Government & development in Cambridge

Government & development in Cambridge, updated every morning from the Cambridge brief.

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Last 14 days

Drop-in session set Nov. 18 on 2027 parking permits. Cambridge's transportation department invites residents to a Nov. 18 drop-in at the Senior Center to ask about 2027 resident parking permit changes, including a new hardship waiver for older residents.Cambridge News
Unofficial results posted for Nov. 3 state election. Cambridge's Election Commission posted unofficial results for the Nov. 3 state election, though hand-counted, provisional and write-in ballots remain to be tallied on Nov. 10 and Nov. 13.Cambridge News
Nightlife business grant applications now open. Cambridge opened applications for a one-time reimbursement program that helps eligible nightlife businesses pay for equipment and marketing, with approved projects due to finish in 2027.Cambridge News
Veterans Day observance and closures set for Nov. 11. Cambridge's Department of Veterans Services will hold its Veterans Day Observance on Nov. 11 at the Sheraton Commander Hotel, and the holiday changes city offices, libraries and trash collection that week.Cambridge News
Civic Assembly's second public safety technologies session set Nov. 7. The second of four Civic Assembly sessions on public safety technologies takes place Saturday, Nov. 7, open to the public in person, on Zoom and on 22-CityView.Cambridge News
Jefferson Park Federal begins welcoming residents. The Cambridge Housing Authority says the first rebuilt Jefferson Park Federal building in North Cambridge is occupied and a second has begun leasing, as the redevelopment continues toward a 2027 finish.Cambridge News
City Council weighs Harvard Square kiosk and Magazine Beach tank. The Cambridge City Council took up the future of the Harvard Square kiosk operator while residents packed public comment to oppose a $190 million MWRA sewer tank proposed under Magazine Beach.Cambridge News
Council on Aging sets three grief talks at Senior Center. The Council on Aging will host three informal in-person conversations about loss at the Cambridge Senior Center on Nov. 30, Dec. 7 and Dec. 14. Registration is encouraged, but drop-in participation is welcome.Cambridge News
Brattle and Church streets close Nov. 7 for Thai Night Market. Parts of Brattle Street and Church Street in Harvard Square are set to close from 2 p.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, for the Loy Krathong Thai Night Market.Cambridge News
Parking permit fee rises to $75; Nov. 18 drop-in set. Cambridge's transportation department will hold a drop-in session Nov. 18 at the Senior Center on 2027 resident parking permit changes. The fee rises from $25 to $75, and a hardship waiver replaces the automatic waiver for residents 65 and older.Cambridge News
Cambridge posts unofficial results for Nov. 3 state election. Cambridge's Election Commission posted unofficial results for the Nov. 3 state election. They leave out hand-counted, provisional and write-in ballots; remaining ballots will be counted Nov. 10 and Nov. 13.Cambridge News
Mass. voters decide most of nine ballot questions. Voters said yes on Questions 1, 2, 4, 6 and 9 and no on 3 and 8, while 5 and 7 were too close to call. Patch and Cambridge-Somerville Independent also covered the results.Cambridge Day
Council votes to review Harvard Square kiosk model. The City Council took up the future of the Harvard Square kiosk and heard heavy opposition to a proposed MWRA sewer tank under Magazine Beach, with thirteen residents testifying against the project.Cambridge News
Weekly obituary notices for Cambridge residents. This week's obituary roundup lists four Cambridge residents who died between October 26 and 28: Joseph Charite, 78; William Church Atkinson, 101; Mario Valdes, 85; and James Edward Garfield, 71.Cambridge News
Council on Aging sets three grief conversations. The Council on Aging is hosting three informal in-person conversations about loss at the Cambridge Senior Center on Nov. 30, Dec. 7 and Dec. 14, with registration encouraged but drop-ins welcome.Cambridge News
Harvard Square streets close Nov. 7 for market. Parts of Brattle Street and Church Street in Harvard Square will close from 2 p.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, for the Loy Krathong Thai Night Market.Cambridge News
Deputy city manager says MWRA has backed off Magazine Beach. Deputy city manager Kathy Watkins said widespread opposition has led the MWRA to move away from taking Magazine Beach parkland for a sewer storage tank, according to csindie.csindie
Obituary notices for week of Oct. 26-Nov. 1. This week's Cambridge obituary notices list four residents, Joseph, Atkinson, Valdes and Garfield, who died between Oct. 26 and Oct. 28, drawn from Echovita, Legacy.com, Tribute Archive and Cambridge Patch listings.Cambridge News
KiOSK wraps fall season, eyes winter plans. The City of Cambridge looked back on a busy fall season of programming at the Cambridge KiOSK in Harvard Square, with officials inviting residents to help shape what comes next this winter.Cambridge News
