Cambridge Civic Journal Forum

November 19, 2024

Cambridge InsideOut Episodes 635-636: November 19, 2024

Filed under: Cambridge,Cambridge InsideOut,Central Square,Charter,City Council,cycling,elections,Harvard Square,transportation — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , — Robert Winters @ 11:26 pm

Episode 635 – Cambridge InsideOut: Nov 19, 2024 (Part 1)

This episode was recorded on Nov 19, 2024 at 6:00pm. Topics: Post-election recap, insane campaign spending, strange Cabinet choices; possible ramifications for sanctuary cities”, possible effects on federal funds, housing eligibility, transportation projects, effect on property tax levy to compensate; misunderstanding democracy, people staying in their respective silos; the Moulton reaction and refusal to moderate; Resident Satisfaction Survey – what it says and doesn’t say; traffic obstruction as City policy; things the City can fix vs. things they cannot; non-solutions to housing affordability; massive upzoning proposed; misrepresentation of the electorate; Advisory Committee appointments; non-negotiable mandates; growing problem of City departments choosing citizen advisory committees based on the outcomes that they want, irony of nonrepresentative appointments in a city with proportional representation elections, need for better outreach and recruitment; drought and fire hazards continue. Host: Robert Winters [On YouTube] [audio]

Episode 636 – Cambridge InsideOut: Nov 19, 2024 (Part 2)

This episode was recorded on Nov 19, 2024 at 6:30pm. Topics: Many opportunities for City boards and commissions; City Council diminution of authority of the Planning Board, growing City Council opposition to public input; process underway to ruin Broadway for the Cycling Safety Ordinance, removal of 75% of parking – all a done deal to rubber-stamp plans of City staff, possible political backlash, Traffic and Parking Department and other City departments don’t care; Linkage fee increases, Nexus studies, and proposal for Job Training Trust – how much is too much?; Dramatic upzoning proposal disguised as “ending exclusionary zoning” – potential for major political backlash, dumping all the negative effects onto the “corridors” for political expedience; status of possible City Charter changes – things that could use revision and things that should remain. Host: Robert Winters [On YouTube] [audio]

[Materials used in these episodes]

November 1, 2024

The Eve of Derangement – November 4, 2024 Cambridge City Council meeting

Filed under: Cambridge,City Council,elections,recycling — Tags: , , , , — Robert Winters @ 12:31 pm

The Eve of Derangement – November 4, 2024 Cambridge City Council meeting

American flagThe night before a national election often feels strange – when our local government meets to talk about things like hazardous waste collection, speed bumps, and bikes lanes while on the national stage many people are in crisis mode imagining civil war breaking out if the candidate they hate gets elected as President. It often brings to mind the Serenity Prayer: “God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.” So let’s fix those potholes and catch up on those old SeeClickFix requests while much of the country readies for derangement. “Don’t follow leaders, watch the parking meters.”

I have of late been thinking a lot about what the word “democracy” actually means – a way of governing which depends on the will of the people. What exactly does that mean then “the people” are almost evenly divided between highly divergent viewpoints? Does this mean that 50.1% should translate into imposing policies that are abhorrent to 49.9% of the people or that an Electoral College win should be viewed as a mandate to run roughshod over the interests of the losing party? Extreme partisanship is a deranged view of democracy. If the country (or the city, for that matter) is nearly evenly divided on an issue, the better democratic option is to find whatever common ground there is and to work out compromises that a clear majority can accept and maybe even embrace. It should never be about “winner take all”. The American System is in some ways inferior to parliamentary systems where coalition governments have to be formed when there is no clear majority. Even Cambridge’s system of proportional representation raises the essential question: “Proportional to what?”

A good friend of mine once wrote an essay about our local Cambridge political factions in the 1980s and 1990s when rent control was THE defining local issue. The notable quote about those factions was simply: “They both benefit from the existence of a problem.” In other words, finding actual compromise solutions would dilute their political clout – even if it would be in everyone’s best interest to solve the existing problems. Partisanship continued to be rewarded right up to the point when Question 9 caused the entire political house of cards to come tumbling down.

