Council approves new protections for sex workers

Cambridge on Tue, Oct 13

• Council approves new protections for sex workers. The Cambridge City Council passed new legal protections for sex workers, a step officials say could lay groundwork for broader reform, Cambridge Patch reported.Cambridge Patch
• Residential, commercial tax rates set to rise again. City Councillor Cathie Zusy says FY27 property taxes will climb about 4 percent for homeowners and 21 percent for businesses, as commercial vacancies near 20 percent squeeze new revenue.Cathie Zusy, City Councillor
• Council presses ahead with Outer Huron Ave bike lanes. Despite a petition with more than 1,500 signatures, the City Council voted to complete the Outer Huron Avenue bike lanes, while a separate order directs the city to find fixes for the resulting parking loss, Councillor Cathie Zusy said.Cathie Zusy, City Councillor
• Housing report says affordability targets aren't working. A new RKG Associates report shared by the Community Development Department finds the city would need a 23 to 26 percent inclusionary zoning rate to keep pace, as 2024 and 2025 marked the decade's lowest new-construction years.Cathie Zusy, City Councillor
• Resident parking permit fee to triple in 2027. The standard annual Resident Parking Permit fee will rise from $25 to $75 starting with the 2027 season under a 2026 City Council policy order, with a fee waiver available for eligible residents.City of Cambridge
• Pressley rides free EZRide shuttle to push for funding. U.S. Rep. Pressley rode a free EZRide shuttle from Lechmere Station to Kendall Square to spotlight the service's funding needs and back her Freedom to Move Act, Cambridge Day reported.Cambridge Day
• Galiot Press marks one year of genre-defying books. Local publisher Galiot Press is marking its first year in business, with two novelists involved describing an effort to bring more artistic risk and transparency to publishing, Cambridge Day reported.Cambridge Day
• Harvard Square's KiOSK faces new debate over its purpose. CultureHouse is overhauling programming at Harvard Square's KiOSK after criticism of its first year raised questions about what the small structure is meant to be, Cambridge Day reported.Cambridge Day
• What A Soup closes, sake bar EN'YA to open there. Harvard Square's What A Soup has closed, with EN'YA Robatayaki & Sake Bar, a Japanese izakaya-style restaurant, planning to take over the space, according to a Boston Restaurants blog report.Boston Restaurants
• Cambridge startup quietly building desktop fusion device. A Cambridge, Massachusetts startup called Cambridge Heavy Industries has reportedly been developing a compact fusion power device, a departure from the massive lasers and magnets the field usually requires, according to a Ground News report.Ground News

Coming up

• Wed, Oct 14: Five free vaccine clinics open across Cambridge. Cambridge is launching five free vaccine clinics today as part of a joint effort with Somerville, which is opening eight of its own, Cambridge Day reported.Cambridge Day
• Wed, Oct 14: Early release Wednesday for K-8 students. Cambridge Public Schools will dismiss kindergarten through grade 8 students early on October 14.Cambridge Public Schools
• Wed, Oct 14: School Climate Subcommittee meets Wednesday. The Cambridge School Committee's Climate Subcommittee holds a meeting on October 14.Cambridge Public Schools
• Thu, Oct 15: School Committee holds special meeting Thursday. The Cambridge School Committee convenes a special meeting on October 15.Cambridge Public Schools
• Thu, Oct 15: Harvard Hyperion stages Othello at Agassiz Theatre. Harvard Hyperion Shakespeare performs Othello, the tragedy of a Venetian general undone by jealousy, at the Agassiz Theatre from October 15 through 18, the Cambridge Somerville Independent reports.Cambridge | Somerville Independent
• Sat, Oct 17: Arts in the Park returns to Sennott Park Saturday. The Department of Public Works and Adius Arts Initiative present the fifth annual Arts in the Park event on October 17 at Sennott Park, spotlighting neighborhood art alongside the ongoing Port Infrastructure Improvements Project.City of Cambridge
• Wed, Oct 21, 6:00 p.m.: Virtual meeting set on 135 Sherman St.'s future. The city hosts a virtual community meeting on October 21 from 6 to 8 p.m. to share updates on the city-owned space at 135 Sherman Street.City of Cambridge

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