These are just some of the municipal meetings and civic events for the coming week. More are on the City Calendar and in the city’s Open Meetings Portal.
Homeless help, opioid funding
Human Services & Veterans Committee, 3 to 5 p.m. Thursday. This committee run by vice mayor Marc McGovern and councillor Ayesha Wilson discusses services being provided to the unhoused community and an update on opioid settlement funds. While the state is expected to get at least $1 billion in a settlement with drug makers – the total may grow as more distributors and manufacturers settle – around 40 percent of that is being divided as direct payments among cities and towns. Cambridge’s share is $16 million in incremental payments that began in 2022 and will continue until 2038. The committee meets at City Hall, 795 Massachusetts Ave., Central Square. Televised and watchable by Zoom videoconferencing.
Special-ed bus transportation
School Committee Special Education & Student Supports Subcommittee, 5 p.m. Thursday. This hearing chaired by Richard Harding Jr. discusses transportation for students with disabilities – an issue that was problematic throughout last year as electronic tracking for use by parents lacked, unlike for the buses used by other district students. Tracking devices were expected to be added in the fall. Watchable online and by Zoom videoconferencing.
Mass. Ave. of 2040 proposals
Massachusetts Avenue Planning Study community meeting, 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday. After more than a year of work – this group met for the first time Feb. 7, 2024 – recommendations will be presented for what the avenue might look like as of 2040 from Cambridge Common to Alewife Brook Parkway. Beyond beautification, the goals were to produce more housing and neighborhood amenities; support small businesses; and improve sidewalks and walkability. At Lesley University’s Lunder Arts Center, 1801 Massachusetts Ave., Porter Square, Cambridge.
Protecting solar-power systems
Health & Environment Committee, 2 to 4 p.m. Monday. This committee run by city councillor Patty Nolan looks at using zoning to protect solar-power systems installed on homes, resulting from recently approved zoning that allows for taller buildings citywide that might cast shadows over them. Current zoning allows for some protections when developers of neighboring lots seek a special permit or variance; proposed language would take into account the taller structures now possible as of right – at least for some. The committee meets at City Hall, 795 Massachusetts Ave., Central Square. Televised and watchable by Zoom videoconferencing.
Costly programs and projects
Finance Committee, 3 to 5 p.m. Wednesday. This committee run by city councillor Patty Nolan looks at big programs and projects underway or planned for in city budgets, considering Cambridge’s current state of austerity compared with a more free-spending recent past. What else might need to be planned and incorporated into medium- and long-term capital and operating budgets will also be looked at. The committee meets at City Hall, 795 Massachusetts Ave., Central Square. Televised and watchable by Zoom videoconferencing.
What goes into historic kiosk
Cambridge Kiosk Advisory Committee, 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday. A historic city-owned kiosk in Harvard Square that once held a famous newsstand is expected to open this year with programming by the Cambridge Office for Tourism and the organization CultureHouse. The advisory group will review the vision, goals and context for the kiosk and discuss what’s next. In the second-floor Isaacson Room at the Smith Campus Center, 1350 Massachusetts Ave., Harvard Square, Cambridge.
More guaranteed-income program
Human Services & Veterans Committee, 5:30 p.m. April 17. This committee run by vice mayor Marc McGovern and councillor Ayesha Wilson looks at whether a successor program to Rise Up is feasible, considering the city guaranteed-income program was paid for by federal Covid-relief money – and that is ending or ended. The committee meets at City Hall, 795 Massachusetts Ave., Central Square. Televised and watchable by Zoom videoconferencing.
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