Cambridge Civic Journal Forum

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]

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]

September 26, 2025

Seal It with a Kiss – September 29, 2025 Cambridge City Council meeting

Filed under: Cambridge,Cambridge government,City Council,Deaths,history — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , — Robert Winters @ 8:35 pm

Seal It with a Kiss – September 29, 2025 Cambridge City Council meeting

City SealAmong other things, this week brings a City Council order calling for a process to commence to change the official seal of the City of Cambridge. We’re actually on our 2nd version of of Official Seal since we became a city in 1846 – not even close to that memorable 1957 film by Ingmar Bergman. I can only hope that any new proposals for our Official Seal won’t mirror the sad choices now under consideration for the Massachusetts State Seal – designs that replace historical references with all the richness of a Doritos ad. [There were some more interesting submissions.] I can only guess what the politically acceptable choices for Cambridge may eventually turn out to be. Perhaps we can have Brian Hyland provide some motivation for the selection committee.

As for the full agenda, here are the items that leapt off the page:

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 Nolan; comments by Nolan, City Manager Yi-An Huang; Placed on File 8-0-1 (DS-Absent)

Manager’s Agenda #2. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to a Preservation Restriction at 44 J.F. Kennedy Street. [text of report]
pulled by Zusy; comments by Zusy, Charles Sullivan, Nolan, McGovern; Order Adopted, Placed on File 8-0-1 (DS-Absent)

These Historical Commission reports are always top notch.

Manager’s Agenda #5. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 25-05, regarding a report on the use of M.G.L Ch. 40U to determine which local statutes can be enforced by the Local-Option Procedure in order to better collect fines in violation of Cambridge Ordinances. [text of report]
pulled by Nolan; comments by Nolan, City Solicitor Megan Bayer and other City staff, Zusy; Referred to Finance Committee 8-0-1 (DS-Absent)

The legal memo indicates that this applies only to “three types of code violations that can be enforced through Chapter 40U: (1) short-term rental use; (2) housing and sanitary; and (3) snow and ice removal from sidewalks.” To be effective, the City Council need only vote to accept the statute. Also, if the City adopts Chapter 40U, it would need to adopt an ordinance that establishes a schedule of applicable fines. For more details and potential costs and consequences, read the memo.

Order #1. That the City Manager is requested to work with the City Council to establish a Seal Review Committee with the charge of recommending an updated city seal and motto in time for adoption prior to the 400th anniversary of the City of Cambridge in 2030.   Vice Mayor McGovern, Mayor Simmons
pulled by Zusy; comments by Zusy, McGovern; Order Adopted 8-0-1 (DS-Absent)

As I mentioned above, the current City Seal may have some extinct references on it, but it packs a fair amount of historical reference – which seems appropriate for a historically rich city like Cambridge. My greatest concern is that a review committee will choose to recommend something more like an advertising logo drenched in wokeness. In fact, I would almost bet on it.

Order #2. That the Housing Committee will be convened to discuss the concrete details of social housing; that the City Manager be and hereby is requested to confer with the Community Development Department, Finance Department, Law Department, and other relevant departments to explore all steps towards advancing social housing in Cambridge.   Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Vice Mayor McGovern, Councillor Siddiqui, Councillor Wilson, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Azeem
pulled by Sobrinho-Wheeler; comments by Sobrinho-Wheeler, Wilson, McGovern, Melissa Peters (CDD), Zusy, Nolan, Azeem; Nolan, Azeem added as sponsors; Order Adopted as Amended 8-0-1 (DS-Absent)

So “social housing” is now the shiny new thing being bandied about by activists and municipal election candidates this year. In short, this is a scheme via which the local government would slowly but surely take over an increasing percentage of the housing stock in Cambridge – all under the theory (and sales pitch) that this would bring about a new era of affordability. It is, of course, just public housing by a different name and perhaps with different eligibility standards. I always like to raise the issue of what happens when the roof needs replacement or when the heating system or other part of the building needs a major overhaul. Inevitably, the residents will come running to the government to pay for it, and the bills will be ultimately be paid by the taxpayers. A somewhat more insidious aspect of all this is that deed-restricted properties have dramatically lower assessed values, so we should really say “paid by other taxpayers”. This socialist creep is a thing these days in other places such as New York City. Supporters will be quick to mention the “Vienna Housing Model” to prove the wonderfulness of their ideas, but I’ll simply say that neither New York City nor Cambridge are especially comparable to Vienna, Austria. I will also emphasize that I emphatically believe that private property ownership is a good thing. If tenants want to pool their resources to turn their housing into something like a limited equity coop, then more power to them – as long as they don’t one day come running to Mother Cambridge to cover their costs.

