Cambridge Civic Journal Forum

September 17, 2025

Cambridge InsideOut Episodes 653-654: September 16, 2025

Filed under: 2025 election,Cambridge,Cambridge InsideOut,campaign finance,Charter,City Council,elections,Harvard Square,School Committee,schools — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , — Robert Winters @ 1:48 pm

Episode 653 – Cambridge InsideOut: Sept 16, 2025 (Part 1)

This episode was broadcast on Sept 16, 2025 at 6:00pm. Topics: Candidates, Candidate Pages, campaign finance facts and figures, PACs and slates; importance of non-hostility; voting histories; pros and cons of candidacy; School Committee candidate forums, Cambridge Education Association (CEA) hostility; general impressions of School Committee candidates; respectful Cambridge Advanced Learners Association (CALA) candidate forum. Host: Robert Winters [On YouTube] [audio]

Episode 654 – Cambridge InsideOut: Sept 16, 2025 (Part 2)

This episode was broadcast on Sept 16, 2025 at 6:30pm. Topics: Hunter ballot challenge, illegitimacy of The Black Response; adopted Cantabrigian; Public Safety meeting on Aug 2 incident, extraordinary offerts of CPD to protect everyone, activist idiocy and HEART, police as social workers; CPA funds, voters have no say in their own taxation; City Charter updates; dissing Broadway residents; Bow St. pedestrianization; Harvard tunnel concept and fiscal constraints; proposed Mass. Ave. upzoning to 12 stories from Cambridge Common to the Arlington line, potential ABC political fallout, Inclusionary connection; Office of Tourism and the business associations; Radical Centrist. Host: Robert Winters [On YouTube] [audio]

[Materials used in these episodes]

August 31, 2025

Campaign Tales – August 31

Filed under: 2025 election,Cambridge,campaign finance,City Council,elections,School Committee — Tags: , , , , , , , , , — Robert Winters @ 1:45 pm

Campaign Tales – August 31

Robert WintersAug 31 – While other candidates are spending their Labor Day weekend handing out campaign literature and promising whatever it takes to win a #1 vote, I was down in the basement yesterday clearing the collected dust and debris out of a dryer vent. In addition to hair clips and mini-Lego pieces from my previous 1st floor tenants (who were great, by the way), I was able to pocket $1.37 in loose change. I guess I’ll use that to supplement the cost of the 3rd floor front porch deck that I will likely be replacing next month. Owning a triple-decker is great – except when it isn’t.

Back in my computer saddle, I updated several Candidate Pages yesterday and I’m sure I’ll be doing many more soon. It’s relatively quick and easy to do and it gives me an opportunity to read about all the other candidates for City Council and School Committee. I am planning to attend some of the upcoming candidate events – especially the School Committee candidate forums, in part because the Council events conflict with my teaching. Most of the City Council candidate forums are exercises in repetition – bike lanes, empty promises of housing affordability, and the action-reaction to rezoning Cambridge to be more like the ever-exploding downtown Flushing in Queens, NY (where I went to high school). I’ll be interested to hear more about how the Mamdani-inspired candidates will plan to cover the cost of their promises during a time of limitations in municipal finance and how they plan to Defund The Police while carefully employing euphemisms to convey that sentiment.

Also from my computer saddle, I set up an email account yesterday for the Membership Secretary of the Middlesex Canal Association. (I’m a Board member, webmaster, walk leader, and publisher of our Towpath Topics newsletter.) [By the way, is “webmaster” now a verboten word?] I have also been hearing from a few people about a “Not secure” message some people have been getting when going to the rwinters.com and middlesexcanal.org (and possibly other domains and subdomains). There are zero financial transactions happening on any of my websites, so there’s not really a problem, but I’m looking into fixing this for those who get scared off by the warning messages. It’ll cost me a few bucks, but I’ll just tell myself that the ample Social Security payments I’m now receiving will cover it. Hey, it’s better than blowing it at the Encore casino or on a fast red car.

