Cambridge City Council
A tale of two liquor laws
Is Cambridge getting more lax about liquor? Two policies are telling two different stories. Read more Mass. high court strikes rent control question from ballot New public drinking permissions during the World Cup suggest a more laissez-faire approach. But the same Cambridge department that fast-tracked the state’s idea to extend bar hours and offer alcohol […]
Council shields women’s shelters from federal funding cuts
During its meeting Monday June 22, Cambridge City Council unanimously approved $625,000 in funds for local nonprofits that provide emergency housing and services for victims of sexual assault and domestic abuse. The nonprofits, which include Transition House in Central Square and the De Novo Center for Justice and Healing in East Cambridge, lost funding provided […]
Flaherty effort to save ShotSpotter misfires
The full city council rejected a last-ditch effort by Councillor Timothy Flaherty to rescind a previous vote to remove ShotSpotter, an acoustic sensor system used to detect gunshots. It had been in use by the Cambridge Police Department (CPD) since 2014. Flaherty put forth a policy order asserting that the council skipped steps in its […]
Will new Cambridge buildings get cut down to size?
It took five months, but the biggest issue of last year’s city council race landed on the council’s agenda for the first time this term, as councillors defended or decried proposed changes to last year’s residential upzoning measures. Read more Cambridge robotics team makes the podium in Greece The most immediate impact will come from […]
Public comment shouldn’t be cut short
Last week, the Cambridge City Council adopted new Rules that will further limit public participation at Council meetings. That is exactly backwards. Read more CRLS girls ultimate frisbee off to nationals this weekend One of the most common frustrations expressed since the Multifamily Housing Zoning Ordinance was adopted is that residents feel their concerns are […]
Seeking efficiency, Cambridge city councillors set limits
Three hours into last Monday’s city council meeting, Mayor Sumbul Siddiqui faced a tricky task when presiding over Cambridge councillors: reining in debate. Read more Taste festivals return to Cambridge and Somerville “I don’t want to hear from anyone anymore,” she said dryly. The sense of irony was strong in the room. Councillors were discussing […]
The Lorax comes to Cambridge City Council
Trees were at the root of City Council’s latest zoning debate, which at one point even saw “The Lorax” invoked. Read more Let them play: Ahern is strategic for our children and public health The Council voted unanimously to consider updates to its Tree Protection Ordinance, a set of city laws that govern how and […]
Cambridge sidesteps financial headwinds, but tax hikes possible
Property taxes will need to increase by to cover the cost of Cambridge’s first billion-dollar-plus budget, passed during Monday’s City Council meeting. The amount represents a four percent increase in city operating expenses. Fiscal headwinds are blowing across the region, driven by uncertain economic conditions and a notable downturn in the biotech industry. The value […]
Cambridge police have to remove ShotSpotter. Officers aren’t happy
Two weeks ago, Cambridge City Council narrowly voted in favor of getting rid of ShotSpotter, a sensor system that records loud sounds that could be gunshots and alerts local police. The vote went against the recommendation of city manager Yi-An Huang and leadership at Cambridge Police Department (CPD), which said the technology has helped police […]
Higher parking fees on the way, and perhaps direct election of mayors
City Council appears to have settled on a fee structure for resident parking permits, for now. Read more Boosters ‘R Us and a serviceable space opera Starting next year, residents will pay $75 for an annual parking permit, up from $25, the cost since 2013. However, residents for whom $75 constitutes a financial hardship can […]