Call me naive, if you wish, but I still believe that the great majority of Americans share far more in common than the political partisans would have you believe. So bring on the protests while the rest of us are just taking care of our everyday lives. – RW

Meanwhile, back in The Peoples Republic, here are a few notable agenda items for this eve of derangement:

Manager’s Agenda #3. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 24-56, regarding a request to consider scheduling a Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Collection Day and a Paper Shredding Event on a Sunday, instead of having them all on Saturday. [text of report]
Placed on File 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #5. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 24-59, regarding the feasibility of speed control bumps on Antrim Street. [text of report]
pulled by Nolan; comments by Nolan, Brooke McKenna (TPT), Simmons, City Manager Yi-An Huang, Toner, Siddiqui, Deputy City Manager Owen O’Riordan; Placed on File 9-0

Order #1. That the City Manager is requested to work with relevant City departments to prepare a Home Rule Petition to enact legislation which would allow the City of Cambridge to prohibit associations from unreasonably restricting the use of a solar energy system.   Councillor Nolan, Councillor Azeem
pulled by Toner; Charter Right – Nolan

Order #2. That the City Manager is requested to direct the appropriate City staff to prominently incorporate recognition of the Massachusett Tribe during key official events, documents, websites, and communications, establish a living memorial in Cambridge that honors the Massachusett Tribe, with special recognition of Sqa Sachem for her leadership and enduring legacy and place a plaque with this language in a prominent location within City Hall, ensuring that this acknowledgment remains visible and lasting.   Mayor Simmons, Vice Mayor McGovern
pulled by Simmons (to amend to add Wilson, Toner 9-0); comments by Simmons, Zusy (who proposed deleting references to Sqa Sachem), McGovern, Nolan, Simmons, Wilson, Zusy, Simmons, Siddiqui; Zusy amendment Fails 1-8 (Zusy-Yes); Order Adopted as Amended 8-0-0-1 (Zusy-Present)
Note: Sqa Sachem is referenced in various sources, in particular Lucius Paige’s History of Cambridge (1877), Chapter XX, Indian History. Lucius Paige was both the Town Clerk and (after 1846) the City Clerk of Cambridge.

Order #3. That the City Manager is requested to work with the Law Department to draft a home rule petition for the creation of a Cambridge Jobs Training Trust, and report back to the City Council in a timely manner. [support letter]   Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Vice Mayor McGovern, Councillor Siddiqui, Councillor Wilson
pulled by Toner; comments by Sobrinho-Wheeler (with proposed amendment); Charter Right – Toner

Order #4. The City Manager is requested to work with the Department of Public Works (DPW) on the expansion of the mattress and box spring recycling program to include residents living in multi-unit residential buildings, starting with affordable housing properties that charge a fee to their residents.   Councillor Siddiqui, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Wilson, Councillor Nolan
Order Adopted 9-0

Resolution #10. Congratulations to Robin Harris on being awarded the 2022 National Humanities Medal by President Joe Biden.   Mayor Simmons, Vice Mayor McGovern, Councillor Wilson, Councillor Siddiqui
Comments by Toner, Nolan, Simmons

Resolution #16. Condolences on the death of Alan Steinert, Jr.   Councillor Toner, Councillor Nolan
pulled by Nolan to be added as sponsor

Resolution #19. Honoring Cambridge Veterans and Recognizing Veterans Day.   Councillor Wilson, Vice Mayor McGovern

Committee Report #1. The Ordinance Committee met on Apr 29, 2021 to conduct a public hearing on the Broad Canal Zoning Petition. [text of report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0

Committee Report #2. The Ordinance Committee conducted a public hearing on June 10, 2021 to discuss the Cambridge Missing Middle Housing Zoning Petition (Ordinance #2021-2). [text of report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0

Committee Report #3. The Ordinance Committee met on July 26, 2021 to continue discussion on two proposals to regulate campaign donations. [text of report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0