Order #3. That the City Manager is requested to work with relevant departments to provide a recommendation on the site conditions of 25 Lowell Street and considerations and process for determining the future use of the property.   Councillor Nolan, Councillor Toner, Vice Mayor McGovern, Councillor Siddiqui
pulled by Zusy; Nolan, McGovern, Zusy; Order Adopted 8-0-1 (DS-Absent)

This is the lot that keeps reappearing as a kind of token. I even remember it being on the list over 30 years ago of properties for a “Land Bank” for affordable housing – basically a symbolic gesture by some councillors looking to get some love by going after a property in the tonier part of town. Not much has really changed in three decades.

Charter Right #1. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 25-32, regarding a request that the City engage in discussions with leadership from the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) and the Harvard Square Business Association (HSBA) regarding a proposal to explore the feasibility of repurposing the long-abandoned MBTA tunnel in Harvard Square into a commercial or cultural space. [Charter Right – Azeem, Sept 15, 2025]
comments by Azeem, Yi-An-Huang, Nolan, Zusy, Deputy City Manager Kathy Watkins, McGovern, Siddiqui, Wilson; After an excruciatingly long and repetitive discussion, Placed on File 8-0-1 (DS-Absent)

I still believe there’s a great idea here lurking in the cavernous darkness (“The Cavern Club”?), but pulling it off will take the kind of drive and investment that’s not so likely to emerge from the depths of Cambridge.

Resolution #1. Condolences to the family of Red T. Mitchell.   Mayor Simmons
Charter Right – McGovern (to give Mayor Simmons and others an opportunity to speak to this resolution next week)

Red Mitchell has been one of my favorite Cambridge people ever since Denise Simmons introduced us. All three of us have a love of history, and Red knew a lot about history – especially about residents of African ancestry around the time of the Revolutionary War.

Resolution #2. Congratulation to Kevin Treanor and Joe McCabe on their 30 year anniversary of the Phoenix Landing.   Councillor Zusy, Vice Mayor McGovern, Councillor Toner, Councillor Wilson
pulled by McGovern; Add McGovern, Toner, Wilson as sponsors

Time flies. Great guys and good beer. They’ll also feed you pretty good as well. I never went there for the soccer broadcasts – just the camaraderie and the beer.

Committee Report #1. The Health and Environment Committee held a public hearing on Sept 9, 2025 to review and discuss ongoing work to mitigate and reduce Combined Sewer Overflows within Cambridge and the surrounding area and other mitigation efforts to address extreme weather events that affect city residents and future infrastructure projects. [text of report]
pulled early Nolan; comments by Nolan, Deputy City Manager Kathy Watkins, Toner, McGovern; Report Accepted, Placed on File, Order Adopted 8-0-1 (DS-Absent)

Though I didn’t attend the meeting, I have had an interest in this subject (and really all things relating to infrastructure) for about four decades now. There has been a lot of progress on the CSOs during that time, but the progress never stops. Neither does the physics.

Committee Report #2. The Public Safety Committee held a public hearing on Sept 10, 2025 to discuss COF25#106, including questions that were submitted by City Council members regarding an incident at 243 Broadway on Aug 2, 2025 and the public safety response. [text of report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 8-0-1 (DS-Absent)

I attended this meeting and offered testimony in support of the actions of the Cambridge Police in this incident. I was outnumbered during Public Comment but I did my best to counter some of the BS from those who would abolish the police if they could.

