Cambridge Civic Journal Forum

October 25, 2021

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

October 20, 2021

Cambridge InsideOut Episodes 521-522: October 19, 2021

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

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


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

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

[Materials used in these episodes]

October 18, 2021

Two Week Warning – Curiosities on the October 18, 2021 Cambridge City Council Agenda

Two Week Warning – Curiosities on the October 18, 2021 Cambridge City Council Agenda

As our elected officials nervously wait out the pre-election purgatory, the meetings go on. Here are the agenda items this week that struck me as interesting or concerning:City Hall

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

Charter Right #1. The Health and Environment Committee met on Apr 14, 2021 to conduct a public hearing regarding the City’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. [Charter Right exercised by Councillor Zondervan in Council Oct 4, 2021]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0

I think a big question on the minds of a lot of people is when some of the mandates will be modified or lifted. Our 7-day average daily COVID-positive test numbers are now consistently down to single digits. When the local history of this pandemic is written, it will show a mix of appropriate and sometimes excessive caution, business innovation driven by survival, and also some politically-driven failures such as last year’s “shared streets” that were neither necessary nor effective. It will also show how some elected officials exploited the obscured nature of Zoom meetings to ram through agendas unrelated to the pandemic.

Manager’s Agenda #2. Transmitting Communication from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $170,975 from Free Cash to the General Fund Elections Department Other Ordinary Maintenance account which will be used to cover the additional costs associated with recently approved vote by mail-in, and early voting for the municipal election, Nov 2, 2021.
Order Adopted 9-0

Not much to say about this other than the fact that elections aren’t free and that the existence of Mail-In Voting and Early Voting have made the timeliness of getting information to voters somewhat challenging.


Applications & Petitions #1. A Zoning Petition has been received from Michael Jeremy Yamin, regarding Yard Setback Zoning Petition.
Referred to Ordinance Committee & Planning Board 7-1-1 (Zondervan – NO; Toomey ABSENT)

Applications & Petitions #2. A Zoning Petition has been received from Karen Cushing, regarding Off Street Parking consistent with the base zoning district, in order to minimize the use of on-street parking in the surrounding area.
Referred to Ordinance Committee & Planning Board 7-1-1 (Zondervan – NO; Toomey ABSENT)

Both of these petitions ask to modify some provisions that were enacted as part of the “Affordable Housing Overlay” (AHO). Specifically, they seek to partially restore some of the diminished setbacks from property lines and to treat AHO projects the same as other properties in terms of parking requirements. It is worth noting that such requirements may soon be lowered or eliminated as part of a separate rezoning process.


Communications #5. A communication was received from Jeanne Oster and Annette Osgood, regarding Save Mass Ave Save Our City Online Petition Paper Petition – 503 signatures.

Communications #6. A communication was received from Yi Sheng Wang, regarding Cycling Safety Ordinance.

Communications #8. A communication was received from Sharon Stichter, regarding Porter square De Facto Simulation of Mass Ave Safety Improvement Project – Dudley St to Alewife Brook Pkwy.

Communications #9. A communication was received from Young Kim, regarding De Facto Simulation of Mass Ave Safety Improvement Project – Dudley St to Alewife Brook Pkwy.

Communications #12. A communication was received from Jeanne Oster, regarding to expand the definition of the Mass Ave Four so all streets between Alewife Brook Parkway and Everett St can be looked at together as a cohesive whole.
There will be a follow-up meeting on Thurs, Oct 28, 2021 at 6:00pm.

Suffice to say that some aspects of the North Mass. Ave. plans that are about the be implemented are coming as quite a shock to some residents and area businesses, and there are efforts now underway to find some compromise and alternatives. There are two simultaneous changes about to be implemented – (1) separating bicycle lanes along with significant removal of parking spaces, and (2) dedicating full travel lanes as “Bus Only” lanes. The net effect may be to reduce Mass. Ave. down to a single travel lane in each direction along much of this corridor. Current traffic congestion will likely grow worse, but some see this as a means to an end by driving people out of their cars and onto an inadequate public transportation system. Whether that will actually happen is debatable.

This is yet another example of how City actions hatched in obscurity during Zoom-only pandemic versions of public process have left some people feeling as though they are under the wheels of a juggernaut. Meanwhile, elitist activists write off the concerns of those affected as “fear of change.” In my view, North Mass. Ave. has long been in need of safety improvements, especially for cyclists in close proximity to relatively higher traffic speeds along a major traffic corridor, but this process could be a case study in how not to plan or implement significant changes. Sadly, we’ve been writing a whole book of such case studies.