Starting next week, I’ll be back in the mathematics teaching saddle. After Harvard Summer School wrapped up several weeks ago, it’s been great having some time to just walk the Earth like Caine in Kung Fu. That said, Harvard Extension School is calling and I have an all-time record enrollment in one of my two courses – currently 222 students, about 50% more than ever before. I suppose I can chalk it up to my boyish good looks, but there may be some other things going on in the wider world. Even though there has been a “distance option” in my courses going back to Fall 2017, in the semester after Covid first hit (2020) we had large increases in enrollments – all online that year. We have been doing the courses hybrid (in person or online) since then, so that doesn’t explain the big increase this Fall. For the Summer School course, there were as many students who registered and dropped before the start of classes as there were students who attended. This was true for many of the Summer School courses, and my theory is that many were scared off by shifting federal policies and the targeting of Harvard by the Executive Branch. Perhaps the gigantic increase in my Multivariable Calculus course, especially students attending remotely, is also an unexpected consequence of federal policies. Or maybe, mathematics has become the Taylor Swift of academic disciplines.

Having partially buried the lede, let me say a few more words about the municipal election season.

Municipal election campaigns didn’t used to pick up until after Labor Day and, being an old school kinda guy, I’ve been sticking to that schedule. Perhaps I’ll put up a few yard signs this week and do an email blast. I have plenty of yard signs, bumper stickers, and buttons (hint, hint). I also have to update my candidate website – primarily simplification. I’m also thinking of making a few short videos on various topics.

The questionnaires keep on coming – not so much sincere inquiries about the opinions of a candidate on various relevant (or irrelevant) issues of the day, but more of the “Do you agree with our rigid and inflexible ideology on Topic X?” type. The latest one came from a heretofore unknown group calling itself “Cambridge for Palestine (C4P)”. As expected, no names were provided for this new mystery group. I won’t be responding to their little push poll on topics having zero relevance to Cambridge municipal government, but it was good for a chuckle. [That said, I’m sure at least several current candidates will be providing enthusiastic responses.] I suppose it’s only a matter of time before C4P gets included in the “Cambridge Progressive Electoral Collaboration” list of “allies”.

Speaking of the Lefties, 7 Council candidates are now on the record saying they’ll support a Home Rule petition to bring back rent control to Cambridge (Al-Zubi, McGovern, Nolan, Rivkin, Siddiqui, Sobrinho-Wheeler, and Wilson). There may be others. Of course, barring a change in state law, that’s really just a hollow gesture. Besides, what exactly is the value in freezing rents at stratospheric levels? Perhaps that’s not really the point. It’s just the politics of promising something you can’t actually deliver – kinda like when “A Better Cambridge” promises affordable housing as they do every election. My personal platform may include free Internet, free ice cream (w/vegan option, of course), and free ponies for everyone!

Though I am spending less time on it than previous years, I have been watching the campaign finance reports for the municipal election. Perhaps most noteworthy is the (currently) $83,550 in receipts for new candidate Tim Flaherty who is apparently the candidate being backed by the players who have mobilized in the wake of Paul Toner’s decision to not seek reelection. I like Tim and consider him a friend, but there is something very unsettling about this. I’m also a bit puzzled about the criteria used by the various organizations who will be promoting candidate slates this year. Some of them seem primarily focused on ensuring the reelection of their favored incumbents with a few feeder candidates thrown in for insurance. I just wish there was a Reasonable Cambridge slate. I might request inclusion in that slate, but that’s just wishful thinking at this point. I think that’s the candidate slate most Cambridge residents would prefer. Unfortunately, the single-issue advocates are all that we hear from.

By the way, if you want to talk, give me a call (617-661-9230), send me email, or ring my doorbell. I have beer.

Robert Winters (in my role as a candidate)

August 19, 2025

Cambridge InsideOut Episodes 651-652: August 19, 2025

Filed under: 2025 election,Cambridge,Cambridge InsideOut,campaign finance,City Council,Deaths,East Cambridge,elections,history,planning — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , — Robert Winters @ 10:35 pm

Episode 651 – Cambridge InsideOut: August 19, 2025 (Part 1)

This episode was broadcast on August 19, 2025 at 6:00pm. Topics: A Teacher’s Life – Harvard Summer School and Harvard Extension School; 31st Annual Oldtime Baseball Game; Significant Passings; 2025 Municipal Election – nomination papers, signatures, getting on the ballot (or not), political action committees, City Council and School Committee candidates; Cambridge Candidate Pages; campaign finance – receipts, expenditures, unions and incumbents. Host: Robert Winters [On YouTube] [audio]