City weighs property tax hike up to 15 percent. Cambridge homeowners could see residential property tax rates rise 10 to 15 percent even as the city considers cutting services, according to The Cool Down.The Cool Down
Judge dismisses Trump administration's Harvard admissions lawsuit. A federal judge dismissed the Trump administration's lawsuit seeking Harvard's admissions race data, ending that legal challenge against the Cambridge-based university, the Washington Post reports.The Washington Post
Cambridge officials affirm disability rights amid federal threats. Cambridge officials affirmed Monday that disability rights are civil rights, responding to summer threats from the Trump administration about involuntary institutionalization, according to the Cambridge Day Somerville Independent.Cambridge Day Somerville Independent
Councillor's newsletter rounds up Halloween, voting guides. City Councillor Marc McGovern's weekly newsletter points residents to guides on the nine state ballot questions, Halloween open houses at fire stations, library and bookstore author talks, and a household hazardous waste day Nov. 7.Cambridge News
October home sales roundup topped by $5 million deal. Cambridge recorded three disclosed home sales in October, led by a $5 million transaction, according to newly compiled city property data.Cambridge News
Road closures hit town for 5K, half marathon. The city warned of road closures and traffic impacts Saturday and Sunday as runners take part in the 3rd Annual Cambridge 5K and 8th Annual Cambridge Half Marathon.City of Cambridge
CLC program builds job skills for students. The City of Cambridge highlighted the Community Learning Center's Career Connections Program, which helps students build communication and workplace skills, with the next session starting in January.Cambridge News
City urges residents to shop local this season. The City of Cambridge is encouraging residents to support local shops and restaurants this holiday season, noting Small Business Saturday falls on Nov. 28, 2026.Cambridge News
Special Olympics basketball tryouts set for November. The Cambridge Program for Individuals with Special Needs is holding Special Olympics basketball tryouts Nov. 7 and Nov. 14 at the Russell Youth and Community Center, open to Cambridge residents of all ages and skill levels.Cambridge News
Family Literacy Fun Day set for Nov. 7. Cambridge will host a free Family Literacy Fun Day on Nov. 7 at City Hall for families with children from birth through 3rd grade, featuring activities, free books and a magic show.Cambridge News
Harvard Square's Lot 2 garage closing for repairs. Lot 2 in Harvard Square will close fully for construction from Nov. 2, 2026 through Jan. 30, 2027 while Harvard University repairs the garage; the adjacent Harvard Square Hotel will also close until February.City of Cambridge
Road closures set for Cambridge 5K, half marathon. Cambridge will see road closures and traffic impacts Saturday, Oct. 31 and Sunday, Nov. 1 as the city hosts its 3rd Annual 5K and 8th Annual Half Marathon.City of Cambridge
Ahern Field to close in sections for soil testing. The city will collect soil samples at Ahern Field and playground on Monday, Nov. 2, temporarily closing sections of the field as the work progresses.City of Cambridge
Housing dashboard launches to track Cambridge projects. Cambridge launched a new interactive dashboard that lets residents track nearly 250 housing projects as the city pursues its 2030 housing goal, The Cooldown reports.The Cooldown
Council resumes debate on 3 held policy orders. The City Council met in special session to continue debate on three policy orders paused after councillors invoked charter rights, following an October 19 session that drew hundreds and thousands of written comments.Cambridge News
Road closures set for Cambridge 5K and half marathon. The city flagged road closures hitting East Cambridge and Memorial Drive this weekend as thousands of runners take over the streets for two race days.Cambridge News
CLC program builds career communication skills for students. The city highlighted a Community Learning Center program that builds job and communication skills for students, with its next session opening to new participants in January.Cambridge News
City urges shopping local this holiday season. The city is pushing residents to spend at local shops and restaurants as the holidays approach, pointing to Small Business Saturday as a key date on the calendar.Cambridge News
Poll finds support for Cambridge's multifamily zoning. A Better Cambridge and Abundant Housing Massachusetts released polling Thursday finding most Cambridge voters want the city to preserve or expand multifamily zoning as critics push to roll it back, Cambridge Somerville Independent reports.Cambridge Somerville Independent
MBTA delays Central Square accessibility project. A multimillion-dollar MBTA accessibility upgrade in Central Square has been delayed despite being underway for seven years, with most residents unaware of the holdup, Cambridge Day reports.Cambridge Day