Committee Report #4. The Ordinance Committee met on July 28, 2021 to conduct a public hearing on an amendment to Article 22 of the City of Cambridge Zoning Ordinance “Emissions Accounting” (Ord#2021-13). [text of report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0

Committee Report #5. The Ordinance Committee met on Sept 29, 2021 to discuss the Neighborhood Conservation District citizen’s petition. [text of report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0

Committee Report #6. The Ordinance Committee met on Oct 16, 2019 at 2pm on Taxicab use of E-Hail in the Sullivan Chamber. [text of report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0

Committee Report #7. The Ordinance Committee met on Oct 23, 2019 at 5pm to discuss the Zoning petition to create an Alewife Quadrangle Northwest Overlay District. [text of report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0

Committee Report #8. The Neighborhood and Long-Term Planning, Public Facilities, Arts and Celebrations Committee held a public hearing on Oct 10, 2024 to discuss preliminary recommendations from the Central Square rezoning process. [text of report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0

Committee Report #9. The Ordinance Committee held a public hearing on Oct 15, 2024 which was recessed and reconvened on Oct 29, 2024, regarding a Zoning Petition by the City of Cambridge Board of Zoning Appeal to amend the Cambridge Zoning Ordinance in Articles 2.000 and 8.000 with the intent to add a definition of “dormer” to Article 2.000 and to amend the requirements related to adding dormers to nonconforming one- and two-family dwellings in Section 8.22.1.h.2 in order to allow certain dormer(s) construction as-of-right. The Ordinance Committee voted favorably to forward the Board of Zoning Appeal’s amendments to the Cambridge Zoning Ordinance to add a definition of dormer to Article 2.000 and to amend the requirements related to adding dormers to non-conforming one- and two-family dwellings in Section 8.22.1.h.2, to the full City Council with a favorable recommendation and that it be passed to a second reading. [text of report]
pulled by McGovern; Passed to 2nd Reading 9-0; Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0

Committee Report #10. The Health and Environment Committee held a public hearing on Oct 22, 2024 to review and discuss the updates to the Zero Waste Master Plan (ZWMP). [text of report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0

September 19, 2024

Preview of a Consequential Meeting – September 23, 2024 Cambridge City Council meeting

Filed under: 2023 election,Cambridge,City Council,elections — Tags: , , , , , , , , — Robert Winters @ 6:38 pm

Preview of a Consequential Meeting – September 23, 2024 Cambridge City Council meeting

Cathie ZusyCathie Zusy will be sworn is as a city councillor to replace Joan Pickett at the start of this meeting. There are also some very consequential items and another flood of communications related to the controversial proposals to allow large apartment buildings to be built anywhere and everywhere in Cambridge – effectively ending the Resident A and Resident B zones in favor of something similar to Resident C-1 zones – only with substantially higher allowable heights and densities. Here are the featured items:

Swearing-In of Cathie Zusy to fill vacancy created due to passing of Councillor Joan Pickett

Manager’s Agenda #1. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to recommendations of the Community Preservation Act Committee (CPAC) for FY2024. [text of report]
pulled by Wilson; comments by Wilson, Sobrinho-Wheeler (who disagrees with use of CPA $ for golf course clubhouse renovations), Zusy (noting important role of CPA funding for Magazine Beach), Siddiqui; All six votes Adopted 9-0

This is the annual ritual – guaranteed 80%+ to the Affordable Housing Trust without any consideration of alternatives.