Episode 652 – Cambridge InsideOut: August 19, 2025 (Part 2)

This episode was broadcast on August 19, 2025 at 6:30pm. Topics: Slates, factions, history, endorsements; candidate questionnaires; the self-anointed, self-appointed; housing vs. densification; alarm stemming from “multi-family housing” upzoning, loss of setbacks, loss of standing to object; even greater heights coming; radicals coalescing; East End House, contract zoning, community benefits, and Solomonic wisdom; Welcoming City vs. The Feds; Resolving the Vail Court eminent domain taking; Riverview condo expenditure/demolition. Host: Robert Winters [On YouTube] [audio]

[Materials used in these episodes]

July 3, 2025

Cambridge InsideOut Episodes 649-650: July 1, 2025

Filed under: 2025 election,Cambridge,Cambridge InsideOut,City Council,cycling,East Cambridge,transportation — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , — Robert Winters @ 12:56 pm

Episode 649 – Cambridge InsideOut: July 1, 2025 (Part 1)

This episode was recorded on July 1, 2025 at 6:00pm. Topics: Comings, Goings, and Recognition – Ducky Down, Joe Grassi, Charlie Sullivan, Owen O’Riordan; 2025 Municipal Election Updates, nomination papers; current political “parties” in our nonpartisan municipal election; focus on the candidates and not the organizations; tales from NYC and Ranked Choice Voting; Alewife – stormwater, sewers, bridges, tunnels; revisions to the Welcoming City Ordinance; federal cutbacks, purging DEI, capitulation; Electronic Records Archiving Policy; Board & Commission kerfuffle, City Council overreach; preservation vs. bulldozers. Host: Robert Winters [On YouTube] [audio]

Episode 650 – Cambridge InsideOut: July 1, 2025 (Part 2)

This episode was recorded on July 1, 2025 at 6:30pm. Topics: Broadway, bikes, parking, ageism, gentrification, and betrayal; freedom of choice; misinterpretation of election results, lack of referenda, “Proportional to what?”, representativeness; contract zoning, community benefits, proximity vs. citywide – East End House, Cambridge Community Center, Community Arts Center, Dance Complex, nonprofits – some Foundry history, ARPA windfall; elected officials sometimes have to take hard votes; Inclusionary Zoning – history, concept, missteps, current status, 20% of nothing is still nothing, is 10% the “sweet spot”? Host: Robert Winters [On YouTube] [audio]

[Materials used in these episodes]

June 4, 2025

Cambridge InsideOut Episodes 647-648: June 3, 2025

Filed under: 2025 election,Cambridge,Cambridge InsideOut,City Council,cycling,elections,history — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , — Robert Winters @ 11:03 pm

Episode 647 – Cambridge InsideOut: June 3, 2025 (Part 1)

This episode was recorded on June 3, 2025 at 6:00pm. Topics: 2025 Municipal Election Updates, nomination papers available July 1; Random Observations and Alphabet Soup – some history of Cambridge political dichotomies and more; “defining the issues” in the most self-serving ways; Cambridge Reasonable People Organization?; Taking a long, hard look at City Boards & Commissions. Host: Robert Winters [On YouTube] [audio]

Episode 648 – Cambridge InsideOut: June 3, 2025 (Part 2)

This episode was recorded on June 3, 2025 at 6:30pm. Topics: Review of City Boards & Commissions, sunset provisions for all non-regulatory boards; Technical Working Committee for the Computerization of Cambridge Elections (TWCC); Adoption of the Amended FY2026 City Budget and Loan Authorizations; anticipating fallout from reckless federal policies; candidates readying their campaigns; the problem of City-funded campaign aides for incumbents; addressing vacant storefronts; carrots vs. sticks; turning dysfunctional properties into functional properties; Dover Amendment and City Council miscues – break it and maybe fix it later; Broadway bike lane controversy – dirty, mean tactics of Cambridge Bike Safety. Host: Robert Winters [On YouTube] [audio]

[Materials used in these episodes]

June 3, 2025

Random Observations (June 3, 2025)

Filed under: 2025 election,Cambridge,elections — Tags: , , , , , , , , , — Robert Winters @ 5:04 pm

Random Observations (June 3, 2025):