Communications #10. A communication was received from the community, regarding Carl Barron Plaza reconstruction.
Charter Right – Zondervan

This appears to be an organized effort to label some of the proposed redesign of Carl Barron Plaza in Central Square as “hostile architecture” – which is simply not the case. Included in the communications are some good suggestions for amenities such as a water fountain/filler, level sidewalks, and better means of waste disposal. I have friends who spend a lot of time in this location who are not substance abusers, but this location has over time become a problematic center for alcohol and drug abuse – certainly not the only such location in Central Square, e.g. the inbound #1 bus stop near Pearl Street. By the way, requests to CDD, the Transit Advisory Committee, and the Pedestrian Committee to issue a policy statement regarding priority to actual bus passengers have gone nowhere. Meanwhile bus passengers wait at a distance from the bus stop rather than be harassed at the shelter where most or all of the available seating is not available or is so hostile that passengers prefer to wait up the street at a distance from the bus shelter.

My viewpoint about the design of public places is that you should primarily design not for what you think you’re stuck with but rather for the environment you wish to see – and that includes a better location for public events, public transportation, and the interplay between public spaces and private spaces such as abutting businesses and residences. This is a busy crossroads for bus and train passengers as well as for neighborhood residents visiting Central Square and all that is has to offer. If we create a great space, the users will sort things out.


Order #2. That the City Council go on record prioritizing Cambridge residents for Building Pathways.   Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Simmons, Councillor McGovern, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Carlone, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Toomey, Councillor Zondervan
Order Adopted as Amended 9-0

This is a good Order primarily about fostering opportunities for area residents, particularly in underserved communities, to access careers in the construction industry. All too often City initiatives center more on subsidy and public assistance rather than on economic empowerment, and it’s good to occasionally see some emphasis on the latter rather than the former.


Order #3. That the City Manager is requested to consult with the Commission on Immigrant Rights and Citizenship and other relevant City staff to determine the feasibility of creating a uniform process for aiding the resettlement of refugees in Cambridge.   Mayor Siddiqui, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Carlone, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler
Order Adopted 9-0

Order #4. That the City Manager is requested to determine the feasibility of purchasing property from Lesley University to address City goals.   Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Zondervan, Councillor Simmons
Order Adopted 9-0

As the Order states: “Lesley University recently announced a new campus plan that includes the University’s intention to sell its underutilized properties…” Insofar as some of those properties may be useful in advancing some City goals, this is worthy of pursuit. That said, the recent trend of calling on the City to simply buy up properties whenever they are up for sale – or even drafting laws to give advantages to the City purchase of properties – is just as worrisome as universities collecting properties as though Cambridge was a board game from Parker Brothers.

Order #5. That the City Manager is requested to work with relevant City departments to place a cricket field in one of the Cambridge parks.   Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Carlone, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler
Order Adopted 9-0

Two weeks ago it was pickleball. This week it’s cricket. There are worse things that City Council Orders could be addressing. I can only hope that next week will bring calls for miniature golf. If so, I have some really great ideas on that subject.

Order #6. That the City Manager is requested to appoint a task force that will hold regular public meetings to solicit ideas and feedback from residents on the distribution of American Rescue Plan Act funds.   Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Carlone, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Nolan
Order Adopted as Amended 9-0

The worst form of City budgeting is one where you dangle $65 million in federal funds like a piñata in front of nine blindfolded city councillors with sticks. That said, perhaps some good suggestions from the public will emerge that aren’t just calls for diversion of funds for pet projects.

Order #8. That the City Manager is requested to work with the appropriate City departments to start placing QR codes on signage around construction projects so that interested parties can quickly and easily access information regarding these projects to promote information sharing and transparency.   Councillor McGovern, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler
Order Adopted 9-0

As all of my friends know, I don’t own a cell phone and I have no plans to get one. The only QR I know is the QR-factorization I teach in my Linear Algebra courses. A regular sign (with actual words!) would likely do just as well at construction projects.

Order #9. That the City Manager is requested to confer with the appropriate staff of both the City and State to confirm if the Truck Restriction map is up to date, who should be enforcing the ban on Alewife Brook Parkway, and what actions can be taken moving forward.   Councillor Toomey
Order Adopted 9-0

Meanwhile, the trucks keep a-storrowin’ with increasing frequency. Apparently Reading and Driving are becoming as difficult for some as Walking and Chewing Gum. Worry not, say the futurists – soon they’ll all be driverless and we can all just blame the programmers.