Committee Report #3. The Health and Environment Committee held a public hearing on Sept 16, 2025 to review and discuss solar impact analysis and zoning options to encourage the use of solar energy systems and protect solar access for Registered Solar Energy Systems.[text of report]
pulled early by Nolan; comments by Zusy (with proposed Substitute Order), Azeem; Charter Right – Azeem

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]

June 6, 2025

Mixed Bag – June 9, 2025 Cambridge City Council meeting

Filed under: Cambridge,City Council,history,recycling — Tags: , , , , , , , , , — Robert Winters @ 1:05 pm

Mixed Bag – June 9, 2025 Cambridge City Council meeting

Last week’s meeting cleared most of the leftovers out of the back of the legislative fridge. Here are some of the remainders and some new additions:City Hall

Manager’s Agenda #1. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to a request to move to Executive Session to discuss strategy with respect to litigation known as Said S. Abuzahra, Trustee of Equity Realty Trust, et al. v. City of Cambridge (Mdsx. Super. Ct. C.A. No. 2017- cv-2459); and strategy with respect to litigation known as Lubavitch of Cambridge, Inc. v. Jim Monteverde as member of the Cambridge Board of Zoning Appeals et al. (Land Court Docket No. 24 Misc 00622), John W. Toulopoulos Trustee of the Toulopoulos Realty Trust, et al. v. Lubavitch of Cambridge Inc. et al. (Land Court, Docket No. 24 Misc 000528), and Lubavitch of Cambridge, Inc. v. Cambridge Board of Zoning Appeal and City of Cambridge.
Convened in Executive Session 8:34pm-9:52pm 9-0; Placed on File 9-0

Keywords: (1) Vail Court, (2) Dover Amendment

Manager’s Agenda #4. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 25-24 regarding a critical drought status report. [text of report]
pulled by Nolan; comments by Nolan, Owen O’Riordan, Zusy; Placed on File 9-0

The entire report is quite interesting, but the current status is: On May 20th due to continued above average precipitation, the State Drought Task Force held a special mid-month meeting, and the Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs downgraded the drought level for the Northeast region to Level 0-Normal.

Manager’s Agenda #5. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the submission of the Zero Waste Master Plan. [text of report]
pulled by Nolan; comments by Nolan, McGovern, Recycling Director Michael Orr, Zusy, Wilson, DPW Commissioner Kathy Watkins, Simmons, Siddiqui; Placed on File 9-0

This is not just about recycling. The only comments I’ll make right now are that I’m still in the skeptical camp regarding rigid mandates and a possible Pay-As-You-Throw (PAYT) program for waste disposal, and that everyone should understand the difference between advocacy and implementation and public acceptability. Most of the people involved in producing this and other proposals are advocates. It is the job of elected representatives to weigh advocacy vs. public acceptability. The matter of separated bike lanes, loss of parking, and the rigidity of the current Cycling Safety Ordinance come to mind.

Getting Board & Commissioned

Manager’s Agenda #6. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appointments of Florrie Darwin, Scott Kyle, and Michael Rogove and the reappointments of Chandra Harrington, Joseph Ferrara, Elizabeth Lyster, Yuting Zhang, Gavin Kleespies, Paula Paris, and Kyle Sheffield to the Cambridge Historical Commission.
Charter Right – Sobrinho-Wheeler

Manager’s Agenda #7. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appointment Sarah Holt, Emily Oldshue, and Ruth Webb and the reappointments of Marie-Pierre Dillenseger, Donna Marcantonio, and Peter Schur to the Half Crown-Marsh Neighborhood Conservation District Commission.
Charter Right – Nolan

Manager’s Agenda #8. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appointment of Nondita Mehrotra, and the reappointments of Constantin von Wentzel, Heli Meltsner, McKelden Smith, Theresa Hamacher, and Freweyni Gebrehiwet to the Avon Hill Neighborhood Conservation District Commission.
Charter Right – Nolan

On The Table #4. 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; Tabled June 2, 2025]

Manager’s Agenda #14. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to a revised draft of the “Eastern Cambridge Community Enhancements” Zoning Petition. text of report]
pulled by McGovern (along w/Committee Report #2); comments by McGovern, Nolan; Referred to Petition as Amended by Substitution 9-0; Placed on Unfinished Business 9-0