For many decades the Cambridge political dichotomy was defined as the Cambridge Civic Association (CCA) vs. the Independents. At various times this was aligned with the Town vs. Gown divide, and (except for councillors from East Cambridge) also associated with the division between those who favored rent control vs. those who were opposed. During the 1990s, the CCA was largely associated with downzoning and limiting commercial development, while the Independents were generally in favor of new development and growing the tax base (which also kept residential property tax rates low). Everything changed after the demise of rent control (1994) though the political labels and voting patterns persisted for another decade or so.Alphabet Soup

Over the last decade we have seen the rise of new political associations and their associated candidate slates. The Cambridge Residents Alliance (CResA) arose largely in opposition to residential development proposals in and around Central Square. This led to the formation of an opposition group that later came to be known as “A Better Cambridge” (ABC) – initially in support of transit-oriented development, especially in and around Central Square. Some principal leaders in the ABC group were also affiliated with non-profit subsidized housing developers and, with the emergence of the national “YIMBY” movement, ABC shifted its focus toward such local initiatives as the Affordable Housing Overlay (AHO) which, for the most part, has further concentrated subsidized housing within existing properties owned by the Cambridge Housing Authority (CHA) and other nonprofit housing developers. ABC has shifted more recently toward a general “densification” philosophy – promoting dense housing development (market-rate and otherwise) anywhere and everywhere rather than just transit-oriented development. “Smart Growth” has yielded to just “Growth and Density” – even at the cost of so-called “naturally occurring affordable housing” and any notions of historic preservation. [This is why I generally refer top ABC as “A Bigger Cambridge”.] The ABC attitude toward such things as “neighborhood conservation districts” (NCDs) can only be described as hostility.

Somewhere along the line, a counter-organization, the Cambridge Citizens Coalition (CCC), came into existence – largely centered around themes of limited growth, especially in existing, relatively established neighborhoods. They have also been solidly in favor of historic preservation where appropriate. In many respects, the new political dichotomy has become CCC vs. ABC, but it’s more complicated than just that. Reflecting current national trends, there has also been a relatively small but nontrivial growth in hard-left political identifications – primarily Sunrise Boston (not sure if they’re still around), Our Revolution Cambridge (ORC – an offshoot of the Bernie Sanders campaigns), and the local chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA). These groups appear to draw support primarily among college-age and recent graduates of our local universities, and the pro-Hamas, anti-Israel crowd largely aligns with the DSA (as well as other national entities like the Party for Socialism and Liberation (PSL) – an offshoot of the “Answer Coalition”. I don’t know that there’s much value added to local government with affiliation to what are effectively fringe national political parties – and hate-filled ones to boot. The Cambridge Residents Alliance, comprised mainly of much older people, has effectively become the aged wing of the local DSA (though Our Revolution has a few aging Marxists as well).

Then there’s the bicycle crowd, primarily the well-funded Cambridge Bike Safety group. They really are the ultimate single-issue group – even more than ABC and its density-above-all focus. There are also counter-efforts such as Cambridge Streets for All (CSA) that has pushed back against the rather hostile revised Bicycle Safety Ordinance (2020) that mandates separated bike lanes that are sometimes reasonable but often arbitrary and problematic. Just as is the case currently in Washington, DC, some matters come down to just raw political power and influence – regardless of sense or effectiveness.

In an interesting twist, people who would have at one time been associated with the CCA and many “townies” who at one time been associated with the Independents, now find themselves (whether or not they realize it) on the same side of the current political dichotomy. They are all what the ABC affiliates would dismiss (with great hostility) as “Neighborhood Defenders” – a term taken from the title of what has essentially become the ABC bible. Preserving quality of life (“liveability”), maintaining adequate parking, tree protection, etc. are viewed in the ABC world much the same way that Robert Moses dismissed the views of Jane Jacobs.

Things line up (more or less) these days as (1) long-time residents (townies) and the CCC, (2) pro-development supporters (ABC), and (3) Leftists and anti-capitalists (who dislike group (1) as the local aristocrats and entitled “boomers” and remain uncomfortable with group (2) because development is associated with capitalists. The bicycle obsessives are less easy to categorize. There are also several small groups emerging (and likely centered on a candidate or two) such as the Cambridge Housing Affordability Organizers (CHAO – seemingly mostly Harvard affiliates) and the Cambridge Housing Justice Coalition (CHJC – very fringy and anti-capitalist) which align with the hard-left and rent control advocacy.