Order #11. City Council support for the proposed site location for Eversource’s Geothermal Pilot Program project.   Councillor Nolan, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Carlone, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Zondervan, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Toomey, Councillor Zondervan
Order Adopted as Amended 9-0

Order #12. That the City Manager is requested to work with relevant City departments to support the Uplift the Solar Energy Industry in Massachusetts coalition.   Councillor Nolan, Councillor Zondervan
Order Adopted 9-0

These are both good Orders, but I have no plans to get rid of either my gas stove, my gas-fired boiler, or my gas-fired hot water heater anytime soon. I’m sure that it’s because I fear change – or so the self-declared enlightened ones tell me.


Order #13. That the City Council go on record in reaffirming strong support for H.1426/S.890, the Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act.   Councillor Zondervan, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Carlone
Order Adopted as Amended 8-1 (Toomey – NO)

This ill-begotten proposal was bound to roll around again. Many property owners would love to offer the opportunity to purchase to some of their tenants, but the real intention of this legislation is to transfer privately-owned residential property into the hands of nonprofits and housing authorities working in conjunction with municipalities and using tax revenue to execute the transfer. The title “Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act” is hopelessly dishonest. – Robert Winters

October 6, 2021

Cambridge InsideOut Episodes 519-520: October 5, 2021

Episode 519 – Cambridge InsideOut: Oct 5, 2021 (Part 1)

This episode was recorded on Oct 5, 2021 at 6:00pm. Topics: Wild Card baseball; voter registration and voting options; tax classification & taxes, councillors wanting to tax & spend; over-reliance on commercial development, residential exemption and the condo sweet deal; neighborhood associations, community schools, & neighborhood councils; topics for candidates. Hosts: Judy Nathans, Robert Winters
[On YouTube] [audio]


Episode 520 – Cambridge InsideOut: Oct 5, 2021 (Part 2)

This episode was recorded on Oct 5, 2021 at 6:30pm. Topics: Tim Toomey Park and happy reunions; from carpetbagger to townie; voting history and supervoters; reprecincting; PACs and candidate slates; campaigning door-to-door; using City Council committee meetings for political organization and promotion. Hosts: Judy Nathans, Robert Winters [On YouTube] [audio]

[Materials used in these episodes]

October 4, 2021

Playing the Wild Card – October 4, 2021 Cambridge City Council meeting

Filed under: Cambridge,City Council — Tags: , , , , , — Robert Winters @ 1:30 pm

Playing the Wild Card – October 4, 2021 Cambridge City Council meeting

Real Estate TaxesWith one month to go before the municipal election (and less if you consider Early Voting and Mail-In Voting), there is usually some expectation of political theater or credit-grabbing at this and the next few City Council meetings. In this game of musical chairs, the music is still playing.

The main agenda item for this week is the Tax Rate Hearing at 6:30pm followed by the ritual of 11 roll call votes that will likely all be unanimous (unless one or two councillors want to play the tune of not using $22.5 million in Free Cash to reduce the FY22 tax rate because, you know, everyone would just love to pay higher taxes). I will also remind everyone, as Bob Healy would do every year at this time, that the City Council does not actually set the residential and commercial tax rates. That responsibility rests with the MA Dept. of Revenue even though (unless somebody miscalculated) the City has already done the calculations and knows the inevitable outcome, i.e. a residential tax rate of $5.92 per thousand and a commercial tax rate of $11.23 per thousand. The rates for last year were, respectively $5.85 and $11.85.

Here’s the full list what struck me as interesting this week:

Manager’s Agenda #1. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to votes necessary to seek approval from the Massachusetts Department of Revenue of the tax rate for FY2022.
Referred to Special Meeting at 6:30pm on Tax Classification; 11 Orders Adopted
Sobrinho-Wheeler, Zondervan voted against using Free Cash and overlay surplus/reserves to reduce tax rate.
$22,500,000 in Free Cash to reduce FY22 tax rate – Adopted 7-2 (JSW,QZ – NO)
;
$2,500,000 in overlay surplus/reserves to reduce FY22 tax rate – Adopted 7-2 (JSW,QZ – NO)
;
$9,500,000 from City Debt Stabilization Fund as revenue source to General Fund Budget – Adopted 8-1 (QZ – NO)

Late Order #9. That the Housing Committee and Finance Committee hold a joint public meeting to discuss the property tax rate and progressive revenue.   Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler
Order Adopted as Amended 9-0

There are so many statistics you could look at when comparing things over the years, but here are a few:

Year Property Tax Levy Annual
Increase
Residential
Tax Rate
(per $1000)
Commercial
Tax Rate
(per $1000)
Ratio
(Comm/Res)
Median
Tax
(single)
Median
Tax
(condo)
Median
Tax
(2-fam)
Median
Tax
(3-fam)
FY2022 $514,805,115 4.70% $5.92 $11.23 1.90 $6,477 $1,672 $5,927 $7,240
FY2021 $472,520,148 7.85% $5.85 $11.85 2.03 $5,761 $1,608 $5,471 $6,711
FY2020 $438,128,694 6.91% $5.75 $12.68 2.21 $5,515 $1,605 $5,340 $6,493
FY2019 $409,809,861 5.33% $5.94 $13.71 2.31 $5,066 $1,562 $4,974 $6,124
FY2018 $389,080,359 4.40% $6.29 $14.81 2.35 $4,942 $1,541 $4,682 $5,655
FY2017 $372,674,087 5.15% $6.49 $16.12 2.48 $4,806 $1,465 $4,649 $5,594
FY2016 $354,430,753 3.80% $6.99 $17.71 2.53 $4,482 $1,454 $4,412 $5,258
FY2015 $341,445,455 3.93% $7.82 $19.29 2.47 $4,418 $1,472 $4,310 $5,040
FY2014 $328,544,945 3.66% $8.38 $20.44 2.44 $4,407 $1,457 $3,976 $4,787
FY2013 $316,947,770 5.97% $8.66 $21.50 2.48 $4,298 $1,495 $3,866 $4,586
FY2012 $299,090,641 5.33% $8.48 $20.76 2.45 $4,139 $1,430 $3,786 $4,501
FY2011 $283,961,699 5.69% $8.16 $19.90 2.44 $3,870 $1,370 $3,609 $4,286
FY2010 $268,662,984 5.38% $7.72 $18.75 2.43 $3,564 $1,293 $3,477 $4,132
FY2009 $254,945,578 5.20% $7.56 $17.97 2.38 $3,445 $1,224 $3,430 $4,091

Note: Condominium owners continue to get the sweetest deal of all.

The trained (and maybe even the not-so-trained) eye will notice that the skewing of the tax rates is declining for a combination of reasons. Also embedded in the City Manager’s letter is the warning that, “a major concern going forward is that if residential value increases outpaced commercial/industrial/personal property increases, the City could hit the ceiling for the property tax classification shift. Once the classification ceiling is reached, the residential class will bear the majority of any tax levy increase.”

Cambridge residents, and especially condominium owners, have for some years enjoyed the luxury of relatively tame residential real estate taxes thanks to the policy of shifting most of the tax burden onto commercial properties.

Manager’s Agenda #3. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 21-22, regarding updating neighborhood organization lists.
Placed on File 9-0

Order #4. That the City Manager is requested to re-establish the Community School Neighborhood Councils.   Councillor Simmons, Councillor McGovern, Councillor Toomey
Order Adopted 9-0

“The Community Development Department (CDD) maintains a list of neighborhood organizations on its website. CDD recently reached out to known neighborhood organizations listed on the website to ensure information is current and accurate. Neighborhood planners are tasked with reaching out to neighborhood organizations annually to keep the information updated. Moreover, the webpage now includes clear information on how leaders of new or existing neighborhood organizations can report changes to neighborhood planners. CDD is currently working to further improve user friendliness of its neighborhood organizations webpage.”

Meanwhile, the “A Better Cambridge” group is doing all that they can to challenge the legitimacy of any and all neighborhood organizations.

Perhaps the best model for resident and neighborhood involvement would be a hybrid between neighborhood organizations (which are free to advocate as they see fit) and a revised and enhanced array of Community School Neighborhood Councils that can tap into City services and resources. That model has worked well in the past in my Mid-Cambridge neighborhood and in some other neighborhoods.

Manager’s Agenda #4. A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 21-33, regarding Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment standards in the review of development projects.
Placed on File 9-0

I have nothing in particular to say about this other than the general observation that just as horse stables gradually vanished giving way to garages and service stations, so too will a more comprehensive system for charging electric vehicles have to develop as gasoline-powered vehicles gradually give way to electric vehicle and perhaps even autonomous vehicles (for which we will be subscribers and not actual owners).

Order #1. That the City Manager is requested to make available the appropriate staff and information pertaining to past efforts to establish a Green Jobs program.   Councillor Simmons, Councillor McGovern, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Zondervan
Order Adopted 9-0

I doubt many people these days will dispute the value of job training for “green jobs.” Where I part company with these councillors is in their belief that this should best be done as a City program. It seems pretty clear that “Green Jobs” companies will do a far better job of this training and that it would be far more appropriate to simply connect our residents with these employers and make it as advantageous as possible for such companies to set up shop hear and in our surrounding communities.