Committee Reports #2. The Ordinance Committee held a public hearing on May 20, 2025 to discuss two Zoning Petitions. The first Petition was by Mushla Marasao, et al. to amend the Cambridge Zoning Ordinance in Sections 5.28.21, 8.22.1, 8.22.2, and Table 5.1. The second Petition was by BMR-320 Charles LLC c/o BioMed Realty, L.P. to amend the Cambridge Zoning Ordinance in Article 20.000 with the intent to create a new overlay district called the East Cambridge Community Enhancement (ECCE) Overlay District. The Ordinance Committee voted favorably to forward the BioMed Realty Zoning Petition regarding the ECCE Overlay District, with proposed amendments from BioMed dated April 18, 2025, to the full City Council with a favorable recommendation. [text of report]
pulled by McGovern along w/Manager’s Agenda #14; Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0; Petition Passed to 2nd Reading as Amended 9-0

Order #1. That the City Manager is requested to work with relevant City departments to determine whether the City Council can revoke an already approved curb cut application if said application was incomplete due to applicant failure.   Councillor Nolan, Councillor Zusy
pulled by Zusy; comments by Zusy, Toner, McGovern, Azeem, Nolan, Simmons, City Solicitor Megan Bayer; Order Adopted 6-1-0-2 (Toner – No; Wilson, Simmons – Present)

One week the City Council is in near unanimity regarding delegating curb cut approvals to City staff, and now they want to know how and when they can rescind curb cuts. Go figure.

Order #2. That the City Manager is requested to work with the City Clerk, the Information Technology Department, the Law Department, and any other relevant departments to draft an ordinance establishing the City of Cambridge Electronic Records Archiving Policy.   Mayor Simmons, Vice Mayor McGovern, Councillor Toner, Councillor Zusy
pulled by Zusy; comments by Zusy, McGovern, Simmons (shoutout to Barbara Carrera); Zusy added as sponsor 9-0; Order Adopted as Amended 9-0

This is important. Just like those old 8-track tapes, cassettes, vinyl records, and even CDs and DVDs become obsolete, the preservation of public records (often in perpetuity) needs to be addressed – especially in an historic city like Cambridge. There needs to be delegated custodians of these records and best practices for preservation, chain of custody, authenticity, integrity, and ease of public access. This is especially true in this age of electronic record-keeping.

Order #3. Policy Order urging Governor Healey, the MBTA Board of Directors and General Manager Phillip Eng to amend the MBTA Alewife Station Complex redevelopment RFP to include as a priority eliminating untreated Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) sewage in our neighborhoods by incorporating green and gray infrastructure as central components of the project. The order further calls on the MBTA to collaborate with the MWRA, DCR, DPH, the City of Cambridge, and the community to address this public health threat.   Councillor Zusy, Councillor Siddiqui, Vice Mayor McGovern, Councillor Wilson [photos]
pulled by Nolan; comments by Nolan w/concerns re: lack of specificity in Order – has a Substitute Order (not acted on); comments by DPW Commissioner Kathy Watkins w/concerns re: Order (98% reduction in CSO for Charles River, 85% CSO reduction in Alewife), notes extensive work by City – complex projects w/complex trade-offs, cost effectiveness, feasibility, Order is too prescriptive, notes plans for storage at Sherman St./Bellis Circle; Zusy comments; Amended (Zusy); Charter Right – Simmons

Note: Though I appreciate the intention of this Order, I have some questions about whether the proposed solutions violate the Laws of Physics.

Charter Right #1. 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. [Charter Right – Toner, June 2, 2025]
Comments by Toner, City Solicitor Megan Bayer (ICE agents not required to provide name or badge number), City Manager Yi-An Huang (ICE has been notifying local law enforcement), McGovern (add as sponsor), Wilson (add as sponsor), Zusy, Sobrinho-Wheeler (wants CPD to not do traffic enforcement or crowd control and only address public safety, refers to ICE arrests as “abductions”), Siddiqui, Nolan, Simmons (w/concerns about some of the directives in this Order, risk of escalation); [McGovern, Wilson added as sponsors 9-0]; Order Adopted as Amended 8-0-0-1 (Simmons – Present)

This is all well and good, but I have a hard time envisioning Cambridge Police aggressively challenging the actions of ICE employees, taking badge numbers, or doing anything other than simply keeping the peace in a delicate situation involving different law enforcement agencies.