I just wish there was a clear “reasonable” political tent under which some of us could comfortably camp out. – Robert Winters

June 1, 2025

Setting the Table – June 2, 2025 Cambridge City Council meeting

Filed under: 2025 election,Cambridge,City Council,cycling,Deaths — Tags: , , , , , , , , — Robert Winters @ 2:50 pm

Setting the Table – June 2, 2025 Cambridge City Council meeting

We’re now into the last month of regular City Council meetings prior to the summer break and, more significantly, the official start of the 2025 municipal election season. Nomination papers will be available at the Election Commission office (moving to 689 Mass. Ave.) starting Tuesday, July 1 with a minimum of 50 valid signatures due no later Thursday, July 31 at 5pm. This is traditionally the time for table-setting, i.e. introducing Orders and Resolutions or casting votes meant to signal your indispensability as an incumbent councillor – or having others affix lead weights to your campaign via association with an unpopular stance on a hot-button issue.

As for this week’s agenda, the most significant order of business is the adoption of the (amended) FY2026 Budget and related Loan Orders. Here are the items I found somewhat interesting/significant this week:

Manager’s Agenda #1. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to a Federal update.
pulled by JSW; comments by City Manager Yi-An Huang (YAH), City Solicitor Megan Bayer, PN; Placed on File 9-0 (vv = voice vote)

These updates have become perhaps the most interesting part of City Council meetings this year as the City of Cambridge sits in the crossfire between the current federal administration and our local universities, related grant-funded interests, and often reckless immigration enforcement and other actions.

FY2026 Budget and Loan AuthorizationsCoins

Manager’s Agenda #2. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to a proposed increase in the FY26 budget of $1 million that would create new municipal vouchers and supportive services for people who are unhoused and a $5 million free cash appropriation for a Federal Grant Stabilization Fund. (CM25#133) [text of report]
pulled by MM; comments by City Manager Yi-An Huang (YAH), Asst. City Manager for Human Services Ellen Semonoff, AW, Housing Liaison Maura Pensak, DS, SS; YAH emphasized three matters that may have local repercussions – (1) Federal Reconciliation Bill, (2) State Budget (wait and see), and (3) Federal Continuing Resolution coming this fall that may greatly affect such things as Section 8 voucher funding; Placed on File 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #3. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to following amendments to the FY26 Submitted General Fund Budget. These amendments to the Budget reflect changes requested by the City Council based on feedback and discussions during public hearings on the FY26 Operating and Capital Budgets that took place beginning on May 8, 2025, through May 15, 2025. (CM25#134) [text of report]
pulled by PN along with M4, M5, UB8 (FY2026 Budget), UB9-17 (Loan Orders), Committee Reports #1-4; comments by most councillors; note that this will result in a revised 8% tax increase; Referred to UB8 9-0

“These increases will bring the total FY26 Operating Budget to $992,181,320, an increase of $36,596,970 or 3.8% from the FY25 Adopted Budget. The projected tax levy to support the FY26 Budget is $678,659,850, an increase of $50,271,097 or 8% from the FY25 tax levy. The actual tax levy will be determined in the fall as part of the property tax and classification process.”

Manager’s Agenda #4. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the establishment of a Federal Grant Stabilization Fund. (CM25#135) [text of report]
pulled by PN; Adopted 8-0-1 (JSW Absent)

Manager’s Agenda #5. Transmitting Communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $5,000,000, from Free Cash to the Federal Grant Stabilization Fund. Funds appropriated to and held by the Federal Grant Stabilization Fund will be expended to help address the funding gaps resulting from the actual or anticipated loss of federal funding for programs and services that benefit the most vulnerable Cambridge residents. (CM25#136) [text of report]
pulled by PN; Adopted 9-0

Unfinished Business #8. Transmitting Communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the FY2026 submitted budget and appropriation orders for the General Fund, Water Fund, and Public Investment Fund. [Placed on Unfinished Business, Referred to Finance Committee – Apr 28, 2025]
pulled by PN; General Fund Budget ($928,578,370) Adopted as Amended 7-2 (SS, JSW – No, with specious reasoning); Water Fund Budget ($13,602,950) Adopted 9-0; Public Investment Budget ($41,204,770) Adopted 9-0 [Total Adopted FY2026 Budget $992,181,320]