Order #2. That the City Manager is requested to establish a written plan designed to ensure that Black people, LatinX, Indigenous people, and people of color will be recruited by the City, trained, and placed in leadership positions throughout the municipal government.   Councillor Simmons
Order Adopted as Amended 9-0

I agree completely in the value of acting affirmatively in recruitment, training, and advancement, but I have never agreed with the notion that anyone should be “placed in leadership positions” based solely or primarily on their race or ethnicity – or any other fact, for that matter, other than who is the best person for the job.

Order #3. That the City Manager is requested to direct appropriate staff to design a Language Access Plan in conjunction with the Cambridge Public Schools.   Mayor Siddiqui, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Simmons, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler
Order Adopted 9-0

Order #5. That the City Council go on record requesting that the Neighborhood & Long Term Planning, Public Facilities, Arts and Celebrations Committee hold a hearing to discuss the ways the city might support residents interested in having pickle and paddle ball opportunities available.   Councillor Nolan, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Toomey
Order Adopted 9-0

When I first moved to Cambridge from New York City in 1978 I brought my paddleball racket with me. I soon discovered that nobody in the area played either handball or paddleball – which were played everywhere in NYC.

Order #6. City Council support of the MIT Graduate Student Union.   Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Zondervan, Councillor McGovern, Vice Mayor Mallon, Councillor Simmons
Order Adopted as Amended 9-0

I understand that unionization of graduate student is “a thing” these days, but I remain perplexed at the notion that the United Auto Workers are organizing graduate students at Harvard, and apparently now the United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America is organizing graduate students at MIT. I agree that graduate students should not be exploited as cheap labor with minimal benefits, but I also understand that the primary goal of a graduate student is to get a degree and no longer be a graduate student. It’s not like we want to be awarding gold watches to graduate students for their many years of service.

Order #7. That the City Manager is requested to present a plan, which includes funding, and the findings of any feasibility study of any DHSP and any other City department providing children and/or city youth programs, for rapidly expanding out of school time in the city to create enough slots for all families who need it.   Councillor Zondervan, Councillor McGovern, Mayor Siddiqui, Councillor Carlone
Order Adopted 9-0

Order #8. That the City Manager is requested to convene a Caregiver Advisory Council that is overly represented by high priority families will be convened in partnership with DHSP that engages key stakeholders that includes, but is not limited to, the Agenda for Children, current and former out of school time staff and leadership, and out of school time community benefit organizations. Such a council will receive reports as ordered by Policy Order 2021 #201 that describe who applied and were enrolled, capacity, staffing, and outreach efforts.   Councillor Zondervan, Councillor McGovern, Mayor Siddiqui
Order Adopted 9-0

I read an article in the Boston Globe yesterday (Human services agencies face staffing crisis, delaying services for those in need) explaining that “A steady stream of workers have left community-based human services jobs during the pandemic, and many jobs are going unfilled, leading to a staffing shortage that has reached emergency levels, providers say. Some programs are facing vacancy rates as high as 60 percent.” I also recall that our own Ellen Semonoff (DHSP) said recently that the limitation in providing slots in programs had more to do with lack of staff than lack of funding. City councillors may want to expand access to such programs, but you still need the content and the staff to provide anything of value.

Committee Report #1. The Health and Environment Committee met on Apr 14, 2021 to conduct a public hearing regarding the City’s response to the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Charter Right – Zondervan

Let the record show that City staff did an extraordinary job in helping us to navigate this pandemic even though nobody had a guidebook that laid out all that needed to be done. Let’s also remember some of the Big Ideas that were proposed in the political arena that fell flat and were based on a combination of misunderstanding about the transmission of the virus as well as separate agendas about hostility toward motor vehicles. Remember those streets that were supposed to be pedestrian-priority but where almost all pedestrians still preferred the sidewalks, and where drivers used the barriers for slalom driving? Perhaps the most successful reconfiguration was the expansion of outdoor patios (street and sidewalk) that helped some businesses survive and which will likely continue, though perhaps in a more limited way, beyond this pandemic. – Robert Winters

September 30, 2021

Voter Registration and Voting Options for the Municipal Election

Filed under: 2021 election,Cambridge,elections — Tags: , — Robert Winters @ 7:25 pm

Voter Registration and Voting Options for the Municipal Election

Early voting is available to all voters for the Municipal Election on Tuesday, November 2nd. Early voting is available by mail and in-person to all registered voters in Cambridge. However, you choose to vote, please be advised that once a voter casts an early voting ballot, the voter may no longer vote at the polls.

Voter Registration

For anyone wanting to vote early in-person, by mail, or by drop box, the first step is making sure you are registered. To check your voter registration status and to find information on how to register to vote, please go to www.registertovotema.com. You will need a license, or an I.D. issued by the Registry of Motor Vehicles to apply online. To be eligible to vote in the Municipal Election on Tuesday, November 2, 2021, you must register to vote or make changes to your voter registration by Wednesday, October 13, 2021. The office will be open until 8:00pm on October 13, 2021.

Early Voting by Mail

To vote by mail:

  1. Complete a Vote by Mail Application. For voter convenience postage paid postcard applications were mailed by the Election Commission to all registered voters in Cambridge. You may also download an application at www.cambridgema.gov/earlyvoting or send a written request with your name, Cambridge address, address where you want the ballot sent, and your signature.Vote!
  2. Send your signed application by email, fax or mail:

    • Email: elections@cambridgema.gov

    • Fax: 617-349-4366

    • Mail: Cambridge Election Commission 51 Inman Street Cambridge, MA 02139

  3. Vote when your ballot arrives.
  4. Return your voted and sealed ballot to the Cambridge Election Commission by mail, ballot drop box, or in person to the Cambridge Election Commission office.

You can check the status of your ballot at www.TrackMyBallotMA.com.

The deadline to return a vote by mail ballot is November 2, 2021 at 8:00pm to be counted.

The deadline to submit a Vote by Mail Application for a mailed ballot for the election is Wednesday, October 27, 2021 at 5:00pm. The Cambridge Election Commission recommends submitting this application no later than October 19th to ensure the timely delivery of your ballot.

The Election Commission is open to the public by walk-in or appointment. If you would like to schedule an appointment at, please go to https://calendly.com/cambridge-election-commission.

Early Voting In-Person

To vote in person, visit any one of the three (3) early voting locations offered in Cambridge during the period from Saturday, October 23, 2021 to Friday, October 29, 2021 for the Municipal Election. You must be a registered voter in Cambridge to vote at the early voting locations. Please refer to the City’s designated early voting schedule below. The deadline to vote early in person is Friday, October 29, 2021 at 5:00pm.

DESIGNATED EARLY VOTING LOCATIONS, HOURS AND DAYS

Cambridge Water Department – 250 Fresh Pond Parkway, Cambridge
Main Library – 449 Broadway, Cambridge
Valente Library – 826 Cambridge Street, Side Entrance on Berkshire Street, Cambridge

Saturday Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
October 23 October 24 October 25 October 26 October 27 October 28 October 29
10am – 3pm ALL SITES
CLOSED
11am – 7pm 10am – 5pm 11am – 7pm 10am – 5pm 10am -5pm

The Election Commission office located 51 Inman Street will NOT be an early voting location for the Municipal Election, November 2, 2021. Voters must go to one of the designated early voting locations listed above.

Official Ballot Drop Box Locations

Official ballot drop boxes will be available at the following six (6) locations for Cambridge voters beginning Friday, October 9, 2021 through Tuesday, November 2, 2021 at 8:00pm. The drop boxes will be open from 7:00am to 8:00pm Monday through Sunday.

  1. City Hall – Near the back door of the building located at 795 Massachusetts Avenue
  2. Morse School – Near the front entrance of the building located at 40 Granite Street
  3. Cambridge Police Headquarters – Near the front of the building located at 125 6th Street
  4. Maria L. Baldwin School – Near the Oxford Street entrance of the building located at 28 Sacramento Street
  5. O’Neill Library – Adjacent to the entrance stairs of the building located at 70 Rindge Avenue
  6. Coffon Building – Near the front of the building located at 51 Inman Street (see note below)

Note: Location #6 located in the front of the Coffon Building is already open for use.

Relocation of Some Polling Sites & Voting on Election Day

Voting on Election Day will still be available for those who want to vote at the polls. Some polling sites were relocated for the upcoming Municipal Election on November 2, 2021. Your polling site location will be in the same ward and precinct or near your regular polling site for voter convenience and to minimize voter confusion. In the next few weeks, voters will receive an Early Voting Guide and a Voter Notification Card in the mail that will have information pertaining to where you vote, any relocated polling sites and other important election related information. Please refer to the voter information which will be mailed to you over the next few weeks. A list of wards/precincts and polling sites are available below, so you know where to go if you choose to vote on Election Day. The highlighted locations were relocated for the 2021 Municipal Election.

2021 Polling Sites

Precinct      Location
Ward 1
1-1 COMMUNITY CHARTER SCHOOL OF CAMBRIDGE, 245 Bent Street, Main Entrance
1-2 COMMUNITY CHARTER SCHOOL OF CAMBRIDGE, 245 Bent Street, Main Entrance
1-3 MILLER RIVER APARTMENTS, 15 Lambert Street, Cambridge Street entrance
Ward 2
2-1 PISANI CENTER, 131 Washington Street
2-2 M.I.T., Kresge Auditorium, behind Stratton Center, 70 Mass. Avenue
2-3 M.I.T., Kresge Auditorium, behind Stratton Center, 70 Mass. Avenue
Ward 3
3-1 VALENTE BRANCH LIBRARY, 826 Cambridge Street, Side Entrance on Berkshire Street
3-2 MOSES YOUTH CENTER, 243 Harvard Street, Lower Level, Rear Entrance
3-2A MOSES YOUTH CENTER, 243 Harvard Street, Lower Level, Rear Entrance
3-3 SALVATION ARMY HEADQUARTERS, 402 Massachusetts Avenue
Ward 4
4-1 CAMBRIDGE COMMUNITY CENTER, 5 Callender Street, Howard Street Entrance
4-2 CITY HALL, 795 Massachusetts Avenue, Driveway Entrance
4-3 MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. SCHOOL, 102 Putnam Avenue, Playground Gym Entrance
Ward 5
5-1 LBJ APARTMENTS, 150 Erie Street, Community Room (Parking Lot Entrance)
5-2 MORSE SCHOOL, 40 Granite Street, Main Entrance
5-3 MORSE SCHOOL, 40 Granite Street, Main Entrance
Ward 6
6-1 CITY HALL ANNEX, 344 Broadway Conference Room, Second Floor
6-2 CAMBRIDGE RINDGE & LATIN SCHOOL, 459 Broadway, Media Cafeteria, Cambridge Street Entrance
6-3 CAMBRIDGE RINDGE & LATIN SCHOOL, 459 Broadway, Media Cafeteria, Cambridge Street Entrance
Ward 7
7-1 BALDWIN SCHOOL, Community Floor, 28 Sacramento Street entrance
7-2 BALDWIN SCHOOL, Community Floor, 28 Sacramento Street entrance
7-3 GUND HALL, 48 Quincy Street, Cambridge Street Entrance
Ward 8
8-1 GRAHAM AND PARKS SCHOOL, 44 Linnaean St., playground entrance
8-2 FRIENDS CENTER, 5 Longfellow Park, Community Room
8-3 MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. SCHOOL, 102 Putnam Avenue, Playground Gym Entrance
Ward 9
9-1 HOLY TRINITY ARMENIAN CHURCH, 145 Brattle Street, Parking Lot Entrance on Sparks Street
9-2 CAMBRIDGE WATER DEPARTMENT, 250 Fresh Pond Parkway
9-3 RUSSELL YOUTH CENTER, 680 Huron Avenue, Second Floor
Ward 10
10-1 PEABODY SCHOOL GYM, 70 Rindge Avenue, Rear Entrance
10-2 GRAHAM AND PARKS SCHOOL, 44 Linnaean Street., Playground Entrance
10-3 CAMBRIDGE FRIENDS SCHOOL, 5 Cadbury Road, Front Entrance
Ward 11
11-1 RESERVOIR CHURCH, 170 Rindge Avenue, Rear Entrance
11-2 PEABODY SCHOOL GYM, 70 Rindge Avenue, Rear Entrance
11-3 BURNS APARTMENTS, 50 Churchill Avenue, Community Room

Voters are encouraged to wear a mask or face covering in the early voting locations and on Election Day at polling sites to help mitigate public health risks associated with COVID-19.

The PACs are choosing up sides

Filed under: 2021 election,Cambridge,elections — Tags: , , — Robert Winters @ 7:19 pm

The PACs are choosing up sides

Sept 29 – Cambridge has a growing presence of Political Action Committees each trying to influence how you vote. What each of them stands for is a bit muddy in spite of their various pronouncements and what will surely soon be slick mailings to Cambridge voters. At least two of these entities have migrated to the “Independent Expenditure Political Action Committee” mode in order to be able to accept (and spend) more money under the debatable theory that they are operating independently of any of the campaigns of specific candidates.Vote!

Interestingly, all but one have so far ignored the School Committee unlike in years past when an actual civic organization like the Cambridge Civic Association (CCA) put at least as much effort into its School Committee endorsements as it did into its City Council endorsements.