Charter Right #2. That the City Manager is requested to work with relevant City departments to ensure that there is full open access for all users to Linear Park from Westley Avenue as an additional community access point. [Charter Right – Toner, June 2, 2025]
Comments by Toner, Nolan, Owen O’Riordan, Transportation Director Brooke McKenna, Sobrinho-Wheeler (w/absurd comparison with Brookline St.), Zusy (concerned about Linear Park being transformed into a “transportation corridor”), McGovern (w/amendment), Siddiqui, Azeem (if opening of gate proves problematic, can always close it again), Wilson (struggles w/lack of consistency of City Council); Amendment Adopted 9-0; comments by Simmons (Who would operate the gate every day?); Sobrinho-Wheeler curiously connects this matter to Multi-Family Housing issue, bristles at notion that single-family homes are being given favorable treatment; Order Adopted 5-4 as Amended (BA,MM,PN,SS,JSW – Yes; PT,AW,CZ,DS – No)

248 Communications – mainly calling for a STOP in the planned installation of separated bike lanes and massive loss of parking on Broadway.

The subtext of both of these matters is how to balance citywide and legislative priorities against legitimate local concerns. In recent years, the trend has been toward the former – often leading to the perception that city councillors and City staff don’t really listen to the residents of the city. That has increasingly become my perception, and that’s a real shame.

Up in Smoke

Unfinished Business #5. An Ordinance has been received from City Clerk, relative to Chapter 5.50 CANNABIS BUSINESS PERMITTING. [Referred to Ordinance Committee Mar 17, 2025; Passed to 2nd Reading May 19, 2025; Eligible To Be Ordained June 9, 2025] (ORD25#5)
pulled by McGovern; Ordained 9-0

Unfinished Business #6. An Ordinance has been received from City Clerk Diane P. LeBlanc, relative to Zoning Petition to remove the repackaging prohibition as a City Council Zoning Petition. [Passed to 2nd Reading May 19, 2025; Eligible To Be Ordained June 9, 2025] (ORD25#6)
pulled by McGovern; Ordained 9-0

Committee Reports #1. The Government Operations, Rules, and Claims Committee held a public hearing on Friday, May 1, 2025 to discuss the 2025 City Manager’s Annual Goals and Review Process. [text of report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0

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]

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]

May 11, 2025

Merry Month of May – May 12, 2025 Cambridge City Council meeting

Filed under: 2025 election,Cambridge,City Council — Tags: , , , , , , , , , — Robert Winters @ 5:10 pm

Merry Month of May – May 12, 2025 Cambridge City Council meeting

The FY26 Budget Hearings are continuing, but here are the highlights for this week’s regular City Council meeting… comments and additional details to follow:City Hall

Manager’s Agenda #1. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to technical corrections that should be made to the Floodplain Zoning text. (CM25#118) [text of report]
pulled by McGovern along with Committee Report #1; comments by Nolan, Zusy; text amended 9-0 per Committee Report #1; Passed to 2nd Reading as Amended 9-0; Placed on File 9-0

Committee Report #1. The Ordinance Committee held a public hearing on Apr 30, 2025 to hold a public hearing on a Zoning Petition by the Cambridge City Council to amend the Cambridge Zoning Ordinance in Article 5.000 and Section 20.70 with the intent of (1) replacing the Floodplain Overlay and Planning Board Special Permit with the Massachusetts model ordinance structure for permitting development in the flood plain through administrative review; (2) updating references to the most recent FEMA maps to maintain compliance with the National Flood Insurance Program; and (3) revising other parts of the Zoning Ordinance for internal consistency. The Committee voted favorably to accept the amendments and forward them to the full City Council with a favorable recommendation. [text of report]
pulled early along with Manager’s Agenda #1; Report Accepted, Place on File 9-0

Order #1. That the City Manager is requested to meet with the leadership of the Harvard Square Business Association to discuss the proposal and to take the necessary steps to facilitate the release of $72,000 to fund the RFP development for the tunnel engineering study.   Mayor Simmons, Councillor Toner, Vice Mayor McGovern, Councillor Siddiqui
pulled by Zusy; comments by Zusy, City Manager Huang re: cost considerations, Deputy City Manager Owen O’Riordan re: pedestrianizing a portion of Harvard Square and skepticism re: tunnel proposal, McGovern, Toner, Nolan, Azeem; Charter Right – Azeem

I saw some images and videos of the abandoned tunnel under Brattle Street several years ago. This is a very intriguing idea.

Order #2. That the City Manager is requested to work with the School Department, the Department of Public Works, and other relevant departments to ensure that all city owned parking lots, with a focus on school complexes, including the still under construction parking at Tobin/Darby Vassal school complex, could be made available for after-hours use by residents.   Councillor Nolan, Councillor Toner, Councillor Siddiqui, Councillor Zusy, Councillor Wilson
pulled by Nolan; comments by Nolan re: more general parking concerns; add Siddiqui, Zusy, Wilson as sponsors 9-0; Toner notes that this is a request, a hope – notes that parking used to be available in off hours; Simmons comments, proposed amendment adopted 9-0; Order Adopted as Amended 9-0

On the Table #5. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 25-22, regarding a request to work with the School Department, the Department of Public Works, and other relevant departments to open the publicly owned parking at the King Open/Cambridge Street Upper School Complex for either residential free parking or commercial parking opportunities during “off” hours. [Tabled – May 5, 2025]

Charter Right #1. The City Manager is requested to confer with the Community Development Department to develop a timeline for the next Inclusionary Housing Study, explore remedies to address the lack of housing starts and provide for consideration draft amendments to the Inclusionary Housing Ordinance, and explore other incentives to encourage developers to include affordable units beyond the requirement voluntarily. [Charter Right – Azeem, May 5, 2025]
Azeem amendment by substitution, McGovern amendment to change date from January 2026 to October 2025; late communication from Chris Cotter (Housing) re: Inclusionary Housing; Toner, Simmons comments; [Editor’s Note: Chris Cotter’s testimony – esp. re: amount of time required for “study”, failure to conduct study on schedule – seems evasive and less than sincere]; Azeem wants accelerated timeline, does not support lowering 20% inclusionary requirement; comments by Zusy, City Manager Huang (noting that lowering pct. would not legally require a study); Simmons comments; date change from Jan 2026 to Oct 2025 adopted 9-0; Nolan, Toner amendments noting (in part) that the required study was not done and a reminder that adjustments of IZ percentages for different project sizes was requested in Sept 2024; comments by Nolan, Toner, Zusy (noting possible reduction in housing demand due to federal policies), Cotter, Wilson, Huang; Azeem calls the question (to end discussion) – voted 9-0; Nolan, Toner amendments adopted 9-0; JSW comments – not in favor of any reductions, wants even higher required percentages for larger projects, use of AHT funds to subsidize; Substitute Order Adopted as Amended 9-0

Late Communication #2. A communication was received from Director of Housing, Chris Cotter. [text of report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0

The original Inclusionary Housing Ordinance (1998) made sense in that the mandate for subsidized units in projects of 10 or more units came with a density bonus plus one additional market-rate unit for every mandated “affordable” unit. The revised ordinance (2017) was politically driven and economically nonsensical. The City Council could now amend the ordinance to reflect current conditions and economic reality … or they can act politically and ensure that few new inclusionary housing units are ever built. Indeed, many of the inclusionary units that have come on line in recent years were ones that were hatched prior to the current ordinance. Municipal election years can confound good decision-making.

