Cambridge Council Approves $2.2 Million in Snow, Street, and Water Spending

CAMBRIDGE -- March 19, 2024, Cambridge City Council unanimously approved more than $2.2 million in public works appropriations and heard a detailed briefing on the city's triple-A bond ratings at its March 18 meeting. Finance staff confirmed Cambridge is one of only 24 cities in the United States to hold triple-A ratings from all three major agencies, Moody's, S&P, and Fitch, crediting strong reserves, multi-year financial planning, and a robust local economy. The council voted 9-0 to appropriate $1 million from free cash for street repairs, $680,000 for two new dump trucks and two sidewalk machines for snow operations, and $468,295 for snowstorm labor and contractor costs; acting water department director Mark Gallagher disclosed that water main construction costs have risen 42 percent contract-over-contract. The council also adopted a 5.23 percent water rate increase for fiscal year 2025, offset in part by $1.6 million in ARPA funds. Mayor Simmons cautioned colleagues about the city's reliance on federal ARPA dollars set to expire in 2026 and softening commercial property valuations, saying the rating agencies' warnings about reserves and free cash "were in the last year's financial report" as well, signaling those risks are not new. The council also adopted a policy order directing staff to pursue a fare-free Number 1 bus during the July Red Line shutdown and laid proposed city council rule changes, including a tiered public comment time structure drawing sharp criticism from residents, on the table for a vote the following week.