To some administrators’ dismay, election commissioners called schools some of the most stable places to hold balloting in the city’s 34 precincts – and other officials looked for ways to ensure the relationship continues.

More than half of the voters who took out ballots for early voting waited until Election Day or the day before to turn in those ballots, and election and city councillors who gathered for a roundtable wondered why.

Public meetings this week look at administering the latest (and next) elections; the school district’s teen health survey; a real estate “linkage” fee leap; spending $65 million in American Rescue Plan money; and plans for – and protections of – the city’s Gas-Light and American Friends buildings.

The city has started to look at paying members of boards and commissions as a way to broaden the pool of candidates – news that came as City Manager Louis A. DePasquale reappointed Planning Board members in what some saw as a political response to November elections.

The main public meeting this week is of the City Council, whose agenda includes items about the upcoming inaugural event, a real estate transfer tax, citywide rat control efforts, finding long-term space for nonprofit organizations in Central Square and much more.

Election Commissioners completed a count of provisional and overseas absentee ballots on Friday, making official the results from Nov. 2. Those elected to the City Council and School Committee didn’t change, and three ballot questions changing the city charter were approved by wide margins. 

This election matters. The people of this district deserve a state senator who is experienced, will do the work and has the record of getting things done.

I am running for state Senate because I want to help ensure that the district that has given so much to me and my family can continue to do so for generations of families to come.

Gubernatorial candidate Danielle Allen plans to visit the Cambridge Community Center on Tuesday, including time to speak with people coming to pick up boxes of materials.

Public meetings this week look at bike lane installation issues, a freeze on labs and offices around Alewife, a new universal playground at Danehy Park, a bunch of potential landmarking and property tear-downs, raising developer linkage fees, redesigning Cambridge Street and much more.