Anyway, the current scorecard is below. Note the crossover of candidates who appear on multiple slates and, perhaps just as significantly, the exclusion of some candidates from particular slates that actually align with in terms of policy positions. Make no mistake about it – the primary role of most candidate slates is incumbency protection and the last thing a PAC want is to have one of their challengers bump off one of their incumbents. The remaining candidates are a mix of candidates who might add to the PAC’s elected ranks as well as some “feeders” whose role is to draw in votes to the slate that will be transferred to other slate candidates upon defeat. Needless to say, nobody will ever openly tell a candidate that they are primarily a “feeder”. RW

PAC A Better Cambridge
(ABC)
Cambridge Citizens
Coalition (CCC)
Cambridge Residents
Alliance (CResA)
Our Revolution
Cambridge (ORC)
Endorsed
Candidates
Burhan Azeem
Tonia Hicks
Alanna Mallon
Marc McGovern
Joe McGuirk
Sumbul Siddiqui
Denise Simmons
Jivan Sobrinho-Wheeler
Paul Toner
Dana Bullister
Dennis Carlone
Patricia Nolan
Nicola Williams
Dennis Carlone
Tonia Hicks
Patricia Nolan
Theodora Skeadas
Jivan Sobrinho-Wheeler
Nicola Williams
Quinton Zondervan
Dennis Carlone
Tonia Hicks
Theodora Skeadas
Jivan Sobrinho-Wheeler
Nicola Williams
Quinton Zondervan
 
School Committee:
Daria Johnson
José Luis Rojas Villarreal
David Weinstein
Rachel Weinstein
Ayesha Wilson

2021 Proposed Cambridge Reprecincting Plan

Filed under: Cambridge,elections — Tags: , , , , — Robert Winters @ 7:14 pm

2021 PROPOSED REPRECINCTING PLAN
Request for Public Feedback

City SealSept 30, 2021 – The Election Commission is seeking feedback from the public regarding its proposed reprecincting plan. Members of the public are invited to join the Board of Election Commissioners meeting on Wednesday, October 6, 2021, at 5:30pm via Zoom. The Current Ward and Precinct Map (based on 2010 census), Proposed Ward and Precinct Map (based on 2020 census), Proposed Map with Current Precinct Boundary Overlay, and the 2020 Population by Census Block Map can be viewed at https://www.cambridgema.gov/Departments/ElectionCommission/Reprecincting

Current Ward and Precinct Map (based on 2010 census)

Proposed Ward and Precinct Map (based on 2020 census)

Proposed Map with Current Precinct Boundary Overlay

2020 Population by Census Block Map

Written comments, questions, or suggestions can be sent by email to elections@cambridgema.gov or by mail to 51 Inman Street, Cambridge, MA 02139. Written comments should be submitted by Wednesday, October 6, 2021 at 5:00pm to be considered at the 5:30pm meeting.

2021 Cambridge Reprecincting Proposal

The population of Cambridge increased from 105,162 in 2010 to 118,403 in the 2020 US Census, however, the changes were not evenly distributed throughout the city. Some precincts increased dramatically in population, while others stayed the same or decreased. With 33 precincts, each precinct must have a population within 5% of 3,588. Any change that is made in one precinct has a cascading effect on the entire map as other precincts will need to be adjusted to keep the population of every precinct within that range.

The Board of Election Commissioners took a number of factors into consideration in creating this proposal, such as minimizing the number of voters who need to cross major thoroughfares in order to vote and keeping most voters in the same precincts whenever possible. It should be noted that reprecincting changes will not take effect until the 2022 elections. Some of the current polling locations may be changed in 2022 in order to better accommodate voters under the new map.

What is Reprecincting?

Every ten years after the Federal Census is complete, new ward and precinct boundary lines are drawn to reflect changes in the City’s population and to anticipate the needs of the City’s election system for the next decade.

Voting precincts established by a city or town must meet the following requirements:

  • Each new precinct must be “composed of compact and contiguous territory” without protruding fingers or long tails to the extent possible.
  • Precincts must be bounded by the center-line of streets or other well defined boundaries such as streams or other bodies of water, railroad tracks, power lines or other clearly visible geographic figures.
  • No precinct may contain more than 4,000 residents.
  • Every precinct’s population must be within five percent (5%) of the average precinct population for that ward or town.
  • Ward populations must be within five percent (5%) of the average ward population for the city.
  • Redrawn ward and precinct boundaries must not result in the dilution of minority group members’ votes.
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