridge is recognized in a deed executed Jan. 13, 1639, by the “Squa-Sachem of Misticke” and her husband Webcowits, whereby they conveyed to Jotham Gibbons “the reversion of all that parcel of land which lies against the ponds at Mistick aforesaid, together with the said ponds, all which we reserved from Charlestown and Cambridge, late called Newtowne, and all hereditaments and appurtenances thereunto belonging, after the death of me the said Squa-Sachem.” 7 The inhabitants of Cambridge lived on friendly terms with the Indians; at least, no evidence appears to the contrary. They paid their allotted dues to the Squa-Sachem, and made full compensation for all losses which she sustained through their default. The Town Records show that, on the 10th of April, 1643, “agreed with the Indians, by the present townsmen, to pay to Squa-Sachem 8 bushels of Indian corn, after next harvest. It is agreed likewise, that George Cooke being at the charge to make a fence of two sufficient rails in the town line, about half a mile in length, the fence to begin at the outside of George Cooke’s land, running out northward to meet Captain Gibbines his fence., to secure the Indian’s corn, it is agreed that the town will pay for the making the fence.” Again, Nov. 11, 1643, Agreed, that the cow-keepers shall pay six bushels of corn to squa-sachem, for the damage done to her corn, upon the Sabbath day, through the neglect of the keepers, in the year 1642.”

On the 8th of March, 1643-4, the “Squa-Sachim” with four other Indian rulers, voluntarily put herself “under the government and jurisdiction of the Massachusetts, to be governed and protected by them,” and promised “to be true and faithful to the said government.” 8 She is supposed to have died not long before 1662, when a claim was made for land in which she had reserved a life estate. 9

One of the Indian Chiefs, who united with the Squaw-sachem in this act of submission to the government and jurisdiction of the Massachusetts,” was Cutshamache, Cutshamakin, or Kuchamakin, who resided “at a place called Neponsitt, within the bounds of Dorchester.” 10 His authority extended over those who dwelt at Nonantum, which was then included in Cambridge. With these Indian neighbors the English maintained peace. In one respect their relations were peculiarly interesting. When Rev. John Eliot commenced the public labors of his mission, “the first place he began to preach at was Nonantum, near Watertown Mill, upon the south side of Charles River, about four or five miles from his own house, where lived at that time Waban, one of their principal men, and some Indians with him.” 11 Eliot had previously devoted much time to the task of acquiring a competent knowledge of the Indian language, and had imparted religious instruction to individuals, as he had opportunity. At length he commenced his public ministry to the heathen, as thus related by himself: “Upon October 28, 1646, four of us (having sought God) went unto the Indians inhabiting within our bounds, with a desire to make known the things of their peace to them. A little before we came to their Wigwams, five or six of the chief of them met us with English salutations, bidding us much welcome; who leading us into the principal wigwam of Waaubon, we found many more Indians, men, women, children, gathered together from all quarters round about, according to appointment, to meet with us, and learn of us. Waaubon, the chief minister of justice among them, exhorting and inviting them before thereunto, being one who gives more grounded hopes of serious respect to the things of God than ally that as yet I have known of that forlorn generation,” etc. 12 My prescribed limits will not admit a particular account of this primitive Christian mission to the Indians. Briefly, they were visited in a similar manner, November 11 and 26, and December 9, in the same year. At these several meetings, by prayers, and sermons, and familiar questions and answers, an earnest effort was made to impart to them a knowledge of the Gospel. A particular description of the means used, and of the encouraging results, is given by Eliot in a tract entitled, “The Day-breaking if not the Sun-rising of the Gospel with the Indians in New England,” printed at London, 1647, and reprinted in the Collections of the Massachusetts Historical Society, xxiv. 1-23. In this missionary work, Mr. Eliot was assisted by Rev. Thomas Shepard of Cambridge and others. In a tract entitled “The Clear Sunshine of the Gospel breaking forth upon the Indians in New England,” printed at London, 1648, Mr. Shepard says, “As soone as ever the fiercenesse of the winter was past, March 3, 1647, I went out to Noonanetum to the Indian Lecture, where Mr. Wilson, Mr. Allen of Dedham, Mr. Dunster, beside many other Christians were present.” 13 At a later day, Mr. Eliot was assisted by his son John (H. C. 1656), by Daniel Gookin, son of General Gookin (H. C. 1669), and by others. For several years, the mission was successful beyond all reasonable expectation. The Indians at Nonantum soon became so far civilized as well as Christianized, that they desired to live in a more orderly way. Accordingly a tract of land, called by the natives Natick, or a Place of Hills, was assigned by the General Court, for their exclusive use. “In the year 1651, the town of Natick was settled. It consisted of three long streets, two on the north and one on the south side of the river, with a bridge eighty feet-long, and eight feet high, and stone foundations, the whole being built by the Indians themselves. To each house situated on these streets was attached a piece of land. The houses were in the Indian style. One house, larger and more commodious than the rest, was built in the English style. One apartment of it was used as a school-room on week-days, and as a place of worship on the Sabbath. The upper room was a kind of wardrobe, where the Indians hung up their skins and other valuables. In the corner of this room was partitioned off an apartment for Mr. Eliot. This building was the first meeting house in Natick.” 14 “In this town was the first church of Indians embodied, in the year of our Lord, 1660.” 15

The Christian mission was not confined to the dwellers at Nonantum. Mr. Eliot, and others whom God raised up, both English and Indians, preached the word with success to other tribes. In addition to his other labors, Mr. Eliot translated the whole Bible into the English tongue, which was printed at Cambridge, the New Testament in 1661, and the Old Testament in 1663. He also prepared an Indian Grammar, and translated into the Indian tongue several tracts written by himself and others,16 all which were also printed in Cambridge. It was very properly said by the Rev. Mr. McKenzie, “Let it be remembered to the honor of our fathers, that the first Protestant mission to the heathen in modern times began in Cambridge; the first Protestant sermon in a heathen tongue was preached here; the first translation of the Bible by an Englishman into a heathen tongue was printed here; the first Protestant tract in a heathen language was written and printed here.” 17 The result of all these labors up to the year 1674 was described by Gookin, in his “Historical Collections of the Indians in New England,” printed in the first volume of Collections of the Massachusetts Historical Society. Besides Natick, the most important of all, there were six communities in Massachusetts, exclusive of Plymouth, which had long been denominated “praying towns;” namely, Pakemitt, or Punkapaog (now Stoughton); Hassanamesitt, or Hassanamisco (Grafton); Okommakamesit (Marlborough); Wamesit, or Pawtuckett (Tewksbury); Nashobah (Littleton); Magunkaquog (Hopkinton). There were also seven “new praying towns,” where the Gospel had been favorably received about three years: Manchage (Oxford); Chabanakongkomun (Dudley); Maanexit (north part of Woodstock, at that time included in Massachusetts); Quantisset (southeast part of Woodstock); Wabquissit (southwest part of Woodstock); Packachoog (south part of Worcester); Waeuntug (Uxbridge). “There are two other Indian towns; viz., Weshakin18 and Quabaug,19 which are coming on to receive the gospel; and reckoning these, there are nine in the Nipmuck country.” 20 In these fourteen established towns, there were two organized churches, and, as Gookin estimated, about eleven hundred “souls yielding obedience to the gospel.”