Unfinished Business #9-17. Loan authorizations totaling $109,936,000
pulled by PN; UB9-12 Adopted 9-0; UB13-17 Adopted 8-0-1 (JSW – Absent)

Committee Report #1. The Finance Committee held a public hearing on May 8, 2025 to review and discuss the City budget covering the fiscal period of July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026. [text of report]
pulled by PN; Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0

Committee Report #2. The Finance Committee held a public hearing on May 13, 2025 to review and discuss the School Department budget covering the fiscal period of July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026. [text of report]
pulled by PN; Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0

Committee Report #3. The Finance Committee held a public hearing on May 14, 2025 to review and discuss the City budget covering the fiscal period of July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026. [text of report]
pulled by PN; Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0

Committee Report #4. The Finance Committee held a public hearing on May 15, 2025 to review and discuss the City budget covering the fiscal period of July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026. [text of report]
pulled by PN; Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0

It is worth noting that of the four Finance Committee hearings on the FY2026 Budget, Councillor Azeem skipped three of them entirely and only remotely participated in the other hearing. Showing up for work is apparently not a high priority.

Manager’s Agenda #8. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 25-18 regarding vacant store fronts. (CM25#139) [text of report]
pulled by PN; comments by PN, PT, AW, Melissa Peters (CDD), SS, DS, CZ, BA; Policy Adopted 9-0 (vv); [Note: It is expected that this matter may also come up at the scheduled June 23 meeting of the Econ. Dev. & Univ. Relations Committee]

There is a related hearing coming up on Monday, June 23 at 1:00pm: The City Council’s Economic Development and University Relations Committee will hold a public hearing inviting representatives from the 23 long term vacant properties (defined as has been vacant for more than five years) on the record, to share updates on their tenancy efforts, short and long-term plans, and to provide the community with an opportunity to weigh in on this important discussion.

Order #1. City Council opposition to the expansion of Offshore Oil and Gas Drilling.   Councillor Nolan, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Siddiqui, Councillor Wilson
pulled by PN; Order Adopted as Amended 9-0

Order #2. That the exception language in Chapter 2.129.040 Section J of the Cambridge Municipal Code be revised with language clarifying that Cambridge city employees shall not participate in federal immigration enforcement operations and that the sole role of Cambridge city employees during any action by ICE is only to protect public safety and not to assist or facilitate the work of ICE.   Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Siddiqui, Councillor Nolan
pulled by PT; comments by PT, JSW; Charter Right – Toner

Order #3. That the City Manager is requested to work with relevant City departments to provide a legal opinion outlining, in light of current zoning including the most recent Multifamily Zoning Amendments, the ability of Cambridge to regulate institutional and religious uses in C-1 residential districts and what state and federal law allows in terms of local restrictions, if any, for institutional and religious uses.   Councillor Nolan, Councillor Azeem, Vice Mayor McGovern
Order Adopted 9-0

Yet another example of the City Council’s current “Break it, then (maybe) try to fix it” philosophy of governance.

Charter Right #1. That the City Manager is requested to explore with the Government Operations Committee whether the functions of the Peace Commission may be improved and enhanced by bringing them within another City Commission or Department, such as the Human Rights Commission, and report back in a timely manner. [Charter Right – Simmons, May 19, 2025]
Comments by City Solicitor Megan Bayer noting that this involves an ongoing personnel matter; Substitute Order by Simmons, amendments to original order proposed by JSW, PN; comments by DS, JSW, PT, BA, YAH, AW, PN, SS, CZ, MM; Tabled 9-0 referencing proposed amendments by DS, JSW, PN [Note: Sobrinho-Wheeler’s hostility to Simmons Substitute Order noted – he clearly wants to focus primarily on the Police Review Advisory Board (PRAB); most other councillors open to a general review of all City boards and commissions]

I will simply refer you to my comments on this for the May 19 City Council meeting.

