Attend meetings in Cambridge from Aug. 21-28 about Airbnb zoning reform, hazardous waste

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.

Hazardous waste collection

Household hazardous waste collection day, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. Accepted items at a collection at 50 Mooney St., Cambridge Highlands (enter on Fawcett Street), include such things as batteries (vehicle and nonalkaline); car fluids including antifreeze, brake, engine degreaser and transmission; car tires (a maximum of four per household); chemicals including cleaners, glues, removers and those used for photography and in swimming pools; fluorescent light bulbs; mercury items including thermometers and thermostats; paints, both oil-based and latex; poisons such as insecticides, pesticides and weed killers; prescription medicines (which are also accepted year-round by Cambridge police); propane cylinders (20 pounds or less only); and waste fuels including antifreeze, gasoline, kerosene, Sterno and motor oil. Residents only.

Airbnb zoning reform

Ordinance Committee, 3:30 p.m. Wednesday. This committee run by vice mayor Marc McGovern looks to get tougher on short-term rentals handled through platforms such as Airbnb, which it began regulating in 2017 only to find its regulations were likely being scorned by many of the people running them: An Oct. 21 report cited 168 registered rentals in Cambridge, a fraction of the at least 515 available properties that could be found in online searches. Changes proposed here to the city’s laws would sharpen definitions and clarify compliance needs with safety codes, require documentation upon request by the city and add enforcement mechanisms such as fines of up to $300 a day for violations. The Planning Board took up these changes Aug. 5. The committee meets at City Hall, 795 Massachusetts Ave., Central Square. Televised and watchable by Zoom videoconferencing.

Gathering to end overdoses

International Overdose Awareness Day, from 1:30 to 4 p.m. Aug. 28. Representatives of the Cambridge Public Health Department, Access Drug User Health Program, the Cambridge Care Team and Cambridge police gather to recognize and remember lives lost to opioid overdoses at City Hall, 795 Massachusetts Ave., Central Square. Harm reduction and health promotion materials will be available.

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