Meantime an earnest effort was made to impart scientific as well as religious knowledge to the Indians, in which commendable work Mr. Eliot was a prominent actor. His labors and their result are described by Gookin in his “Historical Collections.” Besides preaching and inducing others to preach the Gospel, and translating the Bible and other books into the Indian language, – “he took great care that schools should be planted among the praying Indians; and he taught some himself to read, that they might be capable to teach others; and by his procurement some of the choice Indian youths were put to school with English schoolmasters, to learn both English, Latin, and Greek tongues. There was much cost out of the Corporation stock expended in this work, for fitting and preparing the Indian youth to be learned and able preachers unto their countrymen. Their diet, apparel, books and schooling, was chargeable. In truth the design was prudent, noble, and good; but it proved ineffectual to the ends proposed; for several of the said youth died, after they had been sundry years at learning, and made good proficiency therein. Others were disheartened, and left learning after they were almost ready for the college. And some returned to live among their countrymen, where some of them are improved for schoolmasters and teachers, unto which they are advantaged by their education. Some others of them have entered upon other callings; as one is a mariner; another, a carpenter; another went for England with a gentleman that lived sometimes at Cambridge in New England, named Mr. Drake, which Indian, as I heard, died there not many months after his arrival. I remember but only two of them all that lived in the college at Cambridge; the one named Joel, the other Caleb, both natives of Martha’s Vineyard. These two were hopeful young men, especially Joel, being so ripe in learning, that he should, within a few months, have taken his first degree of bachelor of art in the college. He took a voyage to Martha’s Vineyard, to visit his father and kindred, a little before the commencement, but upon his return back in a vessel, with other passengers and mariners, suffered shipwreck upon the island of Nantucket. . . . . The other, called Caleb, not long after he took his degree of bachelor of art 21 at Cambridge in New England, died of a consumption at Charlestown, where he was placed by Mr. Thomas Danforth, who had inspection over him, under the care of a physician in order to his health, where he wanted not for the best means the country could afford, both of food and physick; but God denied the blessing, and put a period to his days.” 22

The records of the Commissioners of the United Colonies of New England contain accounts of sundry payments for the maintenance and instruction of Indian scholars, some of them very young, from 1656 to 1672. An earlier account is preserved in the “Massachusetts Archives,” xxx. 9, which may serve as a sample: –

“An account of expenses layd out for ye country from August 1645 until this 8th of October 1646.

First, for ye printing of five hundred declarations, 4. 00. 00
Item, for ye diet & washing of ye two Indians since ye 3d of ye 8th mon. hitherto, considering ye attendance of ye yonger beeing a very childe wt yo think meet,   16. 00. 00
Item, for physick for Jonathan in ye time of his sicknes, 00. 04. 06
Item, for physick for James during his sicknes for 5 or 6 weeks, ^ 19. 06
Item, for making ym 12 bands & 8 shirts & often mending their apparel, 00. 03. 08
Item, for buttons thread & other materials bought of Mr. Russel for ym, 00. 02. 06
Item, for half a years schooling for James, 00.06. 00

“I pray yo to appoint mee part of my pay as far as that will reach in the hands of Henrie Shrimpton both because I am ingaged to him and hee hath promissed to accept yt pay, & if yt ye Indians require pay back at his hands I shall bee ready to repay him such as they shal accept. Further, wheras the Indians with mee bee so small as that they [are] uncapable of ye benefit of such learning as was my desire to impart to ym & therfore they being an hindrance to mee and I no furtherance to them, I desire they may bee somwhere else disposed of wth all convenient speed. So I rest in what I can.
    Yrs HENRIE DUNSTER.”

This account was referred to a committee, who reported, –

“Wee thinke meete Mr. Dunster should be paid 22l. 16s. 2d. The magistrates consent to this return of the sd Committee,
    “JO : WINTHROP, Govr.
    “Consented to by ye deputs.     EDWARD RAWSON.”

In this praiseworthy effort to enlighten, and civilize, and Christianize the Indians, Cambridge shares the glory with Roxbury. Not only was the gospel first preached to them here, and many of their youth here educated, but some of the most conspicuous and energetic laborers in this field of duty resided here. Omitting for the present all mention of others, if the labors of John Eliot of Roxbury entitled him to be regarded as an “Apostle,” or as standing in the place of Aaron as a high-priest to them in spiritual things, with equal propriety may Daniel Gookin of Cambridge be regarded as their Moses, – their civil instructor, ruler, judge, and historian. The “praying Indians” are said to have been early persuaded by Mr. Eliot, Aug. 6, 1651, to adopt the Mosaic form of government, by electing rulers of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens.23 “Moreover the General Court appointed and empowered one of the English magistrates, to join with the chief of their rulers,24 and keep a higher court among them; extending the power of this court to the latitude of a county court among the English; from the jurisdiction whereof nothing for good order and government, civil or criminal, is expected [excepted?] but appeals, life, limb, banishment, and cases of divorce. The first English magistrate, chosen to be ruler over the praying Indians in the colony of Massachusetts, was first Mr. D. G.25 the author of these Collections; and this was in A. D. 1656. But not long after his occasions called him for England for two or three years, one Major Humphrey Atherton was appointed to conduct this affair, which he did about three years. But then the Lord taking him to himself by death, and the author being returned back, in the year 1660, a year or more before Major Atherton’s death, was again called and reinstated in that employ, A. D. 1661, and hath continued in that work hitherto.” 26 In this position Gookin continued until the Charter government was abrogated in 1686: and most faithfully did he perform his duty. He tells us that besides causing the orders of the General Court to be observed, sundry other things were to be “done by him in order to their good; as the making of orders, and giving instructions and directions, backed with penalties, for promoting and practising morality, civility, industry, and diligence in their particular callings:” he was also “to make and execute good orders for keeping holy the sabbath day; and that the people do attend the public worship of God; and that schools for the education of youth be settled and continued among them.” 27 His own record of a court held at Wabquissit, in 1674, illustrates the manner of proceeding: After Mr. Eliot had preached, “then I began a court among the Indians. And first I approved their teacher Sampson, and their Constable Black James; giving each of them a charge to be diligent and faithful in their places. Also I exhorted the people to yeild obedience to the gospel of Christ, and to those set in order there. Then published a warrant or order that I had prepared, empowering the constable to suppress drunkenness, sabbath-breaking, especially powowing and idolatry; and, after warning given, to apprehend all delinquents, and bring them before authority, to answer for their misdoings; the smaller faults to bring before Wattasacompanum, ruler of the Nipmuck country; for idolatry and powowing, to bring them before me.” 28 A life-like picture of one of these courts is exhibited in Gookin’s certified copy of its session: –

“At a Court held at Naticke among the Indians, Sept. 14, 1681. The testimonies of several aged and principal Indians hereafter named, taken in Court, as followeth:

“Present, Daniel Gookin senr. Esq., Assistant.
Waban, Piambow, Tom Tray} Rulers     Mr. John Eliot, senr., Andrew Pittimee, Peter Ephraim} Interpreters.

