Our ‘inapposite’ Law Department
The loss Cambridge had in court last week, which means paying $3.7 million for the Vail Court land-taking near Central Square even as the payee sues to get the property back, is part of a pattern for our Law Department.
Court rules against Cambridge over Vail Court, giving ex-owner $3.7M even as he seeks return
The 0.65-acre property at 139 Bishop Allen Drive was taken in September 2016 by eminent domain after a decade of inaction on the vacant property. But the affordable, senior or transitional housing the city wants to build as a replacement continues to be slowed in court.
Police misled burglars about having warrant, leading to SJC decision questioning evidence
A man convicted of a string of home burglaries in Cambridge and Brookline in 2012 should get a second chance to suppress results of a search stemming from police entering his apartment unlawfully, the Supreme Judicial Court ruled Friday.
Revolutionary Clinics: We’re ending pot sale suit and plan to focus on community equity programs
A head start for minority-owned sellers of recreational marijuana will no longer be fought in court by the Revolutionary Clinics medical marijuana dispensary, according to a Thursday press release from the company.
Five years of inaction and an unattainable $68M should be simple math: Time to add real legal aid
We said it nearly three years ago: The City Council needs its own legal representation. Really, not much has changed since then. Maybe just that on Monday the council saw as much as $68 million for affordable housing slip away.
An extra $450,000 in unanticipated legal costs? Budget request feels wrong for several reasons
Any resident could reasonably wonder why the council is being asked to set aside nearly a half-million dollars in additional funds for a 13-person law department already budgeted for around $3 million. The city’s bad judgment means some of the money is going to frivolous purposes.
Watch meetings on home-based businesses; Covid-19 concerns; and Comcast’s data caps
Public meetings this week look at coronavirus concerns, a Comcast data cap and finishing the Foundry building; group Covid-19 tests for the school district; allowing more home-based businesses and affordable housing at 2072 Massachusetts Ave.; and more.
Petition won’t stop Barrett court appointment, but provides a chance to speak, its creator says
What if judge Amy Coney Barrett were just to refuse to take part in a rushed process appointing her to the Supreme Court? An “unrealistic” petition asks her to do just that.
Demands for return of ousted judge Sragow include threat to dismantle Homeless Court
In removing judge Roanne Sragow Licht, state District Court leadership has picked a fight with Cambridge city and church officials.
Judge has a new rejection for dispensary lawsuit to break two-year head start on recreational pot
A court decision Thursday brushed off the third attempt to stop Cambridge from giving smaller, minority-led businesses a two-year head start on marijuana sales, while city councillors took a step this week to add delivery-only pot businesses to its law.