Charter Right #2. That the City Manager is requested to include in the FY26 Operating Budget a continued commitment to Emergency Housing Vouchers for Permanent Supportive Housing and Mixed Status Families, and the Transition Wellness Center, as well as allocate the necessary resources to establish a municipal successor to Rise Up Cambridge that builds on its mission of providing direct, dignified economic support to families. [Charter Right – Wilson, May 5, 2025]
Wilson proposes substitute Order that; Wilson elaborates that substitute order calls for “allocation of at least 25 additional housing vouchers or $1 million, whichever is greater, that would be open to the 20 remaining residents at the Transitional Wellness Center who do not have a permanent housing placement in process and to other shelter residents in Cambridge; and to allocate funding for a successor program to Rise Up Cambridge as soon as possible”; comments by Wilson, McGovern; Ellen Semonoff reports that there are some beds available at 240 Albany Street for people in recovery, efforts now being made to find situations for all remaining TWC occupants; Nolan comments, proposed amendment to require report of scope and cost of any Rise Up successor program; comments by Yi-An Huang of projects now in pipeline by Affordable Housing Trust (AHT); comments by Zusy re: open-ended continuing costs associated with keeping TWC open, fact that an unlimited number of people will continue to come to Cambridge for our generous services, suggests greater support for 240 Albany St./Bay Cove rather than open-ended provision of vouchers; Toner asks if additional $1 million for vouchers is feasible; Yi-An Huang notes that vouchers would be specifically for those in transition to permanent supportive housing; Toner expresses concerns about wording of request to fund a successor to Rise Up program; McGovern elaborates on possible options for successor program, criteria for eligibility, implementation dates; Wilson addresses matter of a “benefit cliff” that could potentially trigger loss of MassHealth benefits, implementation timeline (hoping to have everything up and running by Jan 1, 2026); Siddiqui notes that getting this into FY2026 Budget may not be possible; Toner expresses concerns about operation of proposed program and where the money would be coming from; Yi-An Huang says there is a path to creating a successor program – challenge is resourcing, questions of scale of program, prioritization; JSW comments about ARPA, opening of shelters, would prefer to give vouchers to all residents of all shelters, calls Rise Up successor program critical; Zusy to vote No because City budget otherwise seeing cuts; Nolan amendment to Substitute Order Adopted 9-0; Substitute Order Adopted as Amended 8-1 (Zusy-No)

Some councillors must have not read the memo regarding the need for greater fiscal restraint for the time being. And, of course, municipal election years can confound good decision-making.

Charter Right #3. First floor retail policy order. [Charter Right – Zusy, May 5, 2025]
Toner offers additional amendment that the Order be referred to the Economic Development and University Relations Committee and the the Neighborhood and Long-Term Planning Committee for a hearing and discussion before being forwarded to the Ordinance Committee for deliberation; comments by Zusy about value of neighborhood retail; Nolan, JSW, Azeem comments; Amendment Adopted 8-0-1 (Wilson-Absent); Order Adopted as Amended 8-0-1 (Wilson-Absent)

I live in a BA-1 zone (mixed residential/commercial), but I don’t think this would be advisable for all residential zones. It’s one thing to grandfather existing small retail establishments, but I wouldn’t necessarily want to open up all residential zones to ground floor retail. Besides, isn’t everyone aware of how many vacant retail spaces there are right now and the fact that a lot of retail is croaking?

Resolution #7. Resolution congratulating Diane LeBlanc on her Retirement.   Mayor Simmons, Vice Mayor McGovern, Councillor Siddiqui, Councillor Toner
pulled by Simmons for comments; additional comments by McGovern, Toner, Siddiqui, Azeem, Nolan, Zusy, Wilson, Sobrinho-Wheeler, City Council Assistant Naomie Stephen; standing ovation for Diane LeBlanc; comments by Diane LeBlanc w/appreciation and thanks to staff of City Clerk’s Office

Diane LeBlanc has been a blessing for the last three years. We are an historic city and it has been great to have someone with a background as an archivist in the role of City Clerk.

Committee Report #2. The Government Operations, Rules, and Claims Committee held a public hearing on May 5, 2025 to initiate the process of re-appointing the City Auditor, PO25#62. The Committee voted favorably to forward the re-appointment of the City Auditor, Joseph McCann, to the full City Council with a favorable recommendation. [text of report]
pulled by McGovern; Joseph McCann reappointed to another 3-year term as City Auditor 9-0; Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0

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