Manager’s Agenda #2. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to an update on the Temporary Respite Center at the Registry of Deeds.
pulled by Sobrinho-Wheeler; comments by Sobrinho-Wheeler, Maura Pensak, Wilson; Placed on File 9-0

Manager’s Agenda #5. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 24-52, re: draft zoning language based on the proposal discussed at the Housing Committee to eliminate exclusionary zoning and allow up to six stories of multifamily housing in all residential districts. (CM24#207) [text of report]
Charter Right on Manager’s Communication and twin zoning petitions – Nolan

I will repeat what I said last week — “The synopsis here is that most individuals and interest groups are perfectly OK with allowing multifamily housing in all zones (though I wish we could put an end to the “exclusionary zoning” terminology and its associated mythology). The matter of allowing up to six stories (or more) everywhere is far more controversial and highly questionable. I don’t think there are many people who question the need for more housing in Cambridge and elsewhere, but there are better and worse places (economically, architecturally,aesthetically, etc.) for such structures to be allowed and encouraged. Failure to make such distinctions is basically equivalent to dismissing the better intentions of zoning to create a mosaic of neighborhoods with varying features appealing to varying needs and desires. Choice is not a bad thing. I really hope the current Housing Committee is not successful in ramming through such a partisan proposal. It would be far better if our elected officials and CDD staff could be more nuanced in their analysis and perspective.”

Alternative language introduced independently last week by Councillor Toner and Councillor Wilson is a mixed bag. The notion that dramatically greater heights and densities should be concentrated only in the Squares and “major corridors” – and exempting other streets – is a bit of a punch in the face to those of us who live on streets such as Broadway, though what exactly constitutes a “major corridor” was not spelled out in the amendment. In contrast, I can fully agree that places like Central Square can support more residential development – especially on sites such as the underutilized parking lots at Prospect and Bishop Allen (and, of course, the adjacent Vail Court). Councillor Wilson’s amendment suggests that only “projects that either contain more than 9 units or that are larger than 10,000 square feet” should get the zoning bonus, i.e. housing developments that would be subject to the current Inclusionary Zoning requirements.

I would also like to remind everybody that Cambridge is not the problem when it comes to allowing apartment buildings, greater densities, and publicly subsidized housing. This is a problem associated with many of the cities and towns in the Greater Boston area – but not Cambridge. This was made clear by the fact that in order for Cambridge to meet the standards of the recent MBTA Communities Act, Cambridge did not need to change a single thing in its zoning code.

Order #1. That the City Manager is requested to work with the MBTA to prioritize addressing housing affordability in the redevelopment of the Alewife garage.   Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Vice Mayor McGovern, Councillor Wilson, Councillor Siddiqui
pulled by Nolan; Nolan amendment adopted 9-0; Order Adopted 9-0

There should, of course, be more residential and commercial development at this important transit node. However, as I have often said, there’s a big difference between addressing housing affordability and simply building more “affordable housing,” a.k.a. public housing. If this is primarily about building several more Rindge Towers at Alewife (as referenced in this Order), then I am less than enthusiastic.

Order #4. City Council support for the construction of the North-South Rail Link.   Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Azeem, Vice Mayor McGovern, Councillor Siddiqui, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Zusy
pulled by Nolan; Amended to add Nolan, Zusy as sponsors; Order Adopted 9-0

Cost is an issue – a big issue. Will the suggested benefits really outweigh the exorbitant cost?

Order #6. That the City Manager is requested to confer with the Finance Department, Law Department, and other relevant departments to explore the feasibility of a successor program to Rise Up Cambridge.   Councillor Siddiqui, Vice Mayor McGovern, Councillor Wilson, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Mayor Simmons
pulled by Siddiqui; comments by Siddiqui, McGovern, Sobrinho-Wheeler, Wilson, Zusy, Nolan, Simmons; Amended to add Simmons as sponsor 9-0; Order Adopted 9-0

I have been expecting this since the day the City re-directed $22 million in Covid relief funds toward this new municipal welfare program. Currently the Anti-Aid Amendment to the Massachusetts Constitution prevents the use of local property taxes from being used for direct payments to individuals and organizations except as fees for services rendered. Personally, if this kind of expanded welfare program is desired, it should be a statewide program with far better eligibility standards than the temporary federally-funded program currently in place. Better yet, state- and federally-funded public assistance programs should be restructured if this really is a desirable goal.

Resolution #2. Wishing Marvin Gilmore a Happy 100th Birthday.   Mayor Simmons, Vice Mayor McGovern, Councillor Wilson, Councillor Toner

I attended a 100th birthday bash for Marvin (as well as honoring several other prominent Cantabrigians) entitled Cambridge Mosaic at the Brattle Theatre this past Friday. It was a wonderful reunion of many great friends.

