Rat infestation complaints drop in Cambridge after combination of efforts, and more to come
Calls of rodent infestations peaked two years ago at 784 after they were added as an option to the SeeClickFix complaint system in 2020. This year, looking back over the past 365 days leading up to Nov. 23, the reports had dropped by half to 396.
Attend meetings in Cambridge from Dec. 1-8 about street cleaning test and charter review (corrected)
Public meetings this week look at the outcome of a street-cleaning test and proposed changes to Cambridge Street and Massachusetts Avenue, ways to get gas cars off city streets and a proposed rooftop garden for the high school.
Council-manager government form can live up to democratic ideals, including representation
It will be up to the Charter Review Committee, the incoming City Council and ultimately the voters of Cambridge to make these important decisions on form of government. But perhaps this is not a debate between more or less democracy, but rather what kind of democracy we want.
Attend Cambridge meetings between Nov. 17-24 about bicycle lane data, Vassal Lane school name
Public meetings this week look at assessing the city manager, hiring a fire chief and automated parking enforcement, bicycle and bike lane use data, expanding the power grid, fast, switching to a “strong mayor” form of government and a Vassal Lane school name change.
Cambridge’s low tax rates see unusual uptick without relief from free cash vote seen in past
Unlike the past 18 years, most Cambridge homeowners’ tax bills won’t be going down in 2023, the result of a changing local economy and growing city councillor discontent with the practice. The city already had – and looks to still have – the lowest tax rates in the area.
Central Square turnaround must be a priority, starting where reports left off, councillors say
Returning Central Square to its status as “the jewel of our city” after an increase in homelessness, drug use and public intoxication, violence and aggressive panhandling is being made a top priority for the city manage by Cambridge city councillors.
Attend meetings in Cambridge from Sept. 15-22 for community safety updates and energy change
Public meetings this week look at the new Community Safety Department and “Cop City”; Harvard’s Legacy of Slavery work; ranking users of of school facilities; changes to a building energy law; and more.
Just small part of Cambridge armory parking lot is appraised at $5.4M, but many steps still to go
The purpose of buying state land next to the Tobin School and Vassal Lane Upper School campus was a little more clear Monday than a year ago, but a $5.4 million appraisal caused some sticker shock.
Inman Square improvements done within weeks, ending 4.5 years of construction that cost $12M
After an extra two years and an additional $4 million, Inman Square construction is expected to be finished paving this week and get final touches on a public plaza within three to four weeks, according to Cambridge staff.
Attend meetings in Cambridge from June 16-23, from Alewife Quad zoning to manager evaluation
Public meetings this week look at sloped roofs and Alewife Quadrangle zoning; laws around historical buildings and landmarks; evaluating the city manager; and $50 million in Massachusetts Avenue reconstruction in a project springing from the city’s Cycling Safety Ordinance.
