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June 13, 2007 GAC Update
The City Council met on Monday and had a very short agenda. The Council also passed an order supporting the Municipal Partnership Act before the legislature that would, among other things, allow cities and towns to pass local option sales taxes on certain activities. The Council also received a report regarding the upcoming move of three historic houses from the Harvard Law School campus and the Planning Boards favorable recommendation of the zoning changes requested by the developer of the planned performance arts center in Kendall Square.
The Council’s Cable TV, Telecommunications and Public Utilities will conduct a public meeting tonight at 5 p.m. in City Hall to discuss Building Code revisions on green buildings.
State Senator Jarrett Barrios has announced he will resign from the Senate on July 5. According to the Cambridge Chronicle City Councillor Anthony Galluccio has said that he will run for the seat and State Representative Alice Wolf has announced she will not be a candidate. The primary is scheduled for Tuesday, September 11. The Chronicle story is at Election for Barrios seat: Wolf out, Galluccio in.
The Chamber is interested in input from members on proposed changes to the federal immigration laws. E-mail your comment to tsmith@cambridgechamber.org.
June 11, 2007 Cambridge City Council Meeting
The Council received a report regarding the upcoming move of three historic houses from the Harvard Law School campus which will impact traffic on Massachusetts Avenue the weekend of June 23-24. The Council received the Planning Boards favorable recommendation of the zoning changes requested by the developer of the planned performance arts center in Kendall Square. The Council passed an order supporting the Municipal Partnership Act before the legislature that would, among other things, allow cities and towns to pass local option sales taxes on certain activities.
Council Supports Municipal Partnership Act
The Council voted to express its support for the Municipal Partnership Act. This act is before the State legislature and if passed will provide additional flexibility to cities and towns in providing services and raising revenue.
The legislation would allow some cost cutting in the areas of employee health insurance and pensions and would allow cities and towns, through a local option approval process, to increase meals taxes up to two percent, add an additional one percent to room occupancy excise taxes, and close an exemption to local property taxes afforded to some telecommunication companies. A copy of the order is available at Policy Order 5.
Report on Three Historic Houses to be Relocated June 23-24
On the weekend of June 23 three historic homes will be moved from the Harvard Law School campus. The Manager submitted a report on this project to the Council on Monday. A copy of the communication regarding the move of three historic houses is available at City Manager Agenda Item 6. Please note that this project will have an impact on traffic on Massachusetts Avenue, especially around the Harvard Law School campus, the weekend of June 23 and 24.
Planning Board Approves Kendall Square Arts Center Zoning Changes
The Council also received a report from the Planning Board recommending approval of the zoning changes requested for the arts center planned for Kendall Square. The Council accepted the Planning Board report and can enact the zoning changes as soon as the next Council meeting scheduled for Monday June 18. The Planning Board report is available at City Manager Agenda Item 9.