Committee Report #1. The Neighborhood and Long-Term Planning, Public Facilities, Arts and Celebrations Committee held a public hearing on Mon, Sept 9, 2024 to discuss truck safety in Cambridge. [text of report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 8-0-0-1 (Zusy – Present)

Advocacy for better truck safety is not controversial. The difficulty is that Cambridge cannot impose vehicle standards unilaterally – only the state and really the federal government can do that. As for designing intersections for greater safety, especially in regard to turning vehicles, it’s nice to see the cycling advocates finally coming around to what the rest of us have been saying all along, i.e. separated bike lanes may provide greater “comfort” but the provision of greater safety is primarily about the intersections. – Robert Winters

September 3, 2024

Cambridge InsideOut Episodes 627-628: September 3, 2024

Filed under: 2023 election,Cambridge,Cambridge InsideOut,Charter,City Council,Deaths,elections — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , — Robert Winters @ 10:58 pm

Episode 627 – Cambridge InsideOut: Sept 3, 2024 (Part 1)

This episode was recorded on Sept 3, 2024 at 6:00pm. Topics: Death of Cambridge City Councillor Joan Pickett; Vacancy Recount to be scheduled to elect Cathie Zusy – actual procedure, alternatives, history of Plan E vacancies 1941-present; brutality and disrespect of anonymous commenting; a clearer view of Joan Pickett. Host: Robert Winters [On YouTube] [audio]

Episode 628 – Cambridge InsideOut: Sept 3, 2024 (Part 2)

This episode was recorded on Sept 3, 2024 at 6:30pm. Topics: Shallowness of local press; Councillor Pickett’s actual views on bicycle and pedestrian safety and compromise; Sept 3 Primary; 77 supervoters; lack of candidates, choices; commentary on Decker-MacKay contest; Meet Your Neighbor Day; Boards and Commissions – Volunteer Opportunities – best education money can’t buy; Pre-K startup; $100 tickets for street cleaning; Oldtime Baseball; City Charter commentary; rejuvenation of local news; Central Square zoning. Host: Robert Winters [On YouTube] [audio]

[Materials used in these episodes]

June 18, 2024

Cambridge InsideOut Episodes 621-622: June 18, 2024

Filed under: Cambridge,Cambridge government,Cambridge InsideOut,Central Square,Charter,City Council,cycling,Deaths,Fresh Pond,history,School Committee,schools,transportation — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , — Robert Winters @ 10:53 pm

Episode 621 – Cambridge InsideOut: June 18, 2024 (Part 1)

This episode was recorded on June 18, 2024 at 6:00pm. Topics: Harvard Summer School; Recent (Riverfest) and upcoming festivals and events (Juneteenth, Spelling Bee, Fresh Pond Day, Citywide Dance Party, Starlight Lovefest); World Champion Celtics; Red Sox rising; Mayor Simmons mutual interests, solving the mystery of the shrinking annual reports; Municipal Facilities Improvement Plan and fiscal constraints; reviving local news, public funding, objectivity, right ways and wrong ways, the larger questions, future of Cambridge Chronicle, the purpose of a “paper of record”, democracy dies in darkness. Host: Robert Winters [On YouTube] [audio]

Episode 622 – Cambridge InsideOut: June 18, 2024 (Part 2)

This episode was recorded on June 18, 2024 at 6:30pm. Topics: Best ways to augment democracy with healthy environment of objective information, community voices, marshalling existing resources – the overdue conversation that needs to happen, Cambridge once had 5 newspapers covering Cambridge; cyclist death at Mt Auburn/DeWolfe and aftermath; some City bicycle planning not consistent with bicycle safety at intersections, the limits of signalization, the importance of simplicity; consideration of possible charter changes – simple is best; Cambridge Public Schools and dismissal of Superintendent Victoria Greer; ongoing planning for Central Square – and reactions from abutters. Host: Robert Winters [On YouTube] [audio]

[Materials used in these episodes]

June 16, 2024

Making the News – June 17, 2024 Cambridge City Council meeting

Filed under: Cambridge,Cambridge government,Central Square,Charter,City Council,transportation — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , — Robert Winters @ 1:00 pm

Making the News – June 17, 2024 Cambridge City Council meeting

Here are the items that drew my attention this week:City Hall Shrouded - June 2024

Manager’s Agenda #1. Transmitting Communication from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to the appropriation of $15,000 to the Grant Fund Public Celebrations (Arts Council) Other Ordinary Maintenance account. This funding will support District-based initiatives that drive economic growth and strengthen the distinctive character of the Central Square Cultural District.
Order Adopted 9-0

Every little bit helps. I really hope we can revive the Central Square World’s Fair not only for this year but for future years. In my perfect world, the large parking lot at Prospect Street and Bishop Allen Drive should be transformed into the Cambridge Fairgrounds with rides, miniature golf, a batting cage, and other attractions. Hey, a guy can dream.

Manager’s Agenda #8. A communication transmitted from Yi-An Huang, City Manager, relative to update on the City’s efforts to support the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) Track Improvement Program in 2024. (CM24#132) [text of report]
pulled by Sobrinho-Wheeler; comments by Sobrinho-Wheeler, Nolan, Iram Farooq (CDD); Placed on File 9-0

Order #1. That the City Manager is requested to explore with the MBTA how to best ensure that the public art, Gift of the Wind, is preserved.   Councillor Pickett, Mayor Simmons, Vice Mayor McGovern, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Siddiqui, Councillor Toner, Councillor Wilson
pulled by Pickett to add additional sponsors; Order Adopted as Amended 9-0

Order #2. That the City Manager is requested to develop a policy and systems to ensure that an infrastructure safety audit is made to intersections where a crash results in a serious injury and implement needed safety improvements.   Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Vice Mayor McGovern, Councillor Siddiqui, Councillor Azeem, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Pickett, Councillor Toner, Councillor Wilson, Mayor Simmons
pulled by Sobrinho-Wheeler; comments by Sobrinho-Wheeler, Pickett, Azeem, Nolan, Wilson, Toner, add all as sponsors; Order Adopted as Amended 9-0

Order #4. That the City Manager is requested to work with the Community Development Department and all relevant City departments to report on how have community events and ways to inform residents of all efforts to improve driving, cycling, and pedestrian safety and educate residents on how best to safely follow the rules when using roadways.   Councillor Nolan, Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Toner
Order Adopted 9-0

151 Communications – mostly robotic form letter submissions generated by the Bike Lane Advocates deflecting attention from the fact that a bicyclist fatality recently occurred at a location where there were already fully implemented separated bike lanes.

Suffice to say that a safety audit of hazardous intersections and those sections of road that are inherently dangerous should have been done prior to any adoption of a Cycling Safety Ordinance – if indeed safety was the actual priority. As was made clear with the recent fatality at Mt Auburn/DeWolfe, infrastructure changes alone can never eliminate the role of human error leading to fatalities or severe injuries.

Order #3. That Chair of the Government Operations, Rules, and Claims Committee is hereby appointed to manage the City Manager performance evaluation process via his role as Chair of this committee.   Mayor Simmons, Vice Mayor McGovern
Order Adopted 9-0

Because the revised Charter says it must be done – whether or not it is actually needed.

Order #5. City Council support of the mission of the June delegation to strengthen the contact between Cambridge and El Salvador and to foster ties between the communities as well as the community-building in our home communities.   Councillor Sobrinho-Wheeler, Councillor Siddiqui, Councillor Nolan, Councillor Wilson
Order Adopted 9-0

Foreign policy is back on the agenda.

Charter Right #1. That the City Manager is requested to support local news production as a public good by conducting a $100,000 per year City-backed news fund pilot for up to three years to be administered through an independent intermediary that will decide on funding criteria and selection of local newspapers that provide material coverage of Cambridge news. [Charter Right – Azeem, June 10, 2024]
comments by Azeem, Wilson, Siddiqui; Tabled 9-0

This Order was on a crash-and-burn trajectory last week prior to the Azeem Charter Right, and it’s doubtful whether it can be amended to make it something other than a City bailout in violation of state law. That said, it may be possible to craft a substitute Order that can address the larger question of the inadequacy of local news coverage in Cambridge. There are many of us who would like to be part of that solution, but the authors of the Order chose not to include anyone outside their small circle. Ideally, I would like to see the Civic Unity Committee or an ad-hoc committee take up the larger issue of local news and information in Cambridge – and I hope this could be an opportunity to get a representative from Gannett (current owners of the Cambridge Chronicle) to appear before this committee to explain why they have forsaken Cambridge and what their long-term plans are for the Cambridge Chronicle.

1924 City Council reporters
1924 Cambridge City Council reporters

This is really a time for reinvention and not just subsidizing partial solutions. I will have a lot more to say about this in the weeks to come. As City Manager Huang noted last week, Cambridge at one time had assigned seats in the City Council chamber for five newspapers. Most Cambridge residents at one time read one or more of these newspapers every week. A lot has changed since then, including the way businesses advertise that was a primary source of revenue for these newspapers. This loss of local press is a national problem and there are some good examples available of how some places have taken up this challenge. It’s actually far easier to publish these days, so this should really be about discovering a sustainable solution particular to each community that incorporates a maximum number of voices and keeps the vitriol to a bare minimum.

Resolution #1. Congratulations to Laura Nichols on her retirement from the City of Cambridge.   Mayor Simmons, Councillor Toner

Best wishes to Laura Nichols, a long-time friend and a jewel of a person, on her upcoming retirement.

Committee Report #1. The Neighborhood and Long-Term Planning, Public Facilities, Arts and Celebrations Committee held a public hearing on May 21, 2024 to discuss the upcoming Central Square zoning process and next steps following the Central Square Lots Study, City Manager Agenda Item 2024 #33, with a focus on 105 Windsor Street, 205 Western Ave, and 84 & 96 Bishop Allen Drive (Lots 4 and 5). [text of report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0

Late Order #6. That the City Council formally go on record in expressing its strong hope that the City engage in a thoughtful, deliberative, and collaborative community process to determine the future of the Central Square Library and the Green Street Garage.   Mayor Simmons, Councillor Toner
Order Adopted 9-0

I’m still not sure where this process is eventually headed. For many years the choices for Central Square have been somewhere between nothing and hosting services wanted nowhere else. Never forget that there was a day decades ago when many people traveled to Central Square from elsewhere as a kid-friendly destination for shopping and recreation – and not just in the evening hours for clubs and restaurants.

Committee Report #3. The Government Operations, Rules, and Claims Committee held a public hearing on June 5, 2024 meeting to discuss Charter Review recommendations and develop draft recommendations to the Full City Council for reviewing, deliberating, adopting, and processing possible changes to the Cambridge City Charter for a future vote by Cambridge voters. [text of report]
Report Accepted, Placed on File 9-0

Based on the testimony from the June 5 meeting, my sense is that the City Council should be content with a general reformatting of the Charter with modern language and modest changes to permit more flexibility in our PR elections. One thing that should be absolutely clear is that making substantial changes to a city charter in order facilitate the political desires of a councillor or two is not such a bright idea. – Robert Winters

June 4, 2024

Cambridge InsideOut Episodes 619-620: June 4, 2024

Filed under: Cambridge,Cambridge government,Cambridge InsideOut,Central Square,Charter,City Council,planning — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , — Robert Winters @ 10:58 pm

Episode 619 – Cambridge InsideOut: June 4, 2024 (Part 1)