Council returns to 3 stalled policy orders. The Cambridge City Council met in special session to continue deliberating three policy orders paused after councillors invoked charter rights, following a marathon public comment hearing that drew over 350 residents and thousands of written comments.Cambridge News
Ahern Field playground to close for soil testing. Cambridge says Ahern Field and its playground will close in sections Nov. 2 while consultant CDM Smith collects soil samples for an ongoing construction project, with access maintained around the park.Cambridge News
Harvard Square's Lot 2 closes for repairs. Lot 2, the parking garage beneath the Harvard Square Hotel, will close entirely starting Nov. 2 while Harvard University finishes structural repairs, with work expected to wrap by Jan. 30, 2027.Cambridge News
MWRA open to alternate sites for Magazine Beach tank. At a contentious Cambridgeport meeting, MWRA officials said they would consider alternative locations for the proposed 10-million-gallon sewage tank or restoring public access above it after construction, Cambridge Day reports; the Cambridge Somerville Independent also covered the meeting.Cambridge Day
Councilors push MWRA for tougher sewage plan. Cambridge Day reports city councilors in Cambridge, Somerville and Boston are joining to push the MWRA for a more ambitious plan to curb combined sewer overflow pollution.Cambridge Day
Council passes divestment order, rejects contract review. Cambridge Day reports the council passed an amended order requiring the city to build its own divestment list including firms like Palantir and GE Aerospace, while a related move to review city contracts was rejected.Cambridge Day
Ballot Question 7 would allow smaller house lots. Cambridge Day reports Massachusetts voters will decide whether to override local zoning and allow single-family homes on lots as small as 5,000 square feet, a change supporters say would spur starter-home construction.Cambridge Day
Council, schools open FY28 budget talks. Cambridge City Council and the School Committee opened budget talks for fiscal 2028 at a joint roundtable, with finance officials warning of a third straight year of economic headwinds squeezing city revenue.Cambridge News
Youth hockey sets winter practice schedule. Cambridge Youth Hockey, home of the Falcons, released its first winter practice block for the 2026-2027 season, with placement registration still open at Simoni Skating Rink. The club also flagged a statewide requirement that players wear neck guards.Cambridge News
Cambridge wins statewide energy efficiency award. The City of Cambridge announced Oct. 26 that it received a 2026 Mass Save Impact Award recognizing energy efficiency work across municipal buildings, including the new Tobin Montessori and Darby Vassall Upper Schools complex.Cambridge News
Ahern Field to close Nov. 2 for testing. Cambridge says Ahern Field and its playground will close in sections on Nov. 2 while consultant CDM Smith collects soil samples for an ongoing construction project; access for emergency vehicles will be maintained.Cambridge News
Harvard Square's Lot 2 closes Nov. 2. Lot 2, the parking garage beneath the Harvard Square Hotel, will close entirely starting Nov. 2 while Harvard University finishes structural repairs, with work expected to wrap by Jan. 30, 2027.Cambridge News
Council weighs divesting from Gaza-tied companies. Cambridge city councillors are considering orders to pull municipal investments from, and limit business with, companies linked to Israel's military actions in Gaza, Cambridge Day and Cambridge Somerville Independent reported. Police unions have objected in formal letters.Cambridge Day
Fiscal outlook points to higher taxes, possible cuts. Cambridge Day reports the fiscal 2028 outlook could bring a 10 percent residential tax rate increase alongside further service cuts. Cambridge Somerville Independent separately reported the city is shifting more tax burden onto homeowners.Cambridge Day
Civic assembly debates ShotSpotter, camera use. Forty Cambridge residents began deliberating Saturday on ShotSpotter gunshot sensors and surveillance cameras after hearing competing testimony from police and civil liberties advocates, Cambridge Day reported.Cambridge Day
Report tracks local impact of zoning law. A multi-newsroom review found Cambridge among five communities, along with Lexington, Arlington, Belmont and Waltham, examined five years into the state's MBTA Communities Act multifamily zoning law, Cambridge Day reported.Cambridge Day
Council, schools open FY28 budget review. Cambridge City Council and the School Committee opened fiscal 2028 budget talks Monday, with finance officials warning that declining commercial property values and new federal pressures are straining city revenue for a third straight year.Cambridge News
Youth hockey releases winter practice schedule. Cambridge Youth Hockey released its first winter practice block for the 2026-2027 season, with placement registration still open at Simoni Skating Rink as the club flagged a statewide neck guard requirement for players.Cambridge News
City seeks volunteers for two board vacancies. Cambridge is seeking residents to fill open seats on the Commission for Persons with Disabilities Advisory Board and the Planning Board, with applications accepted through the city's online system, Councillor Marc McGovern's newsletter noted.City of Cambridge
Deeds show $25 million gap in home sales. Cambridge News combed this week's property deed filings and found a $25 million swing between the city's priciest sale and its smallest, underscoring how wide the gap in local real estate has grown.Cambridge News
Early voting opens at Main Library. Early voting for the Nov. 3 state election runs Monday from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. in the Rossi Room at the Main Library.Cambridge News
Preview flags divestment item at third council meeting. CSIndie's preview of this week's Cambridge meetings says a third session will address the council's stalled divestment proposal, alongside Monday's City Council and School Committee roundtable on next year's education budget.CSIndie
Library flags MassHealth rule changes for patrons. Cambridge Public Library's weekly Directors Update warns that new federal immigration requirements are reshaping who qualifies for MassHealth, urging patrons to keep their contact information current as the rules continue to shift.Cambridge News
Library launches first card design contest. The Cambridge Public Library is launching its first-ever library card design contest, inviting anyone who lives, works or attends school in Cambridge to illustrate an adventure they've had through the library, with entries due by Nov. 15.Cambridge News
Civic Assembly opens first session on surveillance tech. Cambridge's new Civic Assembly held its first session Saturday at King Open School, orienting members on public safety technology, surveillance, privacy and civil liberties ahead of future deliberations, the city said.City of Cambridge
Library warns MassHealth rules are changing. Cambridge Public Library's weekly Directors Update says new federal immigration requirements are reshaping who qualifies for MassHealth and urges patrons to keep their contact information current with the state.Cambridge News
Judge orders city to decide on 1740 permit. A judge declined to force Cambridge to approve a permit application known as 1740, but ordered the city to issue a decision on whether to grant or deny it, Cambridge Day reported.Cambridge Day
City launches housing development dashboard. Cambridge has launched an interactive Housing Development Dashboard letting residents search up-to-date information on housing projects citywide, responding to heavy public interest in development activity, Cambridge Day reported.Cambridge Day
Central Square to get separated bike lanes in 2027. Massachusetts Avenue through Central Square will get separated bike lanes starting in 2027, moving them next to the curb with new flex posts, pavement markings and modified signals, Cambridge Somerville Independent reported.Cambridge Somerville Independent

Coming up

Sat, Nov 7, 9 a.m.: Final 2026 Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day. Cambridge residents can drop off hazardous waste at 50 Mooney St. from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. It is the last collection day of 2026 and is open to residents only.Town of Cambridge
Sat, Nov 7, 9 a.m.: Civic Assembly holds second session at King Open School. The Cambridge Civic Assembly meets at the King Open School, 850 Cambridge St., for Session 2.City of Cambridge
Sat, Nov 7, 10:30 a.m.: Family literacy fun day returns to City Hall. Cambridge will host a free Family Literacy Fun Day on Nov. 7 at City Hall for families with children from birth through 3rd grade, featuring activities, free books and a magic show.Cambridge News
Mon, Nov 9, 12 p.m.: Rental Housing Information Session. The city holds a Rental Housing Information Session at noon.Town of Cambridge
Mon, Nov 9, 5 p.m.: Peace Commission plans 2027 MLK Day commemoration. The Peace Commission holds a virtual public planning meeting for the 2027 MLK Day commemoration.Town of Cambridge
Mon, Nov 9, 5:30 p.m.: City Council regular meeting. The City Council meets in the Sullivan Chamber at City Hall, 795 Massachusetts Ave.Town of Cambridge
Mon, Nov 9, 7 p.m.: Conservation Commission meeting canceled. The Conservation Commission's monthly meeting, scheduled for 7 p.m., is canceled.Town of Cambridge
Tue, Nov 10, 12 p.m.: City Council Public Safety Committee meets. The Public Safety Committee meets in the Sullivan Chamber at City Hall.Town of Cambridge
Tue, Nov 10, 6:30 p.m.: Planning Board meets online. The Planning Board holds its meeting online.Town of Cambridge
Thu, Nov 12, 5:30 p.m.: Commission for Persons with Disabilities meets. The Cambridge Commission for Persons with Disabilities holds its meeting.Town of Cambridge

Updated daily from the Cambridge morning brief.