Cambridge Civic Journal Forum

May 1, 2026

Stepping Fourth – May 4, 2026 Cambridge City Council meeting

Filed under: Cambridge,City Council — Tags: , , , , , , , , , — Robert Winters @ 2:57 pm

Stepping Fourth – May 4, 2026 Cambridge City Council meeting

This being May 1 (May Day for you revolutionaries), I’m sure several of our city councillors have taken the “No Work, No School, and No Shopping” pledge that was in the Policy Order that they unanimously approved last week. In contrast, I will today be grading exams and going shopping in what I hope will be several councillor-free stores.City Hall

This past week provided some interesting lessons in just how delusional some of our elected officials and some public commenters are – most notably Wednesday’s meeting of the Council’s Public Safety Committee. Tuesday’s Transportation Committee meeting made clear that the top brass of the City’s Transportation Department must have been experts at cheating on their lab reports while in college with lessons learned and now applied to cooking the books to justify their illusory costs for the Resident Permit Parking program used to justify the tripling of the permit fee. On an encouraging note, there did appear to be some emerging consensus among councillors that maybe, just maybe, it wasn’t such a bright idea to discard the senior exemption. I eagerly await a coming City Council order recommending that this nuisance fee for seniors continue to be waived.

I also attended a CMAC gathering of members of the City’s Boards & Commissions on Wednesday evening. This is a tradition started by Mayor David Maher some years ago that has now been rekindled. The history of the City’s boards going back to the early 1800’s was the highlight, but the reunion of many long-time civic friends was the even greater highlight.

The Budget Hearings will be starting this week (May 6, May 6, and May 12 and possibly May 14 if a kerfuffle breaks out). I anticipate that at least two councillors will advocate defunding the police, and I won’t be at all surprised if some will still push for several budget-busting proposals that are not currently budgeted (e.g. social housing, a successor to the Rise Up Cambridge free money scheme, municipal broadband). You can access the Budget Book here. We have now officially topped a billion dollars.

Anyway, here are a few featured items on this week’s City Council agenda:

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

Manager’s Agenda #6. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to appointments to the Conservation Commission effective May 4, 2026. [text of report]
pulled by Nolan; comments by Nolan, John Nardone (DPW), Jennifer LeTourneau (Conservation); Appointments Confirmed 9-0

Order #2. That the City Council go on record calling upon President Trump to immediately rescind Executive Order 14380, immediately enter meaningful negotiations with the Cuban government with the goal of ending the United States oil embargo, and carry out his foreign policy agenda with respect to the wishes of the people of the United States and in accordance with international law.   Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Al-Zubi
pulled by Nolan; comments by Sobrinho-Wheeler, Nolan (will vote Present), Simmons (will vote Present), Flaherty (will vote Present), Al-Zubi, Azeem (He will vote to support Order – completely contradicting statements he has made in the past regarding his intention to vote Present on foreign policy matters such as this. Oh, what a difference a State Senate candidacy makes when you’re trying to court the DSA vote.), McGovern, Zusy, Siddiqui; Charter Right – Nolan
[Note: Public Comment was dominated by DSA members and DSA-adjacent allies who expressed their belief that the people of Cuba should not be made to suffer from the actions of the USA (no argument there) and even referred to the actions of the USA as “genocide”. Notably, not a single peep was ever heard from the DSA when Russia annexed Crimea and when it invaded Ukraine. Indeed, DSA members at that time expressed support for the Russian invasion of Ukraine.]

I suspect this won’t be the last of these ineffective international policy orders this City Council term. At least they don’t have Muammar Gaddafi to kick around anymore.

Order #3. That the City Manager is requested to confer with relevant City staff to review City ordinances regulating the operation of food vendors in City parks.   Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor McGovern, Vice Mayor Azeem, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Al-Zubi
pulled by Nolan; comments by Sobrinho-Wheeler, Nolan, Siddiqui; Order Adopted 8-0-1 as Amended (McGovern Absent)

Bring on the hot dog vendors!