This episode was recorded on June 4, 2024 at 6:00pm. Topics: Recycling updates, zero waste plan 2.0, Hazardous Waste Day; FY2025 Budget Adopted – nearly a billion dollars, significant increases over time and especially this year; potential tax implications for fall; reorganization of some City departments – Executive and CDD; sizable 34.3% increase in Mayor’s Office budget; Charter Review status and Gov’t Operations Committee; Planning Board appointments and voracious appetite of some city councillors for behind-the-scenes control or public inquisition; Ronayne Petition v. Supersize proposals. Host: Robert Winters [On YouTube] [audio]

Episode 620 – Cambridge InsideOut: June 4, 2024 (Part 2)

This episode was recorded on June 4, 2024 at 6:30pm. Topics: Ronayne Petition v. Supersize proposals for residential zoning, legalizing multi-family housing; preference for diversity of housing stock rather than supersize everywhere; turning Cambridge into Flushing and rents don’t go down; artificial affordability via subsidy; Central Square zoning discussions and Central Square Lots Study; lunacy of permitting only low-income housing; naive belief that Starlight Square 2.0 would be compatible with high-density housing; Central Square should be more than a social utility – should be a regional draw, need to involve people who currently don’t want to go to Central Square; the perils of onerous Inclusionary Housing requirements; Historical Commission award for our video, the many things we didn’t include in our video; disappearance of the historical role of the wards; need for a history of the Plan E era. Host: Robert Winters [On YouTube] [audio]

[Materials used in these episodes]

March 5, 2024

Cambridge InsideOut Episodes 611-612: March 5, 2024

Filed under: Cambridge,Cambridge government,Cambridge InsideOut,Central Square,Charter,City Council,Deaths,planning — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , — Robert Winters @ 11:10 pm

Episode 611 – Cambridge InsideOut: Mar 5, 2024 (Part 1)

This episode was recorded on Mar 5, 2024 at 6:00pm. Topics: Super Tuesday; Iran voting boycott vs. campaign for “No Preference”; Trump vs. Biden; ward committees; City Council less dysfunctional, more collaborative w/City Manager; Finance Committee – levy projections, call for restraint, need to maintain excess levy capacity; use of operating budget for affordable housing has consequences; anticipated 10%+ annual increases in levy coming; fewer building permits – revenue not subject to Prop 2½ limits; commercial values relatively flat – shift of levy from commercial to residential; within residential, condos get sweetest deal after residential exemption and most of the increases borne by single-, two-, and three-family properties; need for intervention now to avoid future need for overrides; councillors had luxury for years in not having to think about limitations; FY24 consolidated spending categories; note that every stick of affordable housing (deed restrictions) has de minimis tax revenue – receive far more value in services that tax generated. Host: Robert Winters [On YouTube] [audio]

Episode 612 – Cambridge InsideOut: Mar 5, 2024 (Part 2)

This episode was recorded on Mar 5, 2024 at 6:30pm. Topics: Mar 4 City Council meeting; PERF report – police-involved shooting, good recommendations, positive evaluation of CPD practices, less-lethal options, CPD to be first in Mass. with policy on releasing names of involved officers; Central Square Lots Study in parallel with zoning changes; other assets, adjacent properties; everyone loves Central Square until they don’t; demise of current Starlight Square, need for replacement; contradictory signals on whether to gather more information or take action; exclusive focus on “affordable housing” creates net financial negative in perpetuity – math doesn’t work; plan in concert with privately-owned adjacent lots, e.g. Bishop Allen/Prospect, Green/Pleasant lot and Needle Exchange building; 44 years and 24 studies – the never-ending study of Central Square; not just about making everything bigger – need to make things better, more creative and more interesting; death of Paul Ryder; Charter Review update – next steps, desire to control process, facets of City government via Special Acts that should be part of Charter or at least be referenced – License Commission, Election Commission, Traffic Board, Cambridge Health Alliance, Cambridge Housing Authority, Cambridge Redevelopment Authority; housing-related orders re: real estate transfer tax and municipally-funded vouchers (a real budget buster); the more we fund affordable housing the wider the gap in affordability. Host: Robert Winters [On YouTube] [audio]

[Materials used in these episodes]

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