September 12, 2007 GAC Update
Cambridge swore-in a new City Councillor on Monday and elected a new State Senator on Tuesday.
David Maher was sworn-in to fill the Council seat vacated by Michael Sullivan at the start of Monday’s Council meeting.
Anthony Galluccio won the Special Primary Election for the open State Senate Seat yesterday.
The Council Ordinance Committee will hold a public hearing on the proposed Green Building Requirements amendment to the Zoning Ordinance next Wednesday
Attorney General Martha Coakley will address an October GAC/Executive Speaker luncheon on Wednesday, October 24, 2007 at the Royal Sonesta Hotel.
The Chamber’s Real Estate Round Table series features a presentation by Robert P. Reardon, Director of Assessment, City of Cambridge, on Wednesday August 19 from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. This is timely as the City Council will meet to discuss the tax classification the following Monday. For more information and to register go to Real Estate Round Table V
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
If you plan to attend please e-mail Terrence Smith at tsmith@cambridgechamber.org or phone him at 617-876-4213.
October 24, 2007
GAC Executive Speaker Luncheon with Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley
11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Place and registration details to be announced
November 27, 2007 TBA
September 10, 2007 City Council Meeting
The Council met on Monday and David Maher was sworn-in to fill the vacant Council seat. David has served three terms on the Council and also served on the Cambridge School Committee. Welcome back David.
The Council met on Monday for the first regular meeting since the Special Summer meeting on July 30. The Council received a report from the City Manager on the City’s efforts in the area of WiFi, and passed policy orders related to trash, roadway speeds, noise and neighborhood economic development.
Report on WiFi
The City Manager’s agenda included a report on the City’s WiFi efforts. In the report the City Manager writes that Cambridge has been working methodically to address issues related to providing free WiFi and has avoided problems facing other cities. The City is working to provide a network accessible throughout the City outdoors and accessible using user-purchased hardware in many buildings. The report also details technical and financial limitations other cities have identified in making available WiFi networks. A copy of the report is available at City Manager Report 2. The report was referred to the Council’s Committee for Cable TV, Telecommunications and Public Utilities.
Fines for Trash
The Council passed a policy order asking for an appropriate way to fine tenants and landlords who have not made proper arrangements for trash disposal. A copy of the order is available at Policy Order 25.
Lower Speed Limits
The Council passed an order asking the City Manager to prepare a Home Rule petition to go before the State Legislature asking the City to be allowed to post a 25 mile per hour speed limit on all secondary roads. Most speed limits in Massachusetts are set by the State. A copy of the policy order is available at Policy Order 20.
Small Business Orders
The Council passed two orders related to small businesses. The first asks the City to develop a welcoming package for new small businesses neighborhood business owners and asks that the City create a method to gather information from exit interviews to maintain an accurate list of business vacancies. The second order asks the City Manager to work with appropriate departments to conduct commercial needs assessments in neighborhoods to help inform realtors of commercial needs when a vacancy occurs. Copies of these orders are available at Policy Order 37 and Policy Order 38.
Galluccio Wins Senate Primary
Cambridge City Councillor won the Democratic Primary in the Special Election to fill the State Senate seat vacated in July by Jarrett Barrios. Galluccio will be the sole candidate on the ballot on the October 9 Special General election ballot as no candidates ran for any other party nomination. Galluccio received more than 50% of the vote in the districts two largest communities Cambridge and Everett. Chelsea City Councillor Paul Nowicki came in second based largely on a strong showing in Chelsea, where he won 68% of the vote.
Councillor Galluccio has previously announced that he would leave the City Council in January if elected to the Senate seat. Anthony has always been a good friend to the Cambridge business community and the Chamber looks forward to continuing to work with him after he moves from City Hall to the State House. Follow the links to coverage from The Alewife and the Cambridge Chronicle.
Ordinance Committee to Meet on Proposed Green Building Requirements
The City Council’s Ordinance Committee will hold a public hearing on the proposed amendment to add a Green Building Requirements section to the Zoning Ordinance. The Planning Board held a hearing on this amendment on Tuesday September 4 and voted to recommend to the City Council that a task force be created to review the issues. At the Planning Board the Chamber submitted comments expressing concerns about the proposed amendment and will reiterate those concerns at the Council hearing.