In the Queue – Ready for Adoption

Unfinished Business #6. An Ordinance has been received from City Clerk Diane P. LeBlanc, relative to amend certain subsections of the Affordable Housing Overlay, Section 11.207 of the Cambridge Zoning Ordinance. [Passed to 2nd Reading – May 5, 2025; Eligible To Be Ordained May 26, 2025]
pulled by MM; Ordained 9-0

Unfinished Business #7. An Ordinance has been received from City Clerk Diane P. LeBlanc, relative to amend Articles 5.000 and 20.000 of the Cambridge Zoning Ordinance. [Passed to 2nd Reading May 12, 2025; Eligible To Be Ordained on or after June 2, 2025]
pulled by MM; Ordained 9-0

225 Communications – primarily in regard to proposed separated bike lanes and removal of parking along Broadway.

A preliminary analysis of those writing in opposition to the proposed Broadway bike lanes vs. those who want them to proceed without delay indicates about a 25 year difference in their respective median ages. Basically, this is a case of the wishes of young professionals being given far greater priority by current councillors than is given to older residents – most of whom have legitimate concerns about being able to park near their homes and to have curb access for a variety of reasons.

Resolution #1. Happy 80th Birthday wishes to Henrietta Davis.   Mayor Simmons, Councillor Zusy
pulled by CZ to be added as sponsor

Happy birthday, Henrietta!

Resolution #7. Condolences to the family of Nancy Williams Galluccio.   Mayor Simmons, Councillor Siddiqui, Councillor Toner, Vice Mayor McGovern, Councillor Wilson, Councillor Nolan
pulled by MM; MM, AW, PN added as sponsors

I was very sorry to hear of Nancy’s passing. My sincere condolences to Lo, Lissa, and Anthony on the passing of their mother – someone I have known and respected for more than three decades. – Robert Winters

May 20, 2025

Cambridge InsideOut Episodes 645-646: May 20, 2025

Filed under: 2025 election,Cambridge,Cambridge InsideOut,Charter,City Council,cycling,elections,Harvard Square,MBTA,MIT,recycling — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , — Robert Winters @ 11:22 pm

Episode 645 – Cambridge InsideOut: May 20, 2025 (Part 1)

This episode was recorded on May 20, 2025 at 6:00pm. Topics: Reflections on 70 years on Earth – 47 years in Cambridge, Mayoral Proclamation; Ranked Choice Voting and limited PR elections for Boston – how it came to be; Review of recent City Council actions and discussions; Cambridge Charter Home Rule pending – relatively few changes from current Plan E Charter; dilemma of when to report a controversy; 2025 municipal candidates emerging – Candidate Pages; opportunities to serve of Boards and Commissions; sunsetting/redefining discretionary Boards, e.g. Peace Commission (Cambridge Commission on Nuclear Disarmament and Peace Education); civic unity; the problem of single-issue advocacy; controversy of firearm replacement, activist payback, DSA organizing; ARPA funding expiration, RiseUp successor. Host: Robert Winters [On YouTube] [audio]

Episode 646 – Cambridge InsideOut: May 20, 2025 (Part 2)

This episode was recorded on May 20, 2025 at 6:30pm. Topics: Cambridge Charter Home Rule Petition – big assist by Law Department, restoring citizen petitions, leaving out poison pills – just like Somerville; AAA bond ratings; Nexus studies for Incentive Zoning and for Inclusionary Zoning; reconsidering Linkage, Inclusionary requirements; Barrett letter; deaths Pebble Gifford, Robert Campbell, Doane Perry; thankless job of being head of a neighborhood association; bicycle lane controversies, reckless plans and policies, bullying by Cambridge Bike Safety group, Broadway as route for emergency vehicles; Harvard Square – Gerald Chan properties, MBTA tunnel innovative ideas; retirement of Diane LeBlanc, Owen O’Riordan; Kathy Watkins to be Deputy City Manager; Budget Hearings, new reality of limitations, shifting of tax burden from commercial to residential, extra heavy burden on single-, two-. and three-family homeowners – Claire Spinner memo; TWC, vouchers, RiseUp, municipal broadband not so fundable; federal updates and clarity of City Manager Yi-An Huang, City Solicitor Megan Bayer, Police Commissioner Christine Elow; federal targeting of Harvard, MIT and downstream repercussions. Host: Robert Winters [On YouTube] [audio]

[Materials used in these episodes]

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