161 Communications – mainly about Garden Street, but I have no idea how to actually read these communications in the new system (and several people have now asked me about this).

Charter Right #1. That the City Manager is requested to work with relevant staff to explore options for commissioning a housing needs study through a qualified research institution, to establish a clear evidence-based understanding of existing housing conditions, resident needs, and measurable housing goals to guide future decision-making. [Charter Right – Simmons, Apr 27, 2026]
comments by Simmons, Zusy, Al-Zubi, McGovern, Flaherty, Azeem, Nolan, Sobrinho-Wheeler; Simmons amendment Adopted 7-1-0-1 (Zusy – No; Al-Zubi – Present); Al-Zubi amendment Adopted 9-0; Order Adopted as Amended 9-0
[RW comment: Councillor Simmons is a dear friend of many years but, with all due respect, her amendment to this Order can effectively be summed up by the sentence, “Study it all you want, but don’t use any information learned to change a damn thing.”]

My sense is that the prevailing view is that there’s little political attention or traction to be gained by a study of actual current housing needs when they can continue to yell Crisis! Crisis! in order to justify anything and everything regardless of any intended or unintended consequences.

Committee Report #2. The Neighborhood and Long-Term Planning Committee and Housing Committee held a joint hearing on Mar 25, 2026 to discuss present findings on the state of housing production since the passage of the Multifamily Zoning in February 2025. The March 25, 2026 meeting recessed and reconvened on Apr 7, 2026 to continue the discussion. [text of report (two meetings)]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 8-0-1 (McGovern Absent)

The simple truth is that the Multifamily Zoning passed in Feb 2025 is now causing a lot of disruption and consternation, but my sense is that a slim majority of city councillors will continue to shield they eyes and ears lest they be forced to reconsider some of their orthodoxy and false promises – especially if it might conflict with their political aspirations. – RW

April 22, 2026

Cambridge InsideOut Episodes 665-666: April 21, 2026

Filed under: Cambridge,Cambridge InsideOut,Cambridge Redevelopment Authority,Central Square,Charter,City Council,cycling,East Cambridge,Harvard Square,history — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , — Robert Winters @ 1:11 pm

Episode 665 – Cambridge InsideOut: Apr 21, 2026 (Part 1)

This episode was broadcast on Apr 21, 2026 at 6:00pm. Topics: Middlesex Canal, Billerica and some history of local canals; Riverview down, Broadway sidewalks and street reconfiguration, Eversource failures; Central Square Rezoning and CRA Open House; Retirement of Police Commissioner Christine Elow and a story; Board and Commission Vacancies, Traffic Board history. Host: Robert Winters [On YouTube] [audio]

Episode 666 – Cambridge InsideOut: Apr 21, 2026 (Part 2)

This episode was broadcast on Apr 21, 2026 at 6:30pm. Updates – water & sewer rates, modernizing funding for community media, Harvard Square pedestrianization, dissatisfaction with Culture House and Harvard Square Kiosk, large data centers, resident parking permit fee tripled without review of actual costs, appointment of Sara Rivera as Election Commissioner, Bicycle and Pedestrian Committee appointments, Harvard time caps for non-tenure track teaching faculty, Harvard graduate student strike, restoration of Garden St. to two-way motor-vehicle traffic; History and Revival of the Cambridge Civic Association (CCA). Host: Robert Winters [On YouTube] [audio]

[Materials used in these episodes]

April 13, 2026

In Lieu of Taxes – April 13, 2026 Cambridge City Council meeting

Filed under: Cambridge,City Council,cycling,planning — Tags: , , , , , , , , , — Robert Winters @ 12:25 pm

In Lieu of Taxes – April 13, 2026 Cambridge City Council meeting

Here are a few things of potential interest at this week’s meeting:City Hall

Manager’s Agenda #1. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to a federal update including an update on relevant court cases. [text of report]
Placed on File 8-0-1 (Simmons-Absent)

Manager’s Agenda #2. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appointment of Sara Rivera as an Election Commissioner for a term effective Apr 13, 2026 and expiring Mar 31, 2030. [text of report]
Placed on File 8-0-1 (Simmons-Absent)

There has been chatter in some quarters regarding Tom Stohlman not being reappointed to the Election Commission. These are mostly conspiratorial suggestions that this was due to Tom’s asking important questions in the wake of last November’s kerfuffle in the Preliminary PR Count when test ballot data was inadvertently not cleared prior to the Election Night tabulation. I seriously doubt whether that was a major factor in the appointment process. Any of the three nominated candidates would have been a good choice. Let’s also not dismiss the idea that a majority female City Council might not be thrilled with continuing an all-male Election Commission. I have more issues with those who are questioning the appointment than I do with the appointment itself (and Tom is a long-time friend), and I certainly don’t wish to see Sara Rivera’s arrival on the Election Commission clouded by manufactured controversy.

Manager’s Agenda #3. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Bicycle Committee Appointments. [text of report]
Appointments Confirmed 8-0-1 (Simmons-Absent)

Manager’s Agenda #4. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Pedestrian Committee Appointments. [text of report]
Appointments Confirmed 8-0-1 (Simmons-Absent)

Speaking of appointments to City boards and commissions, there is a matter worthy of discussion that never gets any attention – namely the process where City staff have effectively become the appointing authority. City staff generally do the vetting of the board applicants and then forward the list of preferred appointees to the City Manager for the formal appointment. In an ideal system, City boards with actual authority should be representative of the residents of the city and not be primarily advocates for policies and preferences espoused by City staff. Issue-specific advisory committees are a somewhat different story, e.g. you wouldn’t expect a member of the Recycling Advisory Committee to be an opponent of recycling or a member of the Bicycle Committee to be hostile to the presence of bicycles on city streets. That said, advisory committees should be just that – advisory. It distresses me whenever I hear of significant actions (such as road configurations) being contingent on the blessing by one-sided boards of activists. Also, in a City with a proportional representation election system, one might think there should be some degree of proportionality and differing perspectives on most City boards and commissions.

Manager’s Agenda #10. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the Police Review & Advisory Board Quarterly Report for the period of Fall 2025 through the First Quarter of 2026. [text of report]
pulled by Al-Zubi for comments; Nolan comments; Referred to Public Safety Committee 9-0

The relatively small number of cases that have come before the PRAB certainly lends support to some of the reconfiguration of boards that was viewed by some as controversial late last year.

Manager’s Agenda #11. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, regarding an update on the City Manager Performance Review Process. [text of report]
Placed on File 8-0-1 (Simmons-Absent)

Order #1. That the City Council go on the record urging Harvard administration to end the practice of time caps for non-tenure track teaching faculty and urging Harvard administration to acknowledge the labor contribution and employee status of all its researchers, regardless of funding source, and contractually recognize these researchers’ protected right to union representation.   Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Al-Zubi
pulled by Sobrinho-Wheeler for comments and minor amendment; Zusy comment; Adopted as Amended 8-0-0-1 (Zusy-Present)

I have mixed feelings about this one. On the one hand, as a former Mathematics Preceptor at Harvard it was the 7-year time cap that dictated my exit – though I have continued in the Harvard Extension School and the Harvard Summer School for 25 years after my exit from the teaching faculty in the Mathematics Department. I definitely would have preferred to stay, but I had other options. On the other hand, it has always been my understanding that the time cap was something favored by the faculty to prevent the Harvard administration from tamping down the number of tenured faculty in favor of non-tenured faculty willing to work for significantly less compensation and a greater teaching workload. Some other colleges have found better solutions to this dilemma. For what it’s worth, I was always happy to work for less compensation and a substantial teaching workload. It’s a job, not a country club.

Order #2. That the City Manager is requested to direct the Cambridge Department of Transportation (CDOT) and any other relevant departments to halt any further design, engineering, procurement, or construction activities related to implementing a reconfiguration of Garden Street to restore two-way motor-vehicle traffic.   Councillor Al-Zubi, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler
pulled by Flaherty; comments by Al-Zubi, Brooke McKenna (wants to keep current configuration), Flaherty (objecting to “repetitive litigation” – bad public policy); Charter Right – Flaherty

This provides yet another illustration of how things can go sideways when elected officials insert themselves into the business of road design and traffic management. The Cycling Safety Ordinance and its inflexible amendments are perhaps the greatest example of bad decisions being forced by incompetent politics. The Garden Street flip-flopping is a corollary to this, but it’s not the case that we should expect better outcomes from our dysfunctional Department of Congestion, Obstruction, and Aggravation. Pick your poison – politics or Kool-Aid. When City policies are dominated by the principle of “solution in search of a problem”, keep your expectations low.

Order #3. That the City Manager is requested work with relevant City departments to provide a report on how the decision to install artificial turf at Ahern Field was made, the rationale for artificial turf, and what process was taken to ensure community concerns and public health considerations were fully addressed, and to ensure that construction will not move forward until a report is delivered.   Councillor Nolan, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Zusy, Councillor Flaherty, Councillor Azeem, Councillor Al-Zubi
pulled by Nolan; comments by Nolan, McGovern, Deputy City Manager Kathy Watkins, Zusy with proposed amendment [to be determined], Flaherty, Azeem, Al-Zubi, Yi-An Huang, Siddiqui; Zusy amendment Adopted 9-0; add’l sponsors added 9-0; Order Adopted as Amended 9-0

I don’t know what’s best in terms of natural grass vs. more durable artificial turf, and I’m not really sure how PFAS becomes a health concern when you’re not Grazin’ in the Grass. Then again, I once knew a person who wouldn’t allow smoke detectors in her building when she learned that there was a trace amount of radioactive material in the detectors used for ionization.

Committee Report #1. The Finance Committee held a public hearing on Tues, Mar 10, 2026 to review and discuss the Police Department budget for FY27 before it is submitted to the City Manager, as required under Cambridge Municipal Code Chapter 2.74.040. [text of report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0

Committee Report #2. The Ordinance Committee held a public hearing on Mar 11, 2026 to have a conversation regarding zoning recommendations to strengthen active use requirements on Cambridge Street and Mass Ave as a follow-up to the recently adopted zoning petitions following the Our Cambridge Street Planning Study and Mass Ave Planning Study. [text of report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0

Committee Report #3. The Ordinance Committee held a public hearing on Apr 6, 2026 to continue the discussion that was held at the Mar 11, 2026 hearing regarding zoning recommendations to strengthen active use requirements on Cambridge Street and Mass Ave as a follow-up on the recently adopted zoning petitions. [text of report]
pulled by McGovern; 3 Orders Adopted 9-0; Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0

There are three proposed Orders in Report #3 meant to tweak the current zoning. Tweaking is good – especially as an alternative to some of more radical rezoning of recent years upon which political ambition has been built without regard for the potential consequences. – RW

February 17, 2026

Cambridge InsideOut Episodes 661-662: February 17, 2026

Filed under: Cambridge,Cambridge InsideOut,City Council,Deaths,Harvard Square,history — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , — Robert Winters @ 10:24 pm

Episode 661 – Cambridge InsideOut: Feb 17, 2026 (Part 1)

This episode was broadcast on Feb 17, 2026 at 6:00pm. Topics: Reflections on Valentine’s Day 1978 arrival, 48 years in Cambridge; how things have changed – affordability and simplicity replaced by high cost and complication, high-stakes existence; the vanished street musicians of Harvard Square; replacing City responsiveness with bureaucracy; significant passings; triple-deckers and human-scale housing, some realities of being the landlord; Inclusionary Zoning history and updates; demanding too much risks losing it all. Host: Robert Winters [On YouTube] [audio]

Episode 662 – Cambridge InsideOut: Feb 17, 2026 (Part 2)

This episode was broadcast on Feb 17, 2026 at 6:30pm. Topics: New City Council settling in; Feb 9 City Council meeting – responses to ICE and federal actions, job discrimination in police hiring vs. civil service, cooperation with federal agencies or not; City Manager getting out ahead of the politics; Budget and taxation previews; Community Safety Department function; unifying City housing functions, decommodification as policy vs. homeownership, appropriate level of subsidized housing; jacking up the fee for Residential Parking Permit, eliminating the elderly exemption; report on Rise Up Cambridge; expanded universal pre-K – at what cost?; choosing a City Clerk; home rule petition for real estate transfer fee on top of existing fees; security at City Hall. Host: Robert Winters [On YouTube] [audio]

[Materials used in these episodes]

February 6, 2026

Cold Comfort – February 9, 2026 Cambridge City Council meeting

Filed under: Cambridge,City Council — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , — Robert Winters @ 8:22 pm

Cold Comfort – February 9, 2026 Cambridge City Council meeting

It didn’t take long for things to get weird. Featured this week are: (a) a proposal to practice job discrimination against anyone who chose to work for ICE or a similar federal agency; (b) a proposal to more than double the Resident Permit Parking fee and to eliminate the senior exemption; and (c) in spite of last week’s Finance Committee hearing detailing the need to curtail spending, fresh new proposals to expand the costly pre-K program and other child care programs. There’s also a pseudo-scholarly report on the erstwhile Rise Up Cambridge initiative that comes to the shocking conclusion that getting free money enables people to buy more stuff.Peoples Republic of Cambridge

Here are a few notables on this week’s agenda:

Fighting the Feds

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

Manager’s Agenda #2. Transmitting communication from Police Commissioner, Christine Elow, regarding a Federal immigration enforcement tracker. [text of report]
pulled by Al-Zubi; comments by Nolan, Christine Elow; Referred to Public Safety 9-0

Order #1. That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to direct the relevant City staff and departments to examine if and how the City may prevent the hiring by the Cambridge Police Department of any sworn officer who was hired on or after January 20, 2025 by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations, or Customs and Border Patrol, and report back to the City Council in a timely manner.   Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor McGovern, Al-Zubi
pulled by Sobrinho-Wheeler; speech by Sobrinho-Wheeler; comments by McGovern, Al-Zubi (w/amendment), Flaherty, Nolan (who thinks that if you’re trained in one way, that cannot be changed), Azeem, Zusy; explanations by City Solicitor Megan Bayer and Asst. City Solicitor Kate Kleimola re: conflict w/state law and civil service system; Amended 9-0 to delete date of hire, add Al-Zubi as sponsor; Adopted 9-0 as Amended

Any other brilliant ideas of jobs, hobbies, beliefs, or other activities that should permanently disqualify people from employment opportunities? Have these councillors considered the possibility that someone just needed a job and this was an available opportunity?

Order #2. Protecting Academic Freedom and Condemning Attacks on Higher Education.   Councillor Nolan, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Al-Zubi, Vice Mayor Azeem
pulled by Nolan; comments by Nolan; speech by Al-Zubi; Order Adopted 9-0

Order #4. That the City Manager is hereby requested to direct the Law Department to draft ordinance language restricting the use of City-owned or City-controlled property, facilities, resources, and personnel for the purposes of federal civil immigration enforcement, and that the Law Department evaluate whether these protections should be adopted as an amendment to the Welcoming Community Ordinance.   Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Nolan
pulled by Al-Zubi; comments by Siddiqui, McGovern, Nolan, Al-Zubi (w/amendments), Sobrinho-Wheeler, Megan Bayer, Azeem, Zusy; Al-Zubi amendments Adopted 9-0; add Al-Zubi, Azeem, Zusy as sponsors 9-0; Order Adopted as Amended 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #5. Transmitting a Communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to proposed changes to Cambridge Municipal Code Chapter 8.28, Regulation on Youth Access and Sale of Tobacco Products and on Smoking (“Chapter 8.28”). [text of report]
pulled by Nolan; comments by Nolan; Referred to Health & Environment 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #6. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to a Violence Prevention Recommendations Report from the Community Safety Department. [text of report]
pulled by Al-Zubi; comments by Al-Zubi, Marie Mathieu, Zusy, Siddiqui, Nico Emack, Flaherty, Yi-An Huang, McGovern, Nolan; Referred to Public Safety 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #7. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to a plan to align all housing and homeless services and programs into a unified Housing Department. [text of report]
pulled by Siddiqui; comments by Siddiqui, Simmons; Tabled 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #11. A communication was received from City Manager, Yi-An Huang, transmitting Planning Board recommendations on the Institutional Use Zoning Petition. [text of report]
pulled by Zusy; comments by Zusy, Nolan, McGovern; Referred to Petition 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #12. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the final research report on Rise Up Cambridge, the City’s citywide cash assistance program. [text of report]
pulled by McGovern; comments by McGovern, Siddiqui; Referred to Human Services & Veterans 9-0

Free money enables people to buy more stuff. Some of us already knew that.

Order #3. That the City Manager is requested to direct the Community Development Department (CDD) to examine the feasibility, legal considerations, and administrative requirements of permitting qualified third-party guarantors or co-signers for applicants to Inclusionary Housing units and provide recommendations as to whether such a policy could responsibly expand access to these units.   Vice Mayor Azeem, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Simmons
pulled by Zusy; comments by Azeem, Zusy; Order Adopted 8-0-0-1 (Zusy – Present)

They really do hate car owners – no matter what their age

Order #5. That the City Manager is requested to work with relevant City departments to raise the fee of the parking permit program for all residents to $75, consider how to include a self-identified check off option so as not to increase administrative costs for a subsidized fee of $25 for residents who live in affordable housing, are enrolled in a program such as SNAP or are low income, remove the senior exemption for the residential parking permit program and lower the number of cars that individual residents are allowed to get a residential parking permit for from four to two.   Councillor Nolan, Councillor Zusy, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor McGovern
pulled by Al-Zubi; comments by Nolan (who wants the fee to be even higher), McGovern, Zusy, Sobrinho-Wheeler, Al-Zubi (who wants the fee to be $0 for low-income), Simmons; Charter Right – Simmons

Responding to decreased revenue by proposing expanded programs and more spending

Order #6. That the City Manager is requested to work with the City Council and relevant City departments on the process by which Cambridge can expand free early child care offerings, including models for means-tested programming, and exploration of non-City funding sources, from the state or foundations.   Councillor Nolan, Councillor McGovern, Mayor Siddiqui
pulled by Zusy; comments by Nolan, McGovern, Zusy, Al-Zubi, Azeem; Charter Right – Simmons

Order #7. That the City Manager is requested to begin discussions with MIT, CASPAR, the co-chairs of the Human Services and Veterans Committee, all relevant city departments and the shelter residents to develop a plan to renovate and expand 240 Albany Street in order to provide additional low threshold shelter, housing and day time services, while accommodating shelter residents impacted by the construction closure with housing and support, including low threshold options.   Councillor McGovern, Councillor Al-Zubi, Councillor Zusy, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler
pulled by McGovern; comments by McGovern, Al-Zubi, Zusy, Simmons, McGovern; Order Adopted 9-0

I remember when the CASPAR “wet shelter” consisted of trailers which were upgraded to a permanent structure by MIT in exchange for several streets in Kendall Square. The alternative proposal at that time was to move the facility to 380 Green St. in the heart of Central Square.

Charter Right #1. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 25-69, regarding a review of the previous home rule petition and prepare a new petition that would allow Cambridge to enact a Real Estate Transfer Fee to be sent to the state legislature. [Charter Right – Nolan, Jan 26, 2026]
Comments by Nolan (w/amendment), Megan Bayer, Azeem, Al-Zubi, Flaherty (wants to change so that fee charged to buyer rather than to seller), Chris Cotter, Zusy, Siddiqui; Amended 8-0-0-1 (Al-Zubi – Present) to change “equal to 2%” to “up to 2%”; Tabled 6-3 (Al-Zubi, Nolan, Sobrinho-Wheeler – No)

See my comments from the previous meeting.

Charter Right #2. That the City Manager ask the appropriate departments to review the city’s digital equity work to date, including the study’s recommendations and all steps taken since the study conclusion in order to update the evaluation of existing internet access programs, assessing whether residents’ digital needs are or could be better provided for and to propose how we can better meet their needs and to report back to the Council by June 2026 on internet access programs. [Charter Right – Al-Zubi, Jan 26, 2026]
Comments and amendments by Al-Zubi; Amendments Adopted 9-0; Add Al-Zubi as sponsor; Order Adopted as Amended 9-0

Resolution #2. Condolences on the passing of Robert K. Patterson, Sr.   Councillor Flaherty
Comments by Flaherty

Resolution #3. Resolution on the Retirement of Kate Joyce.   Councillor Simmons, Mayor Siddiqui
Comments by Simmons, Siddiqui, McGovern, Flaherty, Nolan, Naomie Stephen

Resolution #9. Resolution in Recognition of Michael J. Johnston, Esq., on his Retirement.   Councillor McGovern, Councillor Simmons
Add Simmons as sponsor

Communications & Reports #2. Announcement of appointments to the City Clerk Preliminary Screening Committee. (COF26#10) [text of report]
Appointed: Councillor Marc McGovern; Councillor E. Denise Simmons; Councillor Catherine Zusy; Megan Bayer, City Solicitor; Raecia Catchings, Chief People Officer; Matt Nelson, Director of Administration & Operations, Executive Office; Melissa Peters, Assistant City Manager for Community Development; Naomie Stephen, Executive Assistant to the City Council
Placed on File 9-0

Communications & Reports #3. City Council Value Statement and Priority Areas for the 2026-2027 term (COF26#11) [text of report]
Placed on File 9-0

January 20, 2026

Cambridge InsideOut Episodes 659-660: January 20, 2026

Filed under: Cambridge,Cambridge InsideOut,City Council,elections,history — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , — Robert Winters @ 11:55 pm

Episode 659 – Cambridge InsideOut: Jan 20, 2026 (Part 1)

This episode was broadcast on Jan 20, 2026 at 6:00pm. Topics: Reflections on one year of the Trump Presidency – Cabinet appointments, immigration enforcement, funding revocations, tariffs, Greenland, harm to USA reputation; Cambridge League of Women Voters – History and Revival; Local Press – Venture Cafe event, past, present, and future of local journalism – especially the need for a true “paper of record”. Host: Robert Winters [On YouTube] [audio]

Episode 660 – Cambridge InsideOut: Jan 20, 2026 (Part 2)

This episode was broadcast on Jan 20, 2026 at 6:30pm. Topics: City Council 2026-2027 Committee Assignments – especially Public Safety Committee, Finance, Government Operations; expectation of international resolutions – what will Burhan do?; rumblings of 2026 State Representative and State Senate elections – courting the DSA; Jan 12 City Council meeting – federal updates, MCNCDC appointments, new councillors seeking attention, safety and security at City Hall, status/future of City-owned properties, no stickers for transit-oriented development, Cambridge St. rezoning, committee report on DEI shredding of Women’s Commission, passing of Bob Hurlbut; what’s coming next. Host: Robert Winters [On YouTube] [audio]

[Materials used in these episodes]

January 9, 2026

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

Filed under: Cambridge,Central Square,City Council,history,School Committee — Tags: , , , , , , , , — Robert Winters @ 12:42 pm

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

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

Here are a few agenda items of interest:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

December 22, 2025

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

Filed under: 2025 election,Cambridge,Charter,City Council,School Committee — Tags: , , , , , , , — Robert Winters @ 12:46 pm

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

I can never get enough information about infrastructure.

Supersize It – Regardless of the Consequences

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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