Cambridge Council Approves $2.1M in Snow and Road Spending, Eyes Fare-Free Bus Pilot

CAMBRIDGE — March 18, 2024 — Cambridge City Council unanimously backed $2.148 million in snow operations and road repair spending and adopted a policy order seeking a fare-free MBTA Route 1 bus pilot tied to a planned July Red Line shutdown. The nine-member council approved a $680,000 free-cash appropriation for two new plow trucks and two sidewalk machines, a $468,295 transfer for snowstorm plowing contracts, and a $1 million appropriation for street repairs driven partly by a 42 percent jump in per-foot water main construction costs, according to acting Water Department Managing Director Mark Gallagher. Finance Director Jennifer Spinner and CFO Taha Jennings briefed the council on Cambridge's retention of triple-A ratings from Moody's, S&P, and Fitch — a distinction shared by only 24 U.S. cities — while cautioning that declining commercial assessments, rising OPEB liabilities, and the coming end of ARPA funding represent medium-term credit risks. Housing Liaison Moraima Penzack reported that 61 families and roughly 200 people remain at the Registry of Deeds overflow shelter, with daytime access now expanded following advocacy by the city and state delegation. Councillor Patty Pickett exercised her charter right on two housing zoning policy orders, deferring them to a future meeting, while a Government Operations Committee report proposing roughly 10 clarifying changes to council rules was laid on the table for a vote the following week.