August 8, 2007 GAC Update  

This week’s Update includes more news from the July 30 City Council meeting. No City Council until after Labor Day.   

The ballot is set for the Special Election to fill the State Senate seat recently vacated by Jarrett Barrios.

A meeting of a nano-industry group being assembled in response to the City’s review of regulations of nano-materials will be meeting in the Chamber Board Room this Thursday, August 9 at 2:00 p.m.  If you would like more information please contact Terrence F. Smith, Director of Government Affairs at tsmith@cambridgechamber.org or by phone at (617) 876-4213.

The first meeting of the City’s Nanomaterials Advisory Committee is scheduled for next Wednesday.

Upcoming GAC Events

The 2007 Government Affairs program is sponsored by Genzyme.

September 25, 2007
GAC Meeting and Luncheon
Noon, Chamber Board Room
Guest speaker State Representative William Brownsberger

October 23, 2007 TBA

November 27, 2007 TBA

July 30, 2007 City Council Meeting (Part 2)

Last week’s Update included a report on Michael Sullivan’s decision not to run for re-election this fall and reports on important matters on the City Manager’s agenda. This week’s Update will highlight Council actions regarding Green buildings and jobs, NorthPoint, Wi Fi, the Silver Maple Forest, and allowing seniors to get a property tax break by doing volunteer work.

Green Buildings, Green Jobs and Green Jobs Training
The council passed four orders referring to Green practices. Two related to jobs and two related to buildings.  Policy Order 8 calls for a Green Collar Jobs Commission to ensure that low income and minority youth have access to jobs that are being created in response to activities, such as the Cambridge Energy Alliance, that focus on investment in Green technologies. Policy Order 43 asks the School Committee to support development of curricula at Rindge School of Technical Arts that prepare students to work in green industries.

Policy Order 19 asks the City Manager to convene a task force to identify regulatory changes necessary to expedite permitting of green buildings and to address code issues that hinder building of green or energy efficient buildings.  Policy Order 40 asks the City Manager to investigate zoning, financing and education that encourage development of green roofs.

The Council also received a report from the a Cable TV, Telecommunications and Public Utilities Committee hearing to discuss green building code and zoning issues.  The report is available at Committee Report 5.

NorthPoint Questions
Policy Order 4 asks for an update on the NorthPoint project and Policy Order 30 asks for a review of the legal agreement between the MBTA and Guilford Transportation Industries regarding an elevated walkway as part of the move of the Lechmere Station.

Wi Fi
Policy Order 21 asks for an update on the City’s implementation of Citywide Wi Fi.

Silver Maple Forest Acquisition
Policy Order 29 puts the Council on record supporting the State’s acquisition of the Silver Maple Forest, a 15.6 acre privately-owned parcel of land in Belmont and partially in Cambridge. The order also indicates the City’s willingness to discuss financial participation with other parties.  State House Bill 21 requests $6 million for the purchase of this parcel.  According to the Belmont Assessors Data Base (Parcel 40-1) the property is currently values at $13,879,000.

Property Tax Break for Senior Volunteers
Policy Order 34 asks the City Manager to determine the feasibility of instituting a program that provides senior citizens with a property tax break in exchange for providing volunteer services to the City.

Candidates List for State Senate Special Election

This Tuesday was the deadline for candidates to file nominating petitions with the Secretary of State for the September 11 Special Primary Election for the vacant State Senate. According to published reports Cambridge City Councilor Anthony Galluccio, Chelsea City Councilor Paul Nowicki, and attorneys Tim Flaherty and Jeff Ross will be on the Democratic Party primary ballot on September 11.

For a listing of public meetings, visit the Public Meetings link or the Public Meeting Notices area of the City of Cambridge Web site.