January 16, 2008 GAC Update
As was reported in the Special Update sent on Monday the Council elected Denise Simmons as mayor and Brian Murphy as Vice Mayor at Monday’s meeting. The Council also discussed amending the zoning ordinance to protect solar installations and assisting residents to open starter bank accounts. Monday January 21 is the Martin Luther King Holiday. The Council will meet next on January 28.
The School Committee is meeting tonight to discuss the contract of Superintendent Thomas Fowler-Finn at 6 p.m. in the Henrietta Attles Room at Cambridge Rindge and Latin High School. If you would like to weigh-in on this important decision please e-mail the members of the School Committee or attend tonight’s meeting. Contact information is provided below.
Don’t forget to register for Leaders 2008 scheduled for next Wednesday, January 23 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at the Hotel Marlowe.
Upcoming GAC Events
The 2008 Government Affairs program is sponsored by Genzyme. Thank you to Genzyme for the support throughout 2007 and for their continued support in 2008.
2008 Leaders Event Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Mark your calendar for Wednesday January 23 for the 2008 Leaders Event. Meet your elected representatives and senior officials from state and local government. We may also have some special guests. The Hotel Marlowe will be our host and the time is 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Thanks to Comcast, Alexandria Real Estate and Cambridge Savings Bank for sponsoring Leaders 2008. Registration and additional information are available on the Chamber website at Cambridge Leaders 2008.
February 16, 2008 GAC Meeting and Luncheon
Speaker TBA
Noon, Chamber Board Room
January 14 City Council Meeting
The Council elected E. Denise Simmons Mayor and Brian Murphy Vice Mayor at Monday’s meeting. The Council also received a report from the Planning Board and a report from the Ordinance Committee regarding a proposed ordinance to protect solar energy installations by reducing development rights of abutting property owners. The Council passed a policy order asking the City Manager to work with staff to look at a program in San Francisco that assists residents who do not have bank accounts to open starter bank accounts.
Solar Fences
The Council received a report from the Planning Board, City Manager Agenda Item 2 View attached letter, and a report from the Ordinance Committee, Committee Report 3, regarding a proposed ordinance to protect solar energy installations by reducing development rights of abutting property owners by creating “Solar Fences.” The Planning Board recommended against this ordinance and questioned whether as drafted it was allowable under Massachusetts law. The Board also identified the necessity to look at the issue in a comprehensive manner.
The Council asked for recommendations, Policy Order 16, on how to encourage installation of solar energy. During public testimony it was noted that an inexpensive installation of a residential solar electric system, factoring in tax breaks, will cost $6,000 and save $200 per year. It was noted by a proponent of the proposed ordinance that the energy savings clearly is not an incentive to encourage solar installations and more widespread installations will require additional incentives.
The Chamber offers this incentive. Allow additional development in excess of that allowed under current zoning to allow for a solar array to be placed at a height that would not be impacted by allowable development at any abutting property. The added value of the additional square footage will help to improve the cost/benefit of the installation and the City could encourage additional energy efficiency measures as part of the overall project. In a residential setting this could allow for an addition that would increase a two bedroom unit to a three or four bedroom unit which would also meet the Council’s desire for more family sized units. In a commercial setting the City would benefit from additional taxable property as well as the use of solar.
The Council also passed Policy Order 14 asking for a joint meeting on the cities energy efficiency and green agenda.
Starter Bank Accounts
The Council passed an order, Policy Order 9, asking the City Manager to look at a program in San Francisco, called “Bank on San Francisco” that assists residents who do not have bank accounts for a variety of reasons to establish bank accounts. The program in San Francisco works with City agencies and local banking institutions to provide low-cost bank starter bank accounts and address issues related to people being able to open accounts. In discussion the Council noted that the first step would be to identify the need for such a program.
School Committee Meeting on Superintendent’s Contract
The School Committee is meeting tonight to discuss the contract of Superintendent Thomas Fowler-Finn at 6:00 p.m. in the Henrietta Attles Room at Cambridge Rindge and Latin High School. If you would like to weigh-in on this important decision please e-mail the members of the School Committee. A list of e-mail addresses is available at
http://www.cpsd.us/schcomm/committee_members.cfm or you can use the list below.
School Committee e-mail list:
