The Council met on Monday and had further discussions about the proposed Leaf Blower Amendment to the Noise Ordinance. State Representative and Vice Mayor Timothy Toomey transmitted a communication regarding legislations passed and signed by the Governor that allows the City to pay full salary and benefits to City employees serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. The Council meets next week and is expected to have a final version of the leaf blower amendment.
State Senator Anthony Petruccelli’s office sent an e-mail to the Chamber thanking the GAC for having him as our guest last week. He and his staff are also looking forward to working collaboratively with the Chamber and its members to further the pressing issues of Cambridge and the Commonwealth.
The Leaders 2008 event is scheduled for Wednesday January 23 at the Hotel Marlowe from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Thanks to Comcast for signing-on as a sponsor.
Upcoming GAC Events
The 2007 Government Affairs program is sponsored by
Genzyme.
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 to 8 p.m. Registration and additional information are available on the Chamber website at
Cambridge Leaders 2008.
December 3, 2007 City Council Meeting
The Council met on Monday and had further discussions about the proposed Leaf Blower Amendment to the Noise Ordinance. The Council discussed a number of changes to the most recent draft ordinance. State Representative and Vice Mayor Timothy Toomey transmitted a communication regarding an act of the legislature signed by the Governor that allows the City to pay full salary and benefits to City employees serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Leaf Blower Amendment to the Noise Ordinance
The Council received a new version of the proposed Leaf Blower Amendment to the Noise Ordinance reflecting changes approved at the November 26 City Council meeting. The Council also received language it had requested as well as changes suggested by City staff. The Council discussed and approved further changes including defining a commercial leaf blower operator as an employer of two or more people, a change in the start time that leaf blowers can be used on weekdays during the period when leaf blower use is allowable to 8:00 from 9:00 a.m., allowing use of leaf blowers on Columbus Day and Veterans Day, and allowing some owners of continuous properties of two or more acres to use leaf blowers under the same requirements as applies to the City for large City owned parcels such as Danehy Park and Cambridge Cemetery. The City Manager’s transmittal is available at
City Manager Agenda 16View attached letter. and the substitute amendment and other information is available at
The Council asked that a full version of the amendment, incorporating changes made at Monday’s meeting, be prepared for next Monday’s meeting.
Text of Special Act Passed Regarding City Employees Serving in War Zones
State Representative and Vice Mayor Timothy Toomey transmitted a communication regarding an act passed by the legislature and signed by the Governor that allows the City to pay full salary and benefits to City employees serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. The legislation, Chapter 153 of the Acts of 2007, entitles Cambridge City and School Department employees assigned to the theater of combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan to full base pay and benefit.