“Waban, aged about eighty years, Piambow, aged about eighty years, Nowanit, aged about 81 years, Jethro, aged about 70 years, William, aged 68 years, Anthony Tray and Tom Tray, unkells by the father’s side unto John Woampas deceased, aged 60 years and fifty-eight or thereabout,” testified that the said “John Woampas was no Sachem, and had no more right or title to any lands in the Nipmuk country within [the bounds] of Massachusetts than any other common Indians;” and therefore they disclaimed and repudiated all sales or gifts of land pretended to have been made by him.29

Under the joint instruction and superintendence of Eliot and Gookin, slow but encouraging progress was made in civilizing and Christianizing the Indians in Massachussetts, as far west as the westerly border of Worcester County; and a similar good work was accomplished in the Colony of Plymouth. The two races maintained peaceful relations with each other until 1675, when that terrible contest commenced, which is generally known as Philip’s War. And even then, Gookin insists that the Christian Indians, in the seven old praying towns, were true friends to the English, and rendered them important assistance; and he intimates that the magistrates agreed with him in opinion, while the popular branch of the government and the common people generally, lost all confidence in the Indians, and insisted that, without distinction, they should be treated as enemies. Having mentioned some instances of useful information given by the Indians, and services rendered by them as soldiers, Gookin says, “Notwithstanding those signal and faithful services done by those Christian Indians, and divers others not here related, yet the animosity and rage of the common people increased against them, that the very name of a praying Indian was spoken against, in so much that some wise and principal men did advise some that were concerned with them to forbear giving that epithet of praying. . . . . Things growing to this height among the English, the Governor and Council, against their own reason and inclination, were put upon a kind of necessity, for gratifying the people, to disband all the praying Indians, and to make and publish an order to confine them to five of their own villages, and not to stir above one mile from the centre of such place, upon peril of their lives.” 30 “This cruel frame of spirits (for I can give it no gentler denomination) arose, I apprehend, from a double ground; first the malice of Satan against Christ’s work among the Indians, and to hinder their progress in religion. . . . . A second root of this trouble arose from the perfidious and unfaithful dealing of the wicked Indians, and their causeless rage and cruelty and fury against the English, and particularly the Springfield and Northampton Indians, who lived near the English and seemed to carry it fair for a time, but at last proved perfidious and treacherous. But there was not one of them that ever I heard of, that was a pretender to Christian religion.” 31 It is possible that a desire to appropriate the land of the Indians to their own use may have had some influence on the populace then, as it has in more recent times.

Afterwards, orders were issued for the removal of the Indians to Deer Island; and Gookin relates the manner in which the Natick tribe was removed. “In pursuance of this order, Capt. Thomas Prentiss (who was a person civil and friendly to those Indians), with a party of horse, was commanded to bring them down speedily to a place called the Pines upon Charles River, about two miles above Cambridge, where boats were appointed to be in readiness to take them on board, and take them to the aforesaid island. . . . . Good Mr. Eliot, that faithful instructor and teacher of the praying Indians, met them at the place before mentioned, where they were to be embarked, who comforted, and encouraged, and instructed, and prayed with them and for them; exhorting them to patience in their sufferings, and confirming the hearts of those disciples of Christ, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, for through many tribulations we must enter into the kingdom of heaven. . . . . In the night, about midnight, the tide serving, being the 30th of October, 1675, these poor creatures were shipped in three vessels and carried away to Deer Island above mentioned, which was distant from that place about four leagues, where I shall leave them at present.” 32 In May, 1676, many of the men having performed military service for the English, permission was granted by the General Court for the departure of the Indians from the Island. The remnant of the Natick tribe, after a temporary residence near Nonantum, returned to their own town, which was under the management of Indian officers for nearly a century, until it was incorporated as an English district in 1762. “From 1651 to 1762” Natick “was an Indian town; and its history is little more than a picture of wild Indians making unsuccessful attempts to clothe themselves in the robes of civilization.” 33

While the Christian Indians mere passing through this furnace of affliction, they had a faithful friend in Gookin, who labored constantly to avert the evils to which they were exposed and to alleviate those which they suffered. In this labor of love he had the constant support of Thomas Danforth, his associate in many a hard-fought political battle on other fields. Indeed it would seem that most of the magistrates, or Court of Assistants, concurred with him in a desire to deal kindly with the praying Indians; but that they were to some extent compelled by the populace to adopt harsh measures. He says, “the enmity, jealousy, and clamors of some people against them put the magistracy upon a kind of necessity to send them all to the island.” 34 Again, an Indian who had a certificate of fidelity from Gookin and was actually employed in the public service as a secret agent, was apprehended by Capt. Henchman, who, “being ignorant of the design, sent both him his pass to the Governor, at Boston, who more to satisfy the clamors of the people than for any offence committed by this man, he was committed to the common jail. . . . . He had committed no offence (that ever I heard of), but was imprisoned merely to still the clamors of the people, who railed much against this poor fellow, and fain would have had him put to death (though they knew not wherefore). But those murmurings were not only against the Indian, but as much against Major Gookin, who granted him the certificate.” 35 Again, he says, “notwithstanding the council’s endeavors in the former orders, and the testimony of these English witnesses36 on behalf of the Christian Indians, yet the clamors and animosity among the common people increased daily, not only against those Indians, but also against all such English as mere judged to be charitable to them, and particularly, many harsh reflections and speeches were uttered against Major Daniel Gookin and Mr. John Eliot.” 37

As a specimen of the popular “clamors and animosity,” I copy a few manuscripts : –

“Elizabeth Belcher, aged 57, Martha Remington, aged 31, and Mary Mitchell, aged 20, being sworne, doe say, that on ye 28th day of Febr. last, abt 10 of the clocke at night, Ri: Scott came into ye house of ye said Belcher, and suddenly after he came in broak out into many hideous raileing expressions agt ye worn Capt. Daniel Gookin, calling him an Irish dog yt was never faithful to his country, the sonne of a whoare, a bitch, a rogue, God confound him, & God rott his soul, saying if I could meet him alone I would pistoll him. I wish my knife and sizers were in his heart. He is the devils interpreter. I and two or three more designed to cut of all Gookins brethren at the Island, but some English dog discovered it, the devil will plague him,” etc. Sworn before Simon Willard, Assistant, March 4, 1675-6.38 Scott was fined and imprisoned; he afterwards made a very humble confession, and was released.

Two copies of a written handbill are preserved, dated on the same day that Scott gave vent to his wrath: “Boston, February 28, 1675. Reader thou art desired not to supprese this paper, but to promote its designe, which is to certify (those traytors to their king and countrey) Guggins and Danford, that some generous spirits have vowed their destruction; as Christians wee warne them to prepare for death, for though they will deservedly dye, yet we wish the health of their soules. By ye new society. A. B. C. D.” 39

The following memorandum was entered by Rev. John Eliot, on his Church Record: “1676. On the 7th day of the 2d month, Capt. Gookins, Mr. Danforth, & Mr. Stoughton wr sent by the Councill to order matters at Long Island for the Indians planting there, ya called me wth ym. In or way thither a great boat of about 14 ton, meeting us, turned head upon us (whethr willfully or by negligence, God he knoweth), ya run the sterne of or boate wr we 4 sat under water. Or boats saile or something tangled with the great boat, and by God’s mercy kept to it. My cosin Jacob & cosin Perrie being forwarder in or boat quickly got up into the great boat. I so sunk yt I drank in salt water twice, & could not help it. God assisted my two cosins to deliver us all, & help us up into the great boat. We were not far from the Castle, where we went ashore, dryed & refreshed, & yn went to the Island, performed or work, returned well home at night, praised be the Lord. Some thanked God, & some wished we had been drowned. Soone after, one yt wished we had been drowned, was himself drowned about the same place wr we wr so wonderfully delivered: the history wroff is” –. Here the account abruptly ends.

At a later day, John Marshall testified that on the 9th of October, 1677, “I saw John Joans driveing his trucks, whipping his horses which caused them to run very furiously; the worshipful Thomas Danforth being before the trucks shifted the way several times to escape the horses, and I was afraid they would have ran over him; but having escaped them, when the said Joans came to the wharfe where I was, I asked him why he drave his trucks soe hard to run over people, and told him he had like to have ran over Mr. Danforth; he answered it was noe matter if Mr. Danforth and Major Gucking were both hanged. Sworn in Court. J. Dudley, Assistant. 12. 8. 77. Said Jones is sentenced to be admonished, and not to drive a cart in Boston upon penalty of a severe whipping.  J. DUDLEY, per order.” 40

On account of the popular exasperation, Capt. Gookin failed of election in May, 1676, as one of the Assistants. The General Court, however, manifested their sympathy and confidence, by promoting him, at their first session, to the office of Sergeant-major, or chief commander of the militia in the County. During the year, the tide of feeling changed in his favor, and in May, 1677, he was reinstated in his former position as an Assistant. Thenceforth, both he and his associate, Danforth, retained their hold on the public confidence until the close of life.

Notes:
Coll. Mass: Hist. Soc., xiii. 138.

2  Charles River, anciently called Quineboquin, was the natural boundary between these two hostile tribes. The Squaw-sachem seems to have resided on the westerly side of Mystic Pond. A deposition of Edward Johnson is preserved among the papers of the Middlesex County Court (1662), testifying that he was present when the Squaw-sachem and her husband in 1639 “did give and sell unto Charlestown all their lands within the limits of Charlestown, except that on the west side of the Ponds called Misticke, where their wigwam then stood, which they reserved for term of her life,” etc.

Coll. Mass. Hist. Soc., xix. 57, 58.

Mass. Col. Rec., i. 394.

Mass. Col. Rec., i. 254.

Mass. Col. Rec., i. 292.

7  The original deed is preserved in the files of the Middlesex County Court, 1662, having been used as evidence in a legal controversy concerning the lands conveyed to Gibbons. Besides the Indian marks, it bears the autographs of John Winthrop, John Endicott, Richard Saltonstall, Thomas Flint, Thomas Danforth and William Aspinwall.

Mass. Col. Rec., ii. 55.

9  Brooks’ Hist. Medford, p. 74.

10  Coll. Mass. Hist. Soc., i. 169. He is styled “Sagamore of the Massachusetts” in his sale of land in Andover to John Woodbridge and his associates, and “Sachem of Massachusetts” in a similar sale of land in Dorchester to Richard Collecott “for the use of the plantation of Dorchester.” – Mass. Arch., xxx. 7, 15.

11  Ibid., p. 168.

12  Coll. Mass. Hist. Soc., xxiv. 3.

13  Coll. Mass. Hist. Soc., xxiv. 41.

14  Bacon’s History of Natick, p. 9.

15  Coll. Mass. Hist. Soc., i. 181.

16  One or more of them is said to have been written by Mr. Shepard.

17  Hist. Lect., p. 67.

18  Or Nashaway, now Lancaster.

19  Brookfield.

20  Coll. Mass. Hist. Soc., i. 189-195.

21  “Caleb Cheeshahteanmuck, Indus,” 1665, is the solitary Indian name found on the Triennial Catalogue of Harvard College.

22  Coll. Mass. Hist. Soc., i. 172, 173.

23  Coll. Mass. Hist. Soc., xxiv. 171.

24  Gookin bears honorable testimony to the character of one of these rulers. In describing Natick he says: “In this town they have residing some of their principal rulers, the chief whereof is named Waban, who is now above seventy years of age. He is a person of great prudence and piety; I do not know any Indian that excels him.” – Coll. Mass. Hist. Soc., i. 183, 184. This Waban was the same who made arrangements for the first missionary visit of Eliot to Nonantum, as heretofore related. His sign manual, or mark, is preserved in the Cambridge Records, affixed to an agreement “to keep about six-score head of dry cattle on the south side of Charles River,” in 1647. He was living in 1681, then “aged about eighty years.”

25  DanieI Gookin.

26  Coll. Mass. Hist. Soc., i. 177.

27  Ibid., i. 178.

28  Coll. Mass. Hist. Soc., i. 192.

29  Mass. Arch., xxx. 260.

30  Coll. Amer. Antiq. Soc., ii. 449, 450.

31  Ibid., ii. 454.

32  Coll. Amer. Antiq. Soc., ii. 473, 474.

33  Bacon’s Hist. of Natick, p. 23.

34  Coll. Amer. Ant. Soc., ii. 485.

35  Coll. Amer. Ant. Soc., ii. 481.

36  John Watson, Sen., and Henry Prentiss, both of Cambridge, who by direction of the Council dwelt with the Natick Indian; about twelve weeks, and certified their obedience to God and their faithfulness to the English.

37  Coll. Amer. Ant. Soc., ii. 452, 453.

38  Mass. Arch., xxx. 192.

39  Mass. Arch., xxx. 193.

40  Mass. Arch., viii. 4.

Notes re-indexed from original

Lucius Paige - History of Cambridge   Lucius Paige

November 21, 2022

Destroying a City is as Easy as ABC – November 21, 2022 Cambridge City Council Agenda

Destroying a City is as Easy as ABC – November 21, 2022 Cambridge City Council Agenda

Perhaps it’s a good time to burn some bridges and take sides. The 2023 Municipal Election Season has now begun and there is some detritus that needs to be disposed.Corridors of Destruction

Manager’s Agenda #1. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Policy Orders 2022 number 290 & 291 [Awaiting Report 22-82], regarding continuing the outdoor dining season and considering the extension of the reduced fee schedule.
pulled by Zondervan; Placed on File 9-0

Though this may not be the response some councillors wanted, but it makes total sense – especially in regard to how much of the space taken in the public way for cold weather outdoor dining went unused most of the time last winter.


Manager’s Agenda #3. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 21-90, regarding a request for various City departments in coordination with the Cambridge Redevelopment Authority to identify spaces in Central Square that would support the creation and protection of cultural and human services.
pulled by Mallon; Placed on File 9-0

Another great response from the City Manager and staff. One extra note I will make is that venues that support music and the arts should be viewed as “community benefits” in much the same way as open space and ground-floor retail and housing that is affordable to people whose incomes might otherwise leave them priced out.

Manager’s Agenda #4. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Reports Items Numbered 16-111, 18-38, and 20-61, regarding Municipal Property Inventory. [Report]
Pulled by Nolan; Charter Right – Zondervan

Manager’s Agenda #5. Transmitting Communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $200,000 from Free Cash to the Public Investment Fund Community Development Department Extraordinary Expenditures account to be used for professional services related to a Central Square area municipal property needs assessment and planning study.
pulled by Carlone; Order Adopted 9-0

Excellent reports that make clear the range of priorities that need to be considered – especially in the proposed Central Square area municipal property needs assessment and planning study. All too often the City Council simply throws ideas out onto the floor based on what they see as popular. This is how Boston ended up with zillions of MDC skating rinks while the water and sewer infrastructure crumbled – until the courts created the MWRA to properly manage these resources. In the Cambridge context, this illustrates very well the value of a city manager form of government over some populist alternative.

Manager’s Agenda #6. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the City of Cambridge resuming the use of the city-owned water supply on Nov 19, 2022.
pulled by Nolan; Placed on File 9-0

Speaking of infrastructure, it’s great to have you back again, Cambridge Water.


Manager’s Agenda #7. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 22-77, regarding a review of the proposed language for Ordinance #2022-18, the Incentive Zoning Rate Study Petition, as amended in Committee and report of findings back to the City Council.
pulled by Zondervan; Referred to Petition 9-0

Unfinished Business #2. An Ordinance has been received, relative to Reevaluation of Housing Contribution Rate, Incentive Zoning Petition, Section 11.202 (d) of Article 11.000 entitled SPECIAL REGULATIONS, Ordinance #2022-18, as amended. [Passed to 2nd Reading Oct 31, 2022; To Be Ordained on or after Nov 21, 2022] (ORD22#18)
pulled by Zondervan; Ordained as Amended 9-0

This is really just a minor alteration in the timeline for the next nexus study, but I still believe that the whole basis for Incentive Zoning needs to be reviewed rather than to exist only as a cash cow for “social housing.”


Unfinished Business #3. The Government Operations, Rules & Claims Committee met on Oct 25, 2022, to discuss potential changes to the City Council Rules. The Committee voted favorable to recommend several amendments to the Rules of the City Council related to Rule 15, Rule 21(resulting in Rule 21, 21A and 21B), Rule 22, Rule 24B, Rule 24C.1b, Rule 27-Economic Development and University Relations Committee, Rule 27-Housing Committee, Rule 27-Civic Unity Committee, Rule 32 (adding new Rule 32D), Rule 38.8, and adding a new Rule 40.1. The Committee also voted favorably to replace “he” and “she” with gender neutral language. Rule 36B. No amendments or additions to the rules may be enacted until at least seven days have elapsed from the date of the submission of the proposed changes or additions and require a majority vote of the entire membership of the City Council. [Order #1] [Order #2] [Order #3] [Order #4] [Order #5] [Order #6] [Order #7] [Order #8] [Order #9] [Order #10] [Order #11] [Order #12] [Order #13] [Order #14]
pulled by Mallon; Orders #1-6, #8-14 Adopted 9-0; Order #7 Adopted 8-1 (Zondervan – NO)

This is mainly routine “hey kids, let’s re-write the student organization constitution” stuff. I will note only two specific things. First, amending the Rules should not be viewed as an opportunity to enshrine specific policies. City Council Orders and Resolutions are the more appropriate places for that. Second, there are better ways to achieve gender-neutral language than nonsense phrases like “A member that has recused themselves shall not participate in the discussion…” Try something more like, “A member, after recusal, shall not participate in the discussion…” Just a friendly suggestion.


Order #15. Amendments to the Affordable Housing Overlay.   Councillor Azeem, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Zondervan
pulled by Toner; Azeem amendment Fails (BA,MM,DS,QZ – YES; DC,AM,PN,PT,SS – NO)
QZ amendment to Require Committee Reports by Jan 31, 2022 Fails 4-5 (BA,MM,DS,QZ – YES; DC,AM,PN,PT,SS – NO)
Toner Amendment to send to Housing Committee and NLTP Committee (rather than to Ordinance Committee & Planning Board) Adopted 8-1 (QZ – NO)
Order Adopted as Amended 8-1 (QZ – NO)

This may well be the most outrageous proposal I have ever seen from this or any other Cambridge City Council. Please read the full text of this Order and the accompanying maps. It simply blows past decades of thoughtful, deliberative planning and public participation in favor of dramatic upzoning without any meaningful opportunity for public response or input. I will add that we may now be at the point where proposals such as this will have to be viewed through a “regulatory taking” lens in the sense that what is allowed and what is proposed to be allowed for government-sponsored developers is dramatically more than what is allowed for ordinary property owners. It seems as though the policy of this City Council has become completely skewed toward moving privately-owned property toward “social housing” – and they apparently are willing to keep skewing the rules to benefit their chosen developers (who are likely also the ones drafting the regulations) until they achieve this shift.

I feel some obligation to now talk about proportional representation elections. In the absence of any true civic and political infrastructure in Cambridge, our municipal elections have become dominated by single-issue advocacy groups. In the absence of a true local newspaper willing to listen to community concerns and provide objective journalism, political propaganda has become the rule, and that includes partisans embedded in neighborhood listservs eager to attack anyone who might stand in the way of their respective agendas. So here is my first bit of advice when it comes time to vote in the next municipal election – in addition to considering which candidates you find acceptable and ranking them by preference, think even more about which candidates you should exclude from your ballot. We are now in a period where voting for candidate slates is being strongly encouraged, and in an environment where most residents remain unaware of the actions and proposals of councillors and candidates, propaganda can dominate. The truth is that some candidates win regardless of endorsements and it’s demonstrably false to claim that a majority of voters support policies of your organization simply because they are included on your candidate slate. We have never actually polled Cambridge voters about specific issues, and the range of criteria used by most voters in their candidate preferences is as wide as an ocean.

The ABC group (more properly called “A Bigger Cambridge”) has never made a secret of its long-term mission – namely to dramatically increase heights and densities everywhere in Cambridge, to eliminate all neighborhood conservation districts and historic preservation regulations, and to “streamline” permitting in the sense that most or all rights to object to development proposals should be eliminated. One of their principal officers even suggested a target population of at least 300,000 for Cambridge a few years ago (that’s about triple the current population). This is like the reincarnation of Robert Moses as Jane Jacobs rolls over in her grave. I actually ranked 3 of the 9 candidates ABC endorsed in the 2021 municipal election. I will not rank any of their endorsees again even if I like them personally, and I encourage others to do the same. This, by the way, should not be viewed in any way as an endorsement of any other candidates or candidate slates – despite what some activists may choose to think (or tweet).

Here’s a letter sent by Patrick Barrett to the City Council that captures many of my sentiments and makes some very important points:

Honorable Mayor Siddiqui and Cambridge City Council,

I have to admit that following this Council lately is a lot like drinking from a fire hose. It has been difficult to keep up with all of the proposed changes. This latest amendment request has a lot of stuff in it but instead of getting tangled in the binary weeds of yes or no I think what I am seeing here is a moment in time where we ought to clearly state or get comfortable with where this city is headed. In about a month it will be C2’s 9th birthday … a failed planning initiative that was ultimately rejected by CDD, some current councillors, and the Planning Board. I compare that five year process to this petition and I can only think about how massively this conversation about development has changed in such a short time. Back in those days (2013) 14 stories was declared too tall, would block out the sun, and force MBTA personnel to use brooms to push passengers into overcrowded T stops. Dark times to be sure. However, now the pendulum has swung wildly in another direction where proponents of any change now state that an “emergency” dictates that we must act immediately on everything … all the time … no matter what. Even worse, proponents of everything from BEUDO to the AHO state that to not be 100% onboard is akin to doing nothing, being a climate denier, being anti-housing, or being a racist. It is hard to take them seriously especially in a city like Cambridge where it is unlikely and rare to find another city that does more within 6.2 sq miles on either subject. Maybe we ought to start thinking about what we do instead of berating ourselves over the false perception that we do nothing?

I am supportive of “tall” buildings in Central Square in part because we already have them and because Central Square, more than most areas of the City, has yet to come close to realizing its potential. However I think this has to do more with a lack of vision than archaic zoning, though to be clear Central Square zoning is the absolute worst in the city. I must admit, and please do not faint, that I have an issue with 100% affordable development schemes; especially when they preclude market rate developments that match. For instance, Central Square has a base height of 55′ whereas this proposal would allow for 280′ and potentially unlimited height depending on how you interpret the section on open space subparagraph (f). I’m not sure I care that much about height and I cannot tell the difference between an 18 story building or a 24 story building especially from the ground floor but such a wildly disproportionate development scheme for one type of housing is a mistake anywhere and especially in an area that already exceeds 30% affordable for total housing stock. I say this in light of the fact that proponents of the AHO often cited lack of affordable housing in other parts of the city, currently below even 40b standards, and that the AHO was designed to fix that. This has not been the case so far and maybe it makes sense to put the lion share of affordable housing in one section of the city … but I’ve yet to hear anyone in planning or the City explain why. I also believe that market rate housing IS the “affordable housing” for the vast majority of people coming to Cambridge who do not qualify for affordable housing. Without a substantive plan to address that population aren’t we just kicking the can and further exacerbating values? Have we decided collectively that supply and demand is a myth? If so that might help explain this strategy though I’ve not heard that openly expressed by CDD or City Staff.

My questions about this policy change are more about bigger picture issues:

1) Are we no longer going to permit market rate development?

2) Do we have a goal with regard to affordable housing?

3) Have we thought about what happens once people are housed or are we merely counting units?

4) What happens in the commercial districts or more importantly a cultural district when the developer is no longer bound to zoning in any way?

5) Is home ownership no longer a goal?

6) If the council feels that 280′ is an appropriate height for buildings, why limit that to affordable only?

7) Has anyone audited the impact of the AHO on market costs?

8) Have we assessed the impact of changing inclusionary zoning since it was increased in 2015?

9) Is there a conflict of interest with the affordable housing trust where the Manager, affordable developers, and a few interested parties are solely responsible for doling out taxpayer money to each other for their own projects and also now draft zoning changes with City staff to remove their need to comply while everyone else has to? I cannot imagine we’d accept this arrangement for market rate development. Why is it OK here?

10) I would love to hear someone articulate a clear vision for the City. In Central Square we have been pushing our own vision in the absence of a clear direction from the City. I am happy to share that vision; would you kindly share yours?

Lastly, our ordinance is a book about us and our values and it seems at this moment in time it is making assumptions that are incorrect. Maybe this is the moment where we take a pause and try to piece together the dozens of studies, reams of data collected over four decades, and actually reform our zoning code to reflect the values everyone seems to claim they have? It doesn’t have to take another decade or even more than a few months, but if we are planning for the next 150 years like our university friends do we should be looking at this top down not through the narrow lens of one subject.

CC: Hatfields
CC: McCoys

Regards and Happy Thanksgiving,
Patrick W. Barrett III


Order #16. The City Manager is requested to work with the Finance and Assessing Departments to determine how the City could adopt G.L. c. 40, sec. 60B, created under the Municipal Modernization Act, which allows cities and towns, through their respective legislative bodies, to provide for Workforce Housing Special Tax Assessments Zones (WH–STA) as an incentive to create middle-income housing.   Mayor Siddiqui, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Simmons, Councillor McGovern
Order Adopted 9-0

This Order quotes the “Envision Cambridge Housing recommendations” that supposedly came out of the Housing Working Group of Envision Cambridge (of which I was a member). I consider that entire exercise to be a failed process due to the manner in which that committee was formed primarily of inside “affordable housing” developers, funders, and advocates with virtually no focus on housing in general. That said, this is an interesting proposal. It does, however, need some clarification. In particular, does the statement “The WH-STA Zone is an area in which the City identifies opportunities for increased development of middle-income housing and provides property tax relief to developers during construction and for up to five years, in exchange for all units being rented at a pre-established rate targeting middle-income renters…” mean to imply that rent levels would be maintained for up to 5 years or be subject to regulation in perpetuity (which would seem to violate state law)?

Order #17. Roundtable on Open Space Planning and Programming including the Public Space Lab.   Mayor Siddiqui
Order Adopted 9-0

Order #18. That the memo from Charles Sullivan regarding Comments on Citizen’s Petition to Amend Ch. 2.78, Article III, Neighborhood Conservation Districts and Landmarks and the memo from Charles Sullivan regarding the Proposed Friendly Amendments to Ch. 2.78, Art. III be forwarded to the full City Council with the recommendation to refer said memos to the Ordinance Committee for further discussion.   Councillor Carlone
Order Adopted 9-0

Committee Report #2. The Neighborhood and Long-Term Planning Committee conducted a public meeting on Oct 25, 2022 to discuss the Neighborhood Conservation District Citizen’s Petition: Historical Commission Proposed Response. [text of report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0

Suffice to say that the “Neighborhood Conservation District Citizen’s Petition” is one of ABC’s policy goals to minimize or eliminate public review of development proposals. As for Neighborhood Conservation Districts in general, while I absolutely would not want them to dictate what paint I can use on my house or the requirement of materials that are dramatically more expensive, I absolutely support their underlying purpose. In spite of the Robert Moses view of things, I believe there are many things in Cambridge worthy of preservation.

Committee Report #1. The Health and Environment Committee conducted a public meeting on Oct 12, 2022 to discuss the issue of water quality from the Cambridge water supply including PFAS levels, and comparison with the MWRA system, the long-term strategy for ensuring water quality standards for all users and all other water quality related issues and concerns. [text of report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0

I didn’t attend this meeting and I don’t really buy into the alarmism espoused by some of the councillors. I do, however, agree that some businesses (coffee shops are the one that come to mind) and some residents have expressed concerns about hardness and possibly other qualities of Cambridge water that can affect appliance life span. I have heard this many times from plumbers. The Water Department recommends that we “Flush/Drain/Clean Hot Water Heater at least Annually (per manufacturers recommendation)” but the truth is that many of us still go with the “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it” philosophy.

Communications & Reports #2. A communication was received from City Solicitor Nancy E. Glowa, transmitting a response of City of Cambridge to Open Meeting Law Complaint of John Hawkinson dated Nov 7, 2022.
Response to Office of Atty. General Approved 9-0

I suppose we all have the discretion to choose which hill to die on. This isn’t my hill. To paraphrase Freud, sometimes a training is just a training.

Resolution #1. Congratulations to Deputy Superintendent Rick Riley on his retirement from the Cambridge Police Department.   Councillor Toner

Best of luck and happy trails, my friend. – Robert Winters

November 16, 2022

Cambridge InsideOut Episodes 569-570: November 15, 2022

Episode 569 – Cambridge InsideOut: Nov 15, 2022 (Part 1)

This episode was recorded on Nov 15, 2022 at 6:00pm. Topics: The Replacements – esp. for departing School Committee member Akriti Bhambi, how vacancy recounts are conducted in Cambridge; Covid optimism; positive and negatives from the Covid experience – outdoor patios, virtual meetings; Charter Review dominated by uninformed gripes. Hosts: Patrick Barrett, Robert Winters [On YouTube] [audio]


Episode 570 – Cambridge InsideOut: Nov 15, 2022 (Part 2)

This episode was recorded on Nov 15, 2022 at 6:30pm. Topics: Climate Resiliency zoning, flood-prone areas, building elevations, “green score”, ADA compliance, intended and unintended consequences; learning from history – a Muddy River illustration; the value of “the 80% solution”, economic slowdown, especially labs; floating Linkage; reasonable outcomes in federal elections; listening vs. telling, pushing back on the ideologues; City Boards & Commissions – professionalism vs. politics. Hosts: Patrick Barrett, Robert Winters [On YouTube] [audio]

[Materials used in these episodes]

November 14, 2022

Featured Items on the Nov 14, 2022 Cambridge City Council Agenda

Featured Items on the Nov 14, 2022 Cambridge City Council Agenda

I suppose more fur will fly when they take a second pass at last week’s Order re: traffic disruptions caused by the partial one-way conversion of Garden Street for bicycle comfort (as well as the new questionably executed Brattle St. bicycle facilities). Predictably, there were zillions of communications both last week and this week both from less frequent commenters caught by surprise as well as the usual suspects who can always be counted on to toe their particular party line regardless of actual facts.City Hall

Here are the items that seem most interesting to this toeless observer:

Manager’s Agenda #1. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to a public health update.
Placed on File 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #2. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Climate Resilience Zoning. [cover letter] [draft zoning]
pulled by Nolan; Referred to Health & Environment Committee 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #3. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 22-72, regarding a report outlining the efficacy of the Private Property Rodent Control Program and the SMART Digital Rodent Control Boxes, and any changes being contemplated to these current programs; and the status of the Rat Liaison position. [report]
pulled by Mallon; Placed on File 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #4. Transmitting Communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $586,000 from Free Cash to the General Fund Public Works Other Ordinary Maintenance account to support the continuation and expansion the City’s rodent control program utilizing SMART box technology and to fully fund the residential property rodent control program. [letter and order]
pulled by Mallon; Placed on File, Order Adopted 9-0

It would be great if they sold smaller indoor units for mice – ones that actually work.


Charter Right #1. Policy Order Regarding Traffic Flow on Garden Street. [Charter Right – Simmons, Nov 7, 2022]
Order Adopted as Amended 9-0

87 Communications – all but two of which focus on the Garden Street “experiment”. It’s worth noting that only 13 of the 87 communications arrived after the Nov 7 meeting, but since the relevant Order was delayed via Charter Right they’re all still timely.

Let me guess – 100 people will Zoom in during Public Comment reading scripted comments about how wonderful the bicycle comfort lanes are, or how the Traffic, Parking & Transportation lives to make driving as difficult as possible (true), or how if anyone disagrees with any aspect of the Bicycle Safety Ordinance they must be passively trying to kill people. There are good reasons why I generally skip Public Comment these days.


On the Table #2. Policy Order Seeking Development Analysis. [Charter Right – McGovern, Oct 17, 2022; Tabled Oct 24, 2022]
Order Adopted as Amended 9-0


Order #1. Improved Marketing for Green Plus Cambridge Community Electricity.   Councillor Nolan, Councillor Zondervan, Vice Mayor Mallon, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Azeem, Councillor Carlone, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Toner
pulled by Nolan; Order Adopted as Amended 9-0

I’ll take the cheapest one, thank you.

Order #2. That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to work with the appropriate departments to extend the Outdoor Dining Policy and continue to allow winter outdoor dining as has been the case in the last two years.   Councillor Zondervan
pulled by Nolan; Order Adopted 9-0

Many of the Covid-inspired street patios are really past their prime and should be phased out or scaled back to sidewalk-only. That said, the Central Square patios on the south side of Mass. Ave. have become a real destination – even if some reconfiguration and scaling back is in order. Other Covid-inspired accommodations such as Starlight Square need some revision or relocation as we return to more normal times. A blocked-off area with little or no active use most of the time adds little to the vitality of Central Square.

Late Order #3. That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to work with the appropriate departments to consider extending the current reduced fee schedule for another year and to report on this matter by Nov 30, 2022.
Order Adopted 9-0

Committee Report #1. The Government Operations, Rules & Claims Committee met on Oct 25, 2022, to discuss potential changes to the City Council Rules. [text of report]
Moved to Unfinished Business 9-0

As I noted several weeks ago, former Mayor Frank Duehay once told me that the death knell of any organization is when they spend excessive time and emphasis on their by-laws instead of their mission. I am also reminded of those annoying kids in high school who obsessed over “rewriting the student constitution.” I guess they grow up and become city councillors.

Committee Report #2. Health & Environment Committee [to discuss and amend the draft Net Zero Action Plan update, and next steps in implementing and updating the City’s NetZero Action Plan including setting SMART goals for action items, accelerating timelines in line with the Climate Protection Action Committee review and the Climate Crisis Working Group discussion and any other issues related to the Plan] – Oct 28, 2022, 9:00am [text of report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0

I expect even more unfunded mandates from “progressive” councillors who feel obliged to tell you how to think, what you can and cannot do or say, what you should or should not buy, what vehicle you should or should not drive, what you should or should not eat, how you should heat your home or cook your food, and pretty much anything else that used to go under the category of “choice”. All they have to do is say there’s an emergency and anything goes.

Wed, Dec 14 (Hearing Schedule)
3:00pm   The Public Safety Committee is holding a public meeting to discuss the implementation of the new Community Safety Department and integration with HEART.

The so-called “H.E.A.R.T. proposal” (Holistic Emergency Alternative Response Team) was first introduced in May 2021 by activists who were openly hostile to police and who repeatedly referred to police as “slave-catchers”. Everyone, including Cambridge Police, agree with the idea that not all emergency calls need to be or should be handled by uniformed and armed police. The City came back with a more rational proposal with the creation of a new Community Safety Department along with a system called CARP (Cambridge Alternative Response Program) that would integrate alternate emergency response with Emergency Communications – in contrast with the activist proposal that would have created a completely separate system divorced from City government (except for the funding). The availability of federal ARPA money with minimal strings attached led to the activists seeking an alternate way to justify their existence. Since then I have heard rumors that the people behind the HEART proposal had an inside track to get a contract under the new department – something some of us consider highly problematic. I hope this is just an unfounded rumor. Some city councillors, Mr. Zondervan in particular, continue in their effort to assume an executive role by asserting that the Community Safety Department will be integrated with HEART even though there is no such reference in the FY2023 Budget. It continues to astound me that Mayor Siddiqui chose to appoint Councillor Zondervan as Chair of the Public Safety Committee. – Robert Winters

November 5, 2022

Roads Scholars? – Notable Items on the Nov 7, 2022 Cambridge City Council Agenda

Roads Scholars? – Notable Items on the Nov 7, 2022 Cambridge City Council Agenda

Apparently the quickest roads to City Hall right now are via Brattle Street and Garden Street. Here are the agenda items that drove me to comment:Penny Farthing

Manager’s Agenda #2. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to approval requested for an appointment of new members to the Cambridge Commission for Persons with Disabilities (CCPD) – Keisha Greaves, Robert Goss [three-year terms].
Appointments Approved 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #3. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 22-58 , regarding directing the appropriate City staff to establish a fund designed to assist those City employees in same-sex marriages with paying for surrogacy services. [City Solicitor’s response]
pulled by Simmons; Placed on File 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #4. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to a Planning Board report with a recommendation to adopt the Incentive Zoning Rate Study Petition, with clarifying changes.
pulled by Zondervan; Referred to Petition 9-0

Lotsa Communications about bike lanes and the collateral damage of cut-through traffic caused by the City’s latest “engineering” solutions.

Order #1. Policy Order Regarding Traffic Flow on Garden Street.   Councillor Toner, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Carlone
pulled by Toner; comments by Toner, Simmons, Carlone, Nolan, McGovern, Zondervan (proposes amendments), Mallon, Siddiqui, Toner (willing to acept amendments), Carlone, Azeem, Nolan, Simmons; Charter Right – Simmons

Order #2. Ban Turns on Red Citywide.   Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Azeem, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Zondervan, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Carlone
pulled by Mallon (who apparently advertised this proposal with the print and broadcast press), amendment proposed; comments by Azeem, Carlone, Zondervan, Toner (notes that Traffic Director already has authority to impose “No Turn on Red”), McGovern (notes Alewife Brook Pkwy at Rindge Ave. backups), Nolan, Simmons, Siddiqui; Mallon amendment passes 9-0; Amend to add McGovern, Zondervan, Nolan, Carlone as cosponsors passes 9-0; Nolan amendment (as further amended by Zondervan) passes 9-0; Order Adopted 7-2 [Simmons, Toner – NO]

Order #4. MBTA Pass [for City employees].   Mayor Siddiqui, Vice Mayor Mallon
pulled by Mallon; comments by Siddiqui, Mallon; Order Adopted 7-0-2 (Carlone, Toner – ABSENT)

Order #5. Roundtable on Broadband.   Mayor Siddiqui
Order Adopted 9-0

Order #6. Capital Projects Finance Meeting.   Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Carlone
Order Adopted 9-0

Order #7. Revised MBTA Bus Redesign.   Councillor Nolan, Councillor Azeem, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Toner
pulled by Nolan; comments by Nolan, Simmons; Substitute Order Adopted 9-0 (this substitute was not made available to the public in any form)

Note: Rather than offer my usual comments this week, I instead spent my time Monday restoring my living room to a condition where I can now find and play all of my favorite CDs and vinyl records. Some things are just more important than Cambridge City Council meetings. – Robert